Skip to main content Skip to footer

Video Archive

Your all-access pass to the people and events shaping Canada’s democracy

00:56:59

Public Life

Ed Broadbent

Original air date: January 2006 People say that to really understand Ed Broadbent, one has to understand Oshawa, the town where he was born and raised. Ken Rockburn meets the former NDP leader's friends, brother, former students and colleagues, who provide a detailed portrait of the politician, intellectual, husband and philosopher he has always been.
00:58:30

Public Life

Craig Kielburger

The story behind Craig Kielburger's "Free the Children" organization. Public Life examines the life of Craig Keilburger, now 22 years old. The world famous advocate against child labour continues his mission around the world, while balancing an education in Peace and Conflict Studies. Host Sherine Mansour takes a closer look at the last 10 years of Craig's life and what the next 10 years will hold.
00:59:00

Public Life

Maher Arar

Host Michelle Lavoie speaks with Maher Arar, the Syrian-born Canadian citizen arrested in the United States and deported to Syria following allegations of terrorist involvement. Mr. Arar discusses aspects of his childhood and family life, as well as the launch of a public inquiry into the handling of his case by Canadian government and law enforcement agencies.
00:57:29

Public Life

Phil Fontaine

Host Michelle Lavoie speaks to Phil Fontaine (National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations), who shares his experiences growing up on a reserve and attending a residential school. He also argues that it is time for Canada’s First Nations to "move away from the lament" and concentrate on successes.
00:57:29

Public Life

James Bartleman

Host Michelle Lavoie interviews Ontario Lieutenant-Governor James Bartleman, who speaks about his work to reduce the stigma against mental illness and his own battle with depression. Mr. Bartleman also describes his childhood growing up in poverty, his postings as a diplomat, and his advice to young diplomats.
00:57:30

Public Life

Flora MacDonald

Host Michelle Lavoie speaks with former federal cabinet minister Flora MacDonald. In a wide-ranging discussion, Ms. McDonald is asked about the merger of the Progressive Conservative Party and Canadian Alliance, the “war on terror,” Iraq, and Afghanistan. She also recalls her own life in politics and her travels, including her experience climbing Mount Everest.
00:53:29

Public Life

Jean Lapointe

Original air date: December 2003. Join Michelle Lavoie for a revealing conversation with Senator Jean Lapointe, one of Quebec's most revered artists. Listen in as the frank and charming senator recounts the sometimes difficult path he followed to get to where he is today, and laugh along as he impersonates personalities such as Maurice Duplessis, René Levesque, and Ed Sullivan.
00:53:29

Public Life

Jean Lapointe

Original air date: December 2003. Join Michelle Lavoie for a revealing conversation with Senator Jean Lapointe, one of Quebec's most revered artists. Listen in as the frank and charming senator recounts the sometimes difficult path he followed to get to where he is today, and laugh along as he impersonates personalities such as Maurice Duplessis, René Levesque, and Ed Sullivan.
00:57:29

Public Life

Rick Hansen

Host Michelle Lavoie speaks with Rick Hansen, who in 1985 made history with his Man in Motion Tour, which raised money for spinal cord research. Mr. Hansen reflects on his own accomplishments and discusses ongoing developments in the research into spinal cord injuries.
00:57:29

Public Life

Jean-Robert Gauthier

Host Michelle Lavoie speaks with Senator Jean-Robert Gauthier, the former longtime Liberal member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, Ont. Mr. Gauthier recalls growing up in an orphanage, the influence of his grandfather, his entry into federal politics, and his vision for a bilingual Canada. Mr. Gauthier also reflects on the spinal illness that has left him confined to a wheelchair.
Public Life

Get up close and personal with leading public figures and discover their aspirations, values and opinions on life in the public eye.
00:54:59

Public Life

Hazel McCallion

Original air date: December 2002. Canada's longest-serving mayor, Hazel McCallion of Mississauga, talks of her love for her city and her life of public service.
00:57:29

Public Life

Herb Carnegie

Host Tasha Kheiriddin interviews Herb Carnegie, a hockey player barred from National Hockey League because of his skin colour. Mr. Carnegie discusses growing up “coloured” in a predominantly white society, the NHL’s refusal to allow him to play, his career in hockey, and his establishment of the Future Aces Hockey School.
00:57:30

Public Life

Richard Harington

Host Tasha Kheiriddin sits down with paleobiologist Richard Harington, who discusses growing up in the Arctic, his education, and his appointment as curator of quaternary zoology (the study of ice-age animals) at the Museum of Nature in Ottawa. He also recalls the excavation of a 30,000-year-old woolly mammoth in the Old Crow Basin in northern Yukon. Later, Mr. Harington takes Tasha on a tour of the Museum of Nature, where some of his fossil discoveries are housed.
00:57:30

Public Life

Marilyn Lightstone

Host Tasha Kheiriddin interviews Canadian actor, singer, painter, and author Marilyn Lightstone in Ottawa, Ontario. Ms. Lightstone discusses her first book “Rogues and Vagabonds,” a novel that details the joys and tribulations of an eclectic Canadian theatre troupe. She also speaks about her life and her career and about being a contemporary renaissance woman. Ms. Lightstone affirms the importance of the arts, claiming that “without art we are savages."
00:57:29

Public Life

June Callwood

Host Tasha Kheiriddin speaks with author and activist June Callwood. Ms. Callwood recalls growing up during the Great Depression, the divorce of her parents, and her years as a young journalist. She discusses her involvement in feminist and civil liberties movements in the 1950s, as well as her more recent work advocating for HIV/AIDS awareness. Ms. Callwood also reflects on the joys of being a glider pilot and a grandparent.
00:57:35

Public Life

Ed Broadbent

Original air date: May 2001 Tasha Kheiriddin interviews Ed Broadbent, former leader of the New Democratic Party. Mr. Broadbent describes his family background, recalling how his political views stemmed from his mother’s beliefs and from his education. He recalls his time as leader of the NDP, including the 1988 election of a record number of NDP members to the House of Commons. Mr. Broadbent cites the years 1980–82, during which he took part in the crafting of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as the most important period of his political career.
00:59:44

Public Life

George Elliott Clarke

Host Tasha Kheiriddin interviews author, poet, scholar and journalist George Elliott Clarke. Mr. Clarke discusses black culture in Canada over the last 200 years and shares his views on racism throughout Canadian history. The interview takes place at the First Baptist Church in Toronto, Ontario, Toronto's first church for the black community.
00:58:50

Public Life

Flora MacDonald

Host Martin Stringer speaks with Flora MacDonald. Ms. MacDonald, the former secretary of state for external affairs under Joe Clark and minister of employment and immigration and minister of communications under Brian Mulroney, speaks about her many jobs and her travels. She describes her work with non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental development. Ms. MacDonald also speaks about her work on the National Committee for the International Year of Older Persons and her departure from the Progressive Conservative Party.
00:56:28

Public Life

Peter C. Newman

Original air date: 2001 Host Tasha Kheiriddin talks to author Peter C. Newman about his life, career, and public policy views.