PODCAST · society
Pints & Politics
by Bill Templeman
We rant about politics in Canada and local politics in Peterborough, Ontario. Open discussion. All welcome
Episodes
-
The Privatization of Ontario Healthcare — Episode #121
May 21, 2023 – Peterborough, Ontario. When the Ontario Health Coalition warned last spring leading into the provincial election that the Ford government was planning to privatize surgeries and diagnostic services, Ford repeatedly denied that was his plan. Those claims are now shown to be totally...
-
Episode #120 — Why Subsidize Arts Groups?
...funding for the arts in Peterborough needs to be managed by an independent body or agency -- a professional arts council -- that is, at arm’s length from elected officials.
-
Episode #119 – The Origins & Future of Black History Month in Canada
If this country evolves to fulfill its potential as an open and diverse democracy that welcomes people of all backgrounds and from all countries of origin, we wouldn’t need to celebrate Black History Month. Both newcomers and longtime residents, especially Black, Indigenous and People of Colour...
-
Episode #118 — Hate
Expressions of hate have been exploding over the past year. Whether it’s on the news, on social media or in real life, now we hear almost daily accounts of antisemitism, anti-Black racism, anti-trans slurs, anti-LGBT+ attacks, poor bashing and anti-immigrant outbursts. Even in Peterborough. What…
more -
Episode #117 — Stephen Wright’s Mayoral Campaign
Peterborough city councillor Stephen Wright explains why he is running for mayor in October's municipal election and what he hopes to achieve in office.
-
Episode #116 — Canada Day, July 1st, 2022
With this episode of the Pints & Politics podcast, we mark another step in our tradition of taking a critical look at what it means to live in this county every July 1st. There are many gaps between the polite and progressive social personas we like to display to the world and the frequently…
more -
Episode #115 — How can Peterborough get ready for a turbulent future?
The future is always a secret cache of promise and menace. But Spring 2022 finds us in Peterborough awash in a unique flood of unknowns. We are facing two elections: the Ontario provincial vote on June 2 & the municipal election on Oct 24. The ongoing war in Ukraine is upsetting markets and…
more -
Episode #114 — Nuclear pelleting in Peterborough: The March 21-22 Judicial Review
On March 21, 2022, the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) was in Federal Court on behalf of Citizens Against Radioactive Neighbourhoods (CARN — https://www.nopellets.ca/). CARN has asked the Federal Court to reconsider a decision by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). This...
-
Episode #113 – Trucker convoys, blockades and demonstrations: The winter 2022 anti-vax protests so far
As we look back at the recent pro-vax and anti-vax demonstrations, the trucker convoys, the blockades, the protests in Ottawa and elsewhere (including the slow-roll convoys in Peterborough) and the Emergencies Act invoked then revoked by Justin Trudeau, what do we see? What does our country look...
-
Episode #112 — Author Kate Story reads from her latest novel “Urchin”
While Pints & Politics usually sticks to its lane by commenting on contemporary politics in Peterborough, Ontario and Canada, we like to go exploring occasionally and leave the maps behind. Author Kate Story’s latest novel, Urchin, was published by Running the Goat Books and Broadsides of St....
-
Episode #111 — Covid Management in Ontario & Political Instability in the USA
This podcast examines two issues: (1) How is Doug Ford’s government in Ontario doing in their management of the pandemic? (2) What level of instability might emerge in the US as a result of the mid-term elections and what might be the impacts of this putative instability on life in Canada? As the...
-
Episode # 110 — Peterborough’s City Council: How did we get here? Where are we going?
What has happened to Peterborough’s City Council over the past 4 years? What narrative could explain how we went from the top-down approach of the Bennett years to the optimism of a new, “progressive” council in 2018 to the apparent dissolution of the current season? Of course, there are many...
-
Episode #109 – A pilot, a boy & a bi-plane
Normally, I host a panel discussion in these episodes in which we explore all things political with a focus on life in Peterborough, Ontario & Canada. But this episode is quite different. Instead of a panel discussion about political issues, I’m going to indulge in a few memories. I’ll read an...
-
Episode #108 — Our 2021 Election Debrief
This post examines the impact of the September 2021 Canadian federal election on the citizens of the Peterborough-Kawartha riding. This post also examines the national results.
