TheFutureEconomy.ca Podcast

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Sep 2026

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We interview leaders in business, government, academia and more across industries to define a strong vision for Canada's future economy.

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September 28, 202636 min

Health is Wealth: Why Canada Must Invest in Precision Medicine

As populations age and health systems face mounting pressures, precision medicine offers a powerful shift from reactive treatment to proactive, personalized prevention. However, key hurdles remain, from breaking down data silos and navigating provincial jurisdictions to maintaining public trust and closing equity gaps across rural and urban communities. 💬 This episode features Dr. Rob Annan, President & CEO, Genome Canada, and Dr. Jim Woodgett, President and Scientific Director, Terry Fox Research Institute. Hosted by David Jones, Managing Director at Merck Canada. Read the full interview and key takeaways: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/interviews/canadas-precision-medicine-opportunity-from-data-and-prevention-to-better-care/ Explore the series here: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/content-series/the-future-of-life-sciences/ Watch more videos from the series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSGOnbotjlBE Subscribe for exclusive previews of upcoming episodes and updates on new releases: https://bit.ly/3ri2IUu Follow us on social media: https://linkin.bio/thefutureeconomy.ca ===== About TheFutureEconomy.ca ===== TheFutureEconomy.ca is a Canadian media and thought leadership platform that produces expert series, featured interviews and op-eds with leaders from industry, government, academia and more to define a strong vision for our future economy. Our content emphasizes our interviewees’ insights and calls-to-action on what we must do now to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s future economy. Check out our website: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/ #FutureOfLifeSciences #PrecisionMedicine #Genomics #CancerResearch #HealthcareInnovation #HealthEconomics #LifeSciences #CanadianHealthcare

September 2, 202634 min

Canada’s Cleantech Opportunity: How to Turn Innovation Into Global Champions

In Episode 6 of The Future of the Energy Transition Expert Series, presented by Mackenzie Investments, host John Cook, Senior VP & Portfolio Manager, Mackenzie Investments, is joined by industry leaders Lynn Côté, Executive Director at Canada Cleantech Alliance, and Tyler Hamilton, Senior Director, Climate at MaRS, for an in-depth exploration of how Canada can convert its rich pipeline of clean technology innovation into market-leading global companies. The conversation moves beyond basic sustainability narratives to examine the real-world economic imperatives driving the sector today: strengthening energy security, modernizing supply chains, building patient capital models, and overcoming the long-standing commercialization and procurement hurdles that hold back Canadian scale-ups. Explore the series here: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/content-series/the-future-of-the-energy-transition/ Watch more videos from the series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2vcORABmSd7pZ0YJPFnfhfq74NLM6UcD Subscribe for exclusive previews of upcoming episodes and updates on new releases: https://bit.ly/3ri2IUu Follow us on social media: https://linkin.bio/thefutureeconomy.ca ===== About TheFutureEconomy.ca ===== TheFutureEconomy.ca is a Canadian thought leadership platform that produces expert series, featured interviews and op-eds featuring leaders from industry, government, academia and more to define a strong vision for our future economy. Our content emphasizes our interviewees’ insights and calls to action on what we must do now to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s future economy. Check out our website: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/ #EnergyTransition #CleanTech #ClimateTech #CleanEnergy #Innovation #MackenzieInvestments #PatientCapital #HardTech #Canada

August 31, 202628 min

The Future of Vaccination in Canada: Navigating Equitable Access, and the Paradox of Prevention

