Leaders on the Frontier
by Return to Reason
Since its inception in 1999, the Frontier Centre for Public Policy has been steadfast in its mission to foster Ideas for a Better Tomorrow. Through research, publications, educational events and policy analysis, Frontier has impacted dozens of governments and policy sectors. With Western Canadian roots and a drive to cultivate responsible citizenship, Leaders on the Frontier features discussions of common sense and good governance from this non-partisan, cutting-edge think tank.
Episodes
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B.C. Just Flipped Conservative. What's Coming? | Live Show
B.C. just delivered a political earthquake. What happens next? After nine years of NDP rule, B.C.’s Conservatives are set to form government following David Eby’s snap election gamble. What does this mean for B.C., Alberta and the rest of Canada? Join David Leis with Mike de Jong, former…
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CFB Wainwright Tragedy: Is Canada Prepared for Emergencies? | David Redman
Four soldiers are dead after a fire at CFB Wainwright. Is Canada prepared for the next emergency? Retired LCol. David Redman joins David Leis to discuss the lessons Canada must learn from the tragedy, gaps in emergency preparedness, and why rebuilding the Canadian Armed Forces matters to national...
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Alberta Has Voted. What Happens Now? | Live Show
Alberta has voted. What happens next? The results are in, but what do they mean for Alberta—and for the rest of Canada? Is this the beginning of a major political shift, and will Ottawa start paying attention? Join David Leis with Bruce Pardy, law professor and Executive Director of Rights Probe;...
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Truth and Reconciliation: Are We Asking the Hard Questions? | John Carpay
Are Canadians equal under the law—or does race determine the rules? John Carpay, President of the Justice Centre, joins David Leis to challenge race-based policies in Canada, from sentencing, access to government funding, and Indigenous policy. He argues that policies intended to advance...
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Pacific Link Pipeline: Will It Actually Get Built? & Alberta Referendum | Live Show
Another pipeline promise or will the Pacific Link Pipeline actually get built? On October 1, 2026, the Pacific Link Pipeline, formerly known as the West Coast Oil Pipeline, was designated Canada’s first project of national interest under the Building Canada Act. But what happens now—and will it...
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Canada’s Tax Problem Is BIGGER Than You Think | Harry Margulies
What if Canada’s tax system is actually discouraging people from creating jobs? Legal and Moral Analyst Harry Margulies explains why he believes Canada is losing investment, how capital gains taxes can discourage productive investment, and why Sweden took a different approach to rewarding…
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Is Truth & Reconciliation Dividing Canadians? | Live Show
Are Canadians being told the full story about truth and reconciliation? What if some of the narratives shaping Canada’s approach to reconciliation deserve to be questioned? What is supported by evidence, what is interpretation, and what are Canadians actually being taught? Join David Leis with...
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Why We Can't Talk About Race and History? | Nigel Biggar
What happens when you’re afraid to say what you really think? Nigel Biggar, professor at Oxford University in the UK, exposes the growing culture war over free speech, DEI, identity politics, and how history is taught. He reveals what happens when universities and institutions become afraid to...
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What Happens If Alberta Votes to Leave Canada? | Live Show
What happens the day after Alberta votes yes? How would Canada actually negotiate a separation? Former Reform Party leader Preston Manning joins Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at the Frontier Centre, to discuss the key takeaways from the Alberta and the West Assembly, co-chaired by Manning…
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Canada Has EVERYTHING Investors Want, So Why Are They LEAVING? | Jack Mintz
Is Canada losing investors? Jack Mintz breaks down the latest Canada-U.S. trade tensions, tariffs, investment fleeing south, and why he says Canada is becoming less competitive. He also explains why regulatory delays could be costing Canada billions and why our energy resources may be the ace…
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Canada’s EU Plan: Smart Move or Big Risk? | Live Show
Is Canada’s new relationship with Europe the answer or a policy nightmare? Canada is looking to deepen its relationship with the European Union as trade tensions with the U.S. continue. But can closer ties with Europe actually make Canada more prosperous and attractive to investors or could more...
