
Why Canada Feels Broken and What Could Change It
Former BC Finance Minister Mike de Jong has spent years inside government making real budget decisions during economic stress and crisis periods in British Columbia. He reflects on what actually worked in office, balancing budgets, managing deficits, and dealing with the political pressure that comes with long-term planning. He also breaks down where policy is creating roadblocks today, especially around housing, LNG, investment, and uncertainty over land and regulation. But it’s not just criticism, he also explains what a realistic path forward looks like if governments focus again on growth, investment, and clear rules.
Canada is one of the most resource-rich countries on Earth—so why does the economy feel stalled? In this episode, David sits down with Kirk Lubimov to break down why Canada struggles to build major infrastructure, whether diversification away from the U.S. is realistic, and the clash between restrictive policies and economic growth.
Is Alberta separation on the horizon? With over 300,000 verified signatures calling for a referendum—far exceeding the 178,000 threshold—the possibility of independence is taking shape. David Craig sits down with Western Standard senior columnist Cory Morgan to examine the real implications for policy, democracy, and governance. Cory breaks down the mechanics of Alberta's citizen initiative process, ongoing court challenges, and the practical hurdles ahead.
Life in Canada is getting more expensive, and a lot of people are asking why. David Leis talks with former trade minister Ed Fast about what’s happening with Canada’s economy right now—from trade with the U.S. to rising costs at home. They break down why Canada is struggling to keep up in a fast-changing world, and what it means for jobs, prices, and the future. You'll want to hear this.
Shuv Majumdar, Member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage, joins David and Jeremy for a conversation about the state of Canada today. Facing the pressures of rising costs, people's trust in political institutions is crumbling. Meanwhile, Canada is at a crossroads as its role in a rapidly changing global landscape is under question. Beyond the headlines, what could the future look like for Canadians across the country?
Canada’s immigration system is under serious pressure, and people are starting to notice. Record-high immigration levels, a strained housing market, and growing concerns about fraud and public safety are forcing a tough question: is the system working the way it should? Researcher and journalist Riley Donovan breaks down what’s changed, what the latest reports are revealing, and why this debate is no longer avoidable. From temporary foreign workers to citizenship rules and labour shortages, the policies shaping Canada today will define what the country looks like tomorrow. What policy changes need to happen?
What is happening to rights and freedoms in Canada today? David and Jeremy sit down with Randy Crosson, executive director of Freedoms Advocate, to discuss your constitutional rights, Bill C-9's impact on free speech, the ethical debate surrounding MAID policy, how court decisions shape the future, and why every Canadian should understand the Charter.
This is very, very serious for Canada. A major court decision in B.C. is raising a question Canadians never thought they’d have to ask: do you actually own your home… or could it be taken away? Lawyer Tom Isaac warns we’re in historic times—with massive uncertainty around land claims, property rights, and the future of Canada. If we don’t get our act together, this could be game over. There’s not enough clarity, not enough leadership, and the silence from government is deafening. This isn’t just an Indigenous issue—it’s a public policy failure that affects every Canadian, your home, your future, and the economy. So where are we going? And what happens if nothing changes?
Canada just entered a new political chapter. Jeremy and David break down what a Liberal majority could mean, whether Conservatives can recover, why affordability is still the biggest issue for Canadians, and why Alberta frustration keeps growing. What happens next?
Gas prices are rising again—and it’s only going to get worse according to energy expert Dan McTeague. With global tensions like the Iran conflict driving oil higher, Canada had a chance to protect itself… but didn’t. Dan, founder of Canadians for Affordable Energy and former Liberal MP, explains why government policies, taxes, and net-zero policies are keeping Canada’s oil in the ground while other countries cash in. The result? A weaker dollar, higher costs, and Canadians paying the price. So what needs to change and how bad could this get?
Do you feel like something is "off" in Canada? Karla Joy Treadway—marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and host of The Sovereign Sphere—joins David and Jeremy to talk about what's happening: from political floor crossings to rising un-affordability, media narratives, and what happens when people stop trusting the system.
What’s actually going on in Canada right now? David and Jeremy sit down with Josh Udall from The Elevate Report to break down what’s changed in the country over the last few years, and why so many Canadians feel like something just isn’t right. This isn’t about left vs right. It’s about what’s actually happening, and whether Canada is heading in the right direction.
Canada’s politics are at a breaking point. Retired politician Preston Manning shares why public trust in politicians is sinking, how floor crossers are shaking democracy, and why Western provinces feel ignored while Quebec gains more control. Preston discusses Canada's stagnant growth, underused natural resources, healthcare bottlenecks, and the federal government’s overreach into provincial authority.
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Join real conversations between Jeremy Prest and David Craig on Canadian culture and current issues. You'll get the chance to explore both sides of the story, wrestle with the unfiltered facts, and find the best path forward. No topic is off the table.

Since its inception in 1999, the Frontier Centre for Public Policy has been steadfast in its mission to foster Ideas for a Better Tomorrow. Through research, publications, educational events and policy analysis, Frontier has impacted dozens of governments and policy sectors. With Western Canadian roots and a drive to cultivate responsible citizenship, Leaders on the Frontier features discussions of common sense and good governance from this non-partisan, cutting-edge think tank.
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