Over the past 50 years, vaccination has played an important role in public health globally. So why is public confidence shifting today? Successful immunization has made certain vaccine-preventable diseases invisible, creating a unique paradox where prevention's value is forgotten. Building vaccine trust requires moving past rigid mandates toward honest dialogue and patient-centered empathy. 💬 Featuring: This episode features Dr. Lisa Barrett (Professor, Department of Medicine at Dalhousie University) and Wendy Zatylny (President & CEO of BIOTECanada), hosted by David Jones (Managing Director at Merck Canada). Read the full interview and key takeaways: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/interviews/the-future-of-vaccination-in-canada-trust-access-and-prevention/ Explore the series here: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/content-series/the-future-of-life-sciences/ Subscribe for exclusive previews of upcoming episodes and updates on new releases: https://bit.ly/3ri2IUu Follow us on social media: https://linkin.bio/thefutureeconomy.ca ===== About TheFutureEconomy.ca ===== TheFutureEconomy.ca is a Canadian media and thought leadership platform that produces expert series, featured interviews and op-eds featuring leaders from industry, government, academia and more to define a strong vision for our future economy. Our content emphasizes our interviewees’ insights and calls-to-action on what we must do now to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s future economy. Check out our website: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/ #Vaccination #HealthcareInnovation #CanadaHealth #PublicHealth #Prevention #LifeSciences #Healthcare #MerckCanada #BIOTECanada #DalhousieUniversity

August 5, 202629 min

Canada’s Nuclear Renaissance: How to Build It, Finance It and Keep It Affordable

In this episode, James Scongack (COO & Executive VP at Bruce Power), Richard Ma (Executive Director, Investment Banking at CIBC Capital Markets), and John Cook (SVP & Portfolio Manager at Mackenzie Investments) examine why nuclear energy is emerging as a cornerstone of Canada's energy future and what it will take to build the next generation of reactors affordably. From fleet-based reactor development and small modular reactors (SMRs) to government financing, inflation, energy affordability, and long-term energy security, the conversation dives into why Canada's nuclear renaissance could play a defining role in the country's economic competitiveness for decades to come. Explore the series here: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/content-series/the-future-of-the-energy-transition/ Watch more videos from the series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2vcORABmSd7pZ0YJPFnfhfq74NLM6UcD Subscribe for exclusive previews of upcoming episodes and updates on new releases: https://bit.ly/3ri2IUu Follow us on social media: https://linkin.bio/thefutureeconomy.ca ===== About TheFutureEconomy.ca ===== TheFutureEconomy.ca is a Canadian thought leadership platform that produces expert series, featured interviews and op-eds featuring leaders from industry, government, academia and more to define a strong vision for our future economy. Our content emphasizes our interviewees’ insights and calls to action on what we must do now to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s future economy. Check out our website: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/ #NuclearEnergy #EnergyTransition #EnergyInfrastructure #EnergyAffordability #EnergySecurity #Electricity #Canada #SMR #MackenzieInvestments

July 15, 202634 min

Canada’s Defence Shift: From Spending Commitments to Strategic Capability

In this episode, David Perry (President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute) and Kristen Leroux (Vice President & Regional Executive for Canada and Latin America at Lockheed Martin) break down the massive strategic pivot in national defence and the important role it plays in Canada’s industrial and economic strategy. From the $2 economic return generated for every $1 invested in defence capital to the hard reality that the private sector cannot scale on government "signals" alone – Canada is facing a monumental transition. The discussion covers why Canada's new "build, partner, buy" framework requires clear definitions of sovereign capability, the urgent need to speed up the procurement system by delegating decision-making authority downward, and how increasing public "defence literacy" is critical to navigating the significant financial trade-offs required to meet higher defence spending targets. Explore the series here: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/content-series/the-future-of-defence/ Subscribe for exclusive previews of upcoming episodes and updates on new releases: https://bit.ly/3ri2IUu Follow us on social media: https://linkin.bio/thefutureeconomy.ca ===== About TheFutureEconomy.ca ===== TheFutureEconomy.ca is a Canadian thought leadership platform that produces expert series, featured interviews and op-eds featuring leaders from industry, government, academia and more to define a strong vision for our future economy. Our content emphasizes our interviewees’ insights and calls to action on what we must do now to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s future economy. Check out our website: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/ #FutureOfDefence #NationalSecurity #SovereignCapability #Canada #Procurement #DefenceIndustry #LockheedMartinCanada #TheFutureEconomy #CanadianGlobalAffairsInstitute

