This week’s Inside Politics with Kevin Klein featured a discussion with Winnipeg Sun columnists Jeff Currier and Royce Koop, a University of Manitoba political science professor. The panel explored provincial and federal politics, focusing on polling trends, government spending, and the state of opposition parties. The episode opened with a look at Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s 68% approval rating. While the panel credited his communication skills and public image, they questioned how long that support will last. Koop noted that early-term premiers often benefit from a honeymoon phase. Currier said Kinew’s popularity may reflect the absence of major missteps rather than policy successes. Attention shifted to Manitoba’s fiscal outlook. Klein and Currier raised concerns about bracket creep and rising provincial debt. They argued the current government has not taken meaningful steps to reverse the trend, warning it could limit future service delivery and burden taxpayers. On federal matters, the panel criticized new Prime Minister Mark Carney’s reported $500 billion spending plan. Klein and Currier likened him to “Trudeau 2.0,” suggesting his policies are a continuation of the previous government’s approach. Koop warned of the long-term effects of growing national debt, including potential hits to Canada’s credit rating and public confidence. The panel also noted that Carney has yet to present a full federal budget, despite public pledges to do so. Currier pointed to the NDP’s continued support of the Liberal minority, saying it has allowed unchecked spending with limited scrutiny. On the subject of the upcoming by-election, the panel speculated Carney might delay it to avoid entering the House of Commons and facing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. They argued any delay would damage Carney’s credibility and signal political hesitation. Back on provincial politics, Klein criticized the Progressive Conservatives for not holding the NDP government accountable on key issues such as rising debt, health care delays, and public safety. He emphasized that effective opposition requires discipline, message repetition, and stronger use of digital platforms to influence public debate. The episode closed with a discussion on the limitations of modern media coverage. Currier said political narratives are increasingly shaped by short clips, which oversimplify complex issues. Koop added that opposition leaders must balance substance with effective delivery, or risk being ignored. All three agreed that better messaging and strategic focus are essential if opposition parties want to gain traction.

In the latest episode of Inside Politics with Kevin Klein, the gloves came off in a frank conversation about political accountability and the fallout from the Sio Silica investigation. With guests Jeff Currier and Royce Koop, the discussion went beyond soundbites and press releases to examine what leadership really looks like in the wake of an ethics scandal. Former Premier Heather Stefanson and two cabinet colleagues were found by Manitoba’s Ethics Commissioner to have violated conflict-of-interest laws during their final days in power, resulting in $40,000 in total fines. Klein, who served in the cabinet at the time, revealed he was the minister who refused to play the game and push the project forward after the election loss, a decision that led others to try alternate routes. “It wasn’t the project that was the problem—it was how they tried to force it through,” Klein said, calling it a test of character for both Premier Wab Kinew and Opposition Leader Khan. Koop and Currier questioned Kinew’s decision to delay a legislative vote on the fines, warning that dragging out the issue risks turning a serious breach into political theatre. “If the Integrity Commissioner made the call, that should be the end of it,” Klein argued. “Pay the fine, move on.” The episode also raised concerns about long-term credibility. What happens if the current NDP government later approves the same silica project? “It’s about public perception,” said Currier. “If you beat the opposition up over this, and then greenlight the project yourself, you better be ready to explain it.” With sharp commentary and inside knowledge, this episode calls out political gamesmanship and demands transparency. It’s a timely discussion on ethics, power, and what happens when politicians forget who they work for.

