Nexus PFM Podcast

The POLITICS & PUBLIC FINANCE Podcast is released every second Monday in one or two formats: “the interview” or “the panel”. The interview features a special guest to explore a topic in depth, while the panel features a discussion with multiple guests or back-to-back interviews.

The POLITICS & PUBLIC FINANCE Podcast is hosted by Geoff Dubrow, Founder and Principal Consultant at Nexus PFM Consulting Inc. Geoff will brings his high energy facilitation skills to every podcast.

The podcast explores key themes related to the nexus between PFM or public financial management (i.e. how governments manage finances) and the work of elected, representative bodies such as parliament. Some topics, such as exploring democratic backsliding (the gradual decline in the quality of democracy) and diversity & inclusion, goes beyond the nexus.




Nexus PFM Podcast
Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives of Sri Lanka joins Politics & Public Finance Podcast to discuss State of the Nation: Update on the Debt Crisis in Sri Lanka.
PAPF Ep 17 | State of the Nation: Update on the Debt Crisis in Sri Lanka
YouTube Video UC1rf3-YVLMP-5IKyTK_RN-A_VhN7D5SAakM
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.
Ep 16 | Dispatches from Ukraine: Resisting the Russian Invasion
YouTube Video UC1rf3-YVLMP-5IKyTK_RN-A_iN2drLFdPls
Can ESG Save the World or at Least Make it More Gender Equitable? 0:24 welcome/introduction 1:01 Introduction to Karen Craggs-Milne VP ESG, Thought Exchange 2:39 My conversation with my seven-year-old: Lessons from the Lisa Laflamme firing 4:51 Environment, Social, and Governance 7:22 Distinction between ESG investment and ESG strategies 9:27 ESG and return on investment 11:32 Gender equality and the "S" in ESG 15:45 Merit and minorities 18:57 The backlash to social progress 24:17 The business case for ESG and conscious capitalism 27:15 What kind of democracy do we want? 32:32 The relationship between ESG and DEI 36:03 Social exclusion within the workplace 37:46 Thank you 38:20 wrap up
Ep15 | Can ESG Save the World or at Least Make it More Gender Equitable?
YouTube Video UC1rf3-YVLMP-5IKyTK_RN-A_uqaSDi5cLwE
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. 0:00 Introduction 1:38 Tom’s elevator pitch 3:30 Going strong at 50: How has the Parliamentary Centre evolved over the years? 6:10 Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine: A wake-up call for all of us 8:30 Giving voice to Ukrainian MP’s during the Russian invasion of Ukraine: The Role of the Parliamentary Centre 11:37 Contrasting Ukrainian and Russian invoices during the Russian invasion of Ukraine 14:10 So what is Canada doing to stem the tide of democratic backsliding around the world? 17:50 Promises, Promises: A Canadian institute for democracy? 24:24 What is so important about being a democracy? 28:25 Shoring up democracy in Canada 33:14 Flaws in the American and Canadian electoral systems 36:11 wrap up
PAPF Ep 14 | Is Canada Fiddling While Global Democracy Burns?
YouTube Video UC1rf3-YVLMP-5IKyTK_RN-A_VsCOP5PNHaY
Description: 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. Index: 0:00 Introduction 1:35 Mae’s elevator pitch 2:11 When is debt illegitimate? 3:15 The long campaign in the Philippines to audit “useless” debt 5:42 Why would a President veto a debt audit? 7:36 Do countries get a higher credit rating if they cover up corruption in the implementation of loan agreements? 9:07 Congress fails the people of the Philippines: Inaction on the debt audit 12:50 Where have debt audits been successful? 14:29 Connection between President Ferdinand Marcos and current efforts to achieve debt justice in the Philippines 17:48 Countries not paying illegitimate debts 21:25 Should the IMF change its operating practices? 23:25 COVID-19 26:50 Taking action in Sri Lanka 29:30 Debt levels as taboo 32:11 India and Pakistan following suit 33:45 The threat of private sector debt 36:33 Wrap up
Debt Justice: The Role of Civil Society (Part II)
YouTube Video UC1rf3-YVLMP-5IKyTK_RN-A_gepN73sgOso
In light of the recent US Supreme Court ruling reversing Roe v. Wade, there has been mass protests across the US against the attack on the rights of women and LGBTQ2S+ communities. Is it a coincidence that the US is also backsliding as a democracy? Is this part of a wider global phenomenon? This episode will explore the linkages between democratic backsliding and decline in rights for women and sexual minority groups. How can this trend be reversed? Index: 0:26 Introduction 1:43 Introduction to Gabrielle Bardall – Herizon Democracy 2:30 “Where were you when” moments in US history 5:06 Roe V. Wade a result of decades of calculated actions 5:45 Ukraine’s “The Revolution of Dignity” 7:46 Autocrats dressing up as democrats 9:30 “Revenge of the Patriarchs” 10:40 Assault on women’s rights as an authoritarian road to power 15:04 Hafsa Mohammad (Grassroots NB) and Carole Chan (Democracy Now) 18:30 Connection between democratic backsliding and women’s rights 26:15 Do we need a whole new system? 30:00 Progress vs. Regress 33:50 Meeting in the middle? 38:45 If you don’t like it, go to Russia 39:19 Wrap up
Ep. 12 The Overturning of Roe V. Wade & Its Implications
YouTube Video UC1rf3-YVLMP-5IKyTK_RN-A_wNv_kS_r8sU
