Recorded on August 5th, 2025, this episode of Gristle & Bone dives into the thickening fog of US-Canada trade tensions. With new tariffs slamming key Canadian exports—from steel to softwood—co-hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill unpack what’s really going on behind the headlines.
Canada Tariffed: Crisis or Compliance Game?
After the August 1st deadline passed with no new deal, the Trump administration imposed 35% tariffs on several Canadian exports, and an eye-popping 50% on copper. But what looks like a full-blown economic attack is more nuanced. As Donald and Christopher explain, CUSMA compliance—while paperwork-heavy—could blunt the worst of the impact. With some 90% of goods expected to comply, the effective tariff rate may be closer to 5%. Painful? Yes. Apocalyptic? Maybe not.
This episode offers a primer on the tangled threads of modern protectionism—from obscure trade clauses to philosophical crusades. In the age of Trump 2.0, it’s not just about tariffs. It’s about what kind of country Canada wants to be, and how much it’s willing to risk to stay that way.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Carney Cuts, the Longest Ballot & What's Left of the Canadian Left
Recorded on July 17th, 2025, this episode of Gristle & Bone unpacks some of the latest developments in Canadian politics.
READ "Opposition to AI is a key path to renewal for the NDP" https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/opposition-to-ai-is-a-key-path-to-renewal-for-the-ndp
Co-hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill analyze 3 major topics:
1. Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking serious cutbacks in both major sectors of the government AND Crown corps. Trump, tariffs, and the ongoing global economic chaos feature heavily in the picture too, of course.What do we think?
2. Pierre Poilievre will run to regain a seat in the Commons in a byelection in the AB riding of Battle River Crowfoot on August 18th? What is the state of conservatism and the right in the Canada as we take stock nearly three months post election? The Longest Ballot Committee is trying to get 200 people to run against at him - is this a legitimate way to call for electoral reform or a prank that shouldn’t be tolerated?
3. The rules and duration of the NDP leadership contest are out. What do the hosts think? Donal has an article out in Canadian Dimension arguing that opposition to AI is a smart move for the NDP as it seeks to rebuild. Fighting AI - is it too heavy a lift or will it generate a new populist vocation? Can the left in Canada renew around a left populism? Are there lessons in Zohran Mamdani’s big win in NYC?
As always, Gristle & Bone brings you academically informed, opinionated, but nonpartisan analysis for uncertain times.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Recorded on July 3rd, 2025, this episode of Gristle & Bone unpacks a politically seismic week in Canadian politics—one that saw Prime Minister Mark Carney withdraw the long-planned Digital Services Tax (DST) after a single post from Donald Trump on Truth Social. Co-hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill analyze the fallout, the deeper questions about Canadian sovereignty, and the echoes of history that refuse to fade.
This episode takes listeners deep into the intersection of policy, identity, and power, asking:
What does it mean to govern Canada when sovereignty is now shaped by algorithms, platforms, and presidential whims?
As always, Gristle & Bone brings you academically informed, opinionated, but nonpartisan analysis for uncertain times.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
In this episode of Gristle & Bone, recorded on June 28, 2025, co-hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gilk track Canada’s shifting political landscape—where diplomacy looks presidential, Parliament is streamlined like a boardroom, and Alberta once again plays the wildcard.
As Carney leans into hyper-efficient governance, Kirsten Hillman takes the diplomatic wheel, and Smith positions Alberta as a potential disruptor, Gristle & Bone asks: Are Canada’s institutions keeping up—or being bulldozed in the name of speed?
As always, we bring academically informed, opinionated, but nonpartisan analysis to the issues shaping Canada’s political future.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
In Episode 4 of Gristle & Bone Season 2, recorded June 17, 2025, Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill unpack a week of major developments in Canadian politics—from the global stage at the G7 to cabinet politics in Ottawa, seismic shifts in Quebec, and a reckoning within the Conservative movement.
From the return of major constitutional questions to the rise of technocratic governance, Gristle & Bone continues to ask: What kind of Canada are we building—and who’s building it?
