Cross Check: What Are We Fighting For?

In this special edition of Cross Check, Stephen Marche, Vass Bednar, and Jon Shell discuss the 2026 Federal Budget and react to the US Midterm results.With Gloves Off on hiatus, Cross Check returns with occasional reactions to the news shaping Canada’s sovereignty.Canadian Shield Institute research: -Budget 2026 Mentions EU Co-operation, But Not Much Money-Airports and Asset Recycling in Budget 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special edition of Cross Check, Stephen Marche, Vass Bednar, and Jon Shell react to the EU-Canada summit and the new "Alliance for the Future." What does this ambitious partnership mean for Canada’s sovereignty, economic security, and future?With Gloves Off on hiatus, Cross Check returns with occasional reactions to the news shaping Canada’s sovereignty.Canadian Shield Research: What Canada Can Learn From Europe on Digital Sovereignty, Canada and Europe Have the Same AdTech Problem Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Canada sell itself to the world without selling out?In this special live episode of Gloves Off recorded at Toronto’s historic El Mocambo, Stephen Marche tackles one of Canada’s most pressing economic questions: how do we attract the capital we need to build the country without selling off the assets, companies and infrastructure that make us sovereign?Stephen is joined live on stage by economists Armine Yalnizyan and Dan Ciuriak, and Cross Check co-hosts Vass Bednar and Jon Shell, to examine the Carney government’s recent Investment Summit 2026, airport privatization, foreign ownership, and Canada’s struggle to finance its own growth.From defence manufacturing and critical infrastructure, to AI, pension funds, and the future of Canadian innovation, the conversation asks what good investment looks like—and who ultimately benefits.Featuring (in order of appearance): JR Cox, Armine Yalnizyan, Rod Sims, Dan Ciuriak and Cross Check Co-Hosts Vass Bednar and Jon ShellAlso visit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues from the Canadian Shield Institute including Pension and FDI reports.Follow us on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As America pulls back from its traditional alliances, what does that mean for Canada and the future of the global order?In this extended interview, Stephen Marche revisits his conversation with Julianne Smith, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and former senior Pentagon official. Smith explains how the Trump administration has transformed America’s relationships with its allies, why trust in the United States has eroded, and how Canada and other middle powers are responding.From NATO and European defence to Canada’s growing ties with the European Union and Nordic countries, Smith explores whether middle powers can build a new “third pole” of global influence—and whether the existing international order can survive America’s retreat.What happens when America’s allies start building a world without America at the centre?Excerpt of interview originally featured in Ep 8 "What Are We Fighting For?"Also visit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues from the Canadian Shield Institute including: a linguistic analysis of how the concept of "sovereignty" has changed over time, based on how it has been used in the House of Commons since 1900.Follow us on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this extended interview,Stephen Marche speaks with Tim Mak, Editor of the Kyiv-based publication The Counteroffensive about Ukraine’s drone war and the future of warfare. They explore how Ukraine’s decentralized defence-tech ecosystem is driving rapid innovation—and what Canada can learn as it prepares to dramatically increase defence spending.Excerpt of interview originally featured in Ep 5 "How Canada Wins at Defence" 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this extended interview, Stephen Marche speaks with Anthony Dworkin of the European Council on Foreign Relations about whether Canada and Europe can build a new middle power alliance in a world increasingly shaped by U.S. and Chinese power.Dworkin explains Europe’s “trade bazooka,” the tools available to resist economic coercion, and how Canada could work with Europe and other like-minded countries on trade, defence, technology, energy and strategic autonomy.ECFR Papers Referenced: -Brussels hold’em: European cards against Trumpian coercion-Beijing hold’em: European cards against Chinese coercionExcerpt of interview originally featured in Ep 2 "How Canada Wins at Alliances"Visit our website-gloves-off.ca-for more research behind the issues from the Canadian Shield Institute including an interactive map outlining the number of international agreements Canada has made since Carney took office and a explanation of variable geometryFollow us on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this extended interview, Stephen Marche speaks with Gil Durán, author of The Nerd Reich about Silicon Valley’s radical turn against democracy. They explore the rise of tech oligarchs, the political power of billionaires, the weaponization of social media, and what Canada can do to reduce its dependence on American technology.Excerpt of interview originally featured in Ep 7 "How Canada Beats Tech Influence"Visit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues from the Canadian Shield Institute including: an analysis of what some of America's largest technology groups are asking for when it comes to CUSMA renegotiations Follow us on YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From our Canadian podcast friends at Canadaland: As Canada inches closer to China’s “global swagger” to escape the US’s orbit, do we even know who we’re dealing with? Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Jonathan Cheng, The Wall Street Journal‘s China Bureau Chief, a Canadian who’s been based in Beijing since 2019, to get an inside look at China’s current confidence, its trade posture, and what Beijing actually thinks of Canada.For more go to Canadaland Episode originally aired May 26, 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this extended interview, economist Dan Ciuriak speaks with Stephen Marche about what a trade war with the United States would actually mean for Canada—and why the bigger opportunity may be building new markets, strengthening our economy, and taking control of our digital future.Visit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues including four charts illustrating how Canada’s trade exports are diversifying beyond the United States Follow us on YouTube  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2 Episode 8 aftershow with Stephen Marche, Vass Bednar and Jon Shell. The trio dives deeper into the issues of each Gloves Off episode, bringing a mix of insight, expertise, and strong opinions (held at varying degrees) to their lively discussion.Canadian Shield Research:-Canada's 2026 Sovereignty Obsession is Unprecedented Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.