The Line - podcast cover

The Line

Matt Gurney and Jen Gersonthelinepodcast.buzzsprout.com

The Line is a Canadian magazine dedicated to covering local, national and international politics, news, current events and occasionally some obscure stories.  Hosted by Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson.

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Episodes

Your clock's ticking, too, Poilievre

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on April 4, 2025, Jen spends a lot more time talking about her internal anatomy than Matt had expected. But he more or less kept his game face on. He thinks. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more...

Apr 04, 20251 hr 36 min

What the CPC got wrong, and right, so far

In the latest episode of On The Line , the key issue is why the Conservative campaign is already being rocked by internal fighting — is the campaign going that badly? Our first guest tackles that issue — Stephanie Levitz joins the show from the Globe and Mail , where she is a reporter covering the campaign. Despite all the doom and gloom, the Conservatives are actually having a decent campaign — their polls have softened a bit, but they're still very competitive. What's behind the angry leaks? T...

Apr 01, 20251 hr 2 min

Carney dumps Trump, Conservatives ponder mutiny

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on March 28, 2025, your hosts get dark. And deep. And psychological. And have a few inappropriate giggles. Matt almost gets himself cancelled and The Line shut down by quoting a bad lyric ... but stops himself just in time. Been that kind of a week, right? This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving...

Mar 28, 20251 hr 41 min

Let Them Fight!

As Canada prepares to go to the polls, we are proud to introduce its Anti-Panel — a politics panel, but fun. Each week, we’ll publish a new Anti-Panel in written form, but we’re kicking things off with something a little different: getting the whole gang On The Line. Get it? They're on the line . Literally. This episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Forest Products Association of Canada. Canadian forestry supports 200,000 workers, generates $87 billion in annual revenue, and provides t...

Mar 25, 202543 min

Rookie Carney pulverizing Poilievre

Recorded in the last-pre-election days on March 21, 2025, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson look around and realize that this is as calm as their lives are going to be for about a month. And that's just sad. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmo...

Mar 21, 20251 hr 30 min

As Trudeau leaves, Poilievre's numbers tank

Happy Tuesday. It's time for another episode of On The Line . And this is another two-guest episode, too. There's that much to talk about! Our first guest, making a return appearance on On The Line , is P.J. Fournier, creator of 338Canada.com and 338Canada.ca. (The man has so much to offer he needs two websites!) Since we last spoke in February, Canada's federal polling environment has radically changed. He walks us through the numbers, and what this means for the Conservatives, the Liberals and...

Mar 18, 20251 hr 1 min

Farewell, Carbon Tax Trudeau. Our SEO will miss you.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast , recorded on Carney Era Day 0, or March 14, 2025 on the old calendar, your hosts offer sincere welcome and best wishes to the new prime minister, and we're counting on all of you to not ruin this moment for us. Really. We can be nice sometimes. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the inf...

Mar 14, 20251 hr 30 min

Canadian refugee policy in the Trump era.

In this week's episode of On The Line, Jen Gerson speaks with Adam Sadinsky, a refugee lawyer and member of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers about the Safe Third Country Agreement — and why lawyers like him think it needs to be radically altered in the Donald Trump era. This episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Forest Products Association of Canada. Canadian forestry supports 200,000 workers, generates $87 billion in annual revenue, and provides the products we need to buil...

Mar 11, 20251 hr 3 minSeason 2Ep. 62

We refuse to believe Trump has a real plan.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on March 7, 2025, your hosts spend a good long while talking about the various new stories to come out of Washington, D.C. this week. A trade war is on! But now it's off! Sort of, maybe! No one really knows! Also, President Donald Trump put on a real masterclass this week in reminding us all that he's a showman, not a career politician. That's a strength in some ways, but it's going to cause problems. They also agree that Canadians should proba...

Mar 07, 20251 hr 24 minSeason 2Ep. 61

Arming Canada.

Welcome back for another edition of On The Line. Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news. In this episode, Matt Gurney speaks with Richard Shimooka, a Canadian defence expert and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. They talk about the state of world affairs, especially after last week's dramatic Oval Office shouting match. They agree that America...

Mar 04, 20251 hr 17 minSeason 2Ep. 60

Make Trump Happy. Make Gretzky the new King of Canada.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on February 28, 2025, your hosts open with a chat about federal politics. Mark Carney had some good stuff going, but then he got caught in a dumb lie. We aren't sure if this will break outside the Twitter bubble, but it's an interesting reminder that the man is pretty new at politics ... This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires act...

Feb 28, 20251 hr 27 minSeason 2Ep. 26

Why is airline travel in Canada and the U.S. falling apart?

Welcome back for another edition of On The Line, The Line's latest podcast offering. Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news. In this episode, Jen Gerson speaks with Duncan Dee, an airline analyst and former chief operations officer of Air Canada. Jen shares her recent harrowing experience with air travel, highlighting the inefficiencies and frustrations faced...

Feb 25, 202550 minSeason 2Ep. 61

After Trump threats, Canada (maybe?) starts to get its act together.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on February 21, 2025, your hosts continue to bask in the afterglow of Connor McDavid's overtime goal for Team Canada last night. How sweet it was. They also talk about the news and politics and stuff, but, man. Thank you, McJesus. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the informat...

Feb 21, 20251 hr 18 minSeason 2Ep. 60

Saving Canada means building it, and growing it, fast.

Welcome back for another edition of On The Line, The Line's latest podcast offering. Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news. And this week, in something of a break from the routine, we're here with good news. There are ways we can build this country and make it stronger. And a group of Canadians isn't waiting for a task force or government panel to do it. The...

