This week on WONK, the premier of the Northwest Territories discusses the growing strategic importance of the North, the appetite for its critical minerals and his message for Ottawa

As the climate warms and geopolitical tensions heat up, Canada’s eyes — and the appetites of the world — are increasingly turning north. An area renowned for its stark beauty is now also viewed as an untapped resource for rare earth and critical minerals. It is also feeling the impacts of global warming more acutely than almost anywhere on Earth.
Host Edward Greenspon is joined by R.J. Simpson, the premier of the Northwest Territories, to talk about this new North, his message for Ottawa and the immense changes that are unfolding.

Listen now anywhere you get your podcasts.

Listen to more episodes from Season 2 of WONK:

Steve Verheul on what a Trump victory could mean for Canada

Sean Speer on how governments can get stuff done

Janice Stein on what’s wrong with the world — and what Canada can do

Raven Lacerte on a movement to end violence against women and children

Dr. Jane Philpott on getting every Canadian a family doctor

David Campbell on what’s driving Atlantic Canada’s big boom

And see what you might have missed in Season 1 of WONK.