As always, we bring academically informed, opinionated, but nonpartisan analysis for our politically engaged listeners.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
In this high-stakes episode of Gristle & Bone, recorded as Canada grapples with foreign pressure and domestic upheaval, hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill tackle three explosive developments: secret diplomacy with the U.S., the introduction of the Strong Borders Act, and the crisis—and opportunity—facing the NDP.
First, they dissect the revelation that Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump have been texting and calling directly, bypassing public diplomacy and official channels. What does this secret backchannel mean for Canada’s sovereignty, accountability, and negotiating position—especially with Trump doubling steel and aluminum tariffs? And with the G7 Summit looming in Alberta, what kind of “macro agreement” is Carney hoping for?
From backroom diplomacy to frontline political renewal, Episode 3 examines how Canadian democracy is being reshaped by external forces, and whether any party has the courage to push back.
Gristle & Bone continues with academically informed, opinionated, but nonpartisan political analysis for a critical political moment.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
In this second episode of Gristle & Bone Season 2, recorded on May 28, 2025, hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill examine two powerful symbols that define the early days of Mark Carney’s government: the rejection of the Reform Act by the Liberal caucus, and King Charles III’s unprecedented delivery of the Speech from the Throne.
The episode opens with the Liberals’ decision not to adopt the Reform Act, a move the hosts describe as a missed opportunity—and a warning sign. They unpack the origins and goals of the Act, introduced a decade ago by Conservative MP Michael Chong, and explain how it could have restored basic democratic accountability within caucuses by allowing MPs to challenge party leaders. The decision to forgo it, they argue, reveals a continued “savior complex” in the Liberal Party—first with Trudeau, now with Carney—leaving MPs with little structural power and Canadians with even less representative democracy.
Also in this episode:
Carney’s centrist (or conservative?) legislative agenda: interprovincial trade, resource projects, crime, and nation-building
Why his promise to “move fast” on big projects while respecting environmental and Indigenous obligations might be rhetorically convenient but practically impossible
The growing gap between Carney’s campaign tone and his governing posture, especially regarding the U.S.
The Trudeau legacy: Did he time his exit to help Carney? And… what about those boots?
From symbolic shifts to real power dynamics, this episode explores what happens when a new era begins with the same old structures—and what Canadians should expect next.
🎙️ Gristle & Bone remains your source for academically informed, opinionated, but nonpartisan political analysis.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Welcome to Season 2 of Gristle & Bone, recorded on May 20, 2025, in downtown Montreal. In this episode, hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill dive straight into the defining issue of this new Parliament: housing—and what they see as a major political and moral misstep by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s freshly appointed government.
They unpack the controversial appointment of Gregor Robertson—former mayor of Vancouver—as Minister of Housing, replacing Nate Erskine-Smith. The hosts argue this signals a government more concerned with protecting home equity than solving affordability. They label it a "gigantic middle finger to younger generations," accusing Carney of choosing symbolism over substance.
Canada’s new Parliament has begun—but is it already showing cracks? Tune in for our academically informed, opinionated, but nonpartisan take as Gristle & Bone enters a new political era.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
In this new chapter of Gristle & Bone, we slow things down—but go deeper. Now that Canada’s 45th general election is behind us, the podcast evolves into a space for thoughtful, biweekly analysis of Canadian politics—federal, provincial, municipal, and beyond.
Still academically informed, opinionated, but nonpartisan, hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill return with sharper focus and broader scope. From interprovincial tensions to global forces reshaping Canada’s future, we’re here to help "harden the gristle of Confederation into the bones of whatever comes next."
Follow, like, subscribe, and share—and thank you for your support.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
In this post-election edition of Gristle & Bone, recorded on May 7th in downtown Montreal, hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill unpack the first major developments following Canada's 45th federal election—and what they mean for the country’s future at home and abroad.
With Prime Minister Mark Carney preparing to govern with a minority, the episode explores key milestones:
A Speech from the Throne by King Charles III on May 27, the first in nearly 50 years—a symbolic reaffirmation of Canadian sovereignty amid growing U.S. pressure.