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How Did Canada’s Schools Get So Woke? | Live Show
Canada’s education system is facing growing questions about curriculum, ideology, academic standards, and what students are learning in the classroom. So how did we get here—and how can we make education better? The Frontier Centre has released a new book, The Peril of Woke Schools and the Value…
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Canadians Are Losing Trust in Government, Media and the Justice System | Leighton Grey
Could Alberta's independence referendum actually change Canada? Leighton Grey, KC breaks down Alberta's referendum, Western alienation, Ottawa's economic policies, and the growing push for more provincial control. But the conversation goes beyond Alberta. Grey takes on Canada's justice system…
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Canada’s North Is at Risk—What Do We Do?
Is Canada doing enough to protect the North? The Arctic is critical to Canada’s sovereignty, national security, and economic future. But what are the biggest challenges and what can we actually do to strengthen our presence in the North? Join David Leis with Lt-Gen.(ret'd) Michel Maisonneuve,...
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Counter-Tariffs Are Coming But Who Really Pays? | Preston Manning
Is Canada losing the trade war with Trump before the real fight even begins? Preston Manning joins David Leis for a blunt conversation about Trump, tariffs, Canada-U.S. trade negotiations, and Alberta’s upcoming referendum. Manning says counter-tariffs won't solve the problem, they could leave...
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Canada's Bike Lane Obsession, Is It a Waste? | Live Show
Have Canadian cities gone too far with bike lanes? Few people are against cycling—but in a country with long, cold winters, does it make sense to spend millions on bike infrastructure and dedicate so much valuable road space to something many people can't use year-round? Are bike lanes improving...
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The "Trade War" Is Getting Ugly | Live Show
Canada-U.S. trade talks are getting ugly. Why did Canada walk away from the deal? Has the trade war turned into a political shouting match between Donald Trump and Ontario Premier Doug Ford? And while politicians trade insults, who actually pays the price? Join David Leis with Sylvain Charlebois,...
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Trump, Immigration & AI: What Canadians Are Really Thinking | David Colette
Canadians are anxious about the economy, Trump, AI, climate change, and what the future holds. Abacus Data CEO David Coletto joins David Leis to explain how that uncertainty is shaping political opinions and how politicians respond to it. They discuss Trump, immigration, younger Canadians…
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50% Tariffs Paused—But What Did Canada Agree To? | Live Show
A last-minute tentative Canada-U.S. trade deal has paused the 50% tariffs for three days while the agreement is finalized—but what does this mean for Canadians? And there's another major development: Donald Trump says a new deal could revive Keystone XL, the Alberta-to-U.S. Gulf Coast pipeline...
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Anthony Fauci's Diary vs. What He Told the Public | Jeffrey Tucker
"You have to see it to believe it," says Jeffrey Tucker, American writer and journalist with the Brownstone Institute. Shocking new revelations from Anthony Fauci’s private diary are raising questions about what happened behind the scenes during COVID. What did Fauci know about the origins of the...
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Does the Next Generation Have a Future in Canada?
Does the next generation actually have a future in Canada? Young Canadians are facing a very different country: housing they can’t afford, a struggling economy, declining trust in institutions, cultural division, and growing questions about quality of life, masculinity, and Canada's place in the...
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Security Failure is Putting Every Canadian at Risk | Scott McGregor
What if Canada's biggest security weakness isn't the border... but our ports? Former RCMP intelligence official Scott McGregor says Canada's Pacific ports have become a major target for organized crime because only a small percentage of cargo is inspected. He argues criminal networks know exactly...
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What Fauci Didn't Want to Answer & Canada's Lesson
Why did Anthony Fauci plead the Fifth? Congressional hearings are raising new questions about the COVID-19 pandemic, government decision-making, and what officials knew behind closed doors. From the lab leak theory and gain-of-function research to school closures, vaccine effectiveness, natural...
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Canada vs. America: Who's Really Winning? | Live Show
Is Canada losing the trade war with the United States? As trade tensions continue, many Canadians are asking whether this has become less about protecting Canadian interests and more about politics. Meanwhile, businesses are losing confidence, investment is leaving, and some business leaders warn...
