In this episode of Inside Politics with Kevin Klein, viewers get a front-row seat to an unfiltered conversation on what Canada’s new political reality looks like post-election, and what it means for the future of the federation. Kevin is joined by Winnipeg Sun columnist and political scientist Royce Koop and veteran broadcaster Jeff Currier, and they waste no time diving into what’s next for Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney’s upcoming visit with U.S. President Donald Trump kicks off the episode, with all three guests questioning how Canada’s new leader will handle trade, tariffs, and Trump’s unpredictable playbook. There’s also pointed discussion about the fallout of Canada's tariffs — and how Canadian business leaders quietly say they’re doing more harm than good. The panel doesn’t shy away from the growing rift between Ottawa and the West. With Alberta and Saskatchewan flirting with separation rhetoric and Premier Danielle Smith’s government gathering nearly enough signatures for a referendum, the conversation explores whether Canada’s federal structure is still working — or beginning to unravel. Royce questions whether Carney is genuinely different from Trudeau regarding economic and environmental policy. At the same time, Jeff raises the alarm that Carney’s support in Quebec could come at the cost of alienating resource-rich provinces. There’s sharp criticism of federal seat distribution that favours declining populations in the East, while provinces like Alberta remain underrepresented. The show also takes a hard look at Pierre Poilievre’s future. Despite winning the popular vote in several regions, the Conservative leader couldn’t shake media-driven comparisons to Donald Trump. But was the real problem the campaign team’s strategic misfires? Royce thinks the party is right to stick with him, and reminds viewers of a similar turnaround once achieved by Stephen Harper. Finally, there’s a discussion of the NDP’s collapse, its future relevance, and whether the Liberals will use the Bloc or NDP to hang on to power, and for how long. This week’s Inside Politics is packed with sharp analysis and straight talk. You'll want to watch the entire episode if you care about Canada’s future, especially Western Canada’s role.

Former Provincial Minister Kevin Klein teams up with Winnipeg Sun columnist and political science professor Royce Koop and former city councillor Brian Mayes to unpack what happened in Canada tonight — and where things are headed next.

We’ve watched for far too long. It’s up to you. Show up. Vote.

With just days left before Canadians head to the polls, Inside Politics host Kevin Klein sat down with political analyst Royce Koop and columnist Jeff Currier for an adult discussion on what’s shaping the federal election. The panel agreed: the NDP is facing a collapse not seen in decades, and it could be the very thing that hands Mark Carney the Prime Minister’s office. Royce Koop pointed to Jagmeet Singh’s missed opportunities to force an election when the Liberals were at their weakest — a decision that may now cost his party dearly. But the conversation didn’t stop there. Klein and his guests tackled whether local riding changes could flip Winnipeg seats, whether Canadians have short memories when it comes to Liberal scandals, and why a minority government — not a majority — could be the most likely outcome. The episode also dives into how leadership perceptions, media bias, and even the shadow of Donald Trump have influenced the race. With concerns about voter remorse already rising, the panel explores whether Canadians are about to face a harsh reality check after election day. For sharp insights, strong opinions, and some surprising predictions, catch the full conversation on Inside Politics.

There was a time when Canada stood for opportunity. You worked hard, you got ahead. You saved, and you bought a home. You earned an education, and doors opened. That belief — that promise — built this country. But today, that promise is broken. A recent federal report by Policy Horizons Canada, Future Lives: Social mobility in question, paints a bleak picture of 2040. The report wasn’t leaked by critics or spun by commentators. It came from inside the government. Our own tax-funded research warns that we’re on track to become a two-tier society.

The response to my recent column on the Liberal government’s quiet interest in taxing your home equity was predictable — but revealing.

In a charged interview on the Ben Mulroney show—hosted by Alex Pierson in his absence—Kevin Klein, president of the Winnipeg Sun and former Manitoba cabinet minister, weighed in on the financial crisis looming over Canada as the federal government, now led by Mark Carney, prepares to roll out another $130 billion in new spending. Pierson expressed frustration over the country’s ballooning $1.4 trillion debt and rising inflation, joking that Canadians might soon need to start OnlyFans accounts to help pay the tab. Klein didn’t disagree, pointing out that debt servicing costs now surpass provincial transfer payments and noting the real concern isn’t just the spending—it’s how Ottawa plans to fund it. According to Klein, the answer may lie in a home equity tax, a concept quietly explored multiple times by the Liberals and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation despite repeated public denials. Klein argued that the federal government sees untapped home equity—worth trillions nationwide—as a lucrative source of future revenue. He warned that this could soon be sold to the public as a so-called “fairness tax,” targeting Canadians who’ve been responsible with their finances. The discussion turned to the broader implications of this fiscal path: $40 billion in recent federal spending approved via special warrants while Parliament was closed, another $150 million sent to the CBC under the label of “emergency funding,” and widespread economic strain across households. Klein and Pierson both questioned the lack of transparency and accountability in these moves, drawing comparisons to executive overreach and pointing out that few Canadians are seeing real benefits. With a possible Liberal majority on the horizon, Klein urged voters—especially younger generations—to pay close attention to fiscal policy, not personalities, before it’s too late. Read Klein's column for all the details on Home Equity Tax here: https://winnipegsun.com/opinion/columnists/klein-beware-the-next-liberal-tax-may-be-on-the-roof-over-your-head

This week’s episode of Inside Politics with Kevin Klein tackled the fallout from the English-language federal leaders’ debate, aired just before the Easter weekend. Klein, a former politician and Minister of Environment in Manitoba, was joined by Winnipeg Sun contributors Jeff Currier and Royce Koop, a political science professor at the University of Manitoba, for a wide-ranging and at times blunt discussion about the state of the campaign, the debate format, and what Canadians can expect as the election draws near. The three wasted little time digging into their main concern—the structure of the debate itself. Currier was critical of the current model, calling it “more showbiz than substance” and arguing for a return to direct, journalist-led interviews with leaders. “We’d learn a lot more from tough questions over an hour than these set-piece stage performances,” he said. Koop was slightly more forgiving of the format, noting that this debate was better than some previous ones. “When candidates were allowed to actually debate each other, you saw who they really were,” he said. But Koop also flagged the persistent interruptions—especially from NDP leader Jagmeet Singh—as a problem that hurt the debate’s clarity and public value. He suggested Canada follow the U.S. example and consider muting microphones when candidates aren’t speaking. Klein, meanwhile, focused his concern on the participation of Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet, calling it undemocratic. He noted the Green Party was excluded from the French debate for not fielding candidates in every riding—yet the Bloc, which runs in only one province, was given a national platform. “That wasn’t a fair debate,” Klein said. “It felt like we were watching someone negotiating power, not discussing Canada’s future.” Currier acknowledged the tension. “It’s awkward. You have a separatist party participating in shaping national conversation,” he said. But he added it’s politically difficult to exclude the Bloc in Quebec-specific events. Koop pushed back on that logic, suggesting debate criteria should change: “A party should have to run candidates in more than one province to participate. This is supposed to be a national debate.” Discussion then turned to the broader tone and content of the debate itself. Currier dismissed the entire event as “devoid of big moments” and full of “falsehoods from all sides,” citing misleading claims from Carney, Polievre, and Singh alike. “I wasn’t impressed by any of them,” he said. Koop took a different view, saying Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre emerged as the clear winner, pointing to his measured tone and emotional close. “Polievre connected his policies to real struggles Canadians are facing. It was effective,” Koop said, referencing polling data that showed Poilievre scored best among viewers who watched the full debate. The episode also touched on the rising concern over media framing and access. The panel criticized the Debate Commission’s decision to cancel post-debate media scrums, which Klein said undermined transparency. The exclusion of certain outlets sparked questions about fairness and freedom of the press. “The Debate Commission has not performed well this election,” Koop said. Currier added that media coverage overall has been “superficial,” lacking deep analysis on economic policy. “We’re talking more about Trump than GDP, and Canada’s dead last in G7 growth,” he said. Klein closed the segment warning of a potential post-election Liberal-Bloc coalition. “If the Bloc props up a Liberal government, what does that mean for Western Canada? What incentive is there for Alberta or Saskatchewan to stay in confederation?” he asked. Koop and Currier noted that while the Bloc may hold influence, current polling trends suggest a possible Liberal majority, fueled in part by the NDP’s collapse. But they agreed: polling isn’t always reliable. “The shy Tory effect is real,” Koop noted. “We may see things tighten in the final days.” Klein concluded by encouraging viewers to keep watching and stay engaged as the race unfolds. New episodes of Inside Politics with Kevin Klein air weekly. Readers can find commentary from Klein, Currier, and Koop in the Winnipeg Sun and online at winnipegsun.com.