Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

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Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

Christopher Balkaran

239 episodes

2 months ago

Send us a text I sit down with Dr. Dirk Huyer, Ontario’s Chief Coroner, to explore the evolving complexities behind Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. As the chair of the province’s MAiD Death Review Committee (MDRC), Dr. Huyer offers a rare and in-depth perspective on what the data really shows, how legislation is being interpreted in practice, and whether concerns over coercion or systemic failure hold weight. MAiD Death Review Committee Reports https://arpacanada.ca/ontario-maid...

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Society & Culture

All content for Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran is the property of Christopher Balkaran and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Send us a text I sit down with Dr. Dirk Huyer, Ontario’s Chief Coroner, to explore the evolving complexities behind Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. As the chair of the province’s MAiD Death Review Committee (MDRC), Dr. Huyer offers a rare and in-depth perspective on what the data really shows, how legislation is being interpreted in practice, and whether concerns over coercion or systemic failure hold weight. MAiD Death Review Committee Reports https://arpacanada.ca/ontario-maid...

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Society & Culture

Episodes (20/239)

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#237: Unpacking MAiD in Ontario with Chief Coroner Dr. Dirk Huyer

Send us a text I sit down with Dr. Dirk Huyer, Ontario’s Chief Coroner, to explore the evolving complexities behind Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. As the chair of the province’s MAiD Death Review Committee (MDRC), Dr. Huyer offers a rare and in-depth perspective on what the data really shows, how legislation is being interpreted in practice, and whether concerns over coercion or systemic failure hold weight. MAiD Death Review Committee Reports https://arpacanada.ca/ontario-maid...

3 months ago

45 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#236: Dr. Salim Mansur: Multiculturalism or Identity Crisis?

Send us a text I sit down with Dr. Salim Mansur, professor emeritus and political scientist, to explore the untold story behind Canada’s multiculturalism policy. Dr. Mansur pulls back the curtain on the political, philosophical, and constitutional roots of multiculturalism in Canada—revealing how a once well-intentioned idea may now be weakening liberal democracy and national cohesion. From the War Measures Act to the Emergencies Act, and from Pierre Trudeau’s grand vision to Justin Trudeau’s...

4 months ago

57 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#235: Peter Copeland, Canada’s Border Blindspots - Fentanyl and the Myth of Security

Send us a text I’m joined by Peter Copeland, Deputy Director of Domestic Policy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, to unpack the truths and myths around Canada’s border security. From fentanyl trafficking and human smuggling to legal blind spots and our fractured jurisdictional model, Peter offers a research-backed, nonpartisan perspective on the known unknowns we face. What can Canada learn from its allies? Why are our legal frameworks outdated? And is our public safety strategy more reacti...

4 months ago

42 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#234: Professor Paul Robinson (pt 2) - Proxy, Peace, or Prolonged Pain?

Send us a text I sit down once again with Professor Paul Robinson to continue our exploration of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war. We dive into the uncomfortable questions rarely addressed in mainstream media: Have Western sanctions actually worked? Why does media silence dissent within Ukraine? And is Canada’s role sustainable—or even justified—in a war with no clear end? From examining the economic reality of sanctions and shadow fleets to questioning the strategic silence on Ukraine’s democr...

5 months ago

59 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#233: Mark Carney Is Not Justin Trudeau – And That Might Be a Good Thing

Send us a text After nine years of Justin Trudeau, Canadians finally got a change — but is it real change, or just better branding? In this solo episode, I break down the aftermath of the April 28th federal election and what I think Mark Carney actually represents. From the tone of his first press conference to his early decisions — like refusing a coalition with the NDP and allowing Pierre Poilievre to run in a by-election — Carney seems to be signalling a major pivot from Trudeau’s performa...

6 months ago

16 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#232: The War in Ukraine - What We're Not Saying, Paul Robinson

Send us a text I sit down with Professor Paul Robinson — historian, author, and expert in Russian and Eastern European studies — to explore what lies beneath the dominant narratives of the Ukraine-Russia war. We cover everything from sanctions, NATO posturing, and artillery use to questions of democracy and the role of the West’s military-industrial complex. We also take a sobering look at Ukraine’s demographic and economic future, and why so few are willing to question the consensus. A wide-...

7 months ago

46 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#231:The Truth Behind Ukraine’s War: Dr. Ivan Katchanovski, Media and Myths

Send us a text Why does the Western narrative on Ukraine feel so one-sided? In this episode of the Open Minds Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Ivan Katchanovski, a Ukrainian-Canadian political scientist whose peer-reviewed research sheds a sobering light on Ukraine’s internal divisions, the roots of war, and the media’s oversimplified story. We talk about Crimea, Donbas, NATO and the infamous Maidan sniper massacre—an event that reshaped Ukraine and global geopolitics. Dr. Katchanovski’s in...

7 months ago

57 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#230: Canadians are in Favour of Capital Punishment - Mario Canseco, Research Co.

Send us a text Interestingly, Canadians have shown their support for capital punishment almost 50 years of polling data. In 2025, Research Co. found that approximately 54 percent of Canadians agree with capital punishment, which has largely remained unchanged since the 1970s. I sit down with Mario Canseco, president of ResearchCo. While Canada abolished the death penalty in 1976, public support remains surprisingly strong. What drives Canadians to favour its reinstatement? Is it justice...

7 months ago

43 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#229: Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program - Fix or Problem? With Jason Foster

Send us a text Christopher Balkaran dives into Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program with Professor Jason Foster from Athabasca University. We explore the realities of migrant labor, the economic dependency on foreign workers, and the impact on Canadian workers. Is the program a necessary economic tool, or has it become a permanent fixture in our labor market? Join us for a deep dive into the policies, challenges, and future of Canada’s labor force. 🎙 Host: Christopher Balkaran 📢 Guest:...