Feb 18, 20251 hr 8 minSeason 2Ep. 59

Post-Trudeau, Trump gifts the Liberals a bump.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on February 14, 2025 — Valentine's Day, bummer — your hosts are skeptical that the premiers have accomplished much by their recent jaunt down to Washington, D.C., but we hope they had a lovely time. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentia...

Feb 14, 20251 hr 35 minSeason 2Ep. 58

Canada's weak spot: Why Trump wants our Arctic.

Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news. In this episode, Jen Gerson interviews Rob Huebert, a political science professor at the University of Calgary, and director at the Centre of Military, Security and Strategic Studies, to discuss Arctic sovereignty and security. Is Trump serious about Canada becoming a 51st State — and if so, what does the Arctic have to...

Feb 11, 20251 hr 4 minSeason 2Ep. 57

Trump's serious about annexing us, Trudeau warns.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on February 7, 2025, your hosts take in the sight of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warning Canadians that he thinks Donald Trump is serious about annexing us ... but only doing it behind closed doors to a private business audience. And they just have to laugh. Or cry. Or both. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable ste...

Feb 07, 20251 hr 24 minSeason 2Ep. 56

How Trump's tariff war would hit Canada.

Thanks for checking out our first regular episode of On The Line , The Line 's latest podcast offering. Each week, On The Line will bring you an extended conversation with Matt Gurney or Jen Gerson and a guest — or guests! — that can speak with authority on whatever is in the news. And this week, well. Like, look around. OMG. The week's episode of On The Line is brought to you by the Motion Picture Association of Canada. For decades, Ottawa controlled what is “Canadian” and what isn’t when it co...

Feb 04, 20251 hrSeason 2Ep. 56

Carbon Border Adjustment Carney.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Jan. 31, 2025, we've gotta be honest. Your Line editors could be doing a bit better. Jen had dental surgery. Matt has norovirus and potentially a concussion. But they showed up and did the thing anyway. We love you all that much. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the inform...

Jan 31, 20251 hr 27 minSeason 2Ep. 55

Canada fights Trump by going full psycho.

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Jan. 24, 2025, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson make some utterly bonkers proposals. And they want you to make some, too. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at https://www.unsmoke.ca/ Your hosts get yo...

Jan 24, 20251 hr 37 minSeason 2Ep. 54

Can Carney save Trudeau's Liberals?

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Jan. 17, 2025, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson try and remember all the things that happened this week. Because it was a busy one! This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at https://www.unsmoke.ca/ First, ...

Jan 17, 20251 hr 29 minSeason 2Ep. 53

Can Trudeau's Canada resist Trump's bargaining?

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded very early on Jan. 10, 2025, your hosts take in the week that was. Justin Trudeau's semi-resignation five days ago has been all that anyone has wanted to talk about this week. So we do that, and also wonder what it tells us about the modern Liberal party that they allowed this to drag on as long as they did. Nothing good! This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by...

Jan 10, 20251 hr 28 minSeason 2Ep. 52

The Line Podcast: Trudeau, Poilievre, Trump, and how we handle abuse

In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded very early on Dec. 30, 2024, your hosts make the best of a weird situation. Here's the thing: we are both going on holiday now. Matt is leaving the country. Jen is going down her hobbyist rabbit holes. But we wanted to get you guys an episode. How do we do that when we won't be able to respond to breaking news events? We don't even try! This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the...

Jan 03, 20252 hr 13 minSeason 2Ep. 51

Trudeau hangs on as Trump countdown runs down.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Dec. 27, 2024, your hosts give listeners a quick update on all that's been happening this week. And a bunch of stuff has been happening! This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at https://www.un...

Dec 27, 20241 hr 12 minSeason 2Ep. 50

Trudeau's Canada is falling apart.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Dec. 20, 2024, your hosts are honestly just embarrassed. This is embarrassing. It's unhealthy and it's getting kind of scary. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at https://www.unsmoke.ca/ F...

Dec 20, 20241 hr 26 minSeason 2Ep. 49

Trudeau strikes back (badly).

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Dec. 13, 2024, Jen Gerson comes crashing back down to reality. Last week, she was feeling better about everything. She thought Trudeau was figuring it out. She thought the premiers were going to play their parts. She thought Team Canada would rally to take on Donald Trump. She doesn't think that anymore. Matt Gurney is glad to have her back. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader i...

Dec 13, 20241 hr 27 minSeason 2Ep. 48

Trudeau's Canada: Nice, but not good.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded a day early — and when has that ever backfired on us?! — on Dec. 5, 2024, your hosts start with a talk about what happened after we did the last episode. Justin Trudeau flew to Mar-a-Lago to meet with president-elect Donald Trump. Jen feels better. Matt doesn't. They discuss. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable step...

Dec 06, 20241 hr 24 minSeason 2Ep. 47

Trump will eat Trudeau and his penguins alive.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on November 29, 2024, your co-hosts look hard and deep into the Canadian news and just ... sigh. They sigh. They also giggle a bit, but it was bad giggling. You know? This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. L...

Nov 29, 20241 hr 39 minSeason 2Ep. 46

Trudeau hits his humiliating game-show host era

Hello, viewers and listeners of The Line Podcast. Your hosts cover a ton of issues this week, including one that leaves Jen in literal tears of outrage and indignation. Or something like that. This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially less harmful alternatives. Learn more at Unsmoke.ca. T...

Nov 22, 20241 hr 30 minSeason 2Ep. 45

In Trump's world, Trudeau's Canada can't work only in theory

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on Nov. 15, 2024, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson take in a week that was incredibly busy, but also felt shockingly quiet. Maybe it's because we're all still deafened by all the news from last week? This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Unsmoke Canada. Canada can be a global leader in reducing the harm caused by smoking, but it requires actionable steps, including giving adult smokers the information they need to choose potentially l...

Nov 15, 20241 hr 22 minSeason 2Ep. 44
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