Leaders on the Frontier

Despite a ceasefire, the Iran war is hitting Canadian wallets hard! Gas prices are rising, food costs are climbing, and the middle class is feeling the squeeze. How will higher energy prices and carbon taxes impact your daily life and the economy? And what should the government do about it? Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Dalhousie University professor, senior fellow at Frontier Centre, and podcast host of the Food Professor, reveals the real effects on Canadians and the policy choices that could make a difference for you.

Canada’s media system is under fire. Trust is collapsing, legacy outlets are struggling, and billions in government subsidies, the CBC, and CRTC regulation are raising big questions. Is the system broken? Who’s really controlling the narrative? And what happens to democracy if Canadians stop believing the news? Join David Leis live with Peter Menzies (former CRTC Vice-Chair), Candice Malcolm (Founder, True North & Juno News), and Marco Navarro-Genie (VP of Research, Frontier Centre) as they expose what’s gone wrong—and the policy solutions that could change everything and what can you do. This affects what you see, what you hear, and what you believe.

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.

Across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, frustration with Ottawa is growing. With a referendum expected this fall in Alberta, the bigger question is not if this matters, but what happens next for the West and Canada as a whole. Why are more people in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba talking about sovereignty? What’s driving this discontent, and could it reshape the future of the country? Join David Leis live with Alberta columnist Cory Morgan, Lee Harding from Saskatchewan and research fellow at the Frontier Centre, and Ken Drysdale from Manitoba, co-founder of the National Citizens Inquiry, as they give a critical update on the movement, the rising alienation in the West, and what Canadians need to watch. This isn’t fringe anymore. It’s real, it’s growing, and Canadians should be paying attention.

Canada’s economy is in trouble, says leading economist Jack Mintz. In this brutally honest conversation, Jack says jobs are vanishing, growth is stalled, and your wallet is taking the hit. Decades of high taxes, bad policies, and government overreach have left Canadians paying the price. Jack reveals the shocking truth, that Canada is falling behind the rest of the G7, and ordinary citizens are feeling it the most. Learn why “Big Bang Tax Reform” could be our only way out, how government choices are strangling investment, and what could happen if we don’t act now.

Floor crossings in Parliament are sparking outrage and raising serious questions about democracy in Canada. Should politicians be allowed to change parties without a vote or should Canadians demand by-elections when it happens? How often does this happen, and is it getting worse? Join David Leis live with former Liberal MPs Dan McTeague and Robert-Falcon Ouellette, and Marco Navarro-Genie of the Frontier Centre as they break down the history, the politics, and what this could mean for you.

As gas prices keep climbing, Canada could have protected itself by building more pipelines, but we didn’t. Now, with conflict in Iran driving global oil prices higher and putting pressure on energy markets, Canadians are paying more at the pump. Host David Leis and Gina Pappano from InvestNow Inc. expose why hostile public policy, activist pressure, and Canada’s banks are working against the oil and gas sector, and who may actually be benefiting. Why do we continue to hurt our own prosperity when Canada has the resources to help stabilize energy prices and strengthen the economy? Listen to hear the questions you should be asking your banker and the policy changes Canada urgently needs.

Recent legal battles and agreements in British Columbia are raising serious questions about property rights, investment, and the future of land ownership in Canada. A landmark ruling recognized Aboriginal title over private land in the Cowichan tribes case, while new lawsuits, like the Dzawada'enuxw claim against Interfor, and secret federal agreements with the Musqueam Indian Band are reshaping traditional territories, often without public input. Could these decisions open the door to more claims on private land? How does B.C.’s DRIPA legislation impact property owners? And what does this mean for homeowners, investors, and the rule of law in Canada? Join David Leis live with John Carpay of the Justice Centre, former MP Dorothy Dobbie, and former judge Brian Giesbrecht as they unpack the latest court cases, policy decisions, and the implications for Canadians nationwide.

"Canada has created different classes of citizens" says law professor Bruce Pardy. He explains why Canada's laws don't treat everyone the same. He says we're moving toward a system where your identity matters more than your individual rights. So what's really going on? This isn’t left vs. right. It’s about fairness. It’s about freedom. And it’s about whether the same rules still apply to everyone.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies have reshaped universities, corporations, governments, and public institutions across Canada. But are these initiatives strengthening society or creating new divisions and unintended consequences? Join David Leis live with lawyer Collin May, Professor David Haskell, and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, for a long-overdue conversation about the real-world impacts of DEI. Where has DEI succeeded? Where has it fallen short? Should institutions rethink or roll back these policies? And what practical policy reforms could move us forward in a way that promotes fairness, opportunity, prosperity?

