TheFutureEconomy.ca Podcast

TheFutureEconomy.ca

89 episodes listed below

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Canada's economy, tested against reality.

The gist

TheFutureEconomy.ca Podcast is a Canadian policy-and-business forum focused on the practical choices behind long-term growth. Its conversations connect energy security, climate resilience, sustainable food, circular plastics, urban decarbonization, and inclusive entrepreneurship to real costs, infrastructure, and public decisions.

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About TheFutureEconomy.ca Podcast

TheFutureEconomy.ca Podcast is a Canadian business and policy series about the systems that will shape the country's next economy. Its center of gravity is practical transition work. Energy security, climate resilience, circular plastics, sustainable food, urban decarbonization, regenerative agriculture, and small-business growth all appear as connected economic questions rather than isolated causes. The show is measured. It tends to begin with a large national problem, then works down into the costs, infrastructure, financing, governance, and adoption barriers that determine whether an idea can actually scale. In the energy transition episodes, John Cook frames the discussion through affordability, sustainability, and security. Bruce Laurie and Jackie Forrest bring the conversation into difficult territory: oil demand, carbon capture, pipeline economics, public spending priorities, and Canada's thin Arctic infrastructure. The tone is candid but not theatrical. In the Wicked Solutions episodes, Nick Betts, David Hughes, and Priya Bala-Miller treat food, agriculture, and climate readiness as interwoven problems involving equity, land use, nutrition, supply chains, public health, and community risk. Those segments are especially interested in how investment and technology change what is possible on the ground. The show also spends time with the friction of implementation. Decarbonizing public transit is not presented as simply buying cleaner buses; it involves chargers, sidewalks, private property, technicians, procurement, and several layers of government. Plastics circularity is handled the same way. The discussion moves past broad concern about waste into recycling harmonization, extended producer responsibility, consumer confusion, infrastructure, and the economic case for keeping useful materials out of the environment. Future Forward adds a business lens, with Sasha Krstic and Minister Mary Ng discussing Canadian suppliers, entrepreneurship, inclusive growth, and the role of small and medium-sized businesses. Across these strands, the show is less interested in easy consensus than in the conditions for execution. It suits listeners who want to hear how policy ambition meets market structure, capital needs, regional differences, and institutional limits. Its recurring question is simple and demanding: what would it take for Canada to build the future it keeps describing?

Made for: For business leaders, policy watchers, sustainability professionals, and civic-minded listeners following Canada's energy, infrastructure, climate, food, and industrial transitions. It especially suits people who want tradeoffs, figures, and implementation details.

What sets it apart: The show connects sustainability to competitiveness without flattening either side. It repeatedly moves from national strategy to practical constraints such as financing, labor capacity, infrastructure placement, recycling systems, and regional policy differences.

In their own words

We interview leaders in business, government, academia and more across industries to define a strong vision for Canada's future economy.

As heard by us

Based on 5 episodes we listened to · September 2026

Canadian economic policy becomes concrete through costs, infrastructure constraints and direct questions about who must act.

TheFutureEconomy.ca Podcast treats Canada's economic future as a set of implementation problems, putting policy, capital and infrastructure in the same conversation.

Read our full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A $20 billion carbon-capture question is where Canadian climate ambition meets your inner auditor.

Press play if you want

  • Canadian energy arguments tested against affordability, security, and actual project costs
  • policy talk that follows city decarbonization all the way down to chargers, sidewalks, and missing technicians
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
energy transition economicscarbon capture costsclimate resilience financingsustainable food systemsregenerative agriculture technologyurban decarbonizationplastics circularityCanadian entrepreneurship

Talks about

Best episodes of TheFutureEconomy.ca Podcast

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

Is Canada Falling Behind? The Truth About the Energy Transition (ft. Mackenzie Investments)Apr 8, 2026

A sober look at Canada's energy future, where policy, capital, and Arctic security meet.

Canada's energy transition is treated as an open question about economics, emissions, and sovereignty, with John Cook guiding Bruce Laurie and Jackie Forrest through the energy trilemma of affordability, sustainability, and security.

The Culture and Politics of Building an Energy SuperpowerMar 11, 2026

A sober Canadian energy discussion that links climate policy, project economics, and northern sovereignty.

This episode treats Canada's energy debate as a practical question of how the country can build, finance, and defend an oil, gas, carbon capture, and northern infrastructure future.

How to Decarbonize Canadian CitiesAug 22, 2024

A grounded look at why decarbonizing cities mostly comes down to implementation.

Canadian cities are the pressure point here. Homes, buildings, transit, and the systems under them all have to change if urban decarbonization is going to mean anything in practice.

