Protesters burn our flag and media downplay Israeli hostages, even as violence targets Jewish families here at home. Another weekend in Canada, another round of anti-Israel protests. Same slogans. Same signs. Same blind rage directed at Israel—and, increasingly, at Canada. One video circulating online shows a woman in a niqab, a guest in this country, standing in front of Palestinian flags with a megaphone, telling a cheering crowd how much she despises Canada. She calls Canadians “colonizers,” linking us to Israel, accusing both of being part of “the same project, same ideology, same crime.” She says she has no faith in our Parliament, no faith in our press conferences, and puts her hope in “the resistance” from Turtle Island to Palestine. Read the entire story at www.winnipegsun.com

This week’s Inside Politics with Kevin Klein pulls no punches. It’s the episode that takes you behind the headlines, past the talking points, and right into the conversations Canada’s leaders don’t want you to have. Right out of the gate, the discussion zeroes in on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s stumbling performance in the first 100 days. The panel dissects Canada’s failed attempt to secure a trade deal with Mexico, a key partner under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. The blunt assessment? Carney has been missing in action, offering no clear budget, no urgency, and no visible leadership as oil companies abandon Canada for the U.S. The conversation doesn’t stop there. Kevin, Geoff, and Royce drill into the government’s toxic relationship with the energy sector, the political damage left behind by Justin Trudeau, and the glaring absence of any plan to keep investment and jobs in the country. They ask the question few in the mainstream press dare: why isn’t the Prime Minister in the boardrooms fixing problems before it’s too late? The panel also calls out provincial missteps, from Doug Ford’s baffling comments about Donald Trump on U.S. television to Wab Kinew’s controversial musings about an Indigenous Crown with veto power over development. They debate the fine line between meaningful consultation and giving a small group the power to halt major projects, and they don’t shy away from the uncomfortable truth about why Manitoba is failing to attract mining investment. From national energy policy to the structure of First Nations governance, from the failure to act boldly to the growing frustration among Canadians — this episode has it all. You’ll hear unfiltered, informed analysis on issues the political class prefers to ignore.

After I wrote about Manitoba’s growing doctor shortage, I got a call from Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk. He wasn’t calling to complain — he had real solutions. “You saw the article,” I asked him. “What’s going on in Steinbach?” “We’ve got about 6,000 people without a family doctor,” Funk said. “And the system isn’t set up to keep the doctors we do attract.” Right now, most new doctors coming to Steinbach are international medical graduates. Five out of seven this year. They’re welcome, but often head home within a decade. Funk’s point was blunt: without training and keeping Manitoba students, we’re just spinning our wheels. “So even if we increase residency spots,” I asked, “we still leave the gap if we don’t increase Manitoba students?” “Exactly,” Funk said. “It’s the same problem in ten years.” His fix: dedicate medical school seats for Manitoba students who commit to family medicine in rural areas. Stream them through regional campuses like Brandon, give each region its own seats, and connect students to their home communities from the start. Ontario is already doing this. “What about affordability?” I asked. “Medical school isn’t cheap.” “We’re ready to offer scholarships or bursaries through the Bethesda Foundation,” Funk said. “Housing incentives. Loan support. Even daycare for health professionals.” The daycare idea is smart. Build it across from the clinic. Let doctors and nurses drop off their kids and walk to work. Tech giants like Google and Tesla offer this. Why not Manitoba? Funk’s second proposal: make Steinbach a regional hub and rotate doctors through nearby hospitals in Vita, Ste. Anne, and beyond. It keeps rural hospitals staffed, doctors’ skills sharp, and prevents isolation. “Have you pitched this to the province?” I asked. “We spoke to Manitoba Health. They were supportive… but surprised. We’ve heard nothing from the Minister’s office.” That’s the problem. The NDP government talks about improving health care, but ideas like these should have them in Steinbach tomorrow. Instead, there’s silence. The reality is we’re never going to fix the shortage by running ads in the U.S. or hoping doctors will just show up. We have to grow our own. Prioritize Manitoba students. Train them here. Keep them here. And give them the tools to succeed — from housing to child care. Funk isn’t asking the province to do it all. Steinbach is already moving on incentives and partnerships. But without provincial leadership, communities like his are left to fight this battle alone. So, Premier Kinew and Health Minister Asagwara — the solutions are on the table. This isn’t theory. It’s ready to go. If you want to call it a pilot program or a study just to get moving, fine. But start now. Because the longer you wait, the longer Manitobans go without the doctors they desperately need.