Cartel violence in Mexico isn’t just Mexico’s problem anymore. From vulnerable ports to immigration screening gaps, security experts warn that Canada is not insulated from the narco-state dynamics reshaping North America. Intelligence analyst Scott McGregor says: cartels operate like sophisticated global businesses, tourism money fuels influence, and eliminating a single kingpin doesn’t dismantle the system, it may make it worse. The question is no longer whether this affects Canada. It’s how prepared we are and whether current policy enforcement is enough.

After the death of a major cartel leader in Mexico, violence briefly flared but authorities moved quickly to restore order. What actually happened, and what does it signal about stability in the region? More importantly, what does this mean for Canada? Are cartel networks operating here? Has Canada’s immigration and border policy kept pace with evolving security risks? Security analyst Scott McGregor and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, join David Leis to break down the aftermath of the cartel leader’s death, how Mexico responded, and what policy lessons Canada should be considering now.

Canada’s grocery bills are out of control, hitting 6.2% inflation, the highest in the G7. But this isn’t just about rising prices, it’s about government policies and structural problems that are making it worse. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Canadian professor and researcher, exposes how trade barriers, weak competition, and financial programs are fuelling food inflation. Sylvain says Canada’s economy is drifting behind the U.S. and shares what policymakers are failing to tell you. Your wallet is on the line, and the warning signs are clear: without real policy change, prices will keep climbing and Canada’s economy could face serious consequences.

Canadians have lost trust in the media but how did it happen? Join David Leis live with Jasmin Laine, former radio DJ turned podcaster, Derek Fildebrandt, Publisher at Western Standard, and Gene Valaitis, Host at 610 AM Niagara, as they break down the state of media in Canada. Where did the media go wrong? What role should journalism play in a free and democratic society? Are regulators helping or hurting? And what policy reforms could restore credibility and strengthen independent media?

A court of Appeal deemed the Emergencies Act was used illegally in February 2022. If another crisis hits tomorrow, what standards would government have to meet? Did we learn any lessons, or will this happen again? David Leis speaks with Josh DeHaas of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, the team behind the court action. Josh explains how vague emergency definitions, secrecy in governance, and unchecked executive power could shape future policy decisions. With legislation like Bill C-8, Bill C-9, and Bill C-15 expanding government authority, the real question is no longer what happened, but what policy changes, if any, are being made to stop it from happening again.

Separatist movements in Alberta and Quebec are rising but could they actually help Canada rethink its policies and unite the country? Join David Leis live with political scientist Dr. Barry Cooper and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, as they break down why these movements have emerged, what concerns are driving them, and what policy responses could address grievances while keeping Canada together.

Canada’s economy is quietly unraveling, and it could hit your wallet, your job, and your future. David Leis sits down with former Finance Minister Joe Oliver to reveal the hard truth: government overspending, ballooning deficits, and mismanaged trade are sending Canadian money overseas, leaving families struggling and businesses looking elsewhere. Productivity is falling, innovation is stalling, and our reliance on natural resources isn’t enough to secure our future. If Canada doesn’t act now, jobs will vanish, wages will stagnate, and the next generation will be stuck paying the price. This is about your family, your savings, and the Canada you thought you knew.

Canada is at a crossroads. After the Conservative convention and with talk of a possible 2026 snap election, big questions loom over Parliament, policy, and Canada’s future. What does this mean for Canadians? How will our challenging relationship with the U.S. shape trade, security, and the economy? And what major issues should Parliament tackle to keep Canada moving forward? Join David Leis live with former Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at the Frontier Centre, as they unpack the political fallout, what’s at stake, and give Canadians an insider’s perspective on what’s next.

Canada is quietly taxing itself into decline. David Leis sits down with tax expert Kim Moody to explain why high taxes are driving jobs, investment, and talent out of the country—and how government spending is fuelling inflation while everyday Canadians fall behind. From CRA inefficiencies to the case for a flat tax, this conversation breaks down why a major tax reset may be the only way to save Canada’s economic future. If you work, save, or run a business in Canada, this affects you.

This is major and almost no one is talking about it. Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has upheld that the Emergencies Act was used illegally against peaceful protesters in February 2022. Who is responsible, and could it happen again? David Leis is joined by Josh Dehaas (Canadian Constitution Foundation), Bruce Pardy (law professor), and Ray McGinnis (author of bestselling book Unjustified) to unpack why this ruling matters, who should face consequences, and what it signals for the future of democracy in Canada. Live Thursday at 2pm CT | YouTube, Facebook & X

Canada’s healthcare system is failing—and people are dying while waiting for care. In this explosive episode, David Leis sits down with Dr. Brian Day to reveal the shocking truth about long wait times, the moral and economic cost of our broken system, and Alberta’s bold plan to give patients real choice between public and private care. Will Canada finally fix its healthcare crisis, or are lives going to keep being lost?

