Season 4, Episode 1

Parliamentary Ethics: Should Canadian MPs Be More Independent?

That was the question Massey College's Public Policy Chair, Tom Axworthy, put to a panel of distinguished experts, including Dennis Mills as a former Parliamentarian, at a live event on January 6, 2026.

Moderated by Tom Axworthy, the session explores the growing tension between Canada’s elected Members of Parliament and the expanding power of the Prime Minister’s Office and executive branch.

Many observers argue that MPs have become overly constrained by party discipline, communications control, and the centralization of decision-making in Ottawa. Others maintain that a cohesive executive is essential for responsible government.

Hosted live and streamed on January 6, 2026 from Massey College in the University of Toronto, the panel features:

• Sabreena Delhon , CEO at the Samara Centre for Democracy and Senior Fellow at Massey College

• Dennis Mills, Former member of Parliament, author of From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair

• Arvind Krishendehol, Junior Fellow, Massey College, Doctoral Candidate in Political Science

For complete video visit the Massey College YouTube Channel (Visit https://www.youtube.com/@MasseyCollege)

Also be sure to visit Dennis Mills' YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TheLifeofaServant) as well as Dennis' website, www.dennismills.com.

All original production of this episode was provided by Massey College. This episode is not monetized in any way, and is provided for public information and education.

#canada #parliament #politics #canadianpolitics #parliamentaryethics #dennismills #masseycollege #tomaxworthy #samaracentre #democracy #lifeofaservant #servantleadership #representation

Season 3, Episode 3

Working Towards a National Food Plan for Canada

In a recent episode ofThe Life of a Servant we talked about the importance of protecting Canada’s fresh water resources.

In this episode we take another trip back to the year 2001 to hear a speech delivered byDennis Mills in Canada’s House of Commons aboutfood security.

On March 20, 2001, Dennis was serving as the Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth. As a city MP, Dennis and his team led several efforts to educate and raise awareness among Canada’s urban population about the value of Canada’s family farms.

