The Honourable and The Hack

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The Honourable & the Hack is a weekly podcast hosted by retired cabinet minister Andrew Parsons and journalist Alex Bill. The show brings two perspectives to the same table — one from inside government and one from outside it. Through thoughtful conversations and interviews, the podcast examines politics, culture, history, and stories of provincial and national significance, going beyond the headlines to explain what really happens and why it matters.

  1. 1d ago

    He Called a Cabinet Minister Corrupt — Then Sat Across From Him | H&H Ep. 36

    What happens when a politician sits down with the professor who publicly accused him of corruption?This week on The Honourable & The Hack, Andrew Parsons and Alex Bill welcome Dr. Kelly Blidook—Professor of Political Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland for the past 20 years, Chair of MUN’s Interdisciplinary Research Ethics Board, and author of Constituency Influence in Parliament and co-author of Representation in Action: Canadian MPs in the Constituencies.And the conversation begins exactly where the tension is highest.Following the last provincial election, Dr. Blidook appeared on CBC Radio and described a secret cabinet decision involving ministerial transition allowances as a case of “corruption”—a word that landed hard with Andrew, a former cabinet minister.Rather than avoid the disagreement, they go straight at it.What does “corruption” mean to a political scientist—and what does the word imply to the general public? Can a confidential cabinet decision ever be properly defended? And why does nearly everyone at the table agree that politicians are underpaid for the job?From there, the conversation widens into the real mechanics of political power in Newfoundland and Labrador: the impossible politics of politicians fixing their own salaries, why campaign-finance reform stalls even when governments claim to support it, and the structural weaknesses facing each political party.They examine the NDP’s ideological-purity problem, the PCs’ siege mentality, and the blame game every incoming government plays—until the public stops buying it.Dr. Blidook also explains why so few academics write about Newfoundland and Labrador politics and what that means for who gets to study, interpret and ultimately shape our province’s political story.If you care about Newfoundland and Labrador politics—or want to hear an honest, occasionally uncomfortable debate between a political practitioner and an academic who genuinely disagree—this is an episode you will not want to miss.🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:• The CBC interview that labelled a cabinet decision “corruption”—and why it angered Andrew• What “corruption” means to a political scientist versus the general public• Why cabinet decisions are confidential by definition—and whether that is a problem• The political catch-22 that keeps elected officials’ salaries frozen across party lines• Andrew on fundraising: “I don’t give a shit if you change campaign finance rules one bit”• Whether money truly buys influence in provincial politics—or merely creates that perception• The NDP’s “weakness is weakness” problem in Newfoundland and Labrador• The PCs, political paranoia and an us-versus-them siege mentality• Muskrat Falls, broken campaign promises and the blame game between governments• Why so few academics write about Newfoundland and Labrador politics👍 LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBEIf you enjoy honest conversations about politics, culture, business and the real stories behind accomplished people, please like the episode, share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to The Honourable & The Hack.📧 CONTACT UShonourableandthehack@gmail.com🎧 WATCH & LISTENYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHonourableandTheHackSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LkQE67ItNWoKWlcBbhQmyApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-honourable-and-the-hack/id1864962121⚠️ DISCLAIMERThe views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer, organization or institution. This content is intended for discussion and commentary and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Some discussion in this episode includes speculation and forward-looking commentary based on publicly available information and personal experience.

