Blue Skies Podcast with Erin O'Toole

Jun 27 2024 48 ep. 46 mins 24

Blue Skies Podcast with Erin O'Toole artwork

blue-sky (verb) : to offer ideas that are conceived by unrestrained imagination or optimism. Hosted by Erin O’Toole, President and Managing Director of ADIT North America. Erin is the former Member of Parliament for Durham and former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. The Blue Skies political podcast explores issues facing Canada and the world in a format that brings together thought leaders for an informed and engaging conversation.

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The Great Canadian Pension Debate

Jun 27 2024 60 mins

In this episode of Blue Skies, Erin is joined by Jim Leech, former CEO of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and a well-respected voice on business issues, to discuss the current debate about whether governments should mandate public pension plans like the CPP to invest more in Canada. They explore the development of the 'Canadian Model' for pension governance and why it has gained

Canada in the Age of AUKUS: Talking Foreign Policy with UK MP Alicia Kearns

Apr 14 2024 37 mins

MP Alicia Kearns, the Chair of the United Kingdom's Foreign Affairs Select Committee, joins Blue Skies to discuss the AUKUS alliance, the war in Ukraine, the Balkans, China and the need for democracies to stand against foreign interference. The conversation with MP Kearns provides an interesting view on geopolitics and how one of Canada’s closest allies views the state of our def

NATO is 75

Apr 04 2024 44 mins

Erin is joined by Robert Baines, the President of the NATO Association of Canada to discuss the importance of the NATO alliance as it marks 75 years of providing peace and security for its members. They discuss the role of Canada in the alliance and how NATO helped usher in the post-WWII era of prosperity and opportunity. They also discuss risks facing the alliance today ranging fr

Canadian Values in a Challenging World

Feb 29 2024 59 mins

Erin is joined by long-serving Liberal MP John McKay to talk about his decades of work on international development and defence issues in the House of Commons. Ahead of the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto, they discuss the impact of Canada's new law to help prevent forced and child labour from being part of Canadian supply chains. The

Blue Skies on the anniversary of the war in Ukraine

Feb 24 2024 5 mins

A special Blue Skies to mark the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Hon. Erin O’Toole gives his quick take on the war, and explains why it’s time to reconfirm support and counter the complacency

The Nuclear Renaissance: Part III

Feb 17 2024 52 mins

Blue Skies returns and continues its series on the important role of nuclear energy in our economic and environmental future. Dr. Chris Keefer, the President of Canadians for Nuclear Energy, joins Erin to discuss his own nuclear ‘conversion’ and how his advocacy is educating Canadians and changing the public policy debate. They discuss Canadian industry advancements from Small

The Nuclear Renaissance: Part II

Jul 22 2023 65 mins

Before finishing up as Durham MP, Erin interviewed two leaders to talk about the continued growth of nuclear for Canada’s lower emission future and the tremendous innovation and economic activity across Canada. He welcomed Bill Walker, President of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries as well as Rory O'Sullivan, the President of Moltex who is leveraging technology to t

Cities in Crisis: One Mayor’s Journey to Make a Difference

Jul 02 2023 59 mins

Erin is joined by Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter to discuss the rising challenges facing cities in North America with addiction, mental health and homelessness levels peaking along with public frustration. Dan speaks about his own struggles with addiction and homelessness and how he tries to bring compassion alongside the leadership needed to make tough decisions to balance wellness and p

Blue Skies on the High Seas: The Battle of the Atlantic with Ted Barris

Jun 22 2023 53 mins

Historian Ted Barris sat down with Erin to talk about his new book covering the longest WWII battle - the Battle of the Atlantic - and Canada’s contributions to this critical battle that forged the foundation of the North Atlantic alliance we know today. Canadian heroism and perseverance as told in “Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory”.

The West Still Wants In with Gary Mar

Apr 29 2023 54 mins

Erin is joined by the Hon. Gary Mar, CEO of the Canada West Foundation to take economic priorities for western Canada. A former Alberta Minister, Diplomat, Business and Thought Leader, Gary shares his perspective on the role Canada can play in global energy and food security and how respect for western interests will help build a strong and prosperous Canada. Like, subscribe, and s