Blue skying with The West Block

So what does a political talk show like The West Block have in common with a bush plane?

They are both about seeing this country from a unique viewpoint, and talking about where we are and where we are going.

Ok that may be a stretch, but there is some truth in the connection.

There are a few things that politics and talk shows can learn from bush flying.

There’s an expression my fellow pilots use when we fly into the bush: north of the river. It means we’re in a place where you can talk freely and openly to create a good discussion. Apply that to a political show and you may just have something.

So this season, I’ll be taking politicians, policy makers, artists and story-tellers in my plane where we will go “north of the river” and blue sky some ideas. Hopefully flying over the beauty of this country will encourage real discussion rather than talking points.

I’ve got some names in mind already, but if you have a suggestion, let me know. Oh and let me put this to rest right now…I do not have an ejection seat. Take that into consideration.

I’ve also been thinking that we need to have another sort of discussion among ourselves. Now that we’ve got the engine of the country running on almost all cylinders, where do we want the car to go?

What should our national aspirations be, where do we want Canada to be in 10, 20 years from now? And how do we get there?

For some, no doubt, this will be about creating national government programs for this or that — but goals don’t have to be set or achieved by government alone. The power of this country is in our ideas and that belongs to everyone.

We’ll be talking with the best and brightest in Canada to explore that one big idea. As always, suggestions are welcome.

Finally, at least for now, another innovation: have you ever wondered how or why Ottawa works or doesn’t work? Ever puzzled over who does what, or where the real work happens?

Well send those questions to us, online or off, and we’ll do our best to find the answer and put it and your question on the show.

There’s more to come in the months ahead as we try to move politics away from the ordinary and take it north of the river. It’s great to have you along.