  2. Aug 11

    He Left NTV News to Build His Own Weather Empire - Eddie Sheerr | H&H Ep. 35

    Weathermen don't usually leave a top TV job to go it alone — Eddie Sheer did, and a year later he's not looking back. This week The Honourable & The Hack sits down with Eddie Sheer — meteorologist, founder of Sheer Weather, and one of the most recognized media personalities in Newfoundland and Labrador — to talk about what it actually takes to walk away from the institution and build something independent.In this episode we cover:✅ Eddie's origin story — from a Philadelphia suburb obsessed with Hurricane Andrew to a meteorology career that landed him in St. John's✅ The "buyer's remorse" of his first Newfoundland winter — and why he stayed anyway✅ Why he left NTV to launch Sheer Weather, and what his wife really thought about it✅ The night he called the Mayor of Port aux Basques directly during Hurricane Fiona — and why that call may have saved lives✅ His role as lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit over PFAS "forever chemicals" in Torbay's well water, and Transport Canada's denial of liability✅ His vision for where Sheer Weather goes in the next 10 yearsThis isn't just a weather guy's story — it's a case study in what happens when someone builds their own weather empire instead. Stick around for the Hurricane Fiona story around the 32-minute mark — it's the kind of on-the-ground judgment call that doesn't happen in a newsroom meeting. 📬 Got a question for the next mailbag? Email us at honourableandthehack@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.👍 Like | 🔔 Subscribe | 🎙️ Share it with a fellow political junkie🔗 Stay Connected🎥 Watch on YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@TheHonourableandTheHack🎧 Listen on Spotify: 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/13uw982Y8Br4CvTs🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com📘 Follow on Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/TheHonourableAndTheHackDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer, organization, or institution. This content is intended for discussion and commentary and should not be considered professional, legal, or political advice. Some discussion in this episode includes speculation and forward-looking commentary based on publicly available information and personal experience.

  3. Aug 4

    Criminal Defense Lawyer on Workplace Investigations: Rosellen Sullivan | H&H Ep 34

    What really happens inside Canada's courtrooms — and what does one of Newfoundland's top criminal defense lawyers think about the system?In Episode 34 of The Honourable and the Hack, Andrew Parsons and Alex Bill sit down with Rosellen Sullivan, KC — a 28-year veteran of the courtroom, former Department of Justice lawyer, and counsel in the Lamer Inquiry — to talk criminal defense, wrongful convictions, and her bold pivot into workplace harassment investigations through Sullivan Investigative Insights.Rosellen built her career defending the presumption of innocence in some of NL's most serious cases. Now she's applying those same skills — cross-examination, credibility assessment, procedural fairness — to workplace investigations at organizations across the country. It's not a retreat from the law. It's a re-deployment of everything she knows.In this episode:✅ How the Lamer Inquiry set Rosellen on the path to criminal defense✅ What it was like to work alongside Justice Antonio Lamer on wrongful convictions✅ The mentors who shaped her: Bob Simmons, Jerome Kennedy & the giants of the NL bar✅ Sullivan Investigative Insights — what workplace harassment investigations actually involve✅ Why criminal defense skills transfer directly to workplace investigations✅ The weaponization problem: how complaints can be misused — and how to guard against it✅ Is crime actually rising in Canada, or is social media manufacturing a moral panic?✅ Why Rosellen thinks the system needs to change✅ Advice for the next generation: why every aspiring lawyer should go to law schoolChapters:0:00 Introduction2:30 Meet Rosellen Sullivan, KC4:00 Origin Story: Following Her Brother Into Law8:30 The Lamer Inquiry: Learning from Wrongful Convictions14:00 Mentors: Bob Simmons, Jerome Kennedy & Justice Lamer19:00 Why Criminal Law Isn't About the Money22:00 Sullivan Investigative Insights: A New Direction27:00 Workplace Harassment Investigations: How They Work33:00 Who Are the Clients?36:00 Complaints, Weaponization & Procedural Fairness39:00 Is Crime Actually Rising in Canada?43:00 The System Is "Completely Broken"47:00 Bail Reform, Adult Diversion & Court Overload50:30 Advice for Aspiring Lawyers52:30 Wrap-Up📬 Got a question for the next mailbag? Email us at honourableandthehack@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.👍 Like | 🔔 Subscribe | 🎙️ Share it with a fellow political junkie🔗 Stay Connected🎥 Watch on YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@TheHonourableandTheHack🎧 Listen on Spotify: 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/13uw982Y8Br4CvTs🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com📘 Follow on Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/TheHonourableAndTheHackDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer, organization, or institution. This content is intended for discussion and commentary and should not be considered professional, legal, or political advice. Some discussion in this episode includes speculation and forward-looking commentary based on publicly available information and personal experience.

