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.