Beyond the Headlines

The 2022 French Election : A recap

This year France ran its first election since the start of the pandemic. The 2022 French election has taken a turn as both the pandemic and the war in Ukraine take a front seat in debates. This episode seeks to understand how this election is different from that of 2017, where like this year Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen were both headed for a face-off into the second round with the first ultimately winning. We are speaking to three guests, Dr Laird Boswell who will enlighten us on the French electoral process, second Thomas Papernot, joining us to discuss public opinion and sentiment, finally journalist Lauren Chadwick who will give us an overview of this election’s highlights and challenges.
Guests:
Dr Laird Boswell is a historian of Modern Europe, especially France, in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. His research interests focus on society and politics – ranging from the history of European socialism and communism, the history of nationalism, voter behaviour and, more recently, to the contemporary extreme right. In addition, he has directed the University of Wisconsin Center for European Studies. @lairdboswell
Thomas Papernot is currently an MSc in International Relations (Research) student at the LSE. He holds a Joint Honours Bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Development Studies from McGill University. His past work assignments include traineeships at the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva and the US Mission to the OECD.
Lauren Chadwick is a multimedia journalist currently based in Lyon, France, where she covers French and European politics at Euronews. She previously produced content for special events at MSNBC and was the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship in Washington, D.C., which placed her as a U.S. national security reporter at the journalism organisation, The Center for Public Integrity. She graduated from Columbia University in 2015. @laubchad
Produced by:
Anna Lazaris - Executive Producer @lazaris_anna

Ontario Provincial Election Special

Ontario’s Provincial Election is fast approaching, and to that end this episode of Beyond the Headlines is dedicated to understanding some of the critical issues facing the province. We are grateful to be joined by the authors of two transition briefings from the Ontario 360 initiative within the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. Ontario 360 is a purpose-built initiative to scan Ontario’s economic challenges and opportunities and develop evidence-based public policy ideas to inform and shape the Ontario government’s policy planning and priorities. In conjunction with leading policy thinkers from across the province, Ontario 360 has commissioned a series of bi-weekly policy briefings in advance of the provincial election. These are short, digestible, non-partisan and fact-based pieces designed to appeal to policy leaders, in addition to a broader audience. The briefings cover a wide range of policy issues from fiscal policy to homelessness, from innovation policy to urban Indigenous concerns, from tax policy to the future of work, and many more. You can follow Ontario 360’s work on twitter @ontario360 or by visiting their website www.on360.ca. 
For today’s discussion, we first sit down with Tomas Hachard from the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance. Tomas co-authored the briefing entitled “Meeting in the Middle: How to get Provincial-Municipal Cooperation Right.” After a short break, we are joined by David McGown of the Canadian Business Coalition for Climate Policy. David authored the two-part briefing entitled “The Politics of Emissions Reductions in Ontario.” We’re so glad you tuned in for our show, and hope you enjoy the discussion!
Guests:
Tomas Hachard, University of Toronto/IMFG @thachard @imfgtoronto 
David McGown, Canadian Business Coalition for Climate Policy @davidkmcgown  
Senior Producer
Connor Fraser @RealCJFraser 

Young Diplomats of Canada: UN Commission on the Status of Women 2022

What does it mean to be gender transformative? How can municipal governments contribute to climate action? What’s the difference between passion and power?
In the latest special edition episode from Beyond the Headlines, the Young Diplomats of Canada delegation to the 66th UN Commission on the Status of Women explore topics in climate resiliency, gender equality, and youth engagement in multilateralism alongside experienced YDC alumni. This episode features Carla Guillaume, Julie Segal, Senator Marilou McPhedran, and Anjum Sultana, as well as YDC delegates Sydney Whiting, Paige Percy, Lucie Belzile, and Maitland Shaheen.
Guests:
Carla Guillaume - Commercial Desk Officer, GAC
Julie Segal - Senior Manager of Climate Finance, Environmental Defence
Senator Marilou McPhedran - Senator, Senate of Canada
Anjum Sultana - Director of Youth Leadership and Policy Advocacy, Plan International Canada; Fellow, Public Policy Forum
YDC Delegates:
Sydney Whiting - Communications Coordinator
Paige Percy - Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator
Lucie Belzile - Engagement Coordinator
Maitland Shaheen - Head Delegate
Producers:
Faria Amin - Executive Producer, Beyond the Headlines
Anna Lazaris - Junior Producer, Beyond the Headlines

Evaluating the Risk to Democracy in Canada and the US

The US Capitol Insurrection of January 6, 2021 materialized years of warnings that America’s democracy is approaching a critical juncture that could spiral into violent insurgency and even Civil War. Canadian’s like to portray our national fabric as immune to the same fate. However, the recent Freedom Convoy protests and the emergence of Western Canada’s Maverick Party demonstrate that our union of provinces faces similar threats. In this episode, we explore the strength of democracy and the rise of the radical right in Canada - alongside Hilary Lawson, and the risk of Civil War in the USA, with Professor Thad Kousser. We identify the origins of frustration with governance systems that have proven resilient for centuries. How might these risks be alleviated while building a society that is just and equitable for all? 
Guests: 
Professor Thad Kousser - UC San Diego
Hilary Lawson - Master of Global Affairs Candidate
Produced By:
Annabelle MacRae - Junior Producer
Connor Fraser - Senior Producer
Mycala Gill - Executive Producer 