  4. Jul 28

    Roger Grimes Speaks: Muskrat Falls, Churchill Falls, Oil & Gas and the Future of NL | H&H Ep 33

    Former Premier Roger Grimes holds nothing back in one of our most candid and fiery conversations yet. From a sharp dissection of the issues facing Newfoundland and Labrador to some pointed observations about past political players, this is Roger Grimes speaking plainly—and occasionally taking a few shots along the way! This is easily one of our best episodes of The Honourable & The Hack yet. 🎥 Watch the full interview here:https://youtu.be/hW9nY9ZLxvY 📩 Join the conversation: honourableandthehack@gmail.com #RogerGrimes #NewfoundlandAndLabrador #NLPolitics #CanadianPolitics #TheHonourableAndTheHack #PoliticalPodcast

  5. Jul 21

    Inside the Campaign That Won Newfoundland & Labrador: David Tarrant on Strategy & Power | H&H Ep.32

    What does it really take to win a modern election?In this episode of The Honourable & The Hack, Andrew Parsons and Alex Bill sit down with David Tarrant, a veteran political strategist and the head of Enterprise Canada’s Atlantic Canada office, for an inside look at the strategy, messaging, polling, media, and decision-making behind the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador provincial election.David shares what happened behind the scenes: how the campaign identified its path to victory, why the Conservatives focused on rural Newfoundland and Labrador, how the team responded to unreliable public polling, why Facebook and digital advertising mattered, and how a campaign holds its nerve when the numbers and headlines start to move.The conversation also explores the new government’s first budget, the Premier's political brand, the challenges facing St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador’s fiscal position, Churchill Falls and the MOU, federal defence spending, public communication, and why complex political issues cannot always be reduced to a simple slogan.This is a candid conversation about how political campaigns are actually built, how strategists read the electorate, and what the public often never sees.

  6. Jul 14

    Siobhan Coady on Muskrat Falls, Budget Wars & Why She's Now Studying AI | H&H Ep 31

    What does it really take to be the gatekeeper of a province's finances — to sit across from your own cabinet colleagues and tell them "no"? Former NL Finance Minister and Natural Resources Minister Siobhan Coady joins Andrew Parsons and Alex Bill for one of the most wide-ranging conversations in H&H history — from her surprising roots in the fishery and the science of genomics, to the looming risks of AI and her passionate call for a new generation to step into public life.Siobhan served 10 years at the provincial cabinet table after a term as a federal MP — and she's anything but finished.In this episode, we cover:✅ Untold stories: a youth exchange to Brazil, the fishery, Newfound Genomics & champion Labrador Retrievers✅ A first job at McDonald's — and the Ray Croc lesson she's carried ever since✅ Paul Martin, "the wrong side of the desk" and how she got into politics✅ Federal vs. provincial: why she chose home in 2015✅ First year in provincial government: Muskrat Falls and learning who to trust✅ Budget 2016: the difficult year, the libraries, and hard lessons learned✅ What it really means to be Finance Minister — the year-round gatekeeper role✅ Bond rating agencies, the Future Fund, and NL's fiscal path forward✅ AI: deep fakes, democratic risks, and why the province needs to act now✅ Why young people are leaving politics — and how to bring them back🎥 Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/WBorOkD_WrUChapters:0:00 Welcome & Intro2:12 Siobhan Coady joins the show3:31 Untold stories: Brazil, the fishery & Labrador Retrievers7:26 McDonald's roots and the "green and growing" lesson9:00 Post-politics: AI masters program & advisory work11:00 AI: opportunities and real dangers13:12 Kids, Minecraft & the RNC warning17:48 AI regulation, governance & what's needed22:44 Paul Martin and "the wrong side of the desk"25:49 Federal vs. provincial — why she stayed home27:25 Advice for the NL Opposition today29:00 First year: Muskrat Falls and learning who to trust31:27 Budget 2016: what went wrong35:24 Being Finance Minister: the gatekeeper role41:40 Balancing requests and making the tough calls49:24 Young people in politics: how to bring them back54:30 Closing reflections on a career in public service57:58 Hosts' post-interview thoughtsWhat do you think — is AI governance moving fast enough in Newfoundland and Labrador? Drop your thoughts below 👇📬 Got a question for the next mailbag? Email us at honourableandthehack@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.👍 Like | 🔔 Subscribe | 🎙️ Share it with a fellow political junkie🔗 Stay Connected🎥 Watch on YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@TheHonourableandTheHack🎧 Listen on Spotify: 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/13uw982Y8Br4CvTs🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com📘 Follow on Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/TheHonourableAndTheHackDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer, organization, or institution. This content is intended for discussion and commentary and should not be considered professional, legal, or political advice. Some discussion in this episode includes speculation and forward-looking commentary based on publicly available information and personal experience.

