Leaders on the Frontier
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.
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
7 days ago
7 days ago
1hr 7 min
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 that 4 in 10 Canadian companies are considering moving operations elsewhere.
So where does Canada go from here? What should our trade strategy be? Can we repair our relationship with our largest trading partner, or will the economic damage continue?
Join David Leis live with Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, and Marco Navarro-Genie, Vice President of Research at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, as they discuss what's really at stake—and the policy changes needed to get Canada back on track.
Jul 28, 2026
Jul 28, 2026
1hr 7 min
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 reform and trade to cutting red tape and removing barriers between provinces, Vossen lays out practical policy changes that could help Canada compete again.
Can Canada turn things around? He says yes—but only if we act.
Jul 21, 2026
Jul 21, 2026
56 min
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, Canada loses the investment needed to pay for hospitals, roads, schools, and public services.
Is Canada taxing itself into decline? And what policy changes could turn things around?
Jul 16, 2026
Jul 16, 2026
1hr 9 min
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 MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette, and Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) David Redman as they discuss the upcoming Reclaiming the North conference in Winnipeg and why strategic utility corridors, Arctic sovereignty, and economic development are critical to Canada's future.
How do we move from vision to action? What policies are needed? And what happens if Canada fails to act?
The conversation starts here but the future depends on what we do next.
Join us live on YouTube, Thursday at 2pm CT.
The conference is September 14&15.
Buy tickets here: https://frontiercentre.org/
Jul 14, 2026
Jul 14, 2026
50 min
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 explains why she believes Canada has become one of the hardest places to do business—and what policy changes could turn things around.
If Canada wants more jobs, higher wages, and a stronger economy, where do we start?
Jul 9, 2026
Jul 9, 2026
1hr 10 min
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 difficult—it's out of reach. This is destroying the middle class.
So how did we get here? Is it immigration, government policy, zoning rules, taxes, or a lack of housing supply? And most importantly, what policies could actually make homes affordable again?
Join David Leis live with Joel Kotkin, internationally recognized urban studies expert; Wendell Cox, principal author of the Demographia International Housing Affordability Report; and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, as they unpack the latest findings and discuss real policy solutions to Canada's housing crisis.
Jul 7, 2026
Jul 7, 2026
46 min
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 activism, and whether courts are starting to reshape how laws are applied. Black also weighs in on rising frustration in Western Canada, especially Alberta, where questions about sovereignty and federal policy are getting louder.
Then there’s the bigger picture: taxes, trade with the United States, and whether Canada is still set up to compete and grow in today’s world.
At the core of it all is a simple question: is Canada still being governed in a way that works for Canadians?
Jun 29, 2026
Jun 29, 2026
53 min
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, and government control over information.
From age verification and internet surveillance concerns to AI regulation and censorship risks, Josh shares whether Canada is crossing a line between safety and overreach.
At the heart of it is a policy clash: protecting people online… versus protecting open expression in a digital age.
Jun 25, 2026
Is Canadian Citizenship Losing its Meaning?
Jun 25, 2026
Jun 25, 2026
1hr 11 min
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 forgotten why citizenship matters in the first place?
Join David Leis live with Dorothy Dobbie, Gerry Bowler, and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of research at Frontier Centre.
If citizenship is the glue that holds a country together, what happens when that glue starts to weaken?
Jun 23, 2026
Jun 23, 2026
56 min
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 about border control—it’s about policy failure. From ports to courts, the system is struggling to keep up, and criminals know it.
The question is simple: what policy changes are needed before the gaps get worse?







