Geopolitics meets Major League Baseball

Geopolitics meets Major League Baseball

Author: TD Securities May 27, 2026 Duration: 1:16:53
Frank and Peter found heaven in the May episode of Geopolitics with the marriage of a live audience for Episode 78 before a Jays game at the Rogers Center and a special guest appearance in the second half of this podcast by former Toronto Blue Jays President Paul Beeston to talk baseball. Frank covers a wide range of topics in the first 30 minutes including his view on the wars in Iran and Ukraine as well as Canadian hot button topics such as the upcoming CUSMA negotiations and the upcoming separation vote in Alberta. He also takes a moment to remember the life of his friend Robert Irving from Moncton who passed away recently. The conversation shifts to baseball where two kids in a candy store named McKenna and Haynes lined up to ask Beeston everything he knows about baseball including his view on the Jays in 2026 as well as the pending labor negotiations between players and owners. Beeston offers his thoughts on the electronic review of everything in baseball, an outcome he would not support and finishes with some thoughts on 50 years with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Chapter Headings 01:10 - Remember Robert Irving 03:52 - Are We Nearing the End of the Wars in Iran and Ukraine? 15:33 - Global Investors Turn Bullish on Canada 21:44 - CUSMA Rhetoric 29:00 - Premier Smith's Dangerous Gamble on Sovereignty Vote 39:07 - Beeston's 50 Game Review of Blue Jays Season 47:34 - Can Major League Baseball Avoid a Strike? 54:38 - Beeston Says No to Review of Every Umpire Decision 1:14:02 - Memories from 50 Years with the Blue Jays This podcast was recorded on 05/25/26

Each month, Peter Haynes sits down with Frank McKenna for a conversation that cuts through the noise of global headlines. The Geopolitics with Frank McKenna podcast provides a rare perspective, shaped by McKenna’s unique blend of experience as a former Canadian Premier and Ambassador to the U.S., now serving as Deputy Chair at TD Securities. This isn't a theoretical discussion; it's a practical analysis of how international tensions, trade disputes, and shifting alliances directly impact markets and business strategies. You’ll hear nuanced takes on the stories dominating the news, grounded in a deep understanding of both political corridors and boardrooms. Haynes guides these monthly dialogues to unpack complex issues with clarity, making the forces shaping our world accessible and relevant. For anyone looking to comprehend the real-world implications of global power dynamics, this series offers essential listening. The insights throughout this podcast come from a place of firsthand experience, offering listeners a valuable lens on the interconnected nature of policy and finance. Tune in for thoughtful, forward-looking conversations that go beyond the soundbite.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Geopolitics with Frank McKenna
Podcast Episodes
Trade Update and Canada's Budget – Rona and Frank Debate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:49
Episode 70 of Geopolitics is a bonus episode taken from a panel at our recent Portfolio Management and Market Structure Conference. Frank McKenna is joined by his TD colleague The Honorable Rona Ambrose, Deputy Chairwoma…
Never a Dull Moment in Washington [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:03
In Episode 69, Frank invites Chris Krueger, Strategist with TD Cowen's Washington Research Group, to join the pod to help navigate the fast-moving developments in Washington including the government work stoppage, Canada…
Franks Funk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:57
Frank comes to the September podcast taping in a somber mood, strange for someone who prides himself as the eternal optimist. What has Frank in a mood? Well, he lists several issues with the current US Administration tha…
CUSMA, Ukraine and Gerrymandering in Frank's Crosshairs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:32
Frank is back after a month off with a lot to cover in the current Episode 67. He starts with a review of Canada's handling of forest fires, an area where Canada is arguably a world leader, and what can be done in the ne…
Iran Takes Center of World Geopolitical Stage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:52
Frank's focus during the June episode of Geopolitics was on analyzing the fluid situation in the Middle East following Israel's 12-day war with Iran and the US's decision to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. Stepping back…
Finally a Chance to Talk About Something Other Than Tariffs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:34
For the first time in four months of our podcast series, the focus of Frank's attention is not centered around tariffs. This month Frank starts with a detailed analysis of Prime Minister Carney's cabinet, a carefully con…
The Puck Drops on Federal Election in Canada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:46
In Episode 64, Frank covers the Canadian election from top to bottom, including addressing unflattering comments about Canada as a country from the leader of the Bloc Quebecois and the Premier of Alberta. Frank addresses…
Canada's New Prime Minister Joins Tariff/Sovereignty Debate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:17
In Episode 63, the focus of discussions in on two main topics: new Prime Minister Mark Carney's early days at the helm of Canada, and tariffs. Frank discusses Carney's decision to travel to Europe before the US, a move t…
The Future of Canada-US Relations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:30
In Episode 62, Frank is joined by Chris Krueger of TD Cowen's Washington Research Group to discuss the first 30 days of the Trump Administration, and the on-going trade war with Canada. Chris outlines his biggest surpris…