Budget Day (w/ Laura Stone, Colin D’Mello and Brayden Akers)

Adam Owen

March 24, 2023

On Thursday, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy presented his third provincial budget – signalling a shift in focus from COVID-19 to weathering the coming economic headwinds. On this week’s episode of Political Traction, Adam is joined by Laura Stone, Queen’s Park…

Is TikTok’s time up? (w/ Chris Nardi)

Adam Owen

March 17, 2023

Last month, the federal government banned TikTok from being installed on all government-issued devices, citing security concerns related to the app’s ownership by a company with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This week, Adam Owen is joined…

Sousa’s Second Act (w/ MP Charles Sousa)

Adam Owen

March 10, 2023

Following more than a decade in some of the highest-ranking positions in the previous Ontario government, Charles Sousa has returned to public service as a Member of Parliament in Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government. This week, Adam Owen is joined by…

Silly Season (w/ Tasha Kheiriddin and Catherine Moar)

Adam Owen

February 22, 2023

With Chinese weather balloons, an American news anchor threatening war against Canada, and public broadcasters getting political, silly season has officially begun. This week, Adam is joined by Tasha Kheiriddin, a principal in Navigator’s Toronto office, and Catherine Moar, an…

Canada’s Healthcare Crisis (w/ Kevin Smith)

Adam Owen

February 14, 2023

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premiers from across Canada unveiled the federal government’s plan for healthcare funding over the next 10 years. Despite high expectations, some experts consider the plan to have fallen short and believe that much…

Like Mike (w/ Kate Graham and Sharan Kaur)

Adam Owen

February 3, 2023

Following two historic electoral losses, the Ontario Liberal Party is facing an existential crisis as it prepares to pick its next leader. Some veteran members and former cabinet ministers made headlines recently by releasing a letter asking Ontario Green Party…

The Generational Divide (w/ Sean Speer)

Adam Owen

January 26, 2023

We have seen successive governments purposefully cater policy to the oldest among us, and ask the younger generations to pick up the tab. What kind of impact will this have on the opportunities and optimism our youth have for their…

Canada’s Crime Disconnect (w/ Tristin Hopper)

January 20, 2023

Rising incidents of crime are causing anxiety amongst Canadians. With all parties pointing fingers, the Trudeau Liberals have been silent on the issue. What will it take to finally see decisive action? This week, Adam is joined by Tristin Hopper,…

Taking Stock of 2022 (w/ Michael Cooke, Rosa Ellithorpe and Tasha Kheiriddin)

Adam Owen

December 28, 2022

In our final episode of 2022, host Adam Owen is joined by Navigator colleagues Michael Cooke, Rosa Ellithorpe and Tasha Kheiriddin. The panel unpacks this year’s top events and highlights what 2023 may bring from foreign affairs and healthcare to…

Fixing Toronto’s Housing Crisis (w/ Councillor Brad Bradford)

Adam Owen

December 20, 2022

Toronto, among many cities across Canada, is facing a generational housing crisis. With soaring costs, those looking to buy in the city are being shut out of the market and renters are faced with limited options for an affordable place…

The Parents are Mad (w/ Melanie Paradis and Jen Gerson)

Adam Owen

December 16, 2022

Parents are feeling left behind as children’s hospitals fill up and local medicine shelves remain empty. This week, Adam is joined by Melanie Paradis, the president of Texture Communications and a veteran political communicator, and Jen Gerson, a freelance writer…

On the Docket (w/ Tasha Kheiriddin, Colin MacDonald, and Danielle Parr)

Adam Owen

November 30, 2022

This week, host Adam Owen is joined by a panel of Navigator’s public affairs experts – principals Tasha Kheiriddin, Colin MacDonald and Danielle Parr – to unpack two issues causing major controversy around the globe: Elon Musk’s shaky takeover of Twitter…

How do you solve a problem like Xi’s China? (w/ Vina Nadjibulla)

Adam Owen

November 25, 2022

Tension between Canada and China is on the rise, with the two countries’ dissension taking centre stage at this year’s recent G20 summit. On this episode of Political Traction, Adam is joined by Vina Nadjibulla, Adjunct Professor at UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs to contemplate what Canada’s new approach in the Indo-Pacific might…

Labour Showdown (w/Vanmala Subramaniam)

Adam Owen

November 15, 2022

Seeking to short circuit negotiations with CUPE, the Ontario Government invoked the notwithstanding clause to declare strike action illegal and impose a new contract, but big labour fought back, and Premier Ford backed down. This week, host Adam Owen speaks…

Tackling affordability (w/Brett House and André Turcotte)

Adam Owen

November 8, 2022

From grocery stores to gas stations, prices are up and the cost of living is top of mind for Canadians with the highest inflation in 40 years.  This week, Adam is joined by Brett House, former Deputy Chief Economist at…

Understanding the Freeland Doctrine (w/ Heather Scoffield)

Adam Owen

November 1, 2022

In a speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland set out her views on “friend-shoring” and how liberal democracies should address the issue of trade in a global economy. This week, Adam is joined by…

Reporting on the front lines (w/ Adam Zivo)

Adam Owen

October 25, 2022

Reporting on the front lines (w/ Adam Zivo) This week, Adam is joined by Adam Zivo, a political columnist with The National Post. Joining the episode from Kyiv, Adam provides a firsthand glimpse of current events and political dynamics in…

Political Traction x Western Edge | Road to 2023 (w/ Lauren Armstrong, Kelly Cryderman, and Deborah Yedlin)

Adam Owen

October 19, 2022

In a special edition of the podcast, host Adam Owen is joined by Jason Hatcher, Managing Principal of Navigator’s western operations and host of the Western Edge, a Navigator Podcast. Adam and Jason discuss new polling conducted by Navigator’s in-house…