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Published by Return to Reason
Since its inception in 1999, the Frontier Centre for Public Policy has been steadfast in its mission to foster Ideas for a Better Tomorrow. Through research, publications, educational events and policy analysis, Frontier has impacted dozens of governments and policy sectors. With Western Canadian roots and a drive to cultivate responsible citizenship, Leaders on the Frontier features discussions of common sense and good governance from this non-partisan, cutting-edge think tank.
On the charts
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Have Canadian cities gone too far with bike lanes? Few people are against cycling—but in a country with long, cold winters, does it make sense to spend millions on bike infrastructure and dedicate so much valuable road space to something many people can't use year-round? Are bike lanes improving safety, or creating new problems for traffic, deliveries, businesses, parking and emergency access? And who are they really serving? Join David Leis with Marty Gold, Cory Morgan, and economist Randal O’Toole to ask whether Canada's bike-lane push makes sense or whether cities have simply gone too far.
Canada-U.S. trade talks are getting ugly. Why did Canada walk away from the deal? Has the trade war turned into a political shouting match between Donald Trump and Ontario Premier Doug Ford? And while politicians trade insults, who actually pays the price? Join David Leis with Sylvain Charlebois, food policy expert, and Georganne Burke, political commentator, for the latest on the trade war, what happens next, and how the escalating war of words could affect jobs, groceries, businesses, and the Canadian economy. What is the trade policy and strategy to get out of this mess?
Canadians are anxious about the economy, Trump, AI, climate change, and what the future holds. Abacus Data CEO David Coletto joins David Leis to explain how that uncertainty is shaping political opinions and how politicians respond to it. They discuss Trump, immigration, younger Canadians, regional divides, declining trust in politicians, and the growing demand for leaders with a plan. The big question: Are politicians giving Canadians what they need or what the polls tell them they want?
A last-minute tentative Canada-U.S. trade deal has paused the 50% tariffs for three days while the agreement is finalized—but what does this mean for Canadians? And there's another major development: Donald Trump says a new deal could revive Keystone XL, the Alberta-to-U.S. Gulf Coast pipeline cancelled by the Biden administration in 2021. Trump says the project “may be awoken from the grave.” And does this tentative trade deal signal a turning point in Canada's relationship with the United States? Join David Leis live with Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy, and Catherine Swift, business advocate, as they break down the latest developments and what Canadians need to watch next. Join the Live Show on YouTube, every Thursday at 2pm CT.
"You have to see it to believe it," says Jeffrey Tucker, American writer and journalist with the Brownstone Institute. Shocking new revelations from Anthony Fauci’s private diary are raising questions about what happened behind the scenes during COVID. What did Fauci know about the origins of the virus? What was he saying privately compared with what he told the public? And what did officials know about vaccines, mandates, and potential risks? Tucker reveals what's in the diary and Fauci’s influence on the policies that shaped life in Canada—including lockdowns, mandates, and the Freedom Convoy.
Does the next generation actually have a future in Canada? Young Canadians are facing a very different country: housing they can’t afford, a struggling economy, declining trust in institutions, cultural division, and growing questions about quality of life, masculinity, and Canada's place in the world. Is Canada in decline and what does that mean for the people who will inherit it? Join David Leis with young Canadian Cassandra Paradoski, Political Scientist Jay Goldberg, and Mason Anderson with Frontier Centre for Public Policy. This is a blunt conversation about the future of Canada and whether the next generation can still build a good life here.
What if Canada's biggest security weakness isn't the border... but our ports? Former RCMP intelligence official Scott McGregor says Canada's Pacific ports have become a major target for organized crime because only a small percentage of cargo is inspected. He argues criminal networks know exactly how to exploit the system and it's happening in plain sight. Why haven't governments fixed it? How do traffickers move illegal cargo through Canada's supply chains? And why does McGregor believe these security gaps are the result of failed public policy rather than a lack of resources? From organized crime and the fentanyl crisis to trade, national security, and Canada's economic future, McGregor explains why this issue affects every Canadian and the policy changes he says are needed before the problem gets even worse.
Why did Anthony Fauci plead the Fifth? Congressional hearings are raising new questions about the COVID-19 pandemic, government decision-making, and what officials knew behind closed doors. From the lab leak theory and gain-of-function research to school closures, vaccine effectiveness, natural immunity, and COVID fatalities, the testimony is fuelling renewed debate. What does Fauci's decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment tell us? What are the biggest revelations so far? And what should Canadians learn from it? Join David Leis live with Trish Wood, award-winning journalist and host of Trish Wood Is Critical, Ken Drysdale, Co-founder of the National Citizens Inquiry, and Marco Navarro-Genie, Vice President of Research at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, as they separate fact from speculation and discuss what policy changes Canada should consider moving forward.
Is Canada losing the trade war with the United States? As trade tensions continue, many Canadians are asking whether this has become less about protecting Canadian interests and more about politics. Meanwhile, businesses are losing confidence, investment is leaving, and some business leaders warn that 4 in 10 Canadian companies are considering moving operations elsewhere. So where does Canada go from here? What should our trade strategy be? Can we repair our relationship with our largest trading partner, or will the economic damage continue? Join David Leis live with Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, and Marco Navarro-Genie, Vice President of Research at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, as they discuss what's really at stake—and the policy changes needed to get Canada back on track.
