Democratic life is increasingly marked by toxic polarisation and partisan hostility. Public institutions are overrun by the few, leaving the many on the sidelines. Many of us are left to assume there’s only one way to self-govern, to let others do it; or else we are so turned off by what we see that we want nothing to do with politics. But what if things didn’t have to be this way? What if there were some hope that we could do better? What if there were a better way to do democracy? Well, is there?On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Diana Smith, an author with a career that has included community organizing, journalism, consulting and more. Her latest book is Remaking the Space Between Us: How Citizens Can Work Together To Build A Better Future For All.

The non-profit sector is massive. According to Statistics Canada, in 2022 the non-profit sector accounted for over 8 percent of GDP – contributing more than $216 billion to the economy. Non-profits operate in many spaces, but are essential parts of the healthcare, housing, and education systems. Non-profits exist to serve communities and fill essential functions not covered, or only partially covered, by the state or private market; they’re also sometimes in competition with other sectors, or at least in tension with them, and with one another.It’s complicated stuff. And when you add changing technologies, trends, economic conditions, and domestic and geopolitical considerations, making a non-profit work is even trickier. So how do non-profit organizations work – or not? On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Brooke Struck, strategy facilitator and the founder and CEO of the firm Converge.

Is Canada ready to get serious about tackling monopolies and oligopolies?You’ve heard it before, the old joke that Canada is three telecom companies in a trench coat. Or airlines. Or grocery stores. You’ve probably heard it here before. That’s because Canada has a monopoly and oligopoly problem – and it has for a long time.The United States has long faced its own challenges with market concentration — and for or once, Canada might not be too far behind.To understand the state and future of competition in this country, we ask: Is Canada ready to get serious about tackling monopolies and oligopolies?On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Denise Hearn, writer, applied researcher, and c0-author of the upcoming book The Big Fix, which is out this October.

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought  together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all.  In the next  of our series of highlight conversations from this gathering, Chief Crystal Smith speaks with Braeden Caley (President & CEO, Canada 2020) about Haisla Nation’s long term project of own source revenue generation and careful but robust economic development practices.This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the next of our series of highlight conversations from this gathering, we hear from Chief Sharleen Gale (Chief of Fort Nelson First Nation and Chair of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition) and Katherine Kootstachin (VP, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Sussex Strategy Group) on the federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, implementing major projects, leveraging capital, and more.This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the next of our series of highlighted conversations from this summit, we hear Chief Dylan Whiteduck (Kitigan Zibi First Nation), Hillary Thatcher (Managing Director, Indigenous and Northern Investments, Canada Infrastructure Bank), Mihskakwan James Harper (Business Development Manager, NRStor Inc.), and Steve Berna (COO, First Nations Finance Authority) in conversation with Fred Di Blasio (Co-Founder, Managing Partner and CEO of Longhouse Capital Partners) about catalyzing investment, access to capital, and essential infrastructure projects from coast to coast to coast.This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the next of our series of highlight conversations from this gathering, Cassidy Caron (President of the Métis National Council) and Heidi Todacheene (Senior Advisor to the Secretary at the Office of the Secretary, US Department of the Interior) speak with Braeden Caley (President & CEO, Canada 2020) about relationship-building, co-development, investing in Indigenous communities, and comprehensive and thoughtful policy-making toward reconciliation. This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

Canada has passed a law preventing federally-regulated businesses from using scab workers. Bill C-58 passed in June and marked a significant milestone in the progress of worker’s rights. That it passed is notable; that it passed unanimously in an era of increasingly toxic polarization is quite remarkable, and speaks to the moment that labour is having in this country.To understand the government’s thinking on the law and the broader context in which it passed, we talk to the man in charge of the legislation and ask: What does an anti-scab worker bill tell us about the state of labour in Canada?On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Labour and Seniors.

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annual Economic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the fourth of our series of highlighted conversations from this summit, we hear Tiara Folkes (Manager, Indigenous Relations Public Policy, TC Energy) in conversation with Mary Mg (Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development) on the what Indigenous entrepreneurs and exporters offer Canada and the world.This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.

On May 29 and 30 in Ottawa, Canada 2020 hosted our annualEconomic Reconciliation Summit: The Indigenous-led Economy 2024. This gathering brought together Indigenous leaders from across sectors and territories for a vital day of conversation and engagement to explore the balance between growth and sustainability, and ensure that reconciliation is at the heart of future prosperity for all. In the third of our series of highlighted conversations from this summit, we hear Griffin Marsh (Program Director, Martin Family Initiative) talk to Heidi Todacheene (Senior Advisor to the Secretary at the Office of the Secretary, US Department of the Interior) about how the U.S. Department of the Interior under President Biden is investing in Indigenous land and communities, and what we can learn about progress being achieved by our closest neighbours.This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity ahead of publication.