Does Canada Need Nukes?

Feb 4, 2026

Tasha Kheiriddin, political commentator, lawyer, and Substack writer, joins to debate whether Canada should consider nuclear weapons. She discusses convention dynamics, why Pierre Poilievre must address Donald Trump, and political risks of hardline rhetoric. They also weigh Arctic defense priorities, Cold War lessons, and reactions to Stephen Harper's portrait unveiling.

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INSIGHT

Name Trump Or Lose Persuadable Voters

Tasha Kheiriddin argues Pierre Poilievre must directly address Donald Trump because Trump ranks high among Canadian concerns.
Ignoring Trump alienates persuadable voters who view Trump's actions as a risk to democratic norms.

INSIGHT

Tone Matters More Than Policy Wording

Harsh immigration language can mobilize a base but risks branding a party as Trump-like to broader electorates.
Voters react not only to policy but to tone, phrasing, and associations with foreign leaders' tactics.

INSIGHT

Nukes Are Politically And Practically Unfit

Both Tasha and Ryan agree nuclear weapons are politically and practically unwise for Canada given treaties and cost.
They recommend prioritizing conventional capabilities, Arctic presence, and NATO partnerships instead.

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Should Canada expand its military arsenal to include nuclear weapons? Retired general Wayne Eyre says it should be an option, but Defence Minister David McGuinty says it's not. We ask columnist Tasha Kheiriddin (3:40) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West. Tasha also explains why Pierre Poilievre needs to talk more about Donald Trump, and gives us her take on Stephen Harper's portrait unveiling in Ottawa. (Enjoy the very beginning of the interview, as Jespo learns a tough lesson about leaning on AI for simple yet important tasks.)

THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY. HANSEN IS WISHING CANADA'S ATHLETES BEST OF LUCK AT THE 2026 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES. RAISE A GLASS TO TEAM CANADA: https://hansendistillery.com/

CHECK OUT TASHA'S SUBSTACK: https://tashakheiriddin.substack.com/

47:00 | Are The Beatles the most overrated band in the world? Johnny lays out his argument, prompting a vigorous debate in our Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power.

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57:00 | Looking to WOW your valentine? Head to the most romantic spot in Canada - Jasper National Park! Real Talker Claudette paints a picture, then Jespo highlights your best Valentine's Day options in #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.

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1:06:30 | Debate continues in our Live Chat around overrated bands and Canada going nuclear.

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1:12:45 | Did you hear what Melinda French Gates had to say about her ex-husband Bill and the Epstein files? We have a look at her appearance on an NPR podcast that has everybody talking, along with a remarkable exchange at the White House between President Trump and CNN's Kaitlan Collins.

1:38:15 | Our thoughts are with the many friends and family mourning the loss of teens JJ Wright, Cameron Casorso, and Caden Fine, the Southern Alberta Mustangs hockey players killed in a crash on their way to practice.

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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.