Canada has everything it needs to succeed—so why are we falling behind? Business leader Curt Vossen joins David Leis to explain why investment is leaving, productivity is stalling, and Canada is losing ground to the U.S. He says the problem isn't a lack of opportunity—it's public policy. From tax reform and trade to cutting red tape and removing barriers between provinces, Vossen lays out practical policy changes that could help Canada compete again. Can Canada turn things around? He says yes—but only if we act.
Canadians are paying more taxes than ever… so why does it feel like we're getting less? Tax expert Kim Moody joins David Leis to explain why families, entrepreneurs, and investors are leaving Canada—and why that's bad news for everyone. When people and businesses move their money elsewhere, Canada loses the investment needed to pay for hospitals, roads, schools, and public services. Is Canada taxing itself into decline? And what policy changes could turn things around?
The Arctic is becoming one of Canada's greatest economic and strategic opportunities—but also one of its biggest national challenges. As global powers compete for influence in the North, can Canada afford to keep standing still? Join David Leis live with Robyn Lore from NeeStaNan, former Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette, and Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) David Redman as they discuss the upcoming Reclaiming the North conference in Winnipeg and why strategic utility corridors, Arctic sovereignty, and economic development are critical to Canada's future. How do we move from vision to action? What policies are needed? And what happens if Canada fails to act? The conversation starts here but the future depends on what we do next. Join us live on YouTube, Thursday at 2pm CT. The conference is September 14&15. Buy tickets here: https://frontiercentre.org/
Why are investors avoiding Canada? Catherine Swift joins David Leis to explain why businesses are leaving, investment is drying up, and jobs are disappearing. She argues the problem is caused by bad government policies. From taxes and red tape to pipelines, mining, and government spending, Swift explains why she believes Canada has become one of the hardest places to do business—and what policy changes could turn things around. If Canada wants more jobs, higher wages, and a stronger economy, where do we start?
It is now impossible for MOST Canadians to buy a home in Canada! The latest Demographia International Housing Affordability Report presented by Frontier Centre ranks many Canadian cities among the least affordable in the world. For millions of Canadians, owning a home is no longer just difficult—it's out of reach. This is destroying the middle class. So how did we get here? Is it immigration, government policy, zoning rules, taxes, or a lack of housing supply? And most importantly, what policies could actually make homes affordable again? Join David Leis live with Joel Kotkin, internationally recognized urban studies expert; Wendell Cox, principal author of the Demographia International Housing Affordability Report; and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, as they unpack the latest findings and discuss real policy solutions to Canada's housing crisis.
Where is Canada actually headed? David Leis sits down with Conrad Black for an honest conversation about Canada’s identity, its history, and the pressures building across politics, the courts, and the economy as we head toward 2027. They talk about concerns around the rule of law and judicial activism, and whether courts are starting to reshape how laws are applied. Black also weighs in on rising frustration in Western Canada, especially Alberta, where questions about sovereignty and federal policy are getting louder. Then there’s the bigger picture: taxes, trade with the United States, and whether Canada is still set up to compete and grow in today’s world. At the core of it all is a simple question: is Canada still being governed in a way that works for Canadians?
Canada is rolling out new laws to regulate online content—but at what cost? David Leis and Josh Dehaas, with Canadian Constitution Foundation, break down Bill C9 and many other censorship bills that are aimed at protecting children online, but raise serious questions about free speech, privacy, and government control over information. From age verification and internet surveillance concerns to AI regulation and censorship risks, Josh shares whether Canada is crossing a line between safety and overreach. At the heart of it is a policy clash: protecting people online… versus protecting open expression in a digital age.
Citizenship is supposed to be more than a passport. It's the foundation of our democracy, our freedoms, and the shared values that hold the country together. But what does it actually mean to be a Canadian citizen today? What rights come with citizenship? What responsibilities? And have we forgotten why citizenship matters in the first place? Join David Leis live with Dorothy Dobbie, Gerry Bowler, and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of research at Frontier Centre. If citizenship is the glue that holds a country together, what happens when that glue starts to weaken?
Canada’s immigration policy is a train wreck, and it’s creating real security risks. Former RCMP intelligence analyst Scott McGregor explains how gaps in policy, weak enforcement, and slow deportation systems are being exploited by organized crime and foreign actors in Canada. This isn’t just about border control—it’s about policy failure. From ports to courts, the system is struggling to keep up, and criminals know it. The question is simple: what policy changes are needed before the gaps get worse?
Human Rights Commissions across Canada are being accused of going far beyond their original role—now deciding cases that critics say involve speech, research, and opinion rather than clear discrimination. Supporters call them protection. Critics call them overreach. So what are they really doing today and should they be reformed or shut down entirely? Join David Leis live with columnist Barbara Kay, lawyer Collin May, and professor Barry Cooper as they break down how these commissions work, how powerful they’ve become, and what it could mean for free expression in Canada. What policy changes are needed to correct this?
Why land claims are raising alarm bells for homeowners. Law professor Bruce Pardy joins David Leis to discuss why court decisions, B.C. Indigenous land claims, and government policy are raising new questions about property rights in Canada. What do the Cowichan case in B.C. and the recent New Brunswick ruling actually mean? Why aren't property rights protected in Canada's Constitution? And what happens when uncertainty over land ownership starts affecting housing, investment, and economic growth? This isn't just a legal debate. It's about whether Canadians can have confidence in the future of homeownership and property rights.
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Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 20, 2026.
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