“We need to be clear-eyed about the risks, while not getting bogged down or intimidated by the threats…no freedom is absolute.”
Host Alex Paterson sits down with Shawn McCarthy, national business correspondent for The Globe and Mail and president of the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom. Ahead of World Press Freedom Day on Friday May 3rd, the two talk about the state of Canadian journalism, what challenges journalists are facing, and what it means to achieve a free press.
“What that result does do for the Greens is perhaps start to, in other parts of the country, legitimize the party. It always seemed like a throw away vote…now it’s starting to seem, at least in some isolated places, a vote that could actually matter and get you and MP. “
Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean’s, and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The three discuss the outcome of the P.E.I. election and what it means for the upcoming federal election, why Canada was paying close attention to the Ukrainian election, and the outcome of a report released by Canada’s privacy commissioner scrutinizing Facebook’s lack of privacy guidelines.
“If somebody was launching missile, you can see where it came from, you can see when it was launched, there’s a trail you can trace. With cyber activities it’s in some cases really difficult because you can mask your steps.”
Stephanie MacLellan, senior research associate at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, joins Sarah Turnbull to unpack cyber security. The two discuss how cyber threats have changed over the years, who monitors suspicious behaviour online in Canada, how regulations are enforced, and why we should be prepared for interference in the upcoming federal election.
Canada 2020 will host former U.S. President Barack Obama in Ottawa on May 31st, 2019.
From Tom Pitfield, Chairman of Canada 2020:
“We’re thrilled to welcome President Obama back to Canada 2020’s stage in our nation’s capital.
President Obama is a generation-defining political leader, and an inspiration to millions around the world. Canada 2020 is thrilled to help spread his message of civic engagement, community leadership and tolerance.
Our goal is to deliver a truly memorable live event experience for Ottawans of all backgrounds.”
The event will be hosted at the Canadian Tire Centre, where President Obama will engage in an on-stage Q&A.
Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 26th, at 12 PM Eastern. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.Ticketmaster.ca, www.canadiantirecentre.com, in person at each of The Sens Store at Carlingwood Mall, Place d’Orléans and in the ByWard Market, and at the Canadian Tire Centre box office.
Applications for press accreditation must be sent to [email protected] by May 3rd, 2019, and will be reviewed and approved in advance of the event. Please note that we will not be granting accreditation to radio or television broadcast applicants.
“We’re not too dumb for democracy, but we’re encouraged to be when our psychological shortcomings are exploited and because our environment encourages us to make less than ideal decisions.”
Host Alex Paterson sits down with David Moscrop, political theorist and author of Too Dumb For Democracy: Why we make bad political decisions and how we can make better ones. The two chat about David’s new book, how the brain works in partisan environments, and social media’s impact on democracy.
“They’ve talked a lot about saving the artifacts within the church itself, but the church is an artifact. It’s such a beautiful, perfect example of French gothic architecture.”
Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean’s and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The trio discuss: the outcome of the Alberta election and what it means for the feds, why the Ontario government is fighting back against Ottawa’s carbon tax plan, and reflecting on the devastating fire that engulfed the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral this week.
“This Senate is not your grandfather’s Senate, we are acting more independently, we are doing our best to improve bills, and we are doing it in away that I think respects our role as a complementary chamber.”
Senator Yuen Pau Woo, facilitator of the Independent Senators group (ISG), joins host Alex Paterson in the Canada 2020 event space to talk about what the ISG means for our parliamentary democracy, and how the chamber of sober second thought is working to rebuild trust with Canadians. Recorded live on March 6th, 2019.
“When people are angry and anxious and they see one party as the finger in the eye of whatever establishment is making them angry, off they go. Alberta might be in that moment.”
Host Sarah Turnbull is joined by /Thread panelists Shannon Proudfoot of Maclean’s and David Reevely of The Canadian Press. The trio discuss: the reasons behind Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s lawsuit threat against Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, how the Alberta election is shaping up and the wedge issues at play, and Facebook’s decision to ban a handful of Canadian white nationalists.
“I may not see it in my lifetime but I do believe that there will be a time in the future when there’s immediate acknowledgment that it’s thanks to dance and the arts that people stay healthier. ”
Host Alex Paterson speaks with one of Canada’s visionary dance educators, Mavis Staines, another recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards. The two chat about the beginning of her career as a travelling ballet soloist, the importance of accessible arts programming, and what’s in store for Canada’s National Ballet School.
