The Important Stuff Podcast

The Important Stuff Podcast is a dive into the world of government policy, national and international politics with your hosts, Robert MacGillivary and Fareed Khan, opinionated and seasoned observers of government and politics, who will break down the most pressing issues from Canada, the US and around the world. From dissecting legislative developments to exploring global political trends, this podcast will tackle the topics that shape the world with wit, insight, analysis and a touch of humour. Whether you’re a policy wonk or just curious about the forces that drive change in your community or overseas, this podcast will provide commentary, opinion and analysis about the important stuff you need to know.

Episodes

Sep 15, 2025

1 hr 4 min

In this episode we discuss the US sanctioning of the Canadian ICC judge, Kimberly Prost, due the "audacity" of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in approving the resumption of investigations of war crimes in Afghanistan. We also discuss the implications surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk this past week, as well as the broader Israeli conflict with their recent bombing of Qatar, where a meeting of Hamas and other officials was taking place.
Yours hosts: Robert MacGillivary and Fareed Khan

Sep 15, 2025

1 hr 4 min

Aug 7, 2025

1 hr 22 sec

In this episode we discuss data sovereignty, data privacy and Facebook, and the planned new social media platform to be based in Canada, Gander, which is associated with Arlene Dickison, formerly of Dragon's Den.  Also discussed, a new massive data centre, Wonder Land, proposed by O'Leary Ventures to be built in the district of Greenview, Alberta, the increase in tariffs by Trump on Canada to 35%, and finishing this episode with the risks and possible benefits of AI. 
 
00:50 - Sovereignty
09:40 - Data Privacy and Facebook
24:21 - Gander - new social media platform
31:08 - Proposed Mega Data Centre in Alberta
42:00 - Trump's Tariffs
49:55 - Risks of AI
 

Aug 7, 2025

1 hr 22 sec

Jul 28, 2025

1 hr 3 min

A discussion on the Israel-Palestine situation including the sanctions and lobbying against those who call out the genocidal actions in Gaza. The by-election that will give Pierre Poilievre a second chance to become a member of parliament. The status of “charities” that lobby on behalf of other countries. The UK government proscribes Palestine Action as a terrorist group.

Jul 28, 2025

1 hr 3 min

Apr 27, 2025

57 min

In this episode we talk about the federal party platforms that were released in the past week or so.  Today we are one day before the election, and the race between the the Liberals and the Conservatives is still quite tight. The NDP are down in the polls and face the risk of losing official party status.  This is part 4 in the series covering the 2025 Federal Election.

Apr 27, 2025

57 min

Apr 22, 2025

1 hr 15 sec

In this episode we talk about a very serious situation. That is, the one taking place in Gaza right now - a situation labelled by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as a genocide, and being investigated by the the International Court of Justice as a “plausible" genocide. We talk about Canada's lack of effort in regard to condemning this level of atrocities. Mark Carney has shown that he is no different than Justin Trudeau, in that he says the right things but there seems to be little substance behind the words, with him saying at one point that he does not want to "politicize" the situation by using the word genocide. 
We also discuss the federal election debate who said what. Will the debate move the needle?  Who performed well, who did not?  Listen to find out.
 
Human Rights Watch - A Threshold Crossed (Apartheid, 2021)
Anesty International - Israel is Committing Genocide in Gaza
Independent Jewish Voices (2025, Canada)
 
You can find our podcasts on Y Insights at: Yinsights.org/podcasts
You can find Fareed's blog on Rabble at: Rabble.ca/author/fareed-khan/

Apr 22, 2025

1 hr 15 sec

Apr 12, 2025

59 min

In this episode we talk about home building plans of the federal parties, US tariffs, and tax free savings accounts.  This is part 2 of the 2025 Federal Election series.
You can find our podcasts on Y Insights at: Yinsights.org/podcasts
You can find Fareed's blog on Rabble at: Rabble.ca/author/fareed-khan/
 

Apr 12, 2025

59 min

Mar 26, 2025

49 min

In this episode we talk about the election polls for each party, military spending in Canada and in outher NATO countries, include the decision on Canadian fighters, innovation in Canada, and the role of the U.S. as the world's police force. We are also going to talk about the most recent impacts of Trump on Canada and the world, and talk of third term, and ignoring court orders. We will cover some of the party positions with a comparison of the positions of Pierre Poilievre with the positions of Donald Trump.

Mar 26, 2025

49 min

Trudeau's Legacy

Mar 13, 2025

Mar 13, 2025

47 min

A unapologetic and frank discussion of the main events of the past 10 years that will be a part of Justin Trudeau's Legacy, covering the top six things he did right and then what he did wrong during his term in office as the Prime Minister of Canada, after winning three elections, two of which where he formed a minority governments.

Mar 13, 2025

47 min

Mar 6, 2025

49 min

The risk that Trump is moving the United States closer to Fascism, including some of his most absurd proclamations. Control of the media by large corporations and billionaires. What is fascism?  Discussion on political parties in Canada. 

Mar 6, 2025

49 min

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