Transforming Plastics: Unlocking Economic Opportunities Through Circularity | The Future of Chemistry With Bob MastersonJul 25, 2024

A clear case for plastics circularity, with recycling confusion and infrastructure at the center.

The episode treats plastics as more than a litter problem. It puts the material back inside the economy and argues that waste only gets easier to handle when the system around it changes too.

How to Uplift Canadian Businesses | Minister Mary Ng | Future Forward with Sasha KrsticSep 28, 2023

A practical case for Canadian firms, supply-chain thinking, and women's entrepreneurship.

It presents a clear case for Canadian business ambition: start with Canadian small and medium-sized businesses, think in value chains and supply chains, and treat collaboration as an advantage rather than a weakness.

Podcasts like TheFutureEconomy.ca Podcast

Episodes

  1. 1

    Health is Wealth: Why Canada Must Invest in Precision Medicine

    Sep 28, 2026·36m
  2. 2

    Canada’s Cleantech Opportunity: How to Turn Innovation Into Global Champions

    Sep 2, 2026·35m
  3. 3

    The Future of Vaccination in Canada: Navigating Equitable Access, and the Paradox of Prevention

    Aug 31, 2026·29m
  4. 4

    Canada’s Nuclear Renaissance: How to Build It, Finance It and Keep It Affordable

    Aug 5, 2026·29m
  5. 5

    Canada’s Defence Shift: From Spending Commitments to Strategic Capability

    Jul 15, 2026·34m
  6. 6

    Canada’s Defence Shift: From Spending Commitments to Strategic CapabilityCan AI Help Canada Build the Future of Life Sciences?

    Jul 15, 2026·34m
  7. 7

    How AI is Revolutionizing Life Sciences & Drug Discovery in Canada

    Jul 14, 2026·31m
  8. 8

    The Global Critical Mineral War: Can Canada Break China’s Monopoly?

    Jul 3, 2026·42m
  9. 9

    Indigenous Consent Is Not a Checkbox: A New Model for Energy Projects (ft. Mackenzie Investments)

    May 6, 2026·28m
  10. 10

    Is Canada Falling Behind? The Truth About the Energy Transition (ft. Mackenzie Investments)

    Hidden gem

    Canada's energy transition starts with an awkward trilemma: keep energy affordable, cut emissions, and stay secure.

    Apr 8, 2026·43m·2 clips
  11. 11

    The Culture and Politics of Building an Energy Superpower

    Hidden gem

    Canada is stuck with an energy trilemma.

    Mar 11, 2026·43m·2 clips
  12. 12

    Canada's Food System Revolution | Dana McCauley, Marie-Claude Bourgie, Nick Betts and David Hughes

    This episode explores how Canada's food and beverage manufacturing sector can improve productivity and sustainability while keeping food affordable, featuring expert discussions on innovations and systems-level thinking.

    Oct 8, 2025·36m
  13. 13

    Why Climate Readiness Matters Now | Don Iveson, Hillary Thatcher, Priya Bala-Miller, David Hughes

    This episode explores how to finance climate resilience and readiness in Canada, featuring discussions with leaders on investing in infrastructure to address urgent climate risks like wildfires and flooding.

    Sep 24, 2025·42m
  14. 14

    Regenerative Agriculture Is Canada’s Big Bet | Dan Lussier, Craig Klemmer, Nick Betts, David Hughes

    This episode explores how technological innovation can make regenerative agriculture profitable and scalable in Canada, featuring insights from experts on trends, challenges, and practical solutions for sustainable farming.

    Aug 13, 2025·30m
  15. 15

    Our Circular Construction Future | Meredith Moore, Michelle Laidlaw, Paul Shorthouse, David Hughes

    Jul 21, 2025·34m
  16. 16

    Sustainable Mining & Chemistry: How Can Canada Win? | Pierre Gratton & Greg Moffatt

    Jun 24, 2025·32m
  17. 17

    Canada's Circular Food Future | Tammara Soma, Amr Addas, Barbara Swartzentruber, David Hughes

    Jun 11, 2025·31m
  18. 18

    Unlocking Canada’s Clinical Trial Potential | PJ Devereaux and Barbara Zrinscak

    May 15, 2025·32m
  19. 19

    How Canada Can Tackle Its Wicked Problems | Chad Park, Tima Bansal, David Hughes

    May 14, 2025·28m
  20. 20

    Unlocking Canada’s Clinical Trial Potential | PJ Devereaux and Barbara Zrinscak

    May 12, 2025·32m
  21. 21

    This Is How We Fix Healthcare | Kerri Beirnes, Julia Burt, Dr. James White, Rishma Abdulhusein