Prime Minister Mark Carney says we’ve entered a “new world order.” But what does that really mean for Canada? Plus, a lot of reaction from Trump and Carney's World Economic Forum Speeches. As Ottawa moves closer to China and signs a new economic roadmap with the China despite Carney previously calling them, Canada’s “greatest threat”. Is Canada changing sides? And what does this mean for our economy, security, and relationship with the United States, which is taking a harder line on China? Is this strategic leadership or short-term politics that could put Canada at risk? Join David Leis live with David Redman, Scott McGregor, and Marco Navarro-Genie as they unpack the real meaning behind Carney’s “new world order” comment and what it signals for Canada’s future.

Canada’s energy future may be at risk—but most Canadians don’t realize it yet. David Leis talks with Dan McTeague of Canadians for Affordable Energy about how Canada “put all its eggs in one basket” by relying almost entirely on the U.S. as its oil customer. With the recent U.S. removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Washington tightening control over Venezuela’s massive oil reserves, the United States could shift its energy strategy—potentially boosting Venezuelan heavy crude supply and reducing its dependence on Canadian oil. Venezuela once supplied the U.S. Gulf Coast with heavy oil, and its resurgence could squeeze Canada’s export advantage. Canada has already been filling the gap left by Venezuela’s 30‑plus years of decline, helping U.S. refineries that are designed for heavy crude. Now, the question is whether Canada’s energy policy, pipeline capacity, and trade strategy can adapt fast enough or whether Canada has lost its bargaining chip and put its economy in jeopardy.

Canada’s economy is stuck in neutral while the U.S. makes bold global moves—from the arrest of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to talk of taking over Greenland. Is Canada moving in the right direction, or being left behind? What policies could actually jumpstart growth, attract investment, and protect jobs as the global economy shifts? Join David Leis live with Columnist Jay Goldberg and Economy expert Catherine Swift as they break down what’s holding Canada back, what must change, and why every Canadian should care.

Canada is rewriting the rules on speech and few are paying attention. David Leis sits down with John Carpay from the Justice Centre to discuss Bill C-9, censorship, and the growing pressure on religious expression. From selective law enforcement to race-based rights, this conversation exposes why freedom in Canada may be more fragile than most realize.

The U.S. arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has shaken the world and, Canadians are reacting. Refugee Ana Rizo explains what this means for her people, Venezuela, and Canada. She joins David Leis, former Liberal MP Dan McTeague, and Marco Navarro‑Genie to unpack the fallout, the misinformation, and what comes next for international relations and Canadian policy.

The US is heading into a turbulent 2026 midterm season, and corruption, voter fraud, and political missteps could shake the nation. David Leis sits down with American writer and publisher, Jeffrey Tucker, to break down what really went wrong with President Donald Trump’s tariffs, why US manufacturing isn’t bouncing back, and how America is falling short of promises of a “New Golden Age.” From Trump’s attacks on Canada to ICE deportations, DOGE, and fraud in Minneapolis, Tucker reveals the stark reality behind the headlines. Could these issues reshape the midterms and America’s future?

Is there really a war on Christmas and has it happened before? Historian Dr. Gerry Bowler shares how Christmas has long been a political and cultural battleground. From Dickens and Santa Claus to Nazi attempts to reshape the holiday, this conversation connects history to today’s culture wars, moral relativism, and the fading influence of Judeo-Christian values. What happens when truth itself is up for debate and what does it mean for Canada’s identity?

B.C. nurse Amy Hamm has been fined $93,639 and suspended for one month by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives over her views on sex and gender. Part of the case stems from a billboard she co-sponsored that read: “I ❤️ J.K. Rowling.” Now she’s fighting back—and the policy consequences could affect every Canadian. David Leis is joined live by Amy Hamm, her lawyer Lisa Bildy, and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, to examine how regulatory policies are being used to discipline speech outside the workplace, what this means for professional freedom, and whether current policies protect Canadians’ rights—or quietly erode them. Is this really about patient safety, or about enforcing ideology through policy?

Is Canada silently allowing religious freedom to be erased? Over 100 churches have burned down, and the government’s silence is deafening. Now, a shocking recommendation from Ottawa could strip churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples of their charitable status. David Leis and Professor Pierre Gilbert reveal what this really means, why it threatens the foundations of Western civilization, and how faith communities could face unprecedented challenges. Are we witnessing the start of a cultural reset—or an attack on religious freedom? What can we do about it?