A bold promise of interprovincial free trade by July 1, with provinces already moving but facing linguistic and regulatory barriers.
Carney’s Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump, where he played a cautious game—avoiding confrontation, absorbing Trump’s usual misinformation, and drawing praise for his "Canada is not for sale" real estate metaphor.
The hosts reflect on how Carney’s technocratic tone marks a break from Trudeau’s performative style, and why his calm, unflashy manner might be Canada’s best defense in this Trump-tilted world.
Also in this episode:
The Conservative aftermath: Poilievre remains leader (for now), Scheer steps in as interim House leader, and Alberta’s Danielle Smith stirs separatist tensions.
The NDP rebuilds: With Singh gone and Don Davies as interim leader, the party faces existential questions about relevance, strategy, and identity.
Reviving federalism in Quebec?: As the Quebec Liberal Party begins a new leadership race, the hosts explore whether Carney’s leadership might reshape the provincial-federal dynamic.
From the legacy of Confederation to the volatility of today’s North America, this episode brings full-circle the podcast’s founding idea: Canada, once again, is fighting to define itself between gristle and bone.
🎙️ Stay tuned as Gristle & Bone transitions into a new chapter—follow us for updates on what’s next.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC)
Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don Aman
16:28 Nature Morte by Don Aman
51:30 The turk by Panta Rei
1:00:45 White bells by Panta Rei
1:25:28 Have We Mistaken The Bottle For The Whiskey Inside? by Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band
1:32 Satellite by Mr Smith
In Episode 10 of Gristle & Bone, Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill break down the results of the 45th Canadian federal election, which returned the Liberal Party under Mark Carney to power with a minority government—the party’s fourth consecutive term since 2015.
The episode covers:
Pierre Poilievre’s paradox: A strong national showing (144 seats, 41.3%) but a lost seat of his own in Carlton. Internal tensions loom as he vows to stay on as leader.
Jagmeet Singh’s collapse: Just 7 seats, no Ontario presence, and his own defeat. The NDP faces an identity crisis.
Bloc Québécois positioning: With 22 seats, Blanchet holds ground and eyes leverage with the Liberals.
Green Party stagnation: 1 seat for Elizabeth May, and little to celebrate.
With turnout steady at 68% and a third straight minority parliament, Gristle & Bone asks: What does this mean for Canada’s electoral system—and what happens next in a fractured political landscape?
A thoughtful, gritty, nonpartisan debrief from your favorite Canadian politics duo.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC)
Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don Aman
28:41 Satellite by Mr Smith
39:35 Nature Morte by Don Aman
46:00 Have We Mistaken The Bottle For The Whiskey Inside? by Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band
In this special Election Day edition of Gristle & Bone, recorded on Sunday, April 27, 2025, Christopher Bourne offers a quick, sharp snapshot of where things stand as Canadians head to the polls.
With the campaign winding down quietly, the polls have settled:
The Liberals have dipped slightly,
The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois have gained modest ground,
The hosts promise a full post-election analysis later in the week, delivering their signature style: academically informed, opinionated, but nonpartisan.
Stay tuned, stay sharp—and if you haven’t yet, go vote!
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music credit:
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC) Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don
In this packed post-debate edition of Gristle & Bone, recorded on April 22 and released April 23, 2025, Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill analyze the latest developments in Canada’s federal election campaign as it enters its final stretch.
The episode breaks down:
The Liberal platform, released quietly over the long weekend, and whether its Trudeau-era tone undermines Mark Carney’s technocratic image.
The NDP’s slight recovery in B.C. and the Bloc’s potential revival in Quebec, which could block a Liberal majority.
Polling caution, especially at the riding level, and how debates may be shifting momentum.
Carney’s housing rhetoric, financialization, and the political paradox of equity-hoarding vs. affordability.
Conservative messaging, including awkward ads and Pierre Poilievre’s absence from some of them, suggesting internal worries about his appeal.