July 14, 202631 min

How AI is Revolutionizing Life Sciences & Drug Discovery in Canada

How is artificial intelligence transforming the way we discover life-saving drugs and scale healthcare startups? In this exclusive interview, industry leaders break down the real-world applications, challenges, and future of AI adoption in the life sciences sector. From cutting-edge generative AI models used in small-molecule discovery to the economic hurdles facing Canadian tech ecosystems, our panel delivers a masterclass on navigating the intersection of technology and human health. 💬 Featuring: David Jones, Managing Director, Merck Canada: Leading the discussion on healthcare innovation and strategic cross-sector partnerships. Martin Enault, Chief Entrepreneur in Residence, Centech: Veteran tech entrepreneur discussing AI-driven productivity, startup scaling, and personalized medicine. Handol Kim, Co-Founder, Variational AI: Pioneer in generative AI applied to small-molecule drug discovery and early-stage chemistry research. Read the full interview and key takeaways: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/interviews/can-ai-help-canada-build-the-future-of-life-sciences/ Explore the series here: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/content-series/the-future-of-life-sciences/ Subscribe for exclusive previews of upcoming episodes and updates on new releases: https://bit.ly/3ri2IUu Follow us on social media: https://linkin.bio/thefutureeconomy.ca ===== About TheFutureEconomy.ca ===== TheFutureEconomy.ca is a Canadian media and thought leadership platform that produces expert series, featured interviews and op-eds featuring leaders from industry, government, academia and more to define a strong vision for our future economy. Our content emphasizes our interviewees’ insights and calls-to-action on what we must do now to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s future economy. Check out our website: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/ #LifeSciences #Biotech #ArtificialIntelligence #GenerativeAI #DrugDiscovery #HealthTech #CanadianInnovation #StartupScaling

July 3, 202642 min

The Global Critical Mineral War: Can Canada Break China’s Monopoly?

In this episode, Constantine Karayannopoulos (Former Neo Performance Materials CEO), Onno Rutten (VP & Portfolio Manager at Mackenzie Resources), and John Cook (SVP & Portfolio Manager at Mackenzie Investments) break down the harsh economic and geopolitical realities of the global energy transition and the important role of critical minerals play in it. From China’s 50-year strategy to monopolize rare earths to the massive looming copper shortage and the need to double the global electricity grid in just 20 years – the race is on, and Canada and the West are scrambling to catch up. The discussion covers the urgent need for a domestic processing blueprint, the reality of Canada's "burdensome" 15-year permitting timelines, and how targeted action on regional hubs like BC’s "Copper Highway" and Quebec's lithium clusters can unlock billions in private investment. Explore the series here: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/content-series/the-future-of-the-energy-transition/ Watch more videos from the series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2vcORABmSd7pZ0YJPFnfhfq74NLM6UcD Subscribe for exclusive previews of upcoming episodes and updates on new releases: https://bit.ly/3ri2IUu Follow us on social media: https://linkin.bio/thefutureeconomy.ca ===== About TheFutureEconomy.ca ===== TheFutureEconomy.ca is a Canadian thought leadership platform that produces expert series, featured interviews and op-eds featuring leaders from industry, government, academia and more to define a strong vision for our future economy. Our content emphasizes our interviewees’ insights and calls to action on what we must do now to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s future economy. Check out our website: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/ #CriticalMinerals #EnergyTransition #IndustrialStrategy #Mining #Canada #CleanTech #CanadaEconomy #Infrastructure #MackenzieInvestments

May 6, 202627 min

Indigenous Consent Is Not a Checkbox: A New Model for Energy Projects (ft. Mackenzie Investments)

Why do so many major Canadian projects fail before they even begin? In this episode, Raylene Whitford, Director of Canative Energy, and John Cook of Mackenzie Investments break down the legal and economic realities of Indigenous rights in Canada’s energy sector. From the Northern Gateway pipeline to the rise of First Nations-led LNG projects, we explore why consent is foundational, not a formality. The discussion covers the "burdensome" reality of late-stage consultation, the difference between Reconciliation and Rights, and how to build meaningful partnerships that offer more than just symbolic employment. Read the full interview and key takeaways: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/interviews/consent-not-checkboxes-energy-projects-and-indigenous-rights-in-canada/ Explore the series here: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/content-series/the-future-of-the-energy-transition/ Watch more videos from the series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2vcORABmSd7pZ0YJPFnfhfq74NLM6UcD Subscribe for exclusive previews of upcoming episodes and updates on new releases: https://bit.ly/3ri2IUu Follow us on social media: https://linkin.bio/thefutureeconomy.ca ===== About TheFutureEconomy.ca ===== TheFutureEconomy.ca is a Canadian thought leadership platform that produces expert series, featured interviews and op-eds featuring leaders from industry, government, academia and more to define a strong vision for our future economy. Our content emphasizes our interviewees’ insights and calls to action on what we must do now to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s future economy. Check out our website: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/ #IndigenousRights #EnergyTransition #CleanTech #CanadaEconomy #Infrastructure #MackenzieInvestments #CanativeEnergy