    Apr 14, 2025·41m
  22. 22

    Transforming Healthcare: Improving Access and Efficiency | Jennifer Sheils, Dr. Dan Edgcumbe

    Mar 10, 2025·36m
  23. 23

    Skilled Trades Are the Future—Here’s Why | Brynn Bourke and Noel Baldwin

    Feb 18, 2025·25m
  24. 24

    How AI is Transforming Canada’s Healthcare System | Laurent Tillement, Ryan MacDonald, Justin Mallet

    Feb 10, 2025·40m
  25. 25

    Preparing Canadians for Tomorrow's Workforce | Stefano Scarpetta, Lynette Plett, Noel Baldwin

    Jan 20, 2025·25m
  26. 26

    Healthcare Revolution: Value-Based Care | Lisa Chartrand, Eva Villalba, Shannon Jackson, Erin Cook

    Jan 13, 2025·26m
  27. 27

    Revolutionizing Sustainability: The Future of Green Chemistry | Wendy Andrushko and Bob Masterson

    Dec 20, 2024·23m
  28. 28

    How Connected Care is Transforming Modern Healthcare | Carlene Todd and Abhinav Kalra

    Dec 9, 2024·41m
  29. 29

    What Does a Better Future Look Like for Canada? | Anne McLellan and Lisa Raitt with Sasha Krstic

    Nov 19, 2024·34m
  30. 30

    Co-opetition is the Way: Advancing Canadian Healthcare

    Nov 12, 2024·42m
  31. 31

    Alberta Leading the Green Revolution?

    Sep 11, 2024·27m
  32. 32

    How to Decarbonize Heavy Industry in Canada

    Sep 5, 2024·26m
  33. 33

    How to Decarbonize Marine Shipping in Canada

    Aug 29, 2024·24m
  34. 34

    How to Decarbonize Canadian Cities

    Hidden gem

    The episode looks at how Canadian cities can cut emissions without pretending the work is easy.

    Aug 22, 2024·23m·1 clip
  35. 35

    How to Decarbonize Canadian Road Freight

    Aug 15, 2024·26m
  36. 36

    How to Decarbonize Canada’s Aviation Sector

    Aug 8, 2024·24m
  37. 37

    Transforming Plastics: Unlocking Economic Opportunities Through Circularity | The Future of Chemistry With Bob Masterson

    Bob Nascarson argues that plastics belong in the economy, not in the environment.

    Jul 25, 2024·40m·2 clips
  38. 38

    Alberta’s Hydrogen-Powered Future | Mayor Alanna Hnatiw | The Future of Chemistry with Bob Masterson

    Jun 10, 2024·44m
  39. 39

    Improving Healthcare Efficiency Through Public-Private Partnerships | Helen Trifonopoulos, Novartis

    Feb 26, 2024·31m
  40. 40

    Driving AI Adoption in Canada | Eric Gales, AWS | Back on Track with Angela Mondou, TECHNATION

    Jan 24, 2024·30m
  41. 41

    How Companies Can Develop a Privacy Framework | Roobi Alam & Adam Kardash

    Jan 11, 2024·38m
  42. 42

    The Challenge of Regulating Crypto in Canada | Morva Rohani & Eric Richmond

    Dec 14, 2023·43m
  43. 43

    Transforming the Way Canada Trains Talent | Sheldon Levy | Future Forward with Sasha Krstic

    Nov 30, 2023·42m
  44. 44

    How to Scale Canadian Startups | Janet Bannister and Kayla Isabelle | Future Forward with Sasha Krstic

    Nov 16, 2023·40m
  45. 45

    Navigating Canada’s AI Revolution | Sinead Bovell and David Birch | Future Forward with Sasha Krstic

    Nov 6, 2023·48m
  46. 46

    How Companies Can Strengthen Their Cybersecurity | Sami Khoury & Shannon Leininger | Future Forward with Sasha Krstic

    Oct 12, 2023·41m
  47. 47

    How to Uplift Canadian Businesses | Minister Mary Ng | Future Forward with Sasha Krstic

    Hidden gem

    Mary Ng joins Sasha Kristic for a conversation about how Canadian businesses can grow by working together.

    Sep 28, 2023·34m·2 clips
  48. 48

    How Companies Can Harness Tech Modernization for Growth | Angela Mondou & Dave McCann

    Sep 11, 2023·24m
  49. 49

    Breaking Down the Barriers to Business | Future Forward with Sasha Krstic | Goldy Hyder

    Sep 7, 2023·40m
  50. 50

    How Canada Can Build An Auto Industry of the Future

    Jun 23, 2023·35m
  51. 51

    Lessons in Entrepreneurship with Arlene Dickinson from Dragons’ Den

    This episode features an interview with Arlene Dickinson from Dragon's Den, discussing her entrepreneurial journey, insights on business success, and the role of government in supporting Canada's innovators.