  7. Jul 7

    Mailbag Episode: Floor Crossings, Crown Corps & Why Politicians Can't Cut | H&H Ep. 30

    You asked. We answered — and we didn't hold back.In Episode 26, Andrew Parsons and Alex Bill open the H&H mailbag for the first time — fielding questions submitted by listeners over the past several months. No prep calls. No talking points. Just two insiders trading honest opinions on the province's biggest political questions. In this episode, we cover: ✅ The Mount Rushmore of Newfoundland and Labrador politicians — our four picks, where we agree, and the one wild card that had us raising eyebrows ✅ Is Bay du Nord the last standalone offshore project in the province — or is there still a chapter left in the story? ✅ Which MHA is most likely to cross the floor, and why ✅ Why NL governments — PC or Liberal — consistently fail to address the debt and deficit, and what it would actually take to change that ✅ How Alex measures the impact of his journalism — the story that went unnoticed, and the one that moved a premier ✅ The single biggest barrier to good political decision-making in this province ✅ Privatizing NLC or NL Hydro — where we land, and what we'd actually consider ✅ The labour shortage crisis and why training programs alone won't plug the hole ✅ Has NL's negotiating position with Hydro Quebec improved since the 2024 MOU — or is the clock still working against us? ✅ How ministers decide who to meet with — and how newsrooms decide what to cover 📬 Got a question for the next mailbag? Email us at honourableandthehack@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. 👍 Like | 🔔 Subscribe | 🎙️ Share it with a fellow political junkie 🔗 Stay Connected 🎥 Watch on YouTube: 👉 youtube.com/@TheHonourableandTheHack 🎧 Listen on Spotify: 👉 open.spotify.com/show/13uw982Y8Br4CvTs 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: 👉 podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-honourable-and-the-hack/id1864962121 📘 Follow on Facebook: 👉 facebook.com/TheHonourableAndTheHack Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer, organization, or institution. This content is intended for discussion and commentary and should not be considered professional, legal, or political advice. Some discussion in this episode includes speculation and forward-looking commentary based on publicly available information and personal experience.

  8. Jun 30

    Ex-Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak: Ford's Political Barometer, Home Ownership & Why Politicians Fail

    He spent 21 years in Ontario politics. He knows what winning looks like — and what losing teaches you. In Episode 29, Andrew Parsons and Alex Bill sit down with Tim Hudak — former Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader, cabinet minister, and now Partner at Counsel Public Affairs — for a wide-ranging conversation that cuts across political experience, housing policy, the art of surviving in opposition, and what Doug Ford does that almost no one else in Canadian politics can. 📬 Got a question for the next mailbag? Email us at honourableandthehack@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. 👍 Like | 🔔 Subscribe | 🎙️ Share it with a fellow political junkie 🔗 Stay Connected 🎥 Watch on YouTube: 👉https://www.youtube.com/@TheHonourableandTheHack🎧 Listen on Spotify: 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/13uw982Y8Br4CvTs🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-honourable-and-the-hack/id1864962121 📘 Follow on Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/TheHonourableAndTheHack Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer, organization, or institution. This content is intended for discussion and commentary and should not be considered professional, legal, or political advice. Some discussion in this episode includes speculation and forward-looking commentary based on publicly available information and personal experience.

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The Honourable & the Hack is a weekly podcast hosted by retired cabinet minister Andrew Parsons and journalist Alex Bill. The show brings two perspectives to the same table — one from inside government and one from outside it. Through thoughtful conversations and interviews, the podcast examines politics, culture, history, and stories of provincial and national significance, going beyond the headlines to explain what really happens and why it matters.

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