Episode 22: Schmooze with Michael Westcott, CEO of Allies for a Strong Canada

Something in Canada feels different.It is not always easy to name, but more and more people are feeling it. A sense that something foundational has shifted. That the country they recognize is no longer quite the same.In this episode of The Schmooze, we sit down with Michael Westcott, founder of Allies for a Strong Canada, to explore what is driving that feeling and what can be done about it.This is not simply a conversation about antisemitism, though that is where many people first began to notice the change. It is a deeper discussion about civic engagement, silence, and the growing gap between what Canadians believe and what is being reflected in public life.Michael shares how a grassroots movement of over 30,000 Canadians has formed around a simple idea. That ordinary people, when given the tools and the confidence to act, can have far more influence than they realize.We talk about:• Why social media is not a substitute for real engagement• How civic responsibility has quietly eroded over time• What it actually means to participate in a democracy• And why silence creates space for the loudest voices to define the momentThis conversation is not about partisanship. It is about whether Canadians still believe in the values that built the country, and whether they are willing to defend them.If you have felt that something is off, but have not been able to fully articulate it, this episode will resonate.