Discussions on Philanthropy and Charities

In the last few years, the validity and reliability of charities and other philanthropic work has been called into question. Topics of whether charity helps resolve greater institutional and systemic issues have arisen. How altruistic is charity? Is there a different lens through which we can view this topic. What is the end goal of philanthropy? This episode features two guests very familiar with charities and not-for-profit work to get their perspectives.
Guests:
Ryo Nakane - CIRA
Serena Purdy - Friends of Kensington Market
Producers:
Sky Shi - Junior Producer
Abdullah Naqvi - Junior Producer
Connor Fraser - Senior Producer
Faria Amin - Executive Producer

The Politics of Basketball

As the native country of its creator, James Naismith, and the location of the very first NBA game in 1946, Canada has deep roots in basketball. And since the first game of the Toronto Raptors in 1995, and their triumphant, game 7 buzzer-beating,  2019 Championship run, Canadian basketball fandom is at an all time high. From driveway basketball nets to Jurassic Park, the Raptors have helped to shape the identity of Toronto and attracted a global fan base. “We The North” has become a multicultural rallying cry. The sheer diversity of Toronto shines through with fans from all walks of life across every race, religion, and culture. Today's episode explores this idea in more depth and take a closer look at the multicultural identity of the Toronto Raptors fan base and the growing popularity of basketball across Canada, and goes further to talk about the global reach of basketball, influenced and part by the Raptors’ success, and discuss where and how the game is expanding, building new bridges, and becoming more equitable. This episode features two journalists covering the Raptors and basketball at large to talk about this unique intersection between sport, culture, diversity, globalisation, and equality.
Guests:
Oren Weisfeld - Freelance Journalist
Alex Wong - Freelance Journalist
Producers:
Thomas Chan - Junior Producer
Michael Kalaparambath - Junior Producer
Abdullah Naqvi - Junior Producer
Mycala Gill - Executive Producer

The End of COVID?: Analyzing Ontario’s Removal of Mask Mandates

Ontario eliminates its mask mandate for a variety of settings including schools, restaurants, gyms, and stores today. While other jurisdictions within Canada and across the world have done away with equivalent or greater public health restrictions, residents of the province are expressing mixed feelings on this policy decision. This episode features two experts who discuss the factors that went into the decision to eliminate the mask mandate, and what implications this may have for Ontario.
Guests:
Dr. Arjumand Siddiqi - Professor and Division Head of Epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, Canada Research Chair in Population Health Equity
Dr. Peter Jüni - Scientific Director at Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Toronto, Director of the Applied Research Centre of St. Michael's Hospital 
Producers:
Annabelle MacRae - Junior Producer
Faria Amin - Executive Producer

State of British Politics

It has been a busy few months in British politics, with scandals ranging from illegal lobbying, to misused finances, to the now-infamous series of parties held at the Prime Minister’s residence of 10 Downing Street during COVID lockdown. While police investigations into these parties are ongoing, the Prime Minister and his supporters are attempting to distance themselves from this most recent round of scandals. While the Conservatives are divided, Labour, invigorated by new leadership and a more centrist agenda, seems primed to capitalize on this latest round of missteps by the Prime Minister. Amidst all this, 3 out of 4 Britons polled have a negative view of the state of British politics. Today’s episode features two experts who share their views on how things stand across the British political spectrum and where they’re likely to go.
Guests:
Sir Graham Watson - Former Member of European Parliament and leader of European Union Liberals, current Visiting Fellow at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs
Dr. Pat Thane - Professor of Contemporary British History, King’s College London
Producers:
Elliott Coburn - Senior Producer
Annabelle MacRae - Junior Producer
Faria Amin - Executive Producer

Violence in Eastern Europe: Ukraine and Russia

After months of tensions and failure of diplomacy to resolve the crisis, Russia has launched a multi-pronged attack on Ukraine. Today’s episode explores the issue from a defence perspective on the situation - why Ukraine, why now, and what are the stakes for Russia and NATO - and the role played by media and propaganda - how is Russia portraying the situation at home, what have been the impacts of this, and can media be of any help? 
Some of the information recorded for this episode may be outdated as this is a rapidly evolving situation. Listeners are encouraged to stay up-to-date with recent developments.
Guests:
Dr. Maxim Alyukov - King’s Russia Institute, King’s College London
Dr. Tracey German - King’s Russia Institute, King’s College London
Producers:
Marie Ascencio - Junior Producer
Michael Kalaparambath - Junior Producer
Mycala Gill - Executive Producer

Critical COVID-19 Discussions - Part 2: Assessing Canada’s Pandemic Management and Erin O’Toole’s Departure

With the spread of the Omicron variant into Canada, vaccination has been the most effective tool in slowing the spread of the virus and reducing hospitalization rates. However, mixed messaging has prompted some Canadians to question whether vaccinations and social distancing measures are effective or even necessary, which has been exemplified by the Freedom Convoy 2022. This episode will focus on discussing this issue and potential best steps moving forward. 
Guests:
Dr. Peter Loewen (Director, Munk School of Global Affairs) 
John Capobianco (Public Affairs National Practice Lead in FleishmanHillard HighRoad's Toronto Office)
Produced by:
Michael Kalaparambath - Junior Producer
Connor Fraser - Senior Producer
Mycala Gill - Executive Producer