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 & Public Policy

Professor Loewen teaches in the Department of Political Science and the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He is the Director of PEARL, Associate Director of the Schwartz Reisman Institute, a Senior Fellow at Massey College, and a Fellow with the Public Policy Forum. For 2020-2022, he is a Distinguished Visitor at the Institute for Advanced Study at Tel Aviv University.

John Capobianco - Public Affairs National Practice Lead in FleishmanHillard HighRoad's Toronto office.

With over 30 years of grassroots political experience at all three levels of government, he offers a strong, seasoned and influential voice in public affairs. John ran as a federal Conservative candidate in the 2004 and 2006 elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and is recognized as a leader in the Conservative movement. John continues to be a regular political commentator in Canada’s national media and on various industry panels. He is the immediate past president of the Public Affairs Association of Canada, former president of the Canadian Club of Toronto, past chair of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Albany Club of Toronto and is a board member of the Women's College Hospital. John also advises Seneca College on their post-graduate certificate Government Relations course. John earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and economics at York University and resides in Toronto, ON.

Produced by:

Michael Kalaparambath - Junior Producer

Connor Fraser - Senior Producer

Mycala Gill - Executive Producer