Blue Skies Podcast With Erin O'toole, Mp

Erin welcomes back Canadian-Ukrainian military expert Ihor Kozak for an update on the war in Ukraine. Ihor discusses Ukraine's successes in taking back territory, and explains why supplying tanks and other equipment will be critical to withstanding Putin’s offensives this spring. They also tackle the issue of Russian trolls and the Kremlin’s disinformation machine, including how you can protect yourself from unintentionally spreading Russian propaganda. Read Erin’s Substack essay on the ‘Resolve for Ukraine in 2023’.

Erin was a guest on Canadian Defence Review’s podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on the changing global security balance and the need for Canada to have a more strategic approach to defence and our role in the world. They discuss the war in Ukraine, cyber warfare, the Arctic and a range of challenges the Canadian Armed Forces will face in the future.This podcast was recorded in September 2022.

Erin welcomes well-known Conservative commentator Tasha Kheiriddin for a discussion on the impact of demographic change on Canadian politics and how Millennial and Gen Z voters are already starting to drive the policy agenda. On issues like housing, inclusion, climate change and many others, these voters have different views from the Baby Boomers and the economy they are facing is also very different. Drawing from her recent book The Right Path, Kheiriddin discusses the realignment of Canadian politics currently underway as Millennial voters become the largest working and voting demographic.

In this second of a two-part series on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and mental health, Erin is joined by Mark Meincke, a Veteran and host of the Operation Tango Romeo podcast focused on trauma recovery. Meincke made national headlines this fall when he revealed that Veterans Affairs Canada had already suggested to several Veterans that they consider MAID on assistance calls that originated with a Veteran requesting support for mental injuries. Mark also bravely discusses his own difficult journey with Post Traumatic Stress Injury and how important it is to get Veterans the mental health support they need when they are most vulnerable. The Veteran demonstrates that the Doctor's concerns from episode one are well-founded.

In the first of a two-part series on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and mental health, Erin is joined by Dr. John Maher, a prominent psychiatrist and medical ethics expert. They discuss the risks and ethical issues related to expanding MAID to Canadians with mental injury or illness as the sole basis for the request for MAID and how this major change is dividing mental health professionals. Dr. Maher draws on his decades of experience treating marginalized patients to warn how their medical condition and sense of isolation will make them particularly vulnerable at a time when most Canadians recognize that our healthcare system is in a state of crisis and social supports for housing and addiction treatment are insufficient.

Erin is joined by Robert Zoellick, former President of the World Bank and United States Trade Representative, for a discussion on Russia, China and the need for a renewed North American relationship to rise to the challenges facing the democratic world. Like, subscribe, and share the Blue Skies political podcast to show you support serious and long-form political debate.

General (Retired) Rick Hillier joins Erin for a Remembrance Week discussion. Hillier shares some memories of what inspired him to join the Canadian Armed Forces and reflections on his time as Chief of Defence Staff during the Afghanistan War. They discuss how Canada can continue to remember the fallen and honour the living, including the Veteran-led campaign to have Jess LaRochelle considered for the Victoria Cross. Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue Skies political podcast.

Erin sits down with former energy executive, Chris Slubicki. The two discuss issues related to energy scarcity and abundance, and how the Canadian oil and gas sector can play a key role in global energy security – at home and in Europe. Checkout Chris Slubicki’s TED talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/chris_slubicki_canadian_energy_leadership Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue Skies political podcast.

Erin is joined by Roddy MacKenzie, a Canadian author and historian who travelled to London to join to the long queue of mourners honouring the Queen. Roddy shares his journey and reflects on Queen Elizabeth’s inspiring life of service. They discuss the role of the constitutional monarchy in Canada, the Queen’s special bond with our country and Roddy shares some fascinating anecdotes about the incredible relationship between the UK’s longest-serving monarch and its longest-serving Member of Parliament, Sir Winston Churchill. Like, subscribe, and share the Blue Skies political podcast..

Erin is joined by Conservative Foreign Affairs critic Michael Chong for a discussion of the important foreign policy issues facing Canada and our allies. From the war in Ukraine to the Taiwan Strait — Erin and Michael explore the world’s geopolitical hotspots and how Canada can play a role in energy security, Arctic security, and economic sanctions to temper aggressions. NOTE: This podcast was recorded before the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and delayed through the period of mourning. Like and subscribe to Blue Skies and please share this important foreign policy conversation.

