Canadian Government Executive Radio

In this episode of CGE Radio, J. Richard Jones sits down with EY Canada’s Janice Horne, Jen Mossop Scott, and Rohit Boolchandani to explore how digital credentials could play a pivotal role in strengthening Canada’s economy and restoring its global competitiveness. With Canada navigating a tense trade dispute with the U.S. and seeking ways to enhance productivity, resiliency, and interprovincial trade, our guests unpack how secure and trustworthy digital identity systems can be a key enabler of growth and unity. We dive into: Why global rankings matter and how Canada can climb back up Lessons from India’s Aadhaar system and what Canada could adopt How to get started in a complex digital policy landscape Ensuring citizen trust, privacy, and equity in adoption Tune in for an insightful discussion on how governments can put citizen-centric digital trust at the heart of Canada’s economic future.

This week on CGE Radio, we discussed the federal election campaign, the main issues at play, and the challenges and opportunities for the political parties. As well, we delve into the different communication and campaign styles for Liberal leader Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, Donald Trump’s tariff war, and more. The countdown to the election on April 28th is going to be action-packed! Please come back to CGE Radio for weekly podcasts devoted to the campaign.

Interview with Graig McLellan, Founder & CEO of ThinkOn, Inc.  In this episode of CGE Radio, J. Richard Jones speaks with Craig McLellan, Founder & CEO of ThinkOn, Inc. Mr. McLellan has been at the forefront of technology innovation and data security in Canada and the U.S. for the past twenty-five years. Under Craig’s leadership, ThinkOn continues to grow, both organically and through strategic acquisition, and has been ranked on both the Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ and The Globe and Mail’s list of Canada’s Top Growing Companies. A pioneer in cloud services, ThinkOn was one of the first companies in the world to receive VMware Cloud Verified certification and was recently recognized as the VMware Sovereign Cloud Partner for Canada. Craig currently sits on advisory boards for several industry-leading organizations including Veeam, Hitachi, and VMware, where he helps to guide strategy. Think On, Inc. is a cloud service provider with a global data center footprint offering creative solutions for comple

In this episode of CGE Radio, host J. Richard Jones is joined by Lori Turnbull, Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Government Executive Media, to break down Mark Carney’s decisive leadership win and what it means for Canada’s political landscape. With 85.9% of the vote, Carney has secured the Liberal leadership, but what comes next? Lori discusses the transition of power from Justin Trudeau, the potential timing of a federal election, and the impact of Donald Trump’s return on Canada’s economic and political strategies. How will Carney’s economic expertise shape his leadership? Can he challenge Pierre Poilievre in a divided political climate? And what do recent polling trends mean for the NDP and smaller parties? Tune in for an insightful discussion on Canada’s shifting political dynamics and what to watch for in the weeks ahead.

In this episode of CGE Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Lori Turnbull, Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Government Executive Media, and David McLaughlin, Executive Editor, to unpack the latest political and economic turbulence between Canada and the U.S. With Trump's proposed tariffs looming, the discussion delves into the potential economic fallout, Canada’s response, and the broader implications for trade and national security. The conversation also explores Canada’s internal challenges, from the fentanyl crisis to gang activity, and how these issues intersect with border security. As the country braces for potential political change, our guests weigh in on the possibility of Mark Carney becoming Prime Minister, the likelihood of an early election, and the evolving relationship between Canada and the U.S. Will Canada’s leadership rise to the challenge? And how will these unfolding events reshape the nation’s economic and political future? Tune in to this timely and thought-provoking discussion.

In this episode of CGE Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Lori Turnbull, Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Government Executive, to unpack the results of the U.S. presidential election. Lori shares her insights on the tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the decisive outcome, and what it might mean for U.S.-Canada relations.  They explore the potential implications of Trump’s policy agenda on trade, tariffs, and energy, and how Canada might navigate this new political landscape. Lori also discusses the broader lessons for Canadian politics, including how affordability and public sentiment could shape the next federal election.  Plus, Lori gives a sneak peek at the upcoming edition of CGE Magazine and the exciting agenda for the DX Summit. Don’t miss this engaging conversation filled with expert analysis and thought-provoking insights!  Tune in now to stay informed on what’s ahead for Canada and the U.S. under this evolving political climate. 

