The Bellwether

Max Bell School of Public Policy
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The Bellwether is a podcast where students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University talk to current MPP students, leading practitioners, and experts on emerging policy issues in Canada and abroad. The podcast is a part of The Bell, a weekly newsletter where Master of Public Policy students unpack complex policy topics through op-eds, interviews, and briefings.

  1. 4d ago

    Dialogue in a Polarized World with Dr. Joanne Liu

    For the first episode of its fourth season, The Bellwether podcast welcomes Dr. Joanne Liu. She is a pediatric emergency physician, the former International President of Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders, a professor at McGill’s School of Population and Global Health, and the director of its Pandemic and Emergency Readiness Lab. She also chairs the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.   Dr. Liu explains why good humanitarian work starts with humility, and how good diplomacy starts with respect. She looks back on a number of her field assignments and the importance of keeping humanitarian actors accountable. She also describes how her team challenged the “life-saving only” model to build care for survivors of sexual violence. She warns that attacks on hospitals and civilians are being normalized and shares what she has learned about mediation, trust, and keeping lines of communication open in a polarized world. She closes with what still drives her and with advice for the next generation of policymakers.   For those interested in learning more about her experience, the English version of her book Ebola, Bombs, and Migrants: Humanitarian Crises in a Security-Obsessed World came out this fall.   Associated with The Bell, a policy-focused newsletter, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.   Host and Producer: Ameema Talat   Editor: Tian Mi   Creative Director, The Bell: Tyler Kowch   The Bellwether Team: Samantha Babirye Nalumansi, Lea Ghandour, Tian Mi, Ameema Talat   Music: 'Complex World' by All Good Folks on #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/all-good-folks License code: 73D6UXZD3LVHIJMB

  2. Jul 24

    Normalizing the Override (Part 3): Notwithstanding Québec, with Daniel Béland

    Every series needs a closer, and we saved a heavy hitter for ours. Earlier this year, the landmark Bill 21 case reached the Supreme Court of Canada, a challenge that turns on the scope of the notwithstanding clause. As we await the Court’s judgement, the final episode of Normalizing the Override, our series on Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, steps back to explore Québec’s history with federalism and its relationship to the Charter’s most controversial section. Host Carter Wynne is joined by Daniel Béland, Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada at McGill University. Béland is also a James McGill Professor in the Department of Political Science at McGill University. As a leading scholar of public policy and political sociology, his research spans social policy, federalism, institutionalism, and Canadian politics. He has published more than 25 books and over 220 peer-reviewed articles, and his work has been cited more than 18,000 times. He holds a PhD in Political Sociology from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris and held a Tier 1 Research Chair at the University of Saskatchewan before joining McGill University in 2019. Associated with The Bell, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Host: Carter Wynne Producer: Carter Wynne Editor-in-Chief: Kimberley Moriarity Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/dusk-memory-aesthetic License code: INUUSNRDBATMHVX5

  3. May 28

    Understanding Major Projects in Canada and Indigenous Consultation with Jesse McCormick

    In the latest episode of The Bellwether, host Hermon Afowork is joined by Jesse McCormick. McCormick is a proud citizen of Canada, the Anishinabek Nation and the Oneida Nation (Wolf Clan). He serves as Senior Counsel at Pape Salter Teillet LLP, a leading First Nations-focused law firm, and as a Senior Advisor at Mokwateh, an Indigenous-led consulting firm specializing in reconciliation, governance, and partnerships. During his time in public service, he helped to support First Nations participation in major project development and contributed to the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, the reform of Canada’s environmental assessment processes and the passage of federal legislation to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the intersection of policy and reconciliation. McCormick and Afowork discuss the future of major projects in Canada, their relationship to Indigenous rights and reconciliation principles, and how that future is shaped by the evolving political and regulatory dynamics at play. Affiliated with The Bell, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Host: Hermon Afowork Editors: Hermon Afowork and Kimberley Moriarity Editor-in-Chief: Kimberley Moriarity Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/dusk-memory-aesthetic License code: INUUSNRDBATMHVX5