As the U.S. looms large, both platforms seem cautious—but the stakes are high. With tensions escalating, Gristle & Bone keeps cutting through the spin.
Plus, the hosts thank listeners for their reviews and announce an upcoming U.S. radio appearance to explain Canada’s election south of the border.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music credit:
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC)
Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don Aman
4:27 B2 The turk by Panta Rei
16:33 Satellite by Mr Smith
52:19 White bells by Panta Rei
1:03:23 Have We Mistaken The Bottle For The Whiskey Inside? by Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band
1:21:05 Canadian Summer Groove by Snerly
In this special emergency bulletin of Gristle & Bone, recorded on April 18th, 2025, Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill break down a dramatic week of Canadian politics following the French and English leaders' debates in Montreal.
They first tackle the chaos surrounding the debate commission’s mismanagement, from rescheduling for a Habs game to accrediting disruptive far-right media, before turning to the real story: how the leaders performed.
Pierre Poilievre delivered a disciplined, effective performance, keeping his base energized while reaching toward swing voters. Grade: A-
Mark Carney stayed calm and competent, especially handling Trump-related questions, though he missed some opportunities. Grade: B+
Jagmeet Singh brought passion and clear NDP values but possibly hurt strategic positioning with an overly aggressive style.
Stay tuned as Gristle & Bone continues tracking every twist of Election 2025!
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC) Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don Aman
In Episode 6 of Gristle & Bone, recorded on April 14th, 2025, Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill break down the election landscape just days before the leaders’ debates. With the campaign entering its final stretch, the hosts explore the deepening presidential dynamic that has left the NDP and Bloc Québécois struggling to break through the dominant Carney vs. Poilievre narrative.
They examine Jagmeet Singh’s late pivot, aiming for enough NDP MPs to influence a minority government, and debate whether the move came too late. With the NDP facing a potentially historic low, the importance of local campaigns in ridings like Rosemont and Berthier–Maskinongé takes center stage.
Turning to the Bloc, the hosts discuss Yves-François Blanchet’s attacks on Carney and analyze Carney’s solid French-language performance on Tout le monde en parle. Meanwhile, Poilievre's challenge remains threading the needle between softening his image and rallying his base—without overreaching during the debates.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC)
Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don Aman
31:56 Nature Morte by Don Aman
45:14 Canadian Summer Groove by Snerly
1:06:47 A2 White bells by Panta Rei
With just three weeks to go until election day, Gristle and Bone returns with a deep dive into the shifting terrain of the 2025 Canadian federal campaign. Recorded on April 7th, hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill explore the tensions between stagecraft and strategy in a moment of global economic instability.
Pierre Poilievre's massive rallies show strong base energy—but are they expanding the Conservative vote or creating an echo chamber? The hosts question whether the campaign's messaging, still focused on affordability and "anti-woke" themes, is failing to adjust to the new reality shaped by Trump’s tariffs and rising economic anxiety.
Meanwhile, Mark Carney's campaign is improving, with more relaxed media interactions and a stronger emphasis on economic leadership. As global markets wobble, Carney’s technocratic calm could resonate—especially with voters unsettled by American volatility.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC)
Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don Aman
23:39 Nature Morte by Don Aman
40:56 B2 The turk by Panta Rei
59:13 White bells by Panta Rei
1:08:51 Canadian Summer Groove by Snerly
In Episode 4 of Gristle and Bone, recorded on March 31st, 2025, Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill dig into a week of high-stakes missteps, internal dissent, and shifting political ground in the ongoing federal election campaign.
Starting with the Conservative Party, the hosts explore the public criticisms of Pierre Poilievre’s campaign—most notably from Doug Ford’s campaign manager, Kory Teneycke
Turning to the Liberals, Mark Carney is facing a rocky stretch. His French-language challenges in Quebec, including major pronunciation blunders and historical mix-ups, have raised eyebrows—though polling suggests the Liberals remain dominant in the province, partly due to Poilievre’s unpopularity.
Meanwhile, the NDP under Jagmeet Singh appears to be fading, struggling to cut through the binary of Carney vs. Poilievre.