Ottawa and Alberta have a new energy MOU—but will a pipeline actually get built? BC’s premier is suddenly shifting his stance, yet he still wants an oil-tanker ban. So what’s the point of a pipeline? Meanwhile, BC First Nations have already voted no. Will PM Mark Carney let them veto the entire project? What policies will get Canada's economy moving again? No one seems to have a plan. Join me and my guests Catherine Swift from the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers & Businesses of Canada, and Chris Bloomer from the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association.

“I don’t trust the government of Canada,” warns engineer and energy expert Gwyn Morgan. With the new Alberta-Ottawa Memorandum of Understanding, which includes a new pipeline from Alberta to the BC coast, Canadians are being promised a brighter energy future—but is it real, or just hype? Morgan breaks down how skyrocketing carbon costs, political uncertainty, First Nations opposition and shifting U.S. energy policies are putting Canada’s growth at risk. Who’s really standing in the way of our energy sector and what can we do to protect Canada’s future?

Is Health Canada taking away your right to stay healthy? David Leis sits down with Lawyer Shawn Buckley with the National Health Product Protection Association to expose how natural remedies, essential supplements, are being banned and why cloned meat are being pushed on Canadians—while big pharma profits. Are these foods and policies really safe for Canadians?

A BC judge handed 800 acres in Richmond to the Cowichan First Nation—and now Secwépemc Nation is asking a court to grant them the entire city of Kamloops and more. Is this the start of a wave that could erase property rights in Canada? If investors can’t trust ownership, who will build anything here? Our economy is on the line, and almost no one is talking about it. Former Manitoba judge Brian Giesbrecht, Lawyer Bruce Hallsor and VP of Research at Frontier, Marco Navarro-Genie join David Leis to reveal what's going on here, and what could come next. This is a wake-up call every Canadian needs to hear.

Is Canada bringing in too many immigrants? Professor and urban affairs writer Joel Kotkin thinks so and says it’s happening faster than anyone in power is willing to admit. David Leis and Kotkin break down why young Canadians can’t afford homes, why the middle class is shrinking, and how Canada is drifting into a new form of “neo-feudalism” where a small elite thrives while everyone else falls behind.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget has barely passed—a massive, expensive plan that raises questions: Will it actually get Canada moving forward, or will we be left asking what just happened? Join David Leis live on YouTube with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and Marco Navarro-Genie as they break down the budget, explain why it matters to every Canadian, and discuss what citizens can do to make sure it works for the country.

A groundbreaking court decision in BC has shaken property rights across Canada. The Cowichan Tribes land ruling has left homeowners in Richmond unsure if they even own their land anymore. One resident says his bank refused to renew his mortgage. Does this judgement set a precedent that could put everyone’s land ownership at risk? Law professor Bruce Pardy joins David Leis to break down what this decision really means, why it threatens property rights nationwide, and what must happen to reverse it. Every Canada should care about this.

In 2025, Canada faces growing threats to our rights, freedoms, and prosperity. We just marked Remembrance Day and now more than ever we need to stand up for the sacrifices that so many made in order for us to live in a free nation. What can we do to turn things around? Host David Leis is joined by Col. David Redman and Dr. Gerry Bowler to talk about the true cost of freedom, the lessons from our forgotten history, and what we must do now to renew and protect the nation soldiers died to preserve.

Canadian economist Jack Mintz joins David Leis with a warning: “We’re not broken… yet.” But if more businesses and jobs leave Canada, that could change fast. He reacts to Canada's latest budget and if it'll get Canada moving in the right direction. Mintz breaks down why Canada’s soaring debt, stalled economic growth, and rising inflation are putting families under pressure. He says a country as rich in natural resources as Canada should be thriving but instead, we’re keeping minerals in the ground and piling on more debt. He also makes a surprising case for why tariffs might actually be good for Canada’s economy and what needs to happen before it’s too late.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has finally released his long-awaited federal budget and it’s making waves. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s first budget includes massive new spending, deep cuts to the public service, and a $78 billion deficit for 2025-26. Join David Leis live with former MP Dorothy Dobbie and former Stephen Harper speechwriter Nigel Hannaford, insiders who know what a real budget should look like. They break down the numbers, reveal what’s missing, and explain why this budget could change everything for Canada. Will this budget restart Canada's economic future?

Are your freedoms quietly being eroded in Canada? David Leis talks with Josh Dehaas about Bills C-8, C-9, and C-14—and why they should worry every citizen. Bill C-8 threatens free speech by regulating what you can say online, Bill C-9 could interfere with property rights, and Bill C-14 expands government powers in ways that could impact personal freedoms. From court decisions in BC to schools shaping the next generation’s values, this conversation exposes how rights we take for granted are under pressure. But it’s not all doom and gloom, citizens can act.