July 22, 2026
How Pierre Trudeau Changed Canada Forever
With Allan and Corri Hunsperger · Guest: Michael Wagner
Historian, researcher, and Senior Alberta Columnist for the Western Standard Michael Wagner discusses his article, Pierre Trudeau Deliberately Politicized Canada's Courts. He explains how Pierre Trudeau's judicial reforms, Supreme Court appointments, and the Charter of Rights shifted power from elected officials to unelected judges. The conversation examines how Canada's judicial system changed, compares it with the United States, and explores what these changes could mean for Canada's democracy and Alberta's future.
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In this episode
Tap a time to jump to that part of the conversation.
- 00:00 Foundational Message
- 03:37 Guest comes in – Michael Wagner
- 04:18 How Pierre Trudeau changed Canada's courts
- 06:26 Judicial appointments and shifting political power
- 08:14 How the Charter accelerated judicial activism
- 11:14 What Canada's courts looked like before Trudeau
- 14:41 Why Trudeau wanted judicial supremacy
- 16:10 Canada vs. the American court system
- 20:47 Why Canada's Prime Minister holds more power
- 24:06 How the Charter transferred power to judges
- 25:46 Why these lessons matter for Canada's future
- 27:09 Free Living in Truth devotional & support Talk Truth
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