This week’s edition of Inside Politics with Kevin Klein delivers a blunt look at three issues shaping Canada’s political landscape — and why they matter to you. Klein is joined by Winnipeg Sun colleagues Jeff Currier and Royce Koop, who also teaches political science at the University of Manitoba. The conversation opens on the day Canada’s 35% tariffs on U.S. goods take effect, a policy the panel agrees is hitting Canadians hard. Royce questions Prime Minister Mark Carney’s priorities, pointing to his recent decision to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state — a move Donald Trump quickly said would complicate trade talks. “The focus ought to be on getting a deal done with Trump,” Royce says, adding that antagonizing the U.S. at this point is “very concerning.” Klein raises the growing cost pressures on Canadian families, noting that retaliatory tariffs are pushing up grocery prices. The group debates whether it’s time to scale them back, with Currier warning that “the consumer always suffers” when tariffs stay in place. From there, the discussion shifts to Canada’s justice system. Koop’s latest Sun column examines a Supreme Court ruling that makes it harder for judges to impose adult sentences on youth offenders, even in violent cases. The panel links this to rising youth crime in Winnipeg and what they see as a trend toward lighter sentencing — including the recent case of a man who threatened to bomb synagogues in Toronto but received just 60 days of house arrest. The conversation then turns to the future of the federal NDP. Currier reveals new leadership race rules requiring that no more than half of a candidate’s nomination signatures come from cisgender men, along with quotas for other demographic groups. The panel questions whether these rules will shrink the party’s appeal at a time when it’s struggling to stay relevant — and broke. All three agree the NDP’s weakness will help keep Carney in office longer, with little appetite or resources for an early election. It’s a candid, fast-moving episode tackling economic pressures, public safety, and political identity.

This week’s episode of Inside Politics with Kevin Klein pulls no punches as host Kevin Klein sits down with columnists Geoff Currier and Royce Koop for a no-holds-barred roundtable on the political storms shaking Ottawa and beyond. Forget the Spin—Here's the Trouble From failed trade talks to rising tariffs, the panel drills into the growing silence from Prime Minister Mark Carney as Canada inches toward August 1 without a deal with the United States. Carney, once sold to voters as the polished negotiator who would protect Canadian interests, is now backtracking on campaign promises and warning Canadians to brace for tariffs. But what’s he doing about it? Not much, according to Klein, who criticizes the Prime Minister for his silence and for hiding the details from Canadians. “We deserve answers,” Klein said. “Instead, we’re getting silence.” Pipeline Paralysis The gloves come off as the conversation shifts to Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s refusal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan—an agreement to support critical national infrastructure like energy pipelines. Kinew blamed the delay on the need to consult Indigenous communities, but Klein calls it “political spin,” adding that signing an MOU doesn’t stop consultation, it starts progress. Koop and Currier agree—suggesting Manitoba is shooting itself in the foot by walking away from energy projects that could pull the province out of economic stagnation. “We keep talking about solutions,” said Klein, “but all we get is more talk.” Polievre’s Crossroads The episode also tackles Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s political gamble in Alberta’s crowded by-election, where over 100 names have flooded the ballot. While some question whether Poilievre has the voter appeal to carry the party to victory, others suggest this is just another example of a broken system that discourages serious debate and confuses voters. “If he loses, he’s done,” said Currier. “Even if he wins, questions about his leadership aren’t going away.” Debt, Taxes, and the Growing Divide In a fiery finish, the trio confront Canada’s soaring debt, record-high taxes, and a growing sense that Ottawa is more focused on protecting public sector jobs and appeasing lobbyists than serving average Canadians. CBC raises, transfer payment dependency, and the collapse of affordability all come under fire. “We’re paying more in taxes than we do for food, clothing, and shelter combined,” Klein warns. “And no one in power seems to care.” If you’re tired of empty promises and political theatre, Inside Politics offers the unfiltered discussion you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t miss it. Watch the full episode now on winnipegsun.com and subscribe to the Inside Politics YouTube channel for sharp, real talk every week.