-
Episode #107 — Canada Day, July 1st, 2021
Usually smug Canadians are having to re-assess their assuptions of moral superiority about their country's stance on the world stage. The discovery of hundreds of unmarked children's graves at former Indian Residential Schools across Canada has led to a Canada Day steeped in national shame.
-
Episode #106 — Graves at Kamloops Residential School, Doug Ford’s Pandemic Vacation & More
The staggering news about the graves found at the Kamloops Indian Residential School broke across the country on the May 24 long weekend. The impact of this news continues to echo across the country as non-Indigenous citizens continue to listen, try to understand and for some, try not to look at...
-
Episode #105 — Could tiny homes reduce homelessness in Peterborough?
As the pandemic drags on, the suffering of Peterborough’s homeless population intensifies; the pandemic has magnified the inequality of resources throughout our community. Add to this the impact of the escalating real estate market on rental rates; adequate housing is moving further out of reach...
-
Episode #104 — Kudos for City Council, Heckling Doug Ford, More Heckling for Justin Trudeau
Three core members of our politics panel — campaign manager Lauren Hunter, Curve Lake Band Council Member Sean Conway & Property Manager Jenny Lanciault — commend Peterborough’s City Council for deciding to invest the profit from the unpopular sale of PDI. The panel looks at the high level of...
-
Episode # 103 — Steve Guthrie on local news media, the current stories & what might be coming next
Steve Guthrie is a videographer and media professional who has just retired from 41 years with Global CHEX TV in Peterborough. Steve shares his experience with the progression of technologies in his career, what it takes to thrive in a small-market media environment and his thoughts about the...
-
Episode #102 — Trump’s Last Stand & What It Means for Canadians, Honours for Mike Harris & Disappointment for Developers
Our veteran politics panel — consultant Lauren Hunter, journalist & former mayor Sylvia Sutherland, businesswoman Jenny Lanciault, editor Donald Fraser and Curve Lake Council member Sean Conway — starts the new year by unpacking the seismic political events of the first week of January in the...
-
Episode #101 — What should Peterborough’s City Council focus on before the 2022 election?
Peterborough’s mayor and current City Council have 23 months left in their mandate before the next municipal election in October of 2022. What should Council’s main priorities be as their mandate winds down? What should they be sure to get done? Our guest panel from across the city representing a...
-
Episode #100 — Trump or Biden? Our politics panel debriefs the U.S. election
Our politics panel — Sean Conway, Jenny Lanciault, Sylvia Sutherland & Tim Etherington — take a look back at the historic US election — still undecided as of this date of posting, November 5th. Are the polls ever to be trusted again? How did the candidates manage to attract the huge numbers of...
-
Episode #99 — The debate that wasn’t & the election that may be: Our politics panel takes a last look at the US election campaign
Our local politics panellists — businesswoman Jenny Lanciault, journalist & former mayor of Peterborough Sylvia Sutherland and math teacher Tim Etherington– give their assessments of the September 29th Trump vs. Biden debate. What do the current polls mean? Is the middle-class turning against...
-
Episode #98 — Meanwhile, back in Canada: Our politics panel takes a break from the looming US election to look at what is going on at home
Long-time politics panellists Sean Conway and Lauren Hunter catch us up on the political goings-on in Ottawa and in the provincial capitals while the rest of the known universe continues with its obsession about Trump vs. Biden. While we have been gorging on US political news, we learn that…
more -
Episode #97 — Another take on the Throne Speech & the U.S. election
Three of our veteran politics panellists — Curve Lake First Nations Councillor Sean Conway, consultant Lauren Hunter, and writer & editor Donald Fraser — hop across borders as they share their reactions to the September 23rd throne speech delivered in Ottawa, then catch up with U.S. election...
-
Episode #96 — The Throne Speech in parliament, Ruth Bader Ginsberg & the U.S. election
Four of our veteran politics panellists — Curve Lake First Nations Councillor Sean Conway, journalist & former mayor Sylvia Sutherland, businesswoman Jenny Lanciault and math teacher Tim Etherington — hop across borders as they share their reactions to the September 23rd throne speech delivered…
more -
Episode #95 — The US Election: A necessary obsession for Canada? Is voter suppression via mass incarceration the new Jim Crow?
