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The 3-week occupation of downtown Ottawa has dissipated. What began as a ‘trucker convoy’ against vaccine mandates was co-opted by some extremists, such as the ones waving the Nazi and Confederate flags. They were dubbed “a few bad apples” among a peaceful protest, which was anything but peaceful. It also shone a light on a troubling aspect of Canada—that extremism is alive and well here. What will it take to stop it? The world got a glimpse inside the power of extremism during the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol. For the residents of downtown Ottawa, the occupation of their neighborhoods felt eerily similar. Canadians, at least on the world stage, like to promote our tolerance for everyone, but that is an illusion. Hate grows here too. Our Unpublished Vote question asks: Do you feel “extremism” is on the rise in Canada? YesNoUnsure Unpublished.caListen to the podcast, read the articles, cast your vote, email your MP to tell them why, and then take a moment to check out the new Unpublished.ca porta

The world has watched the occupation of downtown Ottawa for three weeks. This past weekend saw the authorities take back the streets for residents who have been living with the occupation of their city. One thing the so-called Freedom Convoy did was expose huge cracks in the Conservatives’ Big Blue Tent. While some Tory MP’s stood back, others wilfully egged on the truckers. It cost Erin O‘Toole his job as leader of the Party. While he says he’s staying on as an MP, it sets up a leadership race for a party that doesn’t seem to know its identity. Will it ever unite under one leader? With O’Toole now in the rear-view mirror, Conservatives now look toward a leadership race. Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre is the presumptive heir apparent, but others have yet to come forward. Our Unpublished Vote question asks: Can the Conservative Party be United?So far, our audience has responded… Yes = 61.59%No = 29.27%Unsure = 9.15% The Conservative Party of Canada was formed in December 2003, a merger between the Progressive Co

Call it what you will...’The Karen Convoy’, ‘The Freedom Convoy’ or ‘FluTruxClan’, the two week occupation of downtown Ottawa has claimed one political life, that of Conservative Leader, Erin O’Toole, who was ousted as leader of the party when two thirds of his caucus voted to go in another direction. It will spawn a leadership race for the Tories. Can a new leader stop the party from shooting itself in the foot or unite all the views in the Big Blue Tent? The so called ‘Freedom Convoy’ has turned downtown Ottawa on its head. It has also ignited similar protests at border crossings in Alberta, Manitoba and Canada’s busiest crossing to the US, the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor. And in just a few days, the interim Conservative Leader, Candice Bergen has flip flopped from supporting the convoy to now telling them to go home. If you were a Conservative supporter, you might wonder what they’ll say tomorrow. The Conservatives were disappointed in their performance in the last election and mumbling about new leadersh

Diplomatic efforts are doubling up to avoid war between Ukraine and Russia. Will it be enough? Since November, 100,000+ Russian troops have been stationed along the Ukraine-Russia border for what Russia calls military exercises. Ukrainians are growing more nervous about the prospect of war. Since the 2014 annexation of Crimea, Ukrainians have been dealing with violent insurgencies that have left thousands dead and their homes in tatters. French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try and reach an agreement. The US has been warning of a possible invasion since late last year. Canada is keeping close tabs on the situation as the largest Ukrainian diaspora outside of Ukraine and Russia reside here: 1.2 million. This country has sent funding and non-military equipment along with troops for training Ukrainian military. It has not sent lethal military weapons. Macron refers to today’s meeting as “dialogue and de-escalation”. This is a pivotal moment in the standoff. Guests:

Canada is home to the largest Ukrainian population outside of the Ukraine and Russia. Over 1.3 million make Canada their home here and they are looking for more from the federal government when it comes to their homeland. Modern day Ukraine came into existence with the collapse of the U.S.S.R, after which it became an independent nation. But, it also has an old nemesis leering across the border. Russia has been building up troops and equipment along its border with Ukraine in what it’s calling military exercises. From the Ukrainian side, they view it as intimidation leading to a possible invasion. Canada has sent military aid in the form of funding, more soldiers to train Ukrainian military and non-lethal equipment such as night vision goggles and Kevlar vests. At this point, the federal government is backing off on lethal equipment. Should Canada revisit that decision? Russia does not like the western influence in Ukraine and in particular it’s desire to join NATO. Russia sees that as encroaching on its sphe

