The Paikin Podcast

Everything Political: “Davos Carney,” the Shame of 24 Sussex, and Condo Buybacks 02.07.2026 39min

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses the campaign to restore 24 Sussex Drive, if it should be torn down entirely, and if it’s an embarrassment to Canada. They also discuss the federal government’s plan to buy condos in B.C. that developers can’t sell in the hope of turning them into affordable housing, if this is a good idea, the blowback to it, and then take some “letters to the editor,” including one letter on whether Carney is an out-of-touch international elite and another from a listener who feels a “sense of confidence that Canada is being represented by someone with the experience, intellect, and emotional maturity required for this moment.”

Bill Browder: Is Russia Losing the Ukraine War? 30.06.2026 40min

“I’ve fought Putin for 17 years.” Bill Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice campaign, joins Steve to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, how Russia is now incurring eight men killed or seriously wounded for every one lost by Ukraine, whether Russia is losing the war, Putin’s recent statement that he wants to negotiate, and why Browder thinks Putin would rather watch Russia burn than admit he can’t win the war. They also discuss how Putin may become a “drowning man,” how he could react if cornered, how Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries are shifting support for the war in Russia, whether Trump’s new world order is a win for Putin and Russia, European security, the Global Magnitsky Act, and Russia’s recent sanctions on Browder’s teenage son.

World on Edge: Did the Iran War Achieve Anything? 25.06.2026 47min

Let’s review this, shall we? The United States and Israel decided to unilaterally attack Iran. There were a number of justifications for the attack: stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, deterring Iran’s ability to export terrorism, punishing the Iranian regime after it killed tens of thousands of its own citizens, having greater control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, enhancing Israel’s security from its most dangerous neighbour, and if they got really lucky, precipitating regime change. Has any of that happened? What has, in fact, been achieved? Janice Stein breaks it all down on this episode of World on Edge.

Harvey Brownstone: Meeting Hate with Levity and Becoming Canada’s First Openly Gay Judge 23.06.2026 1t 7min

Harvey Brownstone’s “life story is one of the most astonishing you’ll ever encounter.” He joins the pod to discuss his book, Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge, his early life, his traumatic experience coming out to his parents, being disowned, and living in poverty at Queen’s University. From there they discuss his early years as a lawyer, the homophobia and hate he experienced, how levity can sometimes be the best response, becoming Canada’s first openly gay judge, and the upcoming movie about his life.

Everything Political: Carney Infatuation Syndrome, the G7, and a One-Term PM 18.06.2026 57min

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses “Carney infatuation syndrome,” if the honeymoon will ever end, rumours that Carney may stand down after one term, the G7 summit, if the “strands” of a new world order are being woven, and Canada’s “conscious uncoupling” from the United States. They also discuss the World Cup, the corruption of FIFA, and the usual round of “Good on Yas.”

Bob Rae: USMCA, Trump’s Bluff, and Dealing with Chaos 16.06.2026 48min

In our second edition of a monthly segment, Steve is joined by “the most difficult man to introduce in Canada,” Bob Rae, to discuss Trump’s negotiating style, how we’ve “seen this movie before,” and if America First doesn’t mean America alone. They then discuss the deal with Iran, how it is not a victory for Trump, the diverging interests of Israel and America, the possibility that Netanyahu may step down and not run for another term, and the expansion of the Billy Bishop Airport.

Charlie Angus: “Gangster Fascism,” Canadian Unity, and NDP’s Future 11.06.2026 49min

Welcome to the first collaboration between The Paikin Podcast and Charlie Angus’s Meidas Canada. Steve and Charlie get into how we should understand this moment in history, how we are in a “new age of monsters,” and the rising authoritarian threat. They then discuss fears they have for the future of Canada, the two separatisms in Alberta and Quebec, whether Avi Lewis was the right choice for the NDP, where the NDP goes from here, and whether the left can build a durable populism that can rival right wing populism.

Everything Political: Did Carney Miss the Mark on Antisemitism in Canada? 09.06.2026 1t 3min

In a special episode recorded in front of a live audience at The Albany Club, Greg Brady joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss Carney's speech on antisemitism — whether it hit the mark, why he didn't mention anti-Zionism, and whether Israel's actions have contributed to the rising antisemitism in Canada. They then discuss the mood of conservatives in Canada today, the frustration within the Conservative Party, whether Pierre Poilièvre is the right leader, whether Carney is the worst possible matchup for Poilièvre, and the usual round of "Good on Yas."

World on Edge: Sweden’s GlobalEye, Trump Blowback, and Canada’s Defence Future 05.06.2026 47min

We got some more evidence this past week that our relationship with the United States is not business as usual. Canada is going to purchase a whack of surveillance jets, and we are not buying them from the US. Sweden got the contract and the Americans are ticked. Did the federal government make the right choice here? And will we have to pay a political price for angering our neighbors? Stephen Saideman joins Janice Stein on World on Edge.