Erin is joined by Dr. Rob Whitley, associate professor of psychiatry at McGill University and research scientist at the Douglas Research Centre. Professor Whitley digs into the acute men’s mental health crisis in Canada. In this episode we learn that men account for more than 75 per cent of suicides in Canada — equivalent to 50 men per week. Men are also more likely to experience addiction and substance abuse, and are less likely to seek mental health support. Whitley discusses breaking down stigma and how specialized treatments and purpose-driven healing can help save lives. Like, subscribe, and share the Blue Skies political podcast.

Dieppe historian David O’Keefe joins Erin for a special commemorative edition of the Blue Skies Podcast. They discuss the challenges of the raid, Canadian bravery on the beach, and the intrigue behind the secret ‘pinch mission’ at the heart of the mission. Spymaster & Bond author Ian Fleming even played a role in this daring mission to break Nazi codes. Lest we forget. Like, subscribe, review and share the Blue Skies political podcast.

Erin is joined by Dr. Charles Burton, senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and leading expert on Canada-China relations. Dr. Burton talks about his decades of work on China and how the evolution and ambition of the Chinese Communist Party requires Canada to be far more cautious in all aspects of Canada-China relations. From trade to security, from human rights to the Belt and Road, and from Tiananmen to Taiwan, this comprehensive discussion touches on all aspects if the relationship. Like, subscribe, review and share the Blue Skies political podcast.

MP Erin O'Toole is joined by Vincent Rigby and Thomas Juneau co-chairs of “A National Security Strategy for the 2020s” – a ground-breaking report evaluating the threat environment for Canada and recommending a clear strategy to counter these threats. Vincent Rigby is the former national security and intelligence advisor to the Prime Minister and Dr. Thomas Juneau is an associate professor at the University of Ottawa specializing in public safety and security issues. Rigby and Juneau discuss current threats to Canada including both foreign and domestic threats, disinformation, and the need for executive attention to the evolving threat environment. Their full report can be found here: https://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/public-international-affairs/ns2022en Like, subscribe, and engage your friends on this topic and the Blue Skies political podcast.

Erin is joined by James Akam, a former interpreter for the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan, to discuss his incredible and dangerous journey to freedom in Canada. James talks about his work for Canada in Afghanistan and the risks the families that are left behind face from the Taliban. The government needs to quickly bring to Canada those Afghans who helped our country in its 12-year mission there. Email the Minister of Immigration, Hon. Sean Fraser, to demand action at sean.fraser@parl.gc.ca. Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue Skies political podcast.

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Erin O’Toole, radio host from Colorado, to chat Erin to Erin. Brought together by their shared name on social media, the two Erins share a positive discussion Canada-US relations, the highs and lows of social media and life in general. This light-hearted conversation kicks off the Blue Skies Summer Series. This episode was originally recorded in April 2022. Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue Skies political podcast.

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Chief Kelly LaRocca of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. Chief LaRocca is a dynamic FN leader who has forged strong partnerships in her decade as chief. She sat down with Erin to talk about her nation, her personal journey to leadership, and work on finalizing the Williams Treaties and advancing economic reconciliation. Like, subscribe, and please share the Blue Skies political podcast.

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Dr. Mark Jaccard, a professor at Simon Fraser University with the School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM). Professor Jaccard is an internationally renowned energy and climate change policy expert, economist, and author. He sat down with MP O’Toole to discuss his background advising Canadian governments of all political stripes on environmental policy, using carbon pricing mechanisms to meet our climate goals, the role of technology, and the increasing polarization of the discussion on climate change. Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue Skies political podcast.

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Dr. Jack Mintz, one of Canada’s most prominent voices on the economy, our competitiveness and public policy issues more broadly. In this episode, Mintz shares his insights on deficits and rising debt levels in an inflationary economy, as well as productivity and demographic challenges facing Canada. They discuss the need for fresh thinking and policy innovation to attract capital investment to fuel growth and to halt the decline in our public health systems. Let us know your thoughts on this engaging discussion. Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue Skies political podcast.

MP Erin O’Toole is joined by Canadian historian Dr. David O’Keefe from Marianopolis College and Dr. Ed Lengel from the National Medal of Honor Museum in the United States to discuss the process of fairly reviewing acts of bravery and valour to ensure that recipients for decorations like the Victoria Cross are not missed due to incomplete information, bias or error. The case of Private Jess Larochelle is used as an example of a case worthy of review. Erin and his guests discuss the need for a review process framework in Canada incorporating best practices from our closest allies. Like, subscribe, and tell your friends about the Blue Skies political podcast.