Join host J. Richard Jones on CGE Radio as he welcomes executive editor David McLaughlin for an insightful discussion on the latest in Canadian politics, public sector trends, and governance. From the looming prospect of a federal election and provincial political shifts to the impact of inflation and economic recovery, this episode delves into the forces shaping Canada's political landscape.  David also shares his review of Professor Donald J. Savoie's compelling book "Speaking Truth to Canadians About Their Public Service." The discussion explores the book’s critique of federal public service inefficiencies, accountability challenges, and the need for systemic reform.  Wrapping up, David previews upcoming themes for Canadian Government Executive and highlights preparations for the annual DX Summit, emphasizing innovative solutions and institutional evolution.  Key topics: - Election dynamics and their implications  - Inflation, economic policy, and affordability  - Public service reform and governance chall

In this episode of CGE Weekly, J. Richard Jones introduces David McLaughlin, the new executive editor, as they discuss the current political landscape in Canada and the potential challenges ahead for public services. With a federal election looming and possible changes to government leadership, they explore what this means for public servants, policy changes, and key issues such as fiscal management, climate change, and AI implementation. David McLaughlin shares insights into how public servants can prepare for the shifting dynamics, whether it’s managing technological innovations like AI or adapting to new political directions. The episode emphasizes that while governments may change, the structural challenges for public services remain constant. The conversation offers a glimpse into the critical topics CGE Weekly will cover in the coming months, helping government executives navigate through these evolving challenges. Tune in now!

Host J. Richard Jones is joined by Lori Turnbull, Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Government Executive, to discuss the major political updates as Parliament reconvenes. In this episode, they delve into the September by-elections, with the Bloc Québécois taking a longtime Liberal stronghold in Montreal and what this means for the Liberals moving forward. Lori also provides insights on the potential end of the Liberal-NDP supply and confidence agreement, as well as the ongoing tensions at the Hill with protests outside Parliament. They discuss the possibility of a non-confidence vote and the complex political dynamics between the parties, as Canada braces for a potential election in the coming months. If you're curious about the current political climate in Canada and the future of Trudeau’s government, this episode offers an in-depth analysis.   Tune in now!

Interview with Paul Zikopoulos – Vice President, IBM Skills Vitality and Enablement In our latest episode of CGE Radio, J. Richard Jones speaks with Paul Zikopoulos, Vice President, IBM Skills Vitality and Enablement about artificial intelligence you can trust and deploy at scale in government / public sector. Paul is a renowned writer and speaker on AI and Big Data, consulted by "60 Minutes" and NATO generals. Named on numerous global "Experts to Follow" and "Thought Leader" lists, he has authored 21 books and over 360 articles. At IBM, Paul directs strategic initiatives for the IBM Technology Unit's sales and learning programs. He actively promotes Women in Technology, winning IBM Canada’s “Women in Technology Ally of the Year” and serving on several advisory boards. Despite his success, Paul stays grounded, always learning from his experiences and his daughter Chloë. Follow him on Twitter at @BigData_paulz. IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting services provider, helping clients in mo

Join J. Richard Jones on the latest episode of CGE Radio as he welcomes Cate Takemori, Head of Public Sector, Microsoft Canada for a discussion about current AI adoption in the Canadian public sector. As the Public Sector Lead, Catherine "Cate" Takemori leads a team of dedicated professionals focussed on empowering governments, educators and healthcare organizations in Canada with cutting-edge technology and services for effective digital transformation. With over 20 years at Microsoft, Cate began as the first dedicated Healthcare seller in Canadian Public Sector. Her journey encompasses diverse roles in Strategy, Change Management, Business, and Sales across Commercial and Public sectors. Most recently, she led the Customer Success Account team. Cate champions diverse and inclusive teams, prioritizing meaningful relationships and a people-first approach. Passionate about learning and growth, she embraces challenges with a growth mindset. Outside work, Cate resides in Coquitlam, BC, with her husband and two s

Join host, J. Richard Jones for a follow-up interview with Jonathan Burbee, Director of Business Development, Canada for Gordian. Gordian is the industry leader in Building IntelligenceTM Solutions that help organizations successfully budget, build and maintain capital-intensive assets. Jon’s experience as a public sector executive and leader has primarily focused on real property management and construction. During his 23 years as a construction engineering officer in Canada’s Armed Forces he led the facilities functions during international deployments to Kosovo and Afghanistan and domestically at several military bases and in support of the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. The following eleven years as a public servant in the federal and provincial governments were in various roles as a senior portfolio executive. Most recently, he worked in a strategic capacity supporting the provincial government’s response to the pandemic and natural disasters through digitally enabled multi-channel public-facing servi

On the latest episode of CGE Radio J. Richard Jones welcomes Lori Turnbull, Professor at Dalhousie University and Deputy Editor at Canadian Government Executive along with Michael Wernick who holds the Jarislowsky Chair in Public Sector Management at the University of Ottawa, and is also the former Clerk of the Privy Council. He is uniquely suited to comment on the role of the public service during a time of government transition. Canada does transfers of power very well, largely because the permanent public service provides stability while the political government either changes hands or, in the event of a return of the incumbent, recalibrates after an election. In conversation with Lori Turnbull, he delves into this critical issue.

