In a fascinating conversation, constitutional scholar and former MP Dr. Edward McWhinney talked with Joseph Planta about his new book The Governor General and the Prime Ministers: The Making and Unmaking of Governments (Ronsdale Press, 2005). Also discussed is the significance of the office in our country’s politics, and the possibility of reform.

Michael Adams, president of Envronics, talked with Joseph Planta about his new book, American Backlash: The Untold Story of Social Change in the United States (Viking, 2005). As a pollster, he offered his thoughts on the current federal election campaign in Canada, and the substance of his book, the direction of America, politically and culturally.

Journalist and author Adam Daifallah, co-author of Rescuing Canada’s Right: Blueprint for a Conservative Revolution, talked with Joseph Planta about the conservative revolution in Canada and how it’s going, offering his thoughts on what right-minded people should do.

This past Monday, TV Ontario’s Steve Paikin moderated the English-language leaders debate between Gilles Duceppe, Stephen Harper, Jack Layton, Paul Martin. He talks to Joseph Planta about the experience and what it was like in the room.

University of Toronto political science professor Stephen Clarkson talked with Joseph Planta about his new book, The Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian Politics (UBC Press, 2005).

Jonathan Ross of TDH Strategies, a communciations and public policy firm, talked with Joseph Planta about all matter of politics–from Christy Clark’s political future after losing the NPA mayoralty nomination, to the future of Larry Campbell as a senator, to the federal scene about a Martin cabinet shuffle, Pierre Pettigrew, and Stephen Harper’s grasp of the leadership of the Conservative Party.

Independent journalist John Twigg from BCPOLITICS.COM joined Joseph Planta again to look at politics in British Columbia and federally as we head into the summer season. Topics discussed include: the future of electoral reform, Gordon Campbell’s cabinet, the NDP caucus, the appointment of Jessica McDonald as head of the provincial civil service, and Stephen Harper and his leadership of the Conservative Party.

Dennis Brown, former fishery policy advisor to the premier of BC, and the author of a new book, Salmon Wars: The Battle for the West Coast Fishery (Harbour, 2005), gives Joseph Planta a terrifically informative overview of the industry’s history in this province, discussion about the resource, and the political management, or mismanagement, as Brown charges.

Does Canada nurture and export terrorism around the world? Stewart Bell, Chief Reporter for the National Post and the author of Cold Terror: How Canada Nurtures and Exports Terrorism Around the World (Wiley, 2005) talked with Joseph Planta about Canadian terrorism past and present. His is often a shocking, but recommended and prescient book.

Paul Willcocks, freelance political columnist and blogger, willcocks.blogspot.com, joined Joseph Planta to discuss provincial politics five days before election and referendum day; how Gordon Campbell has done, how Carole James has done, and possibly what the political landscape could look like after Tuesday.