This week’s episode of Inside Politics with Kevin Klein featured a pointed and in-depth conversation about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new federal cabinet — a lineup that has sparked strong reactions across the country, particularly in the West. Klein was joined by political scientist and Winnipeg Sun contributor Royce Koop for a no-spin discussion that raised questions about executive leadership, patronage politics, and national unity. While both agreed Carney deserves time to prove himself, they voiced concern over what they see as early missteps. “I really wanted to see that senior executive in him,” Klein said, referencing Carney’s campaign image as a sharp, results-oriented leader. “Instead, I saw a lot of recycled faces and political appointments that looked more like payback than a fresh start.” Koop echoed the concern. “Half the cabinet is made up of Trudeau-era ministers,” he said. “People who were directly tied to some of the biggest policy failures in recent memory. If this was Carney’s chance to signal a break from the past, it didn’t come through in these appointments.” Both pointed to examples: Sean Fraser, once at the centre of the immigration and housing files, is now Justice Minister. Former Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, now Housing Minister, led during British Columbia’s most intense housing crisis. And Evan Solomon, a former broadcaster with no clear public record in artificial intelligence, was named Minister of AI. “Where’s the accountability? What’s the mandate?” Klein asked. “If you can’t measure someone’s performance, you can’t manage it. That’s business 101.” The pair also raised regional concerns. For the first time in years, Winnipeg has no cabinet representation. Cities like Calgary, Regina, and Saskatoon were also left out — while Brampton, Ontario, landed three ministers. “This is why Western Canadians talk about separation,” Klein said. “There’s no voice at the table for us. One city in Ontario gets three cabinet seats and the entire Prairies get one?” Koop agreed and warned that the imbalance risks fueling national division. “These aren’t unreasonable concerns,” he said. “Resource development, trade, affordability — the federal government is supposed to help solve these national issues, not deepen the divide.” Despite the criticism, both Klein and Koop noted a few promising moves. Anita Anand, now Minister of Foreign Affairs, was called a “serious upgrade.” And Tim Hodgson, a newcomer with a strong financial background, was praised as a potentially strong Natural Resources Minister. But they emphasized urgency. “People who were struggling a year ago are still struggling today — and in many cases, it’s worse,” Koop said. “Cost of living, housing, trade, and the economy. These issues haven’t been resolved, and this cabinet has to act fast.” Klein wrapped the episode by calling on the Prime Minister to offer weekly updates on trade talks with the U.S., and to assign a dedicated cabinet member to handle Canada-U.S. relations. He warned against repeating the Trudeau-era habit of slow communication and vague promises. “Canadians don’t want slogans,” Klein said. “They want straight answers and real solutions. Carney said he was different. Now he has to show us how.”

In the latest episode of Inside Politics with Kevin Klein, the gloves come off as the panel dives deep into Canada’s political inertia, economic drift, and failure to act on urgent national priorities. With guests Royce Koop, political science professor at the University of Manitoba, and veteran columnist Jeff Courrier, this week’s discussion is a wake-up call for anyone concerned about where the country is headed. The panel kicks off with a pointed review of newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official trip to Washington to meet with Donald Trump. The verdict? Optics over outcomes. Carney’s brief remarks were overshadowed by Trump’s 26-minute monologue, which included a jab at Canada’s negotiators and a backhanded claim that he helped Carney win the election. The meeting produced no real progress on tariffs, including a new one targeting Canada’s film industry, an issue already affecting Manitoba productions. “Nothing has changed,” said Courrier. “We’re right where we were before the meeting, only with more talk and fewer results.” Klein added that recent policy decisions at home are compounding damage to Manitoba's film industry. He highlighted the cancellation of direct flights from Winnipeg to Los Angeles—routes previously supported by now-scrapped subsidies—as another example of the bad policy undercutting local opportunity. “We’re doing more to hurt ourselves than to help ourselves,” Klein said bluntly. The discussion expanded to Canada’s broader economic performance. From missed mining opportunities to the outmigration of skilled workers, the group pointed to structural problems that go beyond partisan politics. Koop noted that the federal government shows little urgency, even as businesses pull back from investing and major employers leave the country. “We’re not even in a hangover yet,” Koop warned. “We’re still knocking back drinks.” The group also explored how Canada continues to lose out by failing to pitch itself to investors aggressively. While Trump courts industry and talent with incentives, Canada piles on red tape, taxes, and bureaucracy. “Why are we not out there selling Canada?” Klein asked. “We have clean power, abundant land, and educated people—but we’re not making it easy to invest or grow here.” Koop delivered one of the episode’s most sobering takeaways: Canadians are electing politicians “to manage our slow decline.” It's a line Klein repeated—and emphasized—as a reality check for voters and business leaders alike. If you're tired of rehearsed talking points and looking for hard truths, Inside Politics with Kevin Klein delivers a raw, unfiltered take on the news that matters. This isn’t political theatre—it’s the conversation many Canadians have behind closed doors, finally brought into the open.