93 episodes

Wonk is a podcast about policy and policymakers in Canada — but you don’t need to be a policy wonk to enjoy it. Hosted by PPF President and CEO Edward Greenspon, we talk to leaders, thinkers and doers who are setting the agenda and driving change for the better in Canada. We also probe the passionate personalities behind the policies. After all, good policy at its core is about people. Listen to Wonk, and be in the knoW. New episodes on Thursdays.

This feed also hosts the archive for Public Policy Forum's podcast, Policy Speaking.

Wonk Public Policy Forum

    • News
    • 4.8 • 19 Ratings

Wonk is a podcast about policy and policymakers in Canada — but you don’t need to be a policy wonk to enjoy it. Hosted by PPF President and CEO Edward Greenspon, we talk to leaders, thinkers and doers who are setting the agenda and driving change for the better in Canada. We also probe the passionate personalities behind the policies. After all, good policy at its core is about people. Listen to Wonk, and be in the knoW. New episodes on Thursdays.

This feed also hosts the archive for Public Policy Forum's podcast, Policy Speaking.

    What does Canada really want from immigration?

    What does Canada really want from immigration?

    Canada is perhaps the most successful immigration nation in the world. But its system is showing some cracks, as immigration is twinned in the public mind with housing shortages and high rental costs. Rupa Banerjee, Canada Research Chair in Economic inclusion, Employment and Entrepreneurship of Canada’s Immigrants, talks to host Edward Greenspon about what Canada’s getting wrong and why it’s unfair to blame foreign students for housing woes.

    • 31 min
    Beverley McLachlin: the problems with the online harms bill

    Beverley McLachlin: the problems with the online harms bill

    The longest-serving Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and the first woman to hold the position, weighs in on the good and the bad of the federal government’s long-awaited online harms bill. She talks to host Edward Greenspon about anti-hate laws, freedom of expression and why some provisions in the new bill will likely end up before the courts.

    • 31 min
    JP Gladu on the rise of big Indigenous business, and life on Lake Nipigon

    JP Gladu on the rise of big Indigenous business, and life on Lake Nipigon

    JP Gladu is one of Canada's visionary leaders in the national dialogue around Indigenous ownership in the economy. He has decades of experience bringing Indigenous communities together with industry and governments in pursuit of their economic sovereignty. He joins host Edward Greenspon to talk about the rise of Indigenous business, getting the government to say 'yes', and overcoming fear and ignorance of Indigenous ownership.

    • 31 min
    John Hannaford on the historic challenges facing the public service

    John Hannaford on the historic challenges facing the public service

    John Hannaford is the Clerk of the Privy Council, the most senior job in the public service. It is really three jobs rolled into one: deputy minister to the Prime Minister, Secretary to the cabinet and head of the public service. Hannaford talks to host Edward Greenspon about the historic challenges facing the public service, the renewed focus on ethics and the importance of fearless advice.

    • 32 min
    Paul Wells on not being mean, and building an empire

    Paul Wells on not being mean, and building an empire

    Paul Wells is the dean of political reporting in Canada. For 30 years he wrote for national news outlets before recently launching his own little media empire. He has a buzzing Substack and podcast. His brand name is now, well, his name. He joins host Edward Greenspon to talk about his life in a fast-changing media landscape, the future of journalism and why he stopped caring about being edgy.

    • 32 min
    ‘Are you a bot?!’ Shingai Manjengwa on why we shouldn’t fear AI

    ‘Are you a bot?!’ Shingai Manjengwa on why we shouldn’t fear AI

    Shingai Manjengwa is one of the leading AI educators and thinkers. She is the head of AI education at chainML, the founder of Fireside Analytics, and the director of professional development at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence. She talks to host Edward Greenspon about how AI actually works, its challenges and why we shouldn’t fear the future.

    • 34 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
19 Ratings

19 Ratings

eliz1941 ,

A good conversation; brings policy ‘alive’

This is a great podcast. The topics are a good mix of what’s important in Canada. A really great way to stay informed about what’s going on in policy and business.

KenBoonDogs ,

Soft dive into the subject

The audio quality was so poor, only the subject material kept me engaged. Some of the issues were approached lightly. Half a loaf, could have used more depth.

Guger ,

Very timely public policy podcast

The role and importance of government in the lives of Canadians are increasing substantially as policy makers deal with the unprecedented challenges imposed by Covid—19. This Public Policy Forum podcast series is timely and articulate in highlighting the value of policy development in crisis times like these.

Top Podcasts In News

The Daily
The New York Times
The Pornhub Empire: Understood
CBC
Who Trolled Amber?
Tortoise Media
Front Burner
CBC
Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
The Current
CBC

You Might Also Like

The CDHI Podcast
C.D. Howe Institute
The Paul Wells Show
Antica Productions
The Herle Burly
Air Quotes Media
Curse of Politics: The Herle Burly Political Panel
Air Quotes Media
Hotel Pacifico
Air Quotes Media
The House
CBC