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Canada
Donald Trump
Tariffs
Climate Change
United States
Artificial Intelligence
Immigration
Public Policy Forum
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Economic Policy
Housing Affordability
Trade War
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Trade Policy
Housing Crisis
Public Policy
Inflation
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Canada-Us Trade Relations
Economic Fragmentation

WONK is a show about big ideas in unprecedented times. Hosted by Amanda Lang, we unpack some of the most pressing issues and challenges facing Canada, and talk to some leading thinkers and policymakers about how to tackle them. New episodes drop on Thursdays. This feed also hosts the archive for Public Policy Forum's podcast, Policy Speaking.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes180Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsGovernmentPolitics

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Artwork for Wonk

Latest Episodes

One of the key goals the federal government has laid out is to attract more investment to Canada after years of outflows. So have we finally turned a corner? Host Amanda Lang talks to TMX Group CEO John McKenzie about building home-grown talent, focu... more

The conflict with Iran has raised a lot of questions about Canadian oil, gas and energy. If we produce so much of the stuff, why are we at the mercy of bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz? Jay Khosla is executive director of economic and energy polic... more

Canada could need up to half a million new workers by 2030 — everything from the trades to high-tech entrepreneurs to knowledge workers. But between the U.S. hoovering up Canadian talent and new policies putting a chill on international students, bui... more

These past few years, inflation has been a beast. No sooner under control from the last supply chain shocks, the war in Iran has it rearing its head again. Stephen Poloz was Canada's central bank governor from 2013 to the summer of 2020. He’s now a s... more

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Recent Guests

John McKenzie
CEO of TMX
TMX
Episode: How to get investment flowing back to Canada
Carol Wilding
President and CEO of CPA Ontario
CPA Ontario
Episode: How to get investment flowing back to Canada
Jay Khosla
Executive Director of Economic and Energy Policy
Public Policy Forum
Episode: Could Canada be energy independent?
Susannah Pierce
Former CEO of Shell Canada
Shell Canada
Episode: Could Canada be energy independent?
Robert Asselin
CEO of U15
U15 (top 15 Canadian research universities)
Episode: Canada’s race to build big talent
Stephen Poloz
Former Governor of the Bank of Canada (2013-2020)
Osler, Hoskin, Harcourt (advisor)
Episode: Stephen Poloz on dealing with dual economic shocks
Francois Poirier
CEO of TC Energy
TC Energy
Episode: Canada’s place in the global energy race
Justine Hendricks
CEO of Farm Credit Canada
Farm Credit Canada
Episode: The $7-billion bet on ag tech
Susan Holt
Premier of New Brunswick
Government of New Brunswick
Episode: Premier Susan Holt on Canada’s comeback plan

Host

Amanda Lang
Host of Wonk, known for her engaging interview style and ability to draw insightful discussions from her guests on pressing societal issues.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 78 ratings
  • Excellent

    Amanda Lang does a great job both because she asks the right questions and because she is passionate about Canada. The guests are surprisingly articulate to a person—it’s nice to hear what our politicians are capable of in the right forum.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maphib
    Canada3 months ago
  • Good topics but tired opinions

    I’ve listened to a number of these podcasts but while these conversations are worth having, the guests generally express tired views I’ve heard before, especially in the more abstract or macroeconomic conversations.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    PinkPine25
    Canada6 months ago
  • Amazing

    We need more of Amanda Lang.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steven1234567
    Canada7 months ago
  • Understanding policy partly means listening to different perspectives. This podcast is a good introduction to the news behind the news, focusing on the day's emerging politics across all areas of Canadian life.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Aurorespera
    8 months ago
  • Best Canadian Policy Pod

    Very little slant. Very helpful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chris Sta113
    Canada8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show often features thought-provoking and relevant topics, resulting in a positive engagement among audiences seeking to understand public policy better.
There is a general sense that the content is timely and necessary, especially in the context of evolving Canadian policies.
Some listeners mention that while the topics are important, certain viewpoints can seem repetitive, indicating a desire for more diverse perspectives.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and informative style of the host, highlighting her ability to ask relevant questions and foster deep conversations.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#56
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#173
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#153
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#203
China/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Could Canada be energy independent?
Q: What role could strategic petroleum reserves play for Canada, especially the East Coast?
A strategic reserve would provide a buffer against sudden supply disruptions and price spikes, offering Canada greater leverage and security; considering storage caverns and regional deployment could help manage both security and economic risk.
Could Canada be energy independent?
Q: Should Canada invest more in refining its own crude to capture more value domestically?
The refining value-add is significant but must be weighed against the global price of crude; building and operating refineries is capital-intensive, and the best return often comes from strategic investments that maximize value across the supply chain while maintaining access to diverse markets.
Could Canada be energy independent?
Q: Explain why, when Canada produces a lot of oil, a bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz still affects us.
Because Canada is deeply integrated into a global market where pricing is set by world supply and demand, and regional delivery patterns mean disruptions can ripple through the system, particularly affecting the East Coast which relies on imports from multiple sources.
Premier Susan Holt on Canada’s comeback plan
Q: What do you understand about the negotiations that are going on, I assume, every day in the background?
She says there are signs of encouragement, including legal developments on tariffs and strong Canadian industry cohesion that supports a unified position in negotiations with the United States.
Premier Susan Holt on Canada’s comeback plan
Q: Let's start with maybe some of the problems. You know, the tariff war, the trade disruption has been serious. And for your province, because of softwood lumber, because of those Section 232 tariffs, particularly damaging, catch us up on how things stand, how it feels in the province.
The Premier explains ongoing uncertainty and a chilling effect on investment, with growth forecasts downgraded from around 3% to sub-1%, while highlighting that the industry has shown resilience and collaborative efforts to limit layoffs as negotiations with the US continue.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Wonk

What is Wonk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A show focusing on significant ideas and pressing issues that challenge contemporary Canada, featuring discussions with influential thinkers and policymakers. Topics range from economic reform, climate change, and the implications of sports betting to issues of trade and competition law. The content strives to provide actionable insights and foster a deeper understanding of the socio-political landscape in Canada, making it a valuable resource for individuals interested in public affairs, policy development, and societal challenges. The unique angle of exploring these timely themes in relation to everyday life makes it both engaging and enlightening, appealing to listeners who are keen on informed discussions relevant to current events.

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How many subscribers and views does Wonk have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Wonk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Wonk:

1. The Herle Burly
2. The Munk Debates Podcast
3. The House
4. Curse of Politics
5. At Issue

How many episodes of Wonk are there?

Wonk launched 6 years ago and published 180 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Wonk?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Wonk?

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What guests have appeared on Wonk?

Recent guests on Wonk include:

1. John McKenzie
2. Carol Wilding
3. Jay Khosla
4. Susannah Pierce
5. Robert Asselin
6. Stephen Poloz
7. Francois Poirier
8. Justine Hendricks

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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