Former journalist, diplomat, and Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin reflects on democracy through the lens of a career that has spanned media, public service, and politics. In this episode, Wallin speaks to the greatest challenges democracies face today and how the change of technology and political climate have transformed public life.

Aline Nizigama, CEO of YWCA Canada, considers democracy through the lens of lived experience, community leadership, and social justice. Drawing on her upbringing in the state of Burundi in Africa, her family’s involvement in the country’s first democratic elections, and her experiences as a refugee and advocate, she explores how democracy is sustained through participation, inclusion, and strong public institutions.

Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor of OCAD University and co-founder of DemocracyXChange, explores the power of creativity and digital technology in shaping the future of democracy. Serrano examines the decline in public trust in democratic systems amid globalization and technological change, and considers the role universities play as spaces for knowledge exchange, pluralist thought, and democratic experimentation.

Former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne reflects on her journey from local school board activism to becoming Canada’s first openly gay premier. She argues that democracy depends on strong public institutions, meaningful civic participation, and a conviction that education, community engagement, and collective action are essential foundations for society.

Ewa Krajewska, constitutional lawyer and partner at Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP, reflects on institutions that sustain democratic societies and the growing pressures they face. Drawing on her family’s experience fleeing communist Poland and her work on major constitutional cases, she argues that democracy is far more than majority rule while exploring the rise of illiberal politics across the political spectrum and the importance of defending civil liberties.

Historian and author Marci Shore reflects on the growing challenges facing democracies around the world through her research on authoritarianism, Eastern Europe, and democratic resistance movements. She addresses the gradual erosion of democracy, the role of education and universities in democratic culture, and the dangers posed by misinformation, inequality, and political scapegoating.

Filmmaker Raha Shirazi discusses the creation of her documentary A War on Women, which traces more than four decades of feminist resistance in Iran. Drawing on her own experience as an Iranian-Canadian and the daughter of a women’s rights activist, Shirazi reflects on the power of storytelling, documentation, and film as tools for preserving history and amplifying voices that authoritarian regimes seek to silence.

Fae Johnstone, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Queer Momentum, discusses the relationship between democracy, human rights, and social movements through the lens of 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy. Reflecting on her own experiences as a trans woman and activist, she speaks to the role of inclusion, participation, and dignity for historically excluded communities in building a strong democracy.

Former Ontario Minister of Finance and longtime public servant Janet Ecker discusses democracy through the lens of political leadership, public accountability, and civic responsibility. She speaks of the key to sustaining democracy amid growing political polarization and emphasizes the idea of democracy as both a privilege and a responsibility.

Jennifer Hollett, Executive Director of The Walrus, explores the relationship between media, civic participation, and democratic health. She reflects on why many people are losing faith in traditional institutions, arguing that economic insecurity, declining trust, and fragmented information ecosystems have created fertile ground for democratic dissatisfaction and authoritarian appeals.