We’re about two weeks away from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in China. Relations between Canada and China are the worst they’ve ever been. China was not happy when the House of Commons declared “Genocide” over the treatment of the Uyghur minority in China. There is also the “hostage diplomacy” of holding the two Michaels in prison on trumped up charges for three years in retaliation for the house arrest of Huawei exec, Meng Wanzhou. There have been threats and intimidation of Canadians on this soil for speaking up against the Chinese Communist Party. Add in a crackdown in Hong Kong, military intimidation of Taiwan, and the persecution of Tibetans and Uyghurs, and the Beijing Olympics become more than just a sporting event. In the face of all this Canada is sending its athletes, although it is standing with allies on a diplomatic boycott, a move China calls a farce. Then there’s Covid of course. Its spreading across China and Chinese officials have threatened to move any athlete who tests positive from the

It is the pinnacle of amateur sports. In less than one month, those athletes will be competing for their country in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Considering Canada’s sour relationship with China, should this country be sending athletes? The Winter Olympics come every 4 years, and with it comes Nations cheering on their athletes, who put everything on the line for the opportunity. Canada has joined the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand in a diplomatic boycott of the games. Athletes will still be able to compete but diplomats, like Canada’s Minister for Sport, will not be attending. For more than two years, Canada—China relations were strained due to the “hostage diplomacy “ of the Two-Michaels after Huawei executive, Meng Wanzhou, was detained in Vancouver for the US. China has responded to the threat of a boycott with the promise of retaliation. To make the situation even more complex, add in the Omicron variant spreading around the globe… Our poll question this week asks: Should Canada send athletes to

Here we are, less than a week before Christmas. So many plans and gatherings.So much to do, so much to see. 2021 was going to make us forget about 2020. Afterall,  the majority are double-vaccinated against Covid-19 and the numbers of infected were dropping. Then just weeks ago, a new variant was uncovered in South Africa and it’s spreading like wildfire around the globe and with it, more restrictions. The new variant is now the dominant variant with some unique characteristics, one of which is its extreme transmissibility. The healthcare sector is bracing for the next massive wave of infections. How it will impact the system is yet to be seen. Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Will the Omicron variant lead to a 5th wave of the pandemic in Canada? Our audience responded: Yes = 24.3%No = 70.8% Unsure = 4.9.%If you haven’t voted yet, you can still have your voice heard at unpublished.voteGuests:Dean Karlen,  Professor of Physics University of Victoria;Steven Taylor, Professor, Psychiatry at the University of

Well here we go again. Just as double vaccination rates are rising in Canada, so are the number of new cases of the latest variant of Covid-19: Omicron. Will it mean a fifth wave for Canada?  It was discovered in a neighbourhood in South Africa. It was hitting younger people in the largely unvaccinated area. What concerned the epidemiologists was the ability of the virus to spread quickly and to evade protection. How this will impact us, if at all, is yet to be seen, but the federal government was quick to close the border to people from a number of African nations.  Our Unpublished.vote question asks:  Will the Omicron variant lead to a fifth wave of the pandemic in Canada?  YesNoUnsure  You can log on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote.  Guests: Raywat Deonandan, Epidemiologist and Assistant Professor, University of OttawaSteve Joordens, Professor of Psychology University of Toronto, Scarborough David Coletto, CEO Abacus Data Dan Kelly, Canadian Federation of Independent 

It’s back to business for MP’s in the House of Commons as the Liberals took the wraps off their agenda with the Throne Speech. The Liberals do carry a minority into the House which means they will need the support of another party to get anything accomplished. The Opposition parties grumbled about the contents and the direction, but with a pandemic still here, supply chain issues costing us on everything and the destruction in B.C. from flooding, there is no shortage of starting places for the government. What should be their first priority? Our Unpublished.vote question asks you, Which government priority do you want addressed first? VaccinationsPaid sick leave$10 a day ChildcareConversion therapy Indigenous reconciliation military reformCOP26 commitments Other None of the AboveHowever you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podcast channels—iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more—We would like to remind you th