    May 4, 2023·21m
  52. 52

    How Canada Can Equip Its Workers With Digital Skills for the Future

    This episode discusses Canada's urgent need to equip its workforce with digital skills to meet future job demands and adapt to AI-driven changes in the economy.

    Apr 20, 2023·24m
  53. 53

    How Canada can Prepare for a Future Pandemic

    Apr 13, 2023·30m
  54. 54

    The Future of Indigenous Genomics Innovation

    Feb 23, 2023·20m
  55. 55

    How the National Indigenous Economic Strategy will Bring Prosperity to All

    Jan 10, 2023·32m
  56. 56

    Can Canada Build the Infrastructure We Need for Our Future Economy?

    Dec 21, 2022·39m
  57. 57

    How Agricultural Genomics will Make Canadian Food Systems Sustainable

    Dec 16, 2022·57m
  58. 58

    Does Canada Already Have the Tech to Beat Climate Change?

    Dec 1, 2022·37m
  59. 59

    Canada’s Esports and Video Gaming Industry

    Nov 10, 2022·29m
  60. 60

    How to Attract, Retain and Train Workers for the Future Economy

    Oct 25, 2022·24m
  61. 61

    What Will Canada's Future Financial Services of the Future Look Like?

    Oct 8, 2022·32m
  62. 62

    How Canada’s Biotech Sector can Become a Global Leader

    Sep 26, 2022·32m
  63. 63

    Report | The Future of Innovation in Canada

    Jun 2, 2022·22m
  64. 64

    How Canada Can Win the War for Tech Talent

    Mar 16, 2022·16m
  65. 65

    Reshoring to Strengthen Canada’s Supply Chains

    Feb 17, 2022·14m
  66. 66

    Video Report: The Future of High-Tech Manufacturing

    Feb 1, 2022·13m
  67. 67

    Pourquoi une perspective à long terme pour le futur du Canada? avec Stephen Gill de l’Université York

    Nov 9, 2021·9m
  68. 68

    Why Does Canada need a Long-term Outlook? with Stephen Gill of York University.

    Nov 9, 2021·10m
  69. 69

    Pouvons-nous utiliser la philosophie pour résoudre les défis sociétaux? avec Arthur Ripstein de l’Université de Toronto,

    Nov 2, 2021·8m
  70. 70

    Can We Use Philosophy to Tackle Societal Challenges? with Arthur Ripstein of University of Toronto.

    Nov 2, 2021·8m
  71. 71

    Est-ce que les maths peuvent résoudre nos défis sociétaux? avec Gilbert Laporte, HEC Montréal.

    Oct 26, 2021·10m
  72. 72

    Can Math Solve Societal Problems? with Gilbert Laporte of HEC Montréal, Killam 2021 Prize Winner.

    Oct 26, 2021·9m
  73. 73

    La créativité canadienne en science avec Douglas Stephan.

    Oct 19, 2021·8m
  74. 74

    Creativity in Canadian Science with Douglas Stephan.

    Oct 19, 2021·8m
  75. 75

    Le Canada est à la pointe de la recherche sur le cancer avec Michel Bouvier of IRIC

    Oct 12, 2021·10m
  76. 76

    Canada’s Cancer Research Excellence with Michel Bouvier of IRIC

    Oct 12, 2021·9m
  77. 77

    Canada's Digital Payments Revolution

    Mar 3, 2021·16m
  78. 78

    Canada's International Network and Tech-Driven Recovery

    Jan 12, 2021·17m
  79. 79

    The Impacts of Canada’s Settler West

    Jan 6, 2021·13m
  80. 80

    Canada’s Excellence in Neuroscience Research

    Jan 6, 2021·17m
  81. 81

    Canada’s Earth Science Research and Its Lessons for Navigating Future Crises

    Jan 6, 2021·17m
  82. 82

    Canadian Research on Marginalized Groups

    Jan 6, 2021·15m
  83. 83

    Nanotechnology and the Future of Canada’s Cleantech Economy

    Jan 6, 2021·17m
  84. 84

    Driving Canadian Tech Competitiveness

    Nov 17, 2020·17m
  85. 85

    Montreal's Cybersecurity Industry

    Mar 2, 2020·16m
  86. 86

    Reconciliation & Social Finance

    Feb 24, 2020·20m
  87. 87

    AI for SMEs

    Feb 12, 2020·14m
  88. 88

    The Future of Canada's Fisheries Industry

    Nov 26, 2019·19m
  89. 89

    Cannabis and the Bioeconomy

    Oct 18, 2019·15m