Leaders on the Frontier
Leaders on the Frontier
Return to Reason
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.
Are We Entering a New Era of Online Surveillance in Canada? | Josh Dehaas
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 29
53 min
Is Canadian Citizenship Losing its Meaning?
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 25
1 hr 11 min
Criminals Know Something About Canada You Don’t | Scott McGregor
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?
Jun 23
56 min
Are Human Rights Commissions Silencing Canadians? | Live Show
Human Rights Commissions across Canada are being accused of going far beyond their original role—now deciding cases that critics say involve speech, research, and opinion rather than clear discrimination.  Supporters call them protection. Critics call them overreach.  So what are they really doing today and should they be reformed or shut down entirely?  Join David Leis live with columnist Barbara Kay, lawyer Collin May, and professor Barry Cooper as they break down how these commissions work, how powerful they’ve become, and what it could mean for free expression in Canada. What policy changes are needed to correct this?
Jun 18
1 hr 14 min
Land Claims will change Canada Forever | Bruce Pardy
Why land claims are raising alarm bells for homeowners.  Law professor Bruce Pardy joins David Leis to discuss why court decisions, B.C. Indigenous land claims, and government policy are raising new questions about property rights in Canada.  What do the Cowichan case in B.C. and the recent New Brunswick ruling actually mean? Why aren't property rights protected in Canada's Constitution? And what happens when uncertainty over land ownership starts affecting housing, investment, and economic growth?  This isn't just a legal debate. It's about whether Canadians can have confidence in the future of homeownership and property rights.
Jun 16
57 min
Have Canada's courts become political?
From the Emergencies Act to land claims and property rights, some of Canada's most important issues are being decided in the courts. But are judges simply applying the law or are they playing a bigger role in shaping public policy?  Former Manitoba judge Brian Giesbrecht says public trust in the courts is declining and that judges have become too involved in political and social issues.  Join David Leis live with Giesbrecht, Alberta lawyer Leighton Grey, and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, as they share the growing power of the courts, controversial rulings, and what it all means for Canadians. Why does this matter? What policies need to change?
Jun 11
1 hr 11 min
Is Canada Still a Safe Country? | LCol. David Redman
Canada is not secure, and according to Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret.) David Redman, the risks and our "enemies" are already here.   Redman, who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years, reveals just how weak Canada's border is, our failing immigration enforcement, and explains how the courts and policing systems are not keeping up with reality.   He raises serious concerns about known threats operating freely in Canada, questions whether Canada is properly prioritizing its own military before sending billions to Ukraine, and warns that allies like the United States may act to protect their own interests regardless of Canada’s position.   What does it take to get Canada back in control of its borders, its laws, and its national security?
Jun 9
1 hr 11 min
New Brunswick Court Pushes Back on Land Claims, or Not? | Bruce Pardy
Did a New Brunswick court just shift the land claims debate in Canada?  A new ruling is raising major questions about how Aboriginal title interacts with private property—and whether Canada’s courts are starting to draw clearer lines after dangerous uncertainty.  Join David Leis live with law professor Bruce Pardy, as he breaks down the New Brunswick decision, how it compares to B.C., and what it could mean for property owners across the country.  Is this a turning point for property rights or just the beginning of a bigger legal battle?
Jun 4
1 hr 10 min
The Battle Over Hunting, Fishing, and Crown Land in Canada
Is public land still truly public?  Most Canadians don’t think twice about Crown land—it’s where people hunt, fish, camp, and get away from the city. But that access is becoming a real point of tension.  David Leis is joined by Jesse Zeman of the BC Wildlife Federation and Chris Heald of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation to talk about what’s changing on Crown lands across Canada, and why more people are worried they’re slowly getting locked out.  They break down new policy shifts, conservation rules, and land-use decisions that could affect everyday Canadians, not just hunters and anglers. If access keeps shrinking, it changes how families use the land, how communities connect with nature, and who gets to enjoy Canada’s outdoors at all.
Jun 2
1 hr 1 min
Is Alberta’s Separation Movement Falling Apart?
Frustration with Ottawa is growing, emotions are running high, and the separation movement in Alberta appears more divided and chaotic than ever. Court decisions, political infighting, and questions about leadership and strategy are leaving many Albertans asking: what’s actually going on?  Is there a real plan behind the movement—or is this spiraling out of control? And instead of dismissing the anger, should Canada be addressing the policy issues driving people toward separation in the first place?  Join David Leis live with Cory Morgan, author and contributor with the Western Standard, and Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre, as they unpack the growing tensions, the political fallout, and what could happen next.
May 28
1 hr 11 min
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