They are the “frontline heroes “ of the pandemic. They were also first-in-line to be offered the Covid vaccine when it became available. So, it comes as a bit of a “??? “ when health care workers in Canada are still not rolling up their sleeves. Ontario and Quebec both had announced mandatory vaccines for those workers, who are after all, working with Covid patients. Now both have backed off saying it would lead to thousands leaving the healthcare sector, and potentially leading it to a collapse, although neither provided any detail on their claims. We know there have been thousands of cancelled procedures and tests that were scrubbed because of Covid. But, as the last line of defence against the virus, it might seem strange that these workers would refuse to be inoculated, if not to protect themselves, then perhaps their patients or their families. In this case, we’re talking about those who are not allergic to the ingredients in the vaccine. Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Should healthcare workers be v

The House of Commons will resume sitting on Monday, the first time since the Liberals won a minority government in the last election. In between, one of the largest Cabinets ever was introduced by the Prime Minister. That still leaves two months of idle MPs. What are the priorities of this next government? There’s been a lot of road between the last election and the return of Parliament. The Liberals and NDP appear to be planning on working together on some shared goals, although NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says not every vote will be a “fait accompli”. The return to Parliament comes with Canada in the fourth wave of the pandemic, the country’s largest trading partner talking protectionism and the devastating flooding that has swamped B.C. Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Which priority of the government do you want addressed first? Vaccinations Paid sick leave $10/day ChildcareBan on conversion therapy Indigenous reconciliation Military reform COP26 commitmentsOtherNone of the Above You can log on and vote r

It’s the Super Bowl for the Environment. COP26—The UN’s climate change summit has just wrapped up in Scotland. Almost 200 countries were in attendance for the two week convention, along with thousands of demonstrators. Canada made some bold pledges during the event. Will they make a difference? A lot of words were thrown around, but will they lead to any concrete solutions to rising sea levels and rising emissions? Some of Canada’s promises were made by the Liberals during the last election. It seems Canadians are behind them according to the latest Leger numbers which show almost seven in 10 Canadians support the reduction in oil and gas sector emissions to net zero by 2050. There is also strong support for other Canadian promises at COP26. Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Will Canada achieve its climate change pledges made at COP26?Yes = 2.5%No = 90.9%Unsure = 6.6%However you’re watching and listening to our show, whether through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or on our podca

Canada’s military has garnered a lot of the spotlight lately, mainly for the wrong reasons. Complaints of sexual harassment and intimidation continue with seemingly no regard for the victims. Former Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan appeared to sit on his hands while decorated members of the military are facing allegations and charges. Will Canada’s military get its act together? In searching for a cause to the problems, its best to start at the beginning. In Mark Popov’s case, the beginning is the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, where Canada’s top military prospects are trained to become officers. In 2015, we heard stunning reports out of RMC about young soldiers verbally threatening young women with rape while they were touring the facility. Lieutenant Colonel Mark Popov was in charge of the recruits in 2015. He confined them to their barracks, gave them a thorough dressing down and went to search for those who started the episode. That was when he ran into interference from above. Mark Popov’s story

Canadians continue to roll up their sleeves for the Covid-19 vaccine. Booster shots are now available for the those who qualify, and children 5-11 years old will soon be getting inoculated. So, it’s a bit of a head scratcher why Ontario and Quebec have reversed their decision on mandatory vaccines for health care workers. They will no longer be required to be vaccinated to continue to work in a health care setting. Will this lead to a rise in infections? Remember when the pandemic set in and turned health care upside down? Then do you recall when a vaccine was approved, and the health care sector was at the front of the line to get it? Many were relieved to be vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and their patients. Ontario and Quebec both pledged to make those vaccines mandatory for healthcare workers, but they have reversed course, citing concern about losing those healthcare professionals and the impact it would have on the healthcare system. Not only have they had to deal with a pandemic, but

