Blue Skies Podcast With Erin O'toole, Mp

MP Alicia Kearns, the Chair of the United Kingdom's Foreign Affairs Select Committee, joins Blue Skies to discuss the AUKUS alliance, the war in Ukraine, the Balkans, China and the need for democracies to stand against foreign interference. The conversation with MP Kearns provides an interesting view on geopolitics and how one of Canada’s closest allies views the state of our defence spending and influence.

Erin is joined by Robert Baines, the President of the NATO Association of Canada to discuss the importance of the NATO alliance as it marks 75 years of providing peace and security for its members. They discuss the role of Canada in the alliance and how NATO helped usher in the post-WWII era of prosperity and opportunity. They also discuss risks facing the alliance today ranging from the war in Ukraine to political indifference in some countries.

Erin is joined by long-serving Liberal MP John McKay to talk about his decades of work on international development and defence issues in the House of Commons.  Ahead of the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto, they discuss the impact of Canada's new law to help prevent forced and child labour from being part of Canadian supply chains.  The impact of this new law is discussed along with the new office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise and the need to ensure that Canadian values are always part of our approach to commerce.  Erin and John also discuss defence and geopolitics from their shared interests and work in Parliament.

A special Blue Skies to mark the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Hon. Erin O’Toole gives his quick take on the war, and explains why it’s time to reconfirm support and counter the complacency

Blue Skies returns and continues its series on the important role of nuclear energy in our economic and environmental future. Dr. Chris Keefer, the President of Canadians for Nuclear Energy, joins Erin to discuss his own nuclear ‘conversion’ and how his advocacy is educating Canadians and changing the public policy debate. They discuss Canadian industry advancements from Small Modular Reactors and new build at the Bruce site to the extension of Pickering Generating Station and the role CANDU technology has played developing this important sector.

Before finishing up as Durham MP, Erin interviewed two leaders to talk about the continued growth of nuclear for Canada’s lower emission future and the tremendous innovation and economic activity across Canada. He welcomed Bill Walker, President of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries as well as Rory O'Sullivan, the President of Moltex who is leveraging technology to the issue of waste reduction and power generation.

Erin is joined by Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter to discuss the rising challenges facing cities in North America with addiction, mental health and homelessness levels peaking along with public frustration. Dan speaks about his own struggles with addiction and homelessness and how he tries to bring compassion alongside the leadership needed to make tough decisions to balance wellness and public safety.

Historian Ted Barris sat down with Erin to talk about his new book covering the longest WWII battle - the Battle of the Atlantic - and Canada’s contributions to this critical battle that forged the foundation of the North Atlantic alliance we know today. Canadian heroism and perseverance as told in “Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory”.

Erin is joined by the Hon. Gary Mar, CEO of the Canada West Foundation to take economic priorities for western Canada. A former Alberta Minister, Diplomat, Business and Thought Leader, Gary shares his perspective on the role Canada can play in global energy and food security and how respect for western interests will help build a strong and prosperous Canada. Like, subscribe, and share the Blue Skies political podcast to show you support serious and long-form political debate.

Erin is joined by James Scongack, Executive Vice-President at Bruce Power. James shares his perspective as a corporate leader in this renewed interest and understanding about nuclear energy and its importance to our climate change goals. They also discuss the innovative private sector approach at Bruce Power and how the industry is regulated. They conclude by touching on innovations in the sector like Small Modular Reactors and isotope production.  Like, subscribe, and share the Blue Skies political podcast to show you support serious and long-form political debate.

Erin welcomes Daniel Hannan, a member of the UK House of Lords and a well-known conservative commentator. They discuss the last few years of upheaval in the UK Tory party and the challenges of governing in a pandemic. They also touch on the Labour Party's lead in the polls and public views towards Brexit six years after the UK voted to leave the EU.

Erin welcomes back Canadian-Ukrainian military expert Ihor Kozak for an update on the war in Ukraine. Ihor discusses Ukraine's successes in taking back territory, and explains why supplying tanks and other equipment will be critical to withstanding Putin’s offensives this spring. They also tackle the issue of Russian trolls and the Kremlin’s disinformation machine, including how you can protect yourself from unintentionally spreading Russian propaganda. Read Erin’s Substack essay on the ‘Resolve for Ukraine in 2023’.

Erin was a guest on Canadian Defence Review’s podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on the changing global security balance and the need for Canada to have a more strategic approach to defence and our role in the world. They discuss the war in Ukraine, cyber warfare, the Arctic and a range of challenges the Canadian Armed Forces will face in the future.This podcast was recorded in September 2022.

Erin welcomes well-known Conservative commentator Tasha Kheiriddin for a discussion on the impact of demographic change on Canadian politics and how Millennial and Gen Z voters are already starting to drive the policy agenda. On issues like housing, inclusion, climate change and many others, these voters have different views from the Baby Boomers and the economy they are facing is also very different. Drawing from her recent book The Right Path, Kheiriddin discusses the realignment of Canadian politics currently underway as Millennial voters become the largest working and voting demographic.

In this second of a two-part series on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and mental health, Erin is joined by Mark Meincke, a Veteran and host of the Operation Tango Romeo podcast focused on trauma recovery. Meincke made national headlines this fall when he revealed that Veterans Affairs Canada had already suggested to several Veterans that they consider MAID on assistance calls that originated with a Veteran requesting support for mental injuries. Mark also bravely discusses his own difficult journey with Post Traumatic Stress Injury and how important it is to get Veterans the mental health support they need when they are most vulnerable. The Veteran demonstrates that the Doctor's concerns from episode one are well-founded.

In the first of a two-part series on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and mental health, Erin is joined by Dr. John Maher, a prominent psychiatrist and medical ethics expert. They discuss the risks and ethical issues related to expanding MAID to Canadians with mental injury or illness as the sole basis for the request for MAID and how this major change is dividing mental health professionals. Dr. Maher draws on his decades of experience treating marginalized patients to warn how their medical condition and sense of isolation will make them particularly vulnerable at a time when most Canadians recognize that our healthcare system is in a state of crisis and social supports for housing and addiction treatment are insufficient.

Erin is joined by Robert Zoellick, former President of the World Bank and United States Trade Representative, for a discussion on Russia, China and the need for a renewed North American relationship to rise to the challenges facing the democratic world. Like, subscribe, and share the Blue Skies political podcast to show you support serious and long-form political debate.

General (Retired) Rick Hillier joins Erin for a Remembrance Week discussion. Hillier shares some memories of what inspired him to join the Canadian Armed Forces and reflections on his time as Chief of Defence Staff during the Afghanistan War. They discuss how Canada can continue to remember the fallen and honour the living, including the Veteran-led campaign to have Jess LaRochelle considered for the Victoria Cross. Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue Skies political podcast.

Erin sits down with former energy executive, Chris Slubicki. The two discuss issues related to energy scarcity and abundance, and how the Canadian oil and gas sector can play a key role in global energy security – at home and in Europe. Checkout Chris Slubicki’s TED talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/chris_slubicki_canadian_energy_leadership Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue Skies political podcast.

Erin is joined by Roddy MacKenzie, a Canadian author and historian who travelled to London to join to the long queue of mourners honouring the Queen. Roddy shares his journey and reflects on Queen Elizabeth’s inspiring life of service. They discuss the role of the constitutional monarchy in Canada, the Queen’s special bond with our country and Roddy shares some fascinating anecdotes about the incredible relationship between the UK’s longest-serving monarch and its longest-serving Member of Parliament, Sir Winston Churchill. Like, subscribe, and share the Blue Skies political podcast..