April 8, 202643 min

Is Canada Falling Behind? The Truth About the Energy Transition (ft. Mackenzie Investments)

Canada sits on a goldmine of energy resources, yet it risks "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" in the global race for energy leadership. In this episode of The Future of the Energy Transition expert series presented by Mackenzie Investments, Christine Healy, President and CEO of Northland Power, and John Cook, Senior VP & Portfolio Manager at Mackenzie Investments, break down the paradox of Canada’s energy potential. From the record-breaking scale of the Oneida battery storage project to the untapped frontier of offshore wind, the conversation explores why Canada, despite having one of the world’s greenest grids, is becoming one of the slowest jurisdictions in the OECD for project permitting. The discussion dives deep into the "nation-building" necessity of east-west grid interconnections, the pragmatic role of natural gas exports in displacing global coal, and the urgent regulatory reforms needed to attract the capital required for a 2040 vision of energy autonomy. Read the full interview and key takeaways: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/interviews/canadas-energy-superpower-moment-what-it-will-take-to-build/ Explore the series here: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/content-series/the-future-of-the-energy-transition/ Watch more videos from the series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2vcORABmSd7pZ0YJPFnfhfq74NLM6UcD Subscribe for exclusive previews of upcoming episodes and updates on new releases: https://bit.ly/3ri2IUu Follow us on social media: https://linkin.bio/thefutureeconomy.ca ===== About TheFutureEconomy.ca ===== TheFutureEconomy.ca is a Canadian media and thought leadership platform that produces expert series, featured interviews and op-eds featuring leaders from industry, government, academia and more to define a strong vision for our future economy. Our content emphasizes our interviewees’ insights and calls-to-action on what we must do now to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s future economy. Check out our website: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/ #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #CleanTech #CanadaEconomy #Infrastructure #MackenzieInvestments #NorthlandPower

March 11, 202643 min

The Culture and Politics of Building an Energy Superpower

Canada stands at a critical juncture in the global energy landscape. In this inaugural episode of The Future of the Energy Transition expert series presented by Mackenzie Investments, Jackie Forrest, Executive Director at ARC Energy Research Institute, Dr. Bruce Lourie, President at Ivey Foundation, and John Cook, Senior VP & Portfolio Manager at Mackenzie Investments, explore the cultural and political hurdles to building a Canadian energy superpower. From addressing the "fiefdom" mentality of provincial electricity grids to the urgent need for "nation building" infrastructure like West Coast pipelines and LNG terminals, the conversation dissects how Canada can move beyond being an energy "satellite" of the U.S. to achieve true global energy influence and autonomy. Read the full interview and key takeaways: Explore the series here: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/content-series/the-future-of-the-energy-transition/ Watch more videos from the series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2vcORABmSd7pZ0YJPFnfhfq74NLM6UcD Subscribe for exclusive previews of upcoming episodes and updates on new releases: https://bit.ly/3ri2IUu Follow us on social media: https://linkin.bio/thefutureeconomy.ca ===== About TheFutureEconomy.ca ===== TheFutureEconomy.ca is a Canadian media and thought leadership platform that produces expert series, featured interviews and op-eds featuring leaders from industry, government, academia and more to define a strong vision for our future economy. Our content emphasizes our interviewees’ insights and calls-to-action on what we must do now to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s future economy. Check out our website: https://thefutureeconomy.ca/ #EnergyTransition #EnergySuperpower #TheFutureEconomy #MackenzieInvestments #CdnPoli #EnergySecurity #CanadianInfrastructure #OilAndGas #CleanEnergy #EconomicAutonomy