There are some new faces around the federal Cabinet table for the Liberals as the Prime Minister unveiled the “new bench” to lead the country out of the pandemic and toward recovery. 39 ministers in all, including a couple of new portfolios, Emergency Preparedness and Housing. Will this group get the job done? While the new government signaled it wanted to get down to business right away, it still took more than a month to name the new Cabinet. And this government won’t be sitting in the House for another three weeks. Creating a Cabinet requires more than just picking your strengths or favourites. Gender, geography, experience, and electoral success all play a part. This current crop of Cabinet Ministers features many faces that have slipped over the last few years.Our Unpublished.vote question asks:Which Cabinet Minister will be the first to be shuffled out?Mélanie Joly, Foreign Affairs = 22.5%Anita Anand, Defence = 12.4%Steven Guilbeault, Environment = 29.2%Jean Yves Duclos, Health = 7.9%Patty Hajdu, Indige

Glasgow Scotland is the host city for COP26, also known as the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The event brings leaders, from around the world together to discuss the impact of climate change and extreme weather, with an aim to finding solutions. In 2015, consensus was reached to keep global warming below 2 degrees with an aim at 1.5 to avoid a climate emergency. Canada is represented at COP26 with a number of promises made. Will they make a difference? More than 200 countries are in attendance at the Conference. Prime Minister Trudeau has made some ambitious promises at COP26 which will have a financial impact here at home. A hard cap on emissions for the oil and gas industry was announced along with encouragement for other countries to follow Canada’s lead on pricing carbon. And, International aid from Canada is earmarked for poorer countries to meet their pollution targets. Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Will Canada’s pledges at COP26 make a difference in climate change? YesNoUnsureYou can l

In a year when Canadians were dragged to the polls for an election no one wanted, that got us back to where we started, Albertans were also trudging to the polls for a referendum on the Equalization Program to gain leverage with the federal government. The results were over 61% voting Yes to remove Equalization from the Constitution. Will it ever happen? The referendum was a campaign promise by Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party. Equalization basically distributes wealth to “have not” provinces, primarily at the expense of Alberta and Ontario. What some Albertans see or don’t like is the fact that funds are being given to provinces which have stifled their “perceived “growth. Think Quebec not allowing a pipeline through its territory. There are some nuances to adding up what each province will get. For example, in the calculation, the value of natural resource development can impact. It could give provinces the incentive to NOT develop those resources. Jason Kenney is not the first to want to chan

The federal Liberals took the wraps off their new Cabinet following their minority election win in September. Justin Trudeau continued to aim for gender parity in Cabinet despite losing four female MP’s on election night. There is a bit of strategy to crafting a Cabinet with a number of considerations to consider, regional representation, defeated incumbents, loyalty and success. It’s not an easy thing to do when you know some egos will be bruised. The purpose is to create a “team” to accomplish the government’s goals. There are a number of faces in new portfolios, some that were head scratchers. Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Which Cabinet Minister will be the first to be shuffled out?Mélanie Joly, Foreign AffairsAnita Anand, DefenceSteven Guilbeault, EnvironmentJean Yves Duclos, HealthPatty Hajdu, Indigenous AffairsOtherNone of the AboveYou can log-on and vote right now at Unpublished.vote to have your voice heard. Guests:Nelson Wiseman, Director of Canadian Studies and Professor of Political Science;

Since the pandemic started in Canada, the federal government has handed out more than $289 billion in Covid-support to Canadians who were affected by the lockdowns and restrictions. There were also income support programs for employers as well as rent subsidies to help affected businesses impacted. Now the federal government is pivoting to two new, more targeted programs to get Canada across the pandemic finish line. Will it be enough? The previous support programs are being replaced by two new programs, the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program which applies to those sectors hit by health restrictions. The other, Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, for those businesses that can show a 50% decline in revenue from the beginning of the pandemic. The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit would come into effect if lockdowns return. Our Unpublished.vote question asks: Should the federal government wind down the Canada Recovery Benefit?Our audience responded: Yes = 76%No = 21.8%Unsure= 2.2%However, you’re watching a