Politics and Public Finance Podcast: Recent Episodes
Geoff Dubrow
The POLITICS & PUBLIC FINANCE Podcast is hosted by Geoff Dubrow, Founder and Principal Consultant at Nexus PFM Consulting Inc. In each episode, Geoff reaches out to a vast global network of practitioners, (former) clients and others that he has crossed paths with (along with some new guests) to bring unique insights into the nexus between how governments manage our finances and the work of elected, representative bodies such as parliament.
Interview with Nadishani Perera, Executive Director, Transparency, International Sri Lanka, on the role of civil Society in monitoring the implementation of the IMF economic reform program in Sri Lanka.
Technical Note: this podcast episode was originally recorded to have Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, known as "Dr. Sara", and Nadishani Perera. Due to technical difficulties, we had to edit out Dr. Saravanamuttu from the interview. We apologize for any disruption this may cause to the flow of the conversation. Thank you for your understanding. - Human Coined Team
An epic conversation/interview with Sammy Obeng, Executive Director of Parliamentary Network Africa, on transparency, civic participation and public accountability on the African continent.
An incredible chat with Phyllis Makau, former (and first) Director of Kenya's Parliamentary Budget Office! We delved into the roots of the Kenyan PBO, from its humble (and rocky) beginnings to becoming an independent powerhouse with over 50 staff. It wasn't always smooth sailing – starting small and facing resistance from the executive branch. This episode has some potential lessons for emerging PBOs.
Part Two of my invigorating discussion with gender equality and GRB expert Claire O'Donnell and Marija Risteska, Executive Director of the Centre for Research and Policy Making (North Macedonia) on the recent International Budget Partnership publication on "Addressing Gender Responsive Budget Implementation: How Civil Society is Holding Governments Accountable to Gender Promises in Budget Execution.
Such an invigorating discussion with gender equality and GRB expert Claire O'Donnell and Marija Risteska, Executive Director of the Centre for Research and Policy Making (North Macedonia) on the recent International Budget Partnership publication on "Addressing Gender Responsive Budget Implementation: How Civil Society is Holding Governments Accountable to Gender Promises in Budget Execution."
In this episode, Geoff interviews special guest Jason Braganza, Executive Director of African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD). They discuss all the work AFRODAD is doing to: reform the international financial and debt architecture, push for the creation of more fiscal space and fight for Africa sovereignty/agency.
In this episode, Geoff shares some recent experience working in and with countries that are in debt distress, or in some cases at high risk of debt distress. Many have IMF bailout agreements, and Geoff has been working with institutions such as parliaments and civil society to strengthen their involvement in the debt crisis in terms of helping to find a solution and rectify the situation.
This is an enlightening episode featuring Mae Buenaventura from the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD). Join us as we delve into the world of building debt justice alliances, where Mae shares her invaluable insights on creating powerful collaborations for positive change.
This episode with Dr. Peter Philips, MP (Jamaica), delves into the significance of civil society monitoring of IMF Financial Assistance Programs. We spent 45 minutes discussing the vital role of independent monitoring and why we can't solely rely on governments and the IMF to ensure proper implementation of these agreements. This interview presents a compelling business case for the inclusion of diverse voices in the economic reform process. It's time for governments to recognize the value of diverse perspectives!
An interview with Manju Varma, New Brunswick's former Commissioner for Systemic Racism, on her views regarding changes to Policy 713.
In this continuing series on gender based analysis plus, host Geoff Dubrow interviews Mylène Després and Carole Chan about their lived intersectional experience.
The inaugural episode of the podcast series Human Coined features an interview with Manju Varma, who was New Brunswick‘s first commissioner of systemic racism. Host Geoff Dubrow talks to Manju about the recommendations arising from her report and the importance of applying gender-based analysis plus to government policies.
While most of us spent the last six months gravely concerned about Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Don Bowser left the comfort of his home in New Brunswick, Canada, to support Ukraine’s resistance. An international anti-corruption consultant, Don shares his experience in Ukraine and his perspective on what Russia might look like after Putin.
