Canada-US trade talks fell apart last week, and Matt Gurney says the government's response reveals a much older problem than this one negotiation. He walks through why Ottawa treats information as something to protect rather than share, and why Canadians rarely get to see how these decisions actually get made.

He draws on years of asking Canadian officials for information most other democracies hand over freely, and describes the kind of response that request usually gets. The gap between that and how American officials handled the same week says something about who is actually equipped to win this fight.

The conversation turns to how a well-worn political habit, replying without answering, has become the default setting across Canadian governments, and why applying that same playbook to a trade war might be the biggest miscalculation Ottawa makes this year.

Topics: Canada-US trade talks, government transparency, political messaging, information war, talking points

GUEST: Matt Gurney | http://readtheline.ca | @‌mattgurney

Originally aired on 2026-08-25

Canada-US trade talks fell apart last week, and Matt Gurney says the government's response reveals a much older problem than this one negotiation. He walks through why Ottawa treats information as something to protect rather than share, and why Canadians rarely get to see how these decisions actually get made.
He draws on years of asking Canadian officials for information most other democracies hand over freely, and describes the kind of response that request usually gets. The gap between that and how American officials handled the same week says something about who is actually equipped to win this fight.
The conversation turns to how a well-worn political habit, replying without answering, has become the default setting across Canadian governments, and why applying that same playbook to a trade war might be the biggest miscalculation Ottawa makes this year.
Topics: Canada-US trade talks, government transparency, political messaging, information war, talking points
GUEST: Matt Gurney |<a href="http://readtheline.ca"> http://readtheline.ca</a> | @&zwnj;mattgurney
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-08-25

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.