This week’s episode of Inside Politics with Kevin Klein delivers one of its most candid and hard-hitting conversations yet, diving deep into Prime Minister Mark Carney’s shifting policies, the looming threat of U.S. tariffs, and what that all means for Canada’s economy—and identity. Joined by Winnipeg Sun columnists Geoff Courier and Royce Koop, Klein doesn’t hold back, opening with a blunt challenge to the prime minister: “Get on a plane, get down to the White House and do not move until you have a deal.” Tariffs are not just political noise—they’re funding a U.S. surplus, making them harder to unwind. Koop points out that Carney’s pivot, accepting tariffs as inevitable, directly contradicts his campaign promises. Throughout the episode, all three agree that Carney’s post-election flip-flops are mounting. “He’s governing more as a conservative,” Courier says, citing CBC cuts, pro-pipeline positions, and government spending reductions—all moves Carney once warned voters the Conservatives would make. The panel also confronts growing public pessimism about Canada’s economic direction. Klein notes that “77% of our economy depends on the U.S.” and warns that Carney’s lack of urgency risks pushing the country into recession. Canadians are now paying more for groceries, such as citrus, because of tariffs imposed by Ottawa, not Washington. Tensions flare as the discussion turns to U.S.-Canada relations, with Courier declaring the Americans “are no longer our friends.” At the same time, Klein counters that “Trump may not be Canada’s friend, but Americans are not our enemies.” Koop lands in the middle, emphasizing the need for Canada to protect its own interests rather than assuming loyalty from its largest trading partner. The panel also tackles the Western separation sentiment growing in some conservative circles, referencing recent polling and real-world frustrations with Ottawa’s handling of affordability, energy, and housing. “We’re not in a housing crisis,” Klein argues. “We’re in an affordability crisis, and politicians just won’t say it.” As the episode wraps, the conversation shifts to homelessness and the complex and politically charged realities of chronic street populations. Klein calls for honesty and accountability, arguing that many efforts have become more about funding organizations than helping people. Whether you agree or disagree, this is Inside Politics at its sharpest: blunt questions, real talk, and no easy answers. Watch the full episode now at winnipegsun.com/podcasts or wherever you stream.

On this week’s episode of Inside Politics with Kevin Klein, Kevin is joined by Geoff Currier and political scientist Royce Koop for a critical look at the G7 Summit hosted in Canada. The panel questions the lack of tangible outcomes from the event, especially in light of ongoing trade tensions with the United States. They note that despite Mark Carney’s diplomatic overtures—including his meetings with Donald Trump—retaliatory tariffs remain in place, and key issues like strengthening trade ties with the EU saw little public progress. The conversation also touches on Bill C-5, a proposed law that would grant the cabinet greater authority to expedite major infrastructure projects. While the panel acknowledges concerns about centralized decision-making, they agree that Canada is in dire need of infrastructure investment and that the current approval process is too slow. The discussion then shifts to Manitoba politics, starting with Premier Wab Kinew’s surprising support for bringing back school resource officers following a serious incident in Brandon. Once a critic of SRO programs, Kinew now cites his own children’s experiences as a reason to revisit the policy—a shift that may cause friction within his party. The episode also dives into controversy surrounding a recent report on emergency room wait times, which suggested systemic racism in Manitoba’s healthcare system. The panel expresses concern over the methodology and communication of the findings, arguing that such claims risk undermining the morale of frontline healthcare workers. Kevin, Geoff, and Royce emphasize the importance of effective leadership in navigating sensitive topics and agree that both data transparency and public accountability are crucial to maintaining trust in healthcare institutions.

This week’s Inside Politics with Kevin Klein featured a discussion with Winnipeg Sun columnists Jeff Currier and Royce Koop, a University of Manitoba political science professor. The panel explored provincial and federal politics, focusing on polling trends, government spending, and the state of opposition parties. The episode opened with a look at Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s 68% approval rating. While the panel credited his communication skills and public image, they questioned how long that support will last. Koop noted that early-term premiers often benefit from a honeymoon phase. Currier said Kinew’s popularity may reflect the absence of major missteps rather than policy successes. Attention shifted to Manitoba’s fiscal outlook. Klein and Currier raised concerns about bracket creep and rising provincial debt. They argued the current government has not taken meaningful steps to reverse the trend, warning it could limit future service delivery and burden taxpayers. On federal matters, the panel criticized new Prime Minister Mark Carney’s reported $500 billion spending plan. Klein and Currier likened him to “Trudeau 2.0,” suggesting his policies are a continuation of the previous government’s approach. Koop warned of the long-term effects of growing national debt, including potential hits to Canada’s credit rating and public confidence. The panel also noted that Carney has yet to present a full federal budget, despite public pledges to do so. Currier pointed to the NDP’s continued support of the Liberal minority, saying it has allowed unchecked spending with limited scrutiny. On the subject of the upcoming by-election, the panel speculated Carney might delay it to avoid entering the House of Commons and facing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. They argued any delay would damage Carney’s credibility and signal political hesitation. Back on provincial politics, Klein criticized the Progressive Conservatives for not holding the NDP government accountable on key issues such as rising debt, health care delays, and public safety. He emphasized that effective opposition requires discipline, message repetition, and stronger use of digital platforms to influence public debate. The episode closed with a discussion on the limitations of modern media coverage. Currier said political narratives are increasingly shaped by short clips, which oversimplify complex issues. Koop added that opposition leaders must balance substance with effective delivery, or risk being ignored. All three agreed that better messaging and strategic focus are essential if opposition parties want to gain traction.