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? Index: 1:00 Introduction 1:21 The gravity of the current global debt crisis 2:25 Basic services 'shutting down' due to debt 3:02 How has the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine impacted the global debt crisis? 4:52 The damage caused by speculators 6:15 The intensity of the private sector debt risk 9:09 Call to Action: Debt Cancellation initiative in Zambia 12:56 Selling the farm: Borrowing at private sector rates 14:17 Should Zambia need to repay private sector debt? 15:34 “You don’t need to regulate us, we’ll do this voluntarily" 18:28 The role of civil society in fighting for debt justice: Holding the lenders to account” 19:33 Civil society mobilization for accountability: The Credit Suisse Scandal in Mozambique: 21:42 When should countries stop paying their debts? 24:52 Is the IMF more concerned about the creditor than the debtor? 27:53 Recommendations for the future 29:05 Getting the private sector onside. Is transparency possible?
PAPF Ep 11 | Debt Justice: The Role of Civil Society
YouTube Video UC1rf3-YVLMP-5IKyTK_RN-A_i1V-haVNIsU
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? Index: 0:20 Episode overview 1:55 Welcome to Shawn Murphy and Carol Bellringer 3:06 Can parliament play a role in overseeing the Arbour Report implementation? 5:16 The role of the public accounts committee and the auditor-general 6:36 The Arbour Report and the public accounts committee 8:01 Committee business and the Arbour Report 9:17 The Public Accounts Committee and sexual harassment in the CAF 10:45 DND provided two status updates after the Auditor-General’s report 12:07 How does follow-up work at the Public Accounts Committee? 13:28 Repetition in the Arbour Report 14:20 Immediate steps for the Arbour Report 15:15 Internal audit in the department of national defence 17:00 Over-analysis of systemic problems 18:06 Failure of internal audit to address systemic issues 19:29 The absence of Parliament in the Arbour Report 20:45 Parliament’s oversight responsibilities 21:22 Necessary changes for the Defence Committee 22:27 Cultural issues in the Canadian military 23:14 Change will be slower without parliamentary involvement 24:12 How independent offices work 26:57 Who does the follow-up on systemic recommendations? Segment Two: Justice Louise Arbour’s report into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the 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? 29:39 Segment 2 introduction 30:58 Background on the Open Budget Survey 33:46 Open Budget Survey investigation workflow 34:35 Canada’s low score on the 2021 OBS 36:23 Canada’s transparency issues were not part of a global trend 37:17 Transparency is more important in uncertain times 38:50 Mismatch between the Budget and the Estimates 41:25 Impact of a “missed” budget 42:17 Inclusion of underrepresented groups in budget formulation 45:09 Legislative consultations during the formulation phase 47:08 Is the Canadian missing budget implementation? 48:28 Helping citizens understand how money is spent 50:04 Is it time to legislate the budget and fiscal update? 53:29 Partisan reasons for not tabling a budget? 54:11 Conclusion
Ep.10: Oversight of Sexual Misconduct in the Military. A Role for Parliament?
YouTube Video UC1rf3-YVLMP-5IKyTK_RN-A_O1MIaBzfGMg
Segment 1: Leadership failures and the emergencies Act (part II); Segment 2: Beyond the ivory tower: how the auditor general works with parliament. Segment 1: Guest Elizabeth May, Parliamentary Leader, Green Party of Canada. 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!’ Index: 0:53 Why should we be concerned about the invocation of the Emergencies Act? 1:55 Could a future government misuse the Emergencies Act? 6:32 What role did partisanship play in fuelling the crisis that led to the invocation of the Act? 8:28 Role of disinformation 12:16 Did the double standards in policing response influence the invocation of the Act? 13:30 Did the safeguards in the Act serve Canada’s democracy well? 15:07 Did the double standards in policing response influence the invocation of the Act? (part II) 18:22 The parliamentary inquiry: MP’s have “been watching too much US TV”! 19:30 Optimistic about the judicial inquiry Segment 2: 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. Index: 23:22 Introduction 24:15 Why is the symbiosis between the auditor general and parliament so important? 25:44 What has changed in the last twenty years? 30:53 The parliamentary liaison office 32:04 How does the public benefit from a closer AG-parliament relationship in Ghana? 33:46 Why do AGs in low and middle-income countries still chase the details? 37:15 Do African audit offices still lack independence?
Ep. 9. Leadership Failures and the Emergencies Act | Part II (Elizabeth May, MP).
YouTube Video UC1rf3-YVLMP-5IKyTK_RN-A_WbRcMaVb_FE
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The POLITICS & PUBLIC FINANCE Podcast live streams every second Monday.

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.

EpisdodeRelease date
1: The effects of the trucker protests on democracy in Canada part IMarch 2/22
2. The effects of the trucker protests on democracy in Canada part IIMarch 2/22
3. Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves GirouxMarch 7/22
4. Back to the USSR or democratic revival? Interview with Tomas BridleMar. 21/22
5. Not your ordinary gender budgeting conversation with TED Speaker Maja Bosnic and Zambian Rhodes Scholar Katongo Chileshe April 5/22
6. Why Russians Don’t See What the West SeesApril 19/22
7. Escaping the Public Debt Trap: Prospects and PossibilitiesMay 2/22
8. Leadership Failures and the Emergencies Act (in Canada)May 16/22
9. Segment 1: Leadership Failures and the Emergencies Act Part II. Interview with Elizabeth May, MP
Segment 2: Beyond the ivory tower: how the auditor general works with parliament.		May 30/22
10. Oversight of Sexual Misconduct in the Military. A Role for Parliament?June 13/22
11. Debt Justice: The Role of Civil SocietyJune 27/22
12. The Overturning of Roe V. Wade & Its ImplicationsJuly 18/22

For comments or suggestions, feel free to send an email to podcast@nexuspfm.com