This week J. Richard Jones welcomes Jeremy Frohlich, COO of LRDG to CGE Radio. Jeremy is a proud girl-dad embracing the opportunities and challenges in his new role at the family business, a legacy started by his father in 2002. LRDG is a fast-growing company in an evolving industry which he is finding to be quite a balancing act. In 2004, LRDG developed a proprietary Learning Management System (LMS) and Learning Curriculum which would lead the Canadian education technology company to serve as the foremost e-learning provider to the Canadian Government. The company specializes in offering comprehensive English and French testing and training solutions. Since then, the company has garnered a reputation for excellence, securing numerous supply arrangements and standing offers within the government sector. Notably, in 2023, the company achieved a significant milestone by being awarded the National Master Standing Offer, becoming the sole recipient in the field of virtual language training. This esteemed recogni

Join host, J. Richard Jones as he welcomes Jonathan Burbee, Director of Business Development, Canada for Gordian to CGE Radio. They sit down for an enlightening discussion about innovative public facilities management. Gordian is the industry leader in Building IntelligenceTM Solutions that help organizations successfully budget, build and maintain capital-intensive assets. Jon’s experience as a public sector executive and leader has primarily focused on real property management and construction. During his 23 years as a construction engineering officer in Canada’s Armed Forces he led the facilities functions during international deployments to Kosovo and Afghanistan and domestically at several military bases and in support of the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. The following eleven years as a public servant in the federal and provincial governments were in various roles as a senior portfolio executive. Most recently, he worked in a strategic capacity supporting the provincial government’s response to the pan

Host, J. Richard Jones welcomes Marc Asturias, VP of Marketing & Government, Latin America and Canada, Fortinet, to the show. They hit the ground running on the importance of promoting public-private cooperation on cybersecurity issues. Fortinet secures the largest enterprise, service provider, and government organizations around the world. Fortinet empowers its customers with intelligent, seamless protection across the expanding attack surface and the power to take on ever-increasing performance requirements of the borderless network—today and into the future. Only the Fortinet Security Fabric architecture can deliver security without compromise to address the most critical security challenges, whether in networked, application, cloud, or mobile environments. Fortinet ranks number one in the most security appliances shipped worldwide and more than 500,000 customers trust Fortinet to protect their businesses. Mr. Asturias is a veteran of the technology industry, Marc Asturias serves as Vice President of M

In this episode of CGE Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Mark Lambert, Senior Managing Director, Canada Public Service Lead, Accenture. They have a lively discussion about public and private collaboration, IT skills, and getting the most out of procurement. Mark leads Accenture’s federal public service business in Canada and supports federal clients to innovate and implement digital solutions to address their most important challenges and transform how citizens are served. Accenture is one of the world’s leading professional services organizations, specializing in delivering technology to the private and public sector, with more than 700,000 employees across the world. This includes more than 6,000 employees in Canada, located across 11 offices from coast to coast. Accenture leverages a global network of expertise to provide technology services to Canada’s leading businesses. They do this by skilling and re-skilling their people across the world, so they and the organizations they serve are built fo

Host, J. Richard Jones and CGE editor-in-chief, Dr. Lori Turnbull, once again weigh in on the hot topics of the week concerning Canadian government and the public sector. Plus, get a sneak peek inside the upcoming CGE Leadership Series and the Knowing Canadians series with Environics Analytics and the data they have gathered on attitudes that Canadians hold around policy and values issues, behaviours, pocket book issues, affordability and more. Also in this episode: The return of parliament High season for passing legislation Katie Telford and the issue of foreign interference in Canadian elections The CGE Leadership Series with Michael Wernick and Dr. Amanda Clarke The DX Summit And much more!

Welcome back to another episode of CGE Radio with host, J. Richard Jones. This week we talk to Kristen Leroux, General Manager, Public Sector, Canada, DXC Technology and Srijani Dey is Chief Data and Analytics Officer, DXC Technology. DXC is a Fortune 500 company and represented in the S&P 500 Index with a long and trusted reputation built on delivering world class IT solutions to multiple levels of government. Kristen brings a dedicated Public Sector focus to her role. She is a client focused, strategic visionary     and an analytical decision maker whose insights into modernizing the Canadian Public     Sector set her apart in the field. Srijani leads business transformation initiatives, delivers strategic technology roadmaps, and heads a Center of Excellence for analytics workload migration to accelerate customers’ modernization journeys. Tune in for an insightful discussion about data analytics, public sector experiences, AccelerateGOV, and an overview of who DXC is and what they can do. Also in this

Join host J. Richard Jones for the latest episode of CGE Radio. He speaks with Craig McLellan, Chief Executive Officer of ThinkOn, about foreign cloud providers and the benefits of a Canadian-based solution. Mr. McLellan is a forward-thinking business leader who has been at the forefront of technology innovation and data security in Canada and the U.S. for the past twenty-five years. Think On, Inc. is a proudly Canadian-owned and operated cloud solution provider (CSP) with a global data centre footprint. ThinkOn is a Canadian VMware Sovereign Cloud partner and the only Canadian supplier with the contractual capability to sell cloud-based data management services to support both Federal Government Sensitive (PBMM) workloads as well as workloads from all levels of municipal, federal, and Indigenous government public sector entities in Canada. In this episode: Is the public sector negotiating with the right people? Why is the Canadian government courting providers not empowered to negotiate a contract?