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Canada's Economy Is Flatlining, Here's Why | Curt Vossen
Canada has everything it needs to succeed—so why are we falling behind? Business leader Curt Vossen joins David Leis to explain why investment is leaving, productivity is stalling, and Canada is losing ground to the U.S. He says the problem isn't a lack of opportunity—it's public policy. From tax...
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Canadians Are Leaving—and It's Costing Us All | Kim Moody
Canadians are paying more taxes than ever… so why does it feel like we're getting less? Tax expert Kim Moody joins David Leis to explain why families, entrepreneurs, and investors are leaving Canada—and why that's bad news for everyone. When people and businesses move their money elsewhere…
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Can Canada Protect the Arctic? Why it Matters! | LIVE SHOW
The Arctic is becoming one of Canada's greatest economic and strategic opportunities—but also one of its biggest national challenges. As global powers compete for influence in the North, can Canada afford to keep standing still? Join David Leis live with Robyn Lore from NeeStaNan, former Liberal…
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Why Investors Are Giving Up on Canada | Catherine Swift
Why are investors avoiding Canada? Catherine Swift joins David Leis to explain why businesses are leaving, investment is drying up, and jobs are disappearing. She argues the problem is caused by bad government policies. From taxes and red tape to pipelines, mining, and government spending, Swift...
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Most Canadians Will NEVER Own a Home, What Happened? | July 9 Live Show
It is now impossible for MOST Canadians to buy a home in Canada! The latest Demographia International Housing Affordability Report presented by Frontier Centre ranks many Canadian cities among the least affordable in the world. For millions of Canadians, owning a home is no longer just...
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We've Forgotten Who We Are. Here's How We Get it Back | Conrad Black
Where is Canada actually headed? David Leis sits down with Conrad Black for an honest conversation about Canada’s identity, its history, and the pressures building across politics, the courts, and the economy as we head toward 2027. They talk about concerns around the rule of law and judicial...
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Are We Entering a New Era of Online Surveillance in Canada? | Josh Dehaas
Canada is rolling out new laws to regulate online content—but at what cost? David Leis and Josh Dehaas, with Canadian Constitution Foundation, break down Bill C9 and many other censorship bills that are aimed at protecting children online, but raise serious questions about free speech, privacy…
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Is Canadian Citizenship Losing its Meaning?
Citizenship is supposed to be more than a passport. It's the foundation of our democracy, our freedoms, and the shared values that hold the country together. But what does it actually mean to be a Canadian citizen today? What rights come with citizenship? What responsibilities? And have we...
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Criminals Know Something About Canada You Don’t | Scott McGregor
Canada’s immigration policy is a train wreck, and it’s creating real security risks. Former RCMP intelligence analyst Scott McGregor explains how gaps in policy, weak enforcement, and slow deportation systems are being exploited by organized crime and foreign actors in Canada. This isn’t just…
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Are Human Rights Commissions Silencing Canadians? | Live Show
Human Rights Commissions across Canada are being accused of going far beyond their original role—now deciding cases that critics say involve speech, research, and opinion rather than clear discrimination. Supporters call them protection. Critics call them overreach. So what are they really doing...
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Land Claims will change Canada Forever | Bruce Pardy
Why land claims are raising alarm bells for homeowners. Law professor Bruce Pardy joins David Leis to discuss why court decisions, B.C. Indigenous land claims, and government policy are raising new questions about property rights in Canada. What do the Cowichan case in B.C. and the recent New...
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Have Canada's courts become political?
From the Emergencies Act to land claims and property rights, some of Canada's most important issues are being decided in the courts. But are judges simply applying the law or are they playing a bigger role in shaping public policy? Former Manitoba judge Brian Giesbrecht says public trust in the...
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Is Canada Still a Safe Country? | LCol. David Redman
Canada is not secure, and according to Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret.) David Redman, the risks and our "enemies" are already here. Redman, who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years, reveals just how weak Canada's border is, our failing immigration enforcement, and explains how the courts and...