In this episode, businesswoman Jenny Lanciault, freelance writer Aggie Mlynarz and math teacher Tim Etherington continue to explore the main themes of Episode #94: the importance of this election for the global community and the many varieties of voter suppression currently on offer by the Trump...
-
Episode #94 — Why does this US election matter to Canadians? What is at stake? Our politics panel takes a deep dive
For Canadians, this approaching US election will set the course for our relationship with our largest trading partner for the next 4 years. But much more than that, it will set the tone for international relations, the advancement of such crucial issues as global warming and of course, measures…
more -
Episode #93 — How high will Chrystia Freeland’s star rise? What new policies might be in the next Throne Speech? Which Erin O’Toole will we see in parliament?
Our panel debriefs the Conservatives' leadership vote and dissects the impact of the Liberals' turbulent summer in Ottawa
-
Episode #92 — Erin O’Toole’s Conservative leadership win and the Liberals troubled summer
One half of our politics panel — business-woman Jenny Lanciault, Curve Lake First Nations Band Councillor Sean Conway and former mayor of Peterborough Sylvia Sutherland — assesses the Conservative leadership vote. Then they evaluate the turmoil in Ottawa as the Liberals change finance ministers,...
-
Episode #91 — Back to School: What’s the plan & will it be safe?
In less than two weeks, Ontario’s school students and staff go back to class. What are the risks? Will the Ministry of Education and the school boards act responsibly if there is an outbreak? Will the government’s plan work or is Doug Ford rolling the dice? Is the government cherry-picking the...
-
Episode #90 — How can Peterborough best support its artists through this pandemic?
The arts sector provides significant economic benefits to our community that far outweigh its costs. Festivals, concerts, exhibitions, performances, film showings, readings and presentations attract audiences across our town and throughout the calendar year. All that creative activity came to an...
-
Episode #89 — Our politics panel looks at policing, racism, the pandemic & much more
Our veteran politics panel — property manager & businesswoman Jenny Lanciault, Curve Lake First Nation Councilor and Ontario NDP Indigenous Peoples Committee Chair Sean Conway, playwright & math teacher, Tim Etherington, and Peterborough This Week Journalist & former mayor of Peterborough, Sylvia...
-
Episode #88 — What changes will the pandemic leave behind for Peterborough’s non-profit organizations?
What is the impact of this pandemic on Peterborough’s non-profit sector? And what changes could individual citizens and the community at large implement that would make the work of our non-profits easier in the future? Our panel of non-profit leaders – Jonathan Bennett, Founder & Senior Associate...
-
Episode #87 — Money, debt and surviving the pandemic: our guest panel looks at Peterborough’s future
As the restrictions on public gatherings, businesses and public institutions gradually lift, what should we do to re-build a healthy local economy? What will be the long-term impact of all the government spending on our future abilities as a country to borrow? What will happen to our taxes? Our...
-
Episode #86 — Four Peterborough students look at environmental politics & the pandemic
The current cohort of high school & college students is graduating into a vastly-changed — and drastically diminished– job market when compared with former classes who graduated even just a few years ago. Career planning is suddenly on pause. Summer jobs have evaporated, post-secondary courses…
more -
Episode #85 — Pandemic Politics: Our politics panel looks at how decisions are being made during this new normal
How have governments at all levels handled the pandemic so far? Has the game of politics itself been changed by this virus? And what will our world look like after the pandemic? Will we fix what was broken? Will we create something new? Or will we try to return to the safe world of the […]
-
Episode #84 (Part 1) — Which future should we aim for as Peterborough re-opens when the pandemic fades?
Has Covid-19 shown us too many weak links in our society and in our community? As Peterborough opens up again, will we re-create the old normal, or will we embrace this opportunity to make significant changes? Some changes are obvious: the tragic tactic of cutting costs in private-sector nursing...
-
Episode #84 (Part 2) — Which future should we aim for as Peterborough re-opens when the pandemic fades?
Has Covid-19 shown us too many weak links in our society and in our community? As Peterborough opens up again, will we re-create the old normal, or will we embrace this opportunity to make significant changes? Some changes are obvious: the tragic tactic of cutting costs in private-sector nursing...