7 months ago

48 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#228: Former Police Chief Peter Sloly - Understanding the Freedom Convoy

Send us a text On the three-year anniversary of the Freedom Convoy, I sit down with former Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly to unpack the complexities of one of the most significant protests in modern Canadian history. From media narratives to the role of law enforcement, we explore what really happened in February 2022 and what it reveals about Canada’s social and political fabric. Was there a policing solution to the Freedom Convoy? What lessons can we learn for the future? Join me for this ...

8 months ago

56 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#227: The Ethical Dilemmas of C0vid Pandemic Policies - Dr. Kerry Bowman

Send us a text I sit down with Dr. Kerry Bowman, a Canadian bioethicist and environmentalist, to discuss the ethical implications of vaccine mandates and pandemic policies. We explore the balance between individual autonomy and collective responsibility, the unintended consequences of strict public health measures, and how marginalized groups—including Indigenous communities and those with disabilities—were affected. Dr. Bowman also discusses the role of social interaction in mental well-bein...

8 months ago

44 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#226: Medicine Men and Doctors: Common Challenges with Dr. Robert Klitzman

Send us a text I sit down with Dr. Robert Klitzman—director of the Masters of Bioethics program at Columbia University—to delve into the complex intersections of medicine, ethics, and culture. In this episode, we explore fascinating stories from Papua New Guinea, the cultural roots of disease understanding, the profound vulnerability of patients, and the challenges of doctor-patient communication. Dr. Klitzman’s insights on holistic medicine and the ethical dilemmas in modern healthcare are b...

8 months ago

51 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#225: Surveillance State: It's Here, Professor Rey Koslowski

Send us a text How has border security evolved with technology? In this episode of the Open Minds Podcast, I sit down with Professor Rey Koslowski, a leading scholar on border control and migration. I explore how AI, drones, biometrics, and facial recognition are transforming border management—raising both security concerns and ethical questions. 💡 Topics Discussed: ✅ The first border sensors from Vietnam War-era military surplus ✅ The 1990s border rushes & how enforcement changed migrati...

9 months ago

53 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#224: Men, Mental Health and the Silent Crisis - Chloe Smellink

Send us a text I welcome back Chloe Smellink, psychotherapist-in-training, for a deep dive into men’s mental health, the stigma surrounding therapy, the troubling rise of MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) in Canada, and the broader societal issues affecting mental well-being. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome Back, Chloe 05:00 – How Men Approach Mental Health 12:00 – The Cost of Avoiding Difficult Conversations 20:00 – The Silent Crisis: Why Men Feel Helpless 30:00 – Medical Assistance in Dying...

9 months ago

1 hour 11 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#223: Examining MAiD in Canada with Dr. Ramona Coelho

Send us a text I sit down with Dr. Ramona Coelho to revisit the complex and controversial topic of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. Dr. Coelho shares insights from recent Health Canada and Ontario coroner reports, revealing safety concerns, ethical dilemmas, and the societal failures that lead many to seek MAiD. We discuss cases driven by financial constraints, housing insecurity, and loneliness, and explore how Canada’s policies differ from other jurisdictions like California an...

9 months ago

47 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#222: The Real Impact of Mass Immigration and Guest Worker Visas: Jessica Vaughan, Center for Immigration Studies

Send us a text I engage with Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, to break down the complexities and consequences of modern immigration policies. Jessica shares insights from her extensive experience in immigration policy, including her work with the U.S. Foreign Service and the Department of Justice. Key topics include: •Mass Immigration and Labour Distortions: How unchecked immigration policies, including the exploitation of the H-1B visa progra...

9 months ago

1 hour 3 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#221: 1 Moderate vs. 25 Kamala Harris Voters

Send us a text Inside GenevaInside Geneva is a podcast about global politics, humanitarian issues, & international aidListen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Faith That Challenges. Conversations that Matter. Laughs included. Subscribe Now!Breaking down faith, culture & big questions - a mix of humor with real spiritual growth. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Visit my NEW Website! https://www.christopherbalkaran.com Check out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily p...

1 year ago

57 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#220: Multi-Decadal Hurricane Patterns: Part 2 with Tom Knutson

Send us a text I continue my conversation with NOAA’s Tom Knutson, diving deeper into the multi-decadal view of hurricane patterns in the Atlantic. Together, we explore the complexities of hurricane frequency and intensity, uncovering why the long-term, multi-decadal variability is crucial in understanding Atlantic hurricane activity. Tom shares insights into two leading theories explaining Atlantic variability—shifts in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and aerosol cooling from...

1 year ago

42 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#219 Decoding Climate Change: A Pragmatic Approach with Tom Knutson

Send us a text In this episode, I am joined by climate expert Tom Knutson to explore the nuanced science of climate change, focusing on Atlantic hurricane patterns, extreme rainfall, and the complexities of climate modelling. Tom sheds light on the challenges in attributing natural disasters to human influence, emphasizing the importance of understanding multi-decadal variability, regional factors, and the limitations of current data. We discuss how these intricacies are often overlooked in...

1 year ago

27 minutes

Open Minds with Christopher Balkaran

#218: Chloe Smellinck: Mental Health for Men and Social Pressures

Send us a text Chloe Smellink and Christopher Balkaran explore a range of topics including political assumptions, media influence, LGBTQAI+ representation, and the importance of mental health, particularly for men. They discuss the societal pressures that shape perceptions and behaviours, the role of communication in relationships, and the need for a holistic approach to health. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of curiosity, acceptance, and the balance between personal and professiona...

1 year ago

1 hour 5 minutes