Why the Future of Global Democracy May Hinge on Taiwan 03.06.2026 42min

George Takach, author of Inspired by Taiwan: Why Supporting Taiwan Matters for Global Democracy, joins Steve to discuss his book, the possibility of China invading Taiwan, why the West must make sure China doesn’t “take a run” at Taiwan, how we are all dependent on Taiwan through its semiconductors, and if President Trump would protect Taiwan if China invaded. They also discuss whether Canada should recognize Taiwan as an independent country, the political price Canada pays with China every time a delegate visits the island, and how seriously we should take China’s military maneuvers, including when they move warships through the Taiwan Strait.

Morning Brief: Trump’s Iran Stalemate and Summer Politics 31.05.2026 6min

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin reflect on the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran three months after the war began, examining Donald Trump’s struggle to secure a deal and the political and economic fallout ahead of the U.S. midterms. They also discuss Canada-U.S. trade talks, Mark Carney’s foreign policy ambitions, and wrap up the season with a few summer plans. This is your Morning Brief for Friday, May 29th.

Everything Political: Did Danielle Smith Just Pull a Brexit? 29.05.2026 56min

Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s approach to separatism and a potential referendum, why she is being criticized from all sides, why Tony thinks she can’t squash a referendum right now, the tightrope she is walking, if she is fanning the flames of separatism, and if it could backfire and become another Brexit situation. They then discuss the 14 Liberal MPs questioning Carney’s stance on the environment, MP Steven Guilbeault’s announcement that he is resigning, if Canada is “backsliding” on climate, and the usual round of “Good on Yas.”

Morning Brief: Carney’s Hot Mic 28.05.2026 7min

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Mark Carney’s candid hot mic moment on Alberta separatism, the political fallout for Danielle Smith, and the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff collapse against Carolina. This is your Morning Brief for Thursday, May 28th.

Frank McKenna: How to Deal with Trump 27.05.2026 34min

Frank McKenna, former Premier of New Brunswick and Canadian Ambassador to the United States, joins Steve for this special edition of The Paikin Podcast in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. They discuss McKenna's experience as ambassador, dealing with George W. Bush, how he would deal with Trump, whether Trump's unpredictability is constrained by markets, and whether we live in a more dangerous time than the height of the Cold War. They then discuss Brian Mulroney's Meech Lake Accord, how McKenna regrets not supporting it, whether he regrets not running for the federal Liberal leadership, his $20-million donation to St. Francis Xavier University, and the world young people are confronting today.

Morning Brief: Carney’s Alberta Warning 26.05.2026 6min

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Mark Carney’s sharp warning against Alberta separatism, comparisons to Brexit, rising tensions with Danielle Smith and, of course, late-night reactions to the Montreal Canadiens overtime loss. This is your Morning Brief for Tuesday, May 26th.

Morning Brief: Trump’s Iran Deal and Alberta Tensions 25.05.2026 6min

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Donald Trump’s proposed Iran ceasefire deal, growing skepticism over what the conflict actually achieved, rising gas prices in the U.S., and mounting tensions between Alberta and British Columbia ahead of the Western Premiers’ Conference. This is your Morning Brief for Monday, May 25th.

Morning Brief: Alberta’s Referendum Gamble and Poilievre’s Canada Pitch 22.05.2026 6min

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Danielle Smith’s plan to put an Alberta independence question on the ballot, the growing pressure from separatists within her base, and why Pierre Poilievre is pledging to campaign to keep Alberta in Canada. This is your Morning Brief for Friday, May 22nd.

World on Edge: Are We Trapped in a Global Nuclear Arms Race? 21.05.2026 52min

MIT’s Vipin Narang joins Janice Stein to discuss the global nuclear arms race, how the United States “now faces a Category 5 hurricane of nuclear threats,” why China wants to become a nuclear powerhouse, how Russia and Putin plausibly threatened the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, and why this was the closest we came to nuclear war since the height of the Cuban missile crisis. They then discuss the Iran War, how it makes us “way worse off now,” the bar for the deployment of American nuclear weapons, whether more countries such as Saudi Arabia or South Korea want a nuclear weapon now, if Canada should get a nuke, and if the rationale of mutual assured destruction (MAD) is still in play today.

Paik’s Takes: End of the Auto Industry in Canada, Rising Discontent, and the Tragically Hip 19.05.2026 52min

In our second edition of “Paik’s Takes,” Steve is joined by The Big Story’s Caryn Ceolin to share, well, a few takes and answer some listener questions. Should we stop subsidizing the auto industry in Canada? Should Canada start its own automaker? As Canadians are we obliged to cheer for the Montreal Canadiens – especially if we are Toronto Maple Leaf fans? They also discuss why trust in institutions is cratering, the future of Canadian identity, “Maple MAGA” and rising discontent, Mike Harris stepping down as Premier, and Tragically Hip Kawartha Lakes flavour due out on Canada Day.

Morning Brief: Carney’s Alberta Concession and Trump in China 15.05.2026 6min

Steve Paikin and Caryn Ceolin discuss Mark Carney’s expected industrial carbon pricing deal with Alberta, the political balancing act around western alienation, and Donald Trump’s meetings with Xi Jinping in Beijing as the war in Iran continues. This is your Morning Brief for Friday, May 15th.