Finally, the episode highlights how Trump’s imposition of auto tariffs has reframed the entire campaign.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music:
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC)
Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don Aman
Nature Morte by Don Aman
Satellite by Mr Smith
White Bells by Panta Rei
In this episode of Gristle and Bone, recorded in Montreal on March 24, 2025, hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill dive into the unfolding federal election campaign and explore a central theme shaping the race: the growing “presidentialization” of Canadian politics.
The hosts examine the shifting polls, the fading Conservative lead, and the resurgence of the Liberals despite Carney's inexperience as a campaigner. They discuss the risks of overexposing Carney, the strategy behind showcasing him in campaign materials (including nostalgic cameos with Mike Myers), and whether his performance under pressure—especially in French—will sustain Liberal momentum.
Turning to Poilievre, the episode explores whether his "Canada is broken" message still resonates in a moment of revived Canadian patriotism. The hosts discuss the tension between appeasing the Conservative base and appealing to moderate voters. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s pro-MAGA comments are also assessed as a potential liability for the Conservative leader.
Also in this episode:
The NDP’s struggle for relevance in a leader-dominated campaign
The Bloc Québécois’s positioning as potential power brokers in a minority government
Carney’s first campaign speech and the “Ming vase” versus risk-taking strategies
What all parties need to consider when campaigning in Quebec
Credits
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music:
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC)
Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don Aman
Nature Morte by Don Aman
Satellite by Mr Smith
White Bells by Panta Rei
In this episode of Gristle and Bone, hosts Christopher Bourne and Dónal Gill analyze the latest shakeup in Canadian politics: Mark Carney has officially taken office as Prime Minister and unveiled his leaner, so-called “wartime cabinet”, signaling a shift in governance strategy as Canada braces for economic tensions with the U.S.
The hosts break down the key cabinet appointments, including:
1:15 to 8:02 Discussing the underlying dynamics of Cabinet formation.
8:20 to 24:48 Dissecting Mark Carney’s catapulted ascend and focusing on Mélanie Joly’s position as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
25:03 to 41:10 What the new Cabinet portfolio tells us about Carney’s strategy towards election season.
41:21 to 56:57 Operating governance in between a trade war and an election: the Doug Ford Model.
57:17 to 1:07:10 How voting districts redrawings affect the Liberals VS Conservatives face off in the upcoming election.
1:07:19 to XX The different parties’ strategies at play. Will Daddy Banker convince key Canadians constituents he can protect our economy better than Popular Poilievre?
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music:
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC)
Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don Aman
8:03 Nature Morte by Don Aman
28:48 Satellite by Mr Smith
40:11 A2 White Bells by Panta Rei
56:57 Have We Mistaken The Bottle For The Whiskey Inside? by Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band
1:07:11 B2 The turk by Panta Rei
In this debut episode of Gristle & Bone, hosts Christopher Bourne, Political Science Faculty at Dawson College, and Dónal Gill, Political Science professor at Concordia University, set the stage for their new podcast. They introduce their approach—providing historical and theoretical context to Canadian politics without partisan spin—and explain the name behind the podcast, drawn from a John A. Macdonald quote about the evolution of Confederation’s Confederation. The hosts break down Canada’s shifting political landscape leading up to the 2025 federal election, covering key moments such as:
Join us as we break down the key players, strategies, and surprises defining Canada’s political future. Gristle & Bone is here to cut through the noise and provide the in-depth analysis you won’t find in the headlines.
Credits for Gristle and Bone
Music from Free Music Archive (CC BY-NC)
Intro & Outro: Ovar by Don Aman
6:23 Nature Morte by Don Aman
16:00 Have We Mistaken The Bottle For The Whiskey Inside? by Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band
24:41 A2 White bells by Panta Rei
37:12 Satellite by Mr Smith
44:50 B2 The turk by Panta Rei
57:31 Canadian Summer Groove by Snerly
Gristle and Bone is an independent podcast providing in-depth, non-partisan analysis of Canadian politics.