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New Brunswick Court Pushes Back on Land Claims, or Not? | Bruce Pardy
Did a New Brunswick court just shift the land claims debate in Canada? A new ruling is raising major questions about how Aboriginal title interacts with private property—and whether Canada’s courts are starting to draw clearer lines after dangerous uncertainty. Join David Leis live with law...
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The Battle Over Hunting, Fishing, and Crown Land in Canada
Is public land still truly public? Most Canadians don’t think twice about Crown land—it’s where people hunt, fish, camp, and get away from the city. But that access is becoming a real point of tension. David Leis is joined by Jesse Zeman of the BC Wildlife Federation and Chris Heald of the…
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Is Alberta’s Separation Movement Falling Apart?
Frustration with Ottawa is growing, emotions are running high, and the separation movement in Alberta appears more divided and chaotic than ever. Court decisions, political infighting, and questions about leadership and strategy are leaving many Albertans asking: what’s actually going on? Is…
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Why Canada Feels Broken and What Could Change It | Mike de Jong
Former BC Finance Minister Mike de Jong has spent years inside government making real budget decisions during economic stress and crisis periods in British Columbia. He reflects on what actually worked in office, balancing budgets, managing deficits, and dealing with the political pressure that...
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Pipeline Deal Could Change Canada... If It Gets Built
Another pipeline promise but will this one actually get built? Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney say a new oil pipeline from Alberta through B.C. is moving ahead, with construction expected to begin in 2027. But after years of delays, political battles, and cancelled...
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Why America Is Frustrated With Canada | Pete Hoekstra
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra joins David Leis for a blunt conversation about trade, pipelines, critical minerals, China, and why the U.S. is growing frustrated with Canada’s direction. Hoekstra says America wants to partner with Canada, grow prosperity, protect freedoms, and build…
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Canada's Immigration Crisis Is Affecting Your Future
Is Canada’s immigration system out of control and why does it feel like no one is fixing it? Housing costs are climbing, services are stretched, and more Canadians are asking the same question: what changed, and can this still be fixed? Join David Leis live with Riley Donovan, researcher and...
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Can Land Claims Affect Your Property?
There’s a lot happening right now with Aboriginal land claims and policies like DRIPA, but most Canadians aren’t sure what it actually means. Does it affect private property? Does it create uncertainty for homeowners or investors? Join David Leis live with Tom Isaac, B.C. lawyer focused on...
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Why Is Life in Canada So Expensive?
Life in Canada is getting more expensive, and a lot of people are asking why. David Leis talks with former trade minister Ed Fast about what’s happening with Canada’s economy right now—from trade with the U.S. to rising costs at home. They break down why Canada is struggling to keep up in a...
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Is Canada "Going Down the Tubes"?
Is Canada still a good place to do business? More companies are holding back investment or moving it elsewhere. That means fewer opportunities, slower growth, and pressure on jobs and living standards. Why is this happening? What’s driving capital out of Canada? And what policy changes could help...
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The Truth About Canada’s Immigration Crisis
Canada’s immigration system is under serious pressure, and people are starting to notice. Record-high immigration levels, a strained housing market, and growing concerns about fraud and public safety are forcing a tough question: is the system working the way it should? Researcher and journalist...
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Banks Are Using Your Money for Politics
What is your bank really doing with your money? You trust your bank but do you really know what they stand for? From decisions made behind closed doors to policies pushed at annual meetings, your money could be funding agendas that don’t reflect your values. Gina Pappano, former head of market...
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Land Claims Will Affect Every Canadian: Lawyer
This is very, very serious for Canada. A major court decision in B.C. is raising a question Canadians never thought they’d have to ask: do you actually own your home… or could it be taken away? Lawyer Tom Isaac warns we’re in historic times—with massive uncertainty around land claims, property...
About this show
Since its inception in 1999, the Frontier Centre for Public Policy has been steadfast in its mission to foster Ideas for a Better Tomorrow. Through research, publications, educational events and policy analysis, Frontier has impacted dozens of governments and policy sectors. With Western Canadian roots and a drive to cultivate responsible citizenship, Leaders on the Frontier features discussions of common sense and good governance from this non-partisan, cutting-edge think tank.
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