-
Episode #83 — What is the impact of the pandemic on Peterborough’s homeless people?
Since mid-March, most of Peterborough has been on some form of quarantine. For the middle-class and more privileged households, the past 7 weeks have been like two months of Sundays. Our Medical Officer of Health has told us to stay home, and that is what most of us have done. Great advice, but...
-
Episode #82 — Covid19: Our panel looks at what’s happening & what may change
Our politics panel normally looks at discrete political events in time, things like elections, resignations or scandals. All have a beginning, a middle and an ending. The Covid19 outbreak is not just an event. It is a huge ongoing process for our community, our country and the world. We don’t…
more -
Edition #81 — Citizens Against Radioactive Neighbourhood: Lessons Learned & Leadership Lacking
The hearing that will listen to citizen reactions to BWXT’s application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for a licence to produce nuclear fuel pellets in a Peterborough residential neighbourhood is less than 2 weeks away. On March 4, 5 & 6, CNSC’s commissioners come to town to...
-
Edition #80 — Game On! Our Hockey Panel Looks at the Winners, the Losers and the Recently Terminated
Our veteran hockey panel — playwright, math teacher & current hockey player Tim Etherington, writer, podcaster and loyal Habs fan Donald Fraser, hockey broadcaster, sports commentator and host of the “Mercier ‘n Crew” program on 90.5 fm, Jordan Mercier and sports journalist and hockey program…
more -
Edition #79 — Our Politics Panel Weighs In on Everything
Our expert politics panel, diminished in number but not in spirit, tackles many of the crucial municipal, provincial and federal issues of the day with characteristic aplomb, penetrating perspicacity and devastating humour. What’s on tap? Restricted lake fountains, radioactive fuel pellets…
more -
Edition #78 — Part 1: Is nuclear manufacturing safe in Peterborough? BWXT says Yes
Three representatives from BWXT make the case for the safety of their nuclear fuel manufacturing operation in Part 1 of this episode. This plant is located in the middle of a residential neighbourhood. An elementary school is across the road from the proposed plant.
-
Edition #78 — Part 2: Is nuclear fuel manufacturing safe in Peterborough? An ex-GE nuclear worker says No
In Part 2 Jim Dufresne, a former GE worker with 42-years of experience, including over 20 years working in the nuclear side of the plant, explains his doubts.
-
Edition #77 — Part 3: Why is there community resistance to nuclear fuel manufacturing in Peterborough?
Three member of Citizens Against Radioactive Neighbourhoods or CARN explain what citizens can do to help stop BWXT from manufacturing nuclear fuel pellets in a residential neighbourhood in Peterborough. For more details on taking action, go to: https://www.nopellets.ca/interventions
-
Edition #76 – Part 1: Why is there community resistance to nuclear fuel manufacturing in Peterborough?
Three volunteers from Citizens Against Radioactive Neighbourhoods (CARN) explain why they are encouraging a community resistance movement against BWXT’s application for 10-year license to manufacture nuclear fuel pellets in a residential neighbourhood in Peterborough.
-
Edition #76 – Part 2: Why is there community resistance to nuclear fuel manufacturing in Peterborough?
Three volunteers from Citizens Against Radioactive Neighbourhoods (CARN) explain why they are encouraging a community resistance movement against BWXT’s application for 10-year license to manufacture nuclear fuel pellets in a residential neighbourhood in Peterborough.
-
Edition #75 — The International Student Experience in Peterborough
Listen to what 3 international students at Fleming College have to say about how they have been received while pursuing their studies in Peterborough. They find that our local citizens are generally very patient and helpful, our winters are intimidating, and our food is bland. They have some...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Pints & Politics have?
Pints & Politics currently has 125 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Pints & Politics about?
We rant about politics in Canada and local politics in Peterborough, Ontario. Open discussion. All welcome
How often does Pints & Politics release new episodes?
Pints & Politics publishes regularly with 125 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Pints & Politics?
You can listen to Pints & Politics on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Pints & Politics?
Pints & Politics is created and hosted by Bill Templeman.
URL copied to clipboard!