As the quality and quantity of democracies around the world continue to decline, Politics and Public Finance examines whether Canada is doing enough to stem the tide. My guest is Tom Cormier, President and CEO of the Parliamentary Centre. The Centre has over 50 years of experience strengthening democracy at home and abroad. How has the institution changed over the decades? We then talk about whether Canada is doing enough to stem the tide of democratic backsliding around the world.
An interview with Mae Buenaventura from the Asian People's Movement on Debt and Development on the quest for a debt audit in the Philippines, the crisis in Sri Lanka and the of civil society in achieving debt justice in Asia.
“The overturning of Roe V. Wade. Are the decline in Gender and Sexual Minority Rights Connected to Democratic Backsliding?. ”
According to the UK organization Debt Justice, 54 countries across the world are suffering from a debt crisis. In addition, another 57 are at risk of a debt crisis. What is the role of civil society organizations in debt transparency, debt forgiveness and promoting responsible lending and borrowing? Why not just leave it to ministries of finance to solve the world’s debt crisis?
Justice Louise Arbour’s report into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment inthe Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) found that previous external reports on this matter have “led to a flurry of activity by the CAF in an attempt to fix the problem. Unfortunately, those efforts have so far failed”. It was clear from Justice Arbour’s report that Parliament was not on her mind when it came to monitoring the implementation of her recommendations. Can parliamentary oversight make a difference?
The biennial Open Budget Survey was released last week. The OBS, which surveyed 120 countries, including Canada, is the gold standard assessment of public participation, oversight and transparency in the budget process. Canada scored an abysmal 52/100 with respect to budget oversight and 31/100 on budget transparency. Should Canadians be concerned? Was this a fluke due to COVID-19 or does Canada need to ‘up its game’? We’ll talk to one of the experts who played a role in the survey.
Section One: The unprecedented invocation of the Emergencies Act in Canada in response to the illegal occupation of Ottawa and blockades at border crossings has been a flashpoint in Canadian politics. It serves as a reminder that Canada is not immune to global trends in democratic backsliding. Will a parliamentary and judicial inquiry be successful in addressing the political failures and social divisions that led to the crisis in the first place? As part of an ongoing series, special guest Elizabeth May, parliamentary leader of the federal Green Party of Canada will assess the damage, the prospects and how to ‘do better next time!’
Section Two: Lawrence Ayagiba, Deputy Auditor General, Ghana. In order to effectively oversee public spending, parliament relies on the Auditor General to investigate and report on malfeasance. Yet audit reports alone do not necessarily guarantee value for money or prudent spending in the future. Lawrence Ayagiba, Deputy Auditor General of Ghana, joins podcast host Geoff Dubrow to discuss how the Ghana Audit Service engages Parliament.
The unprecedented invocation of the Canadian Emergencies Act in response to the illegal occupation of Ottawa and blockades at border crossings has been a flashpoint in Canadian politics and serves as a reminder that Canada is not immune to global trends in democratic backsliding. Assessing the failures of leadership that led to this crisis can help to understand how to implement the necessary safeguards and avoid such a negative outcome in the future. Podcast host Geoff Dubrow joins former federal cabinet minister and MP Ross Reid as well as former Nova Scotia MLA Kevin Deveaux to discuss leadership failures, the Emergencies Act, and how to ‘do better next time!’
The number of countries in debt distress or high risk of debt distress is rising. The fourth global wave of debt that has been with us since the 2008 global financial crisis has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Is there any hope to stop the global debt tidal wave? Podcast host Geoff Dubrow joins Jamaican MP and Former Finance Minister Peter Phillips as well as Public Debt Management consultant Michele Robinson to plot a way forward.
On Episode 6 of Politics & Public Finance, Geoff Dubrow & Associate ProfessorJeff Sahadeo discuss 'Why Russians Don’t See What the West Sees: Understanding Putin’s Ongoing Popularity Ratings in Russia'
From Lusaka, Zambia, Geoff talks to TED Speaker Maja Bosnic and Zambian Rhodes Scholar Katongo Chileshe about the linkages between gender budgeting, gender equality and democracy. Warning: check your assumptions at the door!
Thomas Bridle, Senior Global Practice Lead joins Geoff Dubrow on this episode to discuss "Back to the USSR or Democratic Revival?"
Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux speaks about his role in advocating for fiscal transparency and helping parliamentarians dissect the complex budgetary information provided by the government.