  4. Mar 13

    Normalizing the Override (Part 2): Alberta and the Use of Section 33

    We’re back with another episode of The Bellwether! This is Part 2 of our series taking a closer look at Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, better known as the “notwithstanding clause”. Host Carter Wynne is joined by Cheryl Oates, a public affairs advisor and communications specialist currently serving as Chief of Staff to British Columbia Premier David Eby. Cheryl began her career in journalism before moving into political communications, previously serving as Communications Chief for the former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley. In this episode, Cheryl guides us through the recent use of the notwithstanding clause in Alberta, exploring its political context and the implications of these decisions for public trust, democratic accountability, and the future of Charter politics in Canada. Associated with The Bell, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Host: Carter Wynne Producer: Carter Wynne, Hermon Afowork Editor-in-Chief: Kimberley Moriarity Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/dusk-memory-aesthetic License code: INUUSNRDBATMHVX5

  5. Feb 19

    Normalizing the Override (Part 1): Bill 21 and Section 33 with Pearl Eliadis

    We’re back with another episode from The Bellwether! This is Part 1 of a new series taking a closer look at Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, better known as the “notwithstanding clause.” Host Carter Wynne is joined by Pearl Eliadis, an award-winning lawyer, educator, and author. Pearl is an Associate Professor (Professional) at the Max Bell School of Public Policy and a member of McGill’s Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism. She is also the author of Speaking Out on Human Rights, a leading text on Canada's human rights system. In this episode, Pearl guides us through the normalization of the notwithstanding clause, focusing on its preemptive use in Quebec's Bill 21 and the resulting implications for the protection of minority rights and our democratic institutions. Associated with The Bell, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. Host: Carter Wynne Producer: Carter Wynne Editor-in-Chief: Kimberley Moriarity Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/dusk-memory-aesthetic License code: INUUSNRDBATMHVX5

  6. Jan 22

    Exploring Evidence-Based Policymaking

    Evidence-based policymaking is often talked about, but less often unpacked. In our first episode of the year, hosts Ayeyi Ohene-Adu and Calvin Campbell examine how evidence is used or ignored in policy decisions and why this matters for effective and accountable governance. They are joined by Dr. Nick King to help navigate these complexities and what they mean for the future of policy. Associated with The Bell, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.  Hosts: Ayeyi Ohene-Adu and Calvin Campbell  Producer: Calvin Campbell, Ayeyi Ohene-Adu, Carter Wynne Editor-in-Chief: Kimberley Moriarity

  7. 04/25/2025

    The Ins and Outs of Political Campaigning w/ Cheryl Oates

    In this uncut election special Isabella and Gabe discuss the finer points of political campaigning in Canada with Cheryl Oates. Cheryl draws on her extensive experience working campaigns with the NDP to give an insider's perspective on Canada's political parties during an election period.  Hosts: Gabe Blanc and Isabella Coronado Doria Producers: Gabe Blanc, Isabella Coronado Doria and Kiran Gill  Managing Editor of the Bellwether: Kiran Gill Editor-in-Chief of the Bell: Gabe Blanc

  8. 02/07/2025

    Geopolitics Unraveling: The War in Ukraine w/ Maria Popova

    The Bellwether is back with another longform interview! In this episode, Jacob Kates Rose sits down with Maria Popova Associate Professor of Political Science at McGill University and author of the new book Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States. Jacob and Professor Popova have a comprehensive discussion about the state of the war in Ukraine, Western involvement in the conflict and what could come next.  Host: Jacob Kates Rose Producer: Jacob Kates Rose Audio Engineering: Jacob Kates Rose Managing Editor of the Bellwether: Kiran Gill  Music Credits: Jacob Tarasofsky (Instagram: Tarasonic)

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About

The Bellwether is a podcast where students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University talk to current MPP students, leading practitioners, and experts on emerging policy issues in Canada and abroad. The podcast is a part of The Bell, a weekly newsletter where Master of Public Policy students unpack complex policy topics through op-eds, interviews, and briefings.

Information

  • Creator
    Max Bell School of Public Policy
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 The Equalizer
  • Show Website
    The Bellwether