Gloves Off

How Canada Wins at Defence

As recent events in Ukraine, Russia, and Iran have demonstrated, the nature of modern warfare is changing fast (think: drones). Canada will get left behind if it doesn’t start innovating quickly. Host Stephen Marche explores the advent of drone warfare with Tim Mak, Kyiv-based publisher of The Counteroffensive; and Cameron Chell, a Canadian defence tech entrepreneur at Draganfly, shares how the Canadian drone industry can drive technological innovation, not just in the defence sphere but also in a multitude of other uses that will bolster the country’s economy. Featuring (in order of appearance): Brittney Shki-Giizis, Tim Mak & Cameron Chell Also visit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues from the Canadian Shield Institute including a Canadian history of dual usage technologies and a chart that tries to imagine the sheer scale of the military budget.Follow us on YouTube where you can watch our aftershow Cross Check that drops each Thursday with Vass Bednar and Jon Shell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Canada’s Economy Can Thrive

In part two of how to build a thriving economy, Stephen Marche weighs the tension between maintaining economic efficiency—making convenient trade deals for short term gain—and building economic resilience—an economy less reliant on external partners. He first speaks with Brazilian economist Monica de Bolle about the drawbacks of her country’s trade relationships with China and America. Then economists John Rapley and Dan Ciuriak outline their visions for building Canada’s economic resilience, overcoming complacency, stimulating innovation, and restructuring investment.Featuring (in order of appearance): Robert Mackalski, Monica de Bolle, John Rapley and Dan CiuriakFor this episode, we have two case studies examining where Canada's economy could thrive, one on quantum computing and one on aluminum. Visit our website—gloves-off.ca for more research behind the issues. Follow us on YouTube where you can watch our aftershow Cross Check with Vass Bednar of The Canadian Shield Institute and Jon Shell of Social Capital Partners Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Canada Wins at Trade

First episode of a two-part look at Canada’s economy and the opportunity to thrive in a new world order. With CUSMA being renegotiated at the moment, Stephen Marche reviews Canada’s trade relationship with the United States and explores what some consider the drawbacks of economic efficiency: making convenient trade deals for short term gain.Economist Dan Ciuriak makes the case for doing away with the country’s automotive industry, while Flavio Volpe (President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers'​ Association) strongly disagrees. And Australian economist Huw McKay describes how his country abandoned car manufacturing and developed robust trading relationships within the Pacific Rim. Featuring (in order of appearance): Paula Ambra, Dan Ciuriak, Flavio Volpe, Huw McKayVisit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues including a chart illustrating how Canada’s trade exports are diversifying beyond the United States and Canada's automotive sector value-add problem. Follow us on YouTube where you can watch our aftershow Cross Check that drops each Thursday with Vass Bednar and Jon Shell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Canada Wins at Alliances

If a middle powers alliance could create a third pole of power to offset China and the United States, what would that look like in practical terms? What kind of alliance would enable Canada and other middle powers to thrive in a new world order? Host Stephen Marche catches up on Carney’s latest alliance-building moves with former Canadian Diplomat Colin Robertson, and learns from Anthony Dworkin of the European Council on Foreign Relations about how the EU has leaned on strategies like a trade bazooka and a unified defence strategy in Greenland. Featuring (in order of appearance): Ukaleq Slettemark, Colin Robertson and Anthony DworkinVisit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues including an interactive map outlining the number of international agreements Canada has made since Carney took office and a explanation of variable geometry, both from the Canadian Shield Institute.Follow us on YouTube where you can watch our aftershow Cross Check that drops each Thursday with Vass Bednar and Jon Shell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rupture

A clear eyed assessment of Mark Carney’s vision of middle powers creating a third pole of power, providing alternatives to a fraying reliance on the United States. Since his famous speech at Davos, he has been travelling the world meeting with likeminded politicians to shore up support. But the reception to his idea has raised doubts in Canada. Host Stephen Marche hears bipartisan caution from former Canadian Foreign Ministers Peter MacKay and John Manley, while former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull echoes a chorus of approval heard among many global leaders.Subscribe & follow us on YouTube where you can watch our aftershow Cross Check with Vass Bednar and Jon Shell Thursday. Also visit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues from the Canadian Shield Institute including its Glossary of Trade War Jargon and U.S. Policy Timeline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.