The Bellwether is a podcast where students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University talk to current MPP students, leading practitioners, and experts on emerging policy issues in Canada and abroad.
The podcast is a part of The Bell, a weekly newsletter where Master of Public Policy students unpack complex policy topics through op-eds, interviews, and briefings.
Normalizing the Override (Part 3): Notwithstanding Québec, with Daniel Béland
Every series needs a closer, and we saved a heavy hitter for ours. Earlier this year, the landmark Bill 21 case reached the Supreme Court of Canada, a challenge that turns on the scope of the notwithstanding clause. As we await the Court’s judgement, the final episode of Normalizing the Override, our series on Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, steps back to explore Québec’s history with federalism and its relationship to the Charter’s most controversial section.
Host Carter Wynne is joined by Daniel Béland, Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada at McGill University. Béland is also a James McGill Professor in the Department of Political Science at McGill University. As a leading scholar of public policy and political sociology, his research spans social policy, federalism, institutionalism, and Canadian politics. He has published more than 25 books and over 220 peer-reviewed articles, and his work has been cited more than 18,000 times. He holds a PhD in Political Sociology from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris and held a Tier 1 Research Chair at the University of Saskatchewan before joining McGill University in 2019.
Associated with The Bell, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.
Host: Carter Wynne
Producer: Carter Wynne
Editor-in-Chief: Kimberley Moriarity
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/dusk-memory-aesthetic
License code: INUUSNRDBATMHVX5
28 May 2026
Understanding Major Projects in Canada and Indigenous Consultation with Jesse McCormick
In the latest episode of The Bellwether, host Hermon Afowork is joined by Jesse McCormick.
McCormick is a proud citizen of Canada, the Anishinabek Nation and the Oneida Nation (Wolf Clan). He serves as Senior Counsel at Pape Salter Teillet LLP, a leading First Nations-focused law firm, and as a Senior Advisor at Mokwateh, an Indigenous-led consulting firm specializing in reconciliation, governance, and partnerships. During his time in public service, he helped to support First Nations participation in major project development and contributed to the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, the reform of Canada’s environmental assessment processes and the passage of federal legislation to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Tune in for an insightful conversation on the intersection of policy and reconciliation. McCormick and Afowork discuss the future of major projects in Canada, their relationship to Indigenous rights and reconciliation principles, and how that future is shaped by the evolving political and regulatory dynamics at play.
Affiliated with The Bell, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.
Host: Hermon Afowork
Editors: Hermon Afowork and Kimberley Moriarity
Editor-in-Chief: Kimberley Moriarity
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/dusk-memory-aesthetic
License code: INUUSNRDBATMHVX5
13 Mar 2026
Normalizing the Override (Part 2): Alberta and the Use of Section 33
We’re back with another episode of The Bellwether! This is Part 2 of our series taking a closer look at Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, better known as the “notwithstanding clause”.
Host Carter Wynne is joined by Cheryl Oates, a public affairs advisor and communications specialist currently serving as Chief of Staff to British Columbia Premier David Eby. Cheryl began her career in journalism before moving into political communications, previously serving as Communications Chief for the former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.
In this episode, Cheryl guides us through the recent use of the notwithstanding clause in Alberta, exploring its political context and the implications of these decisions for public trust, democratic accountability, and the future of Charter politics in Canada.
Associated with The Bell, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.
Host: Carter Wynne
Producer: Carter Wynne, Hermon Afowork
Editor-in-Chief: Kimberley Moriarity
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/dusk-memory-aesthetic
License code: INUUSNRDBATMHVX5
19 Feb 2026
Normalizing the Override (Part 1): Bill 21 and Section 33 with Pearl Eliadis
We’re back with another episode from The Bellwether! This is Part 1 of a new series taking a closer look at Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, better known as the “notwithstanding clause.”
Host Carter Wynne is joined by Pearl Eliadis, an award-winning lawyer, educator, and author. Pearl is an Associate Professor (Professional) at the Max Bell School of Public Policy and a member of McGill’s Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism. She is also the author of Speaking Out on Human Rights, a leading text on Canada's human rights system.
In this episode, Pearl guides us through the normalization of the notwithstanding clause, focusing on its preemptive use in Quebec's Bill 21 and the resulting implications for the protection of minority rights and our democratic institutions.
Associated with The Bell, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.
Host: Carter Wynne
Producer: Carter Wynne
Editor-in-Chief: Kimberley Moriarity
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/dusk-memory-aesthetic
License code: INUUSNRDBATMHVX5
22 Jan 2026
Exploring Evidence-Based Policymaking
Evidence-based policymaking is often talked about, but less often unpacked. In our first episode of the year, hosts Ayeyi Ohene-Adu and Calvin Campbell examine how evidence is used or ignored in policy decisions and why this matters for effective and accountable governance. They are joined by Dr. Nick King to help navigate these complexities and what they mean for the future of policy.
Associated with The Bell, The Bellwether is a podcast hosted and produced by students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.
Hosts: Ayeyi Ohene-Adu and Calvin Campbell
Producer: Calvin Campbell, Ayeyi Ohene-Adu, Carter Wynne
Editor-in-Chief: Kimberley Moriarity
25 Apr 2025
The Ins and Outs of Political Campaigning w/ Cheryl Oates
In this uncut election special Isabella and Gabe discuss the finer points of political campaigning in Canada with Cheryl Oates. Cheryl draws on her extensive experience working campaigns with the NDP to give an insider's perspective on Canada's political parties during an election period.
Hosts: Gabe Blanc and Isabella Coronado Doria
Producers: Gabe Blanc, Isabella Coronado Doria and Kiran Gill
Managing Editor of the Bellwether: Kiran Gill
Editor-in-Chief of the Bell: Gabe Blanc
7 Feb 2025
Geopolitics Unraveling: The War in Ukraine w/ Maria Popova
The Bellwether is back with another longform interview! In this episode, Jacob Kates Rose sits down with Maria Popova Associate Professor of Political Science at McGill University and author of the new book Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States. Jacob and Professor Popova have a comprehensive discussion about the state of the war in Ukraine, Western involvement in the conflict and what could come next.
Host: Jacob Kates Rose
Producer: Jacob Kates Rose
Audio Engineering: Jacob Kates Rose
Managing Editor of the Bellwether: Kiran Gill
Music Credits: Jacob Tarasofsky (Instagram: Tarasonic)
1 Oct 2024
Indigenous Language Revitalization with Cameron Adams
The Bellwether is back with an exciting guest! Cameron Adams, from Gimli Manitoba, has been involved with indigenous language revitalization in his community through the creation of an app (Swampy Cree), language camps and academic research. In this episode he speaks with Seth and Isabella about his experiences with indigenous language, language advocacy, policy and reconciliation more broadly.
Hosts: Isabella Coronado Doria and Seth Bumagat
Producers: Seth Bumagat and Isabella Coronado Doria
Audio Engineering: Jacob Kates Rose
Managing Editor: Kiran Gill
Editor in Chief of the Bell: Gabriel Blanc
Music Credits: Jacob Tarasofsky (Instagram: Tarasonic)
28 Sept 2024
Article Spotlight: Anti-Scab Legislation and Bill C-58 with Kiran Gill
In this first episode of the new season, we begin with the first edition of a new segment for The Bellwether called Article Spotlight. Kiran Gill, the author of the recent article from The Bell titled, “Anti-Scab Legislation is an Important Win for Organized Labour,” joins hosts Seth Bumagat and Cyrus Nagra. They discuss Kiran’s article, covering topics including the recently passed Bill C-58, 1990s labour history in the Northwest Territories, and class politics.
Seth Bumagat, Cyrus Nagra, and Kiran Gill are all Master of Public Policy Students at McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy. The Bellwether podcast is associated with The Bell, a student-run newsletter from students at the Max Bell School of Public Policy.
Subscribe to The Bell: https://maxpolicy.substack.com/
Read Kiran’s Article: https://maxpolicy.substack.com/p/anti-scab-legislation-is-an-important
Hosts: Seth Bumagat & Cyrus Nagra
Sound Engineer: Seth Bumagat
Production: Seth Bumagat, Kiran Gill, Cyrus Nagra, Husein Pumaya Yakubu
Managing Editor: Kiran Gill
Editor-in-Chief of the Bell: Gabriel Blanc
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Music credits to: TuneTank
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Song: Musical Bakery - In Da Hood (No Copyright Music)
Music provided by Tunetank.
Free Download: bit.ly/3eMHsy4
Video Link: youtu.be/93tW9diWPYM
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www.facebook.com/tunetankcom
twitter.com/tunetank_com
www.instagram.com/thetunetank
20 Sept 2024
Season Two Intro
The Bellwether Podcast is back! Here is a brief introduction from the new team. Stay tuned for new upcoming episodes!
Host(s): Isabella Coronado, Seth Bumagat
Managing Editor: Kiran Gill
Editor-in-Chief of The Bell: Gabriel Blanc
Audio Attribution:
https://freesound.org/people/Jauer13/sounds/660980/?attribution=1
8 May 2024
Episode 4: Resilience of International Aid Organizations Amid Funding Cuts with Dirk Druet
The fourth episode of the Bellwether features Dirk Druet, a researcher, policy adviser and former official in international peace and security at the United Nations. He is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations of the International Peace Institute and an Affiliate Researcher at McGill University’s Centre for International Peace and Security Studies. This year, he taught a complexity seminar at McGill's Max Bell School of Public Policy called "Trade-Offs in International Policy".
Joined by Dirk are MPP students Michael Kynaston and Chloe Aboud. In this episode, they discuss the resilience of international aid organizations, specifically, the multifaceted challenges that UNRWA faced following funding withdrawals by donor nations in January 2024. It explores the complexities of maintaining aid in conflict zones like Gaza and the trade-offs faced by UN leadership in upholding core organizational principles.
If you want to learn more about this topic, Max Bell student Arwa Emhemed and co-host Chloe Aboud wrote about UNRWA's funding cuts in the Bell newsletter. You can read their op-ed here.
Make sure to subscribe to The Bellwether on Spotify to get notified when our next episode comes out.
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Music credits to: TuneTank
-------
Song: Musical Bakery - In Da Hood (No Copyright Music)
Music provided by Tunetank.
Free Download: bit.ly/3eMHsy4
Video Link: youtu.be/93tW9diWPYM
-------
www.facebook.com/tunetankcom
twitter.com/tunetank_com
www.instagram.com/thetunetank
23 Apr 2024
Episode 3: The Online Harms Act (with Dr. Taylor Owen)
Regulating the online world is as complex as the diverse content it hosts. For the third episode of the Bellwether, Max Bell School of Public Policy Students Nina Hernandez and Asha Sivarajah unpack Canada’s recently tabled Online Harms Act (C-63) - a pivotal piece of Canadian legislation aimed at regulating harmful online content. This episode, we talk with Taylor Owen, Beaverbrook Chair in Media, Ethics and Communications, and the founding director of The Center for Media, Technology and Democracy at McGill University. Tune in as we analyze the bill and what the future holds for online safety.
***
Music credits to: TuneTank
-------
Song: Musical Bakery - In Da Hood (No Copyright Music)
Music provided by Tunetank.
Free Download: bit.ly/3eMHsy4
Video Link: youtu.be/93tW9diWPYM
-------
www.facebook.com/tunetankcom
twitter.com/tunetank_com
www.instagram.com/thetunetank
27 Feb 2024
Episode 2: Second Anniversary of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine with Dr. Jennifer Welsh
For the second episode of The Bellwether, we talk to Dr. Jennifer Welsh about the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Dr. Welsh is the Canada 150 Research Chair in Global Governance and Security at McGill University and teaches Global Politics and Policy Landscape at the Max Bell School of Public Policy. She recently went to Ukraine on a special mission with the Internally Displaced Persons Experts Group. The group supports the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons. In this episode, she tells us about things from her trip to Ukraine and her thoughts on the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war that has been going on for two years.
This episode is hosted by Anita Dernovici and Teodora Durca, and produced by Sean Celi. Anita and Teodora also recently published an op-ed about this topic on The Bell newsletter. You can read that op-ed here.
***
Music credits to: TuneTank
-------
Song: Musical Bakery - In Da Hood (No Copyright Music)
Music provided by Tunetank.
Free Download: bit.ly/3eMHsy4
Video Link: youtu.be/93tW9diWPYM
-------
www.facebook.com/tunetankcom
twitter.com/tunetank_com
www.instagram.com/thetun
29 Jan 2024
Episode 1: 2023 Manitoba Elections with Brian Topp and Cheryl Oates
The Bellwether is a podcast where students of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University talk to leading practitioners and experts on emerging policy issues in Canada and abroad.
The podcast is a part of The Bell, a weekly newsletter where Master of Public Policy students unpack complex policy topics through op-eds, interviews, and briefings.
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