The Civic Square Podcast with Deputy Mayor Rory Nisan is about what is happening in our local communities, impacting our daily lives, and what we can do to make things better. Hosted by Rory Nisan, an elected official in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, the podcast brings together local leaders, policymakers and influencers around the table for in-depth, personal exchanges on the issues of our time.
Eric Lombardi is all but in the race for Liberal leader. His passion for industrial policy and building a future for Ontario shines through in this final full episode before my municipal election campaign kicks off.
7 Apr 2026
Parliamentary Secretary Jennifer McKelvie Swings the Hammer
MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Infrastructure Jennifer McKelvie talks about her path to city hall and then Parliament Hill, how the feds are addressing housing and homelessness, and what she doesn't miss about municipal politics. Recorded in January.
25 Mar 2026
Rory Nisan Has Hot Takes with Guest Host Darcy Oberding
My friend and fellow politico Darcy Oberding flips the script and interviews me on the state of politics from Burlington to the province, the feds and even internationally. This episode was recorded in February.
13 Mar 2026
Nate Erskine-Smith: From MP to Contestant/Candidate/MPP/Leader/Premier?
Nate Erskine-Smith is not yet officially running to for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, but he has outlined a path through Scarborough. We talk about his plans for the province, how he intends to win, and how a Premier Erskine-Smith would work with municipalities. We also give one of his more memorable emails a quick edit. This episode was produced by Burlington365 and hosted by WorkWell Studios in Burlington.
27 Feb 2026
So you want to run? Start here.
What does it take to run for office? In my first solo episode, I share my story and provide some practical advice for all the would-be candidates out there, and the people who care about changing their communities.
28 Jan 2026
Rob Cerjanec Bringing Passion to the Park
Member of Provincial Parliament Rob Cerjanec is the new MPP for Ajax, the only riding won by the Liberals in the 905 last year. He tells us why the 905 matters and shares his story of being raised by a single mom in North York.
8 Jan 2026
Choo-Choo: High Speed Rail is on route, with Peter Paz of Alto HSR
Peter Paz of Alto HSR discusses Alto's plan to deliver high-speed rail in Canada, explaining the project's economics and anticipated maximum speed in this interview with Rory Nisan.
2 Dec 2025
Staying on Track with TTC Chair and Toronto City Councillor Jamaal Myers
Toronto City Councillor Jamaal Myers discusses his vision for the TTC's future, his entry into politics, and his departure from a banking career in an interview with Rory Nisan.
5 Nov 2025
Scooting into the future with Shoaib Ahmed
Shoaib Ahmed, Founder of Scooty, discusses navigating local public policy and the business climate around city halls for e-scooter companies in an interview with Rory Nisan.
15 Oct 2025
The Rhythm of Retail with Rob Spanier, Founder of the Spanier Group
Rob Spanier, Founder of the Spanier Group, discusses how municipalities enable complete retail districts through ground-oriented retail and placemaking in an interview with Rory Nisan.
2 Oct 2025
SPEED CAMERA SPECIAL with Councillor Rowena Santos
Councillor Rowena Santos discusses Premier's promise to ban speed cameras, which were initially approved by his own government, and the implications for municipalities in this interview with Rory Nisan.
23 Jun 2025
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath -- A Pragmatic Progressive?
Mayor Andrea Horwath discusses navigating Hamilton's local politics with Rory Nisan, addressing homelessness, and envisioning the city's future, in this interview.
23 May 2025
Toronto Councillor Josh Matlow Acting for Impact
Host Rory Nisan interviews Toronto City Councillor Josh Matlow about his experiences in politics, including the Rob Ford era and his mayoral campaign, while addressing homelessness.
6 May 2025
Councillor Brad Bradford Gives the Gears at Toronto City Hall
Brad Bradford, second term councillor at the City of Toronto, has emerged as an outspoken critic of Mayor Olivia Chow. He rides his bike to work while opposing bike lanes in some parts of the city. We delve deep into his mindset and where is passions lie as one of the strongest voices at City Hall. And we talk about the (in)famous Patty King video.
18 Apr 2025
Why Steve Paikin is Steve Paikin, with Steve Paikin
I speak to Steve Paikin about how he became the honest broker of Ontario journalism, what he's learned about great politicians, and why the Ticats are the best team in North American professional sports.
5 Apr 2025
Leveraging social media for change with Frank Domenic
Listen to this episode if:
-you want to make change in your community;
-your social media presence could use a boost; and/or
-you want to be more effective online.
25 Mar 2025
Making a Difference with Karina Gould
I speak with Karina Gould about what she learned from her leadership campaign, how to be effective when lobbying on MPs, squaring off against the US President and how she looks at her career so far.
4 Mar 2025
Talking Solutions with Councillor Sameera Ali
In this inaugural episode of The Civic Square, Rory Nisan, Deputy Mayor (Environment) in Burlington interviews Sameera Ali, Town and Regional Councillor from Milton on crime, snowplowing and being a trailblazing Muslim woman councillor. Co-produced with Burlington365 in the WorkWell Studio.
Who has been a guest on The Civic Square with Rory Nisan
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Peter Paz
Jamaal Myers
Shoaib Ahmed
Rob Spanier
Rowena Santos
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 7 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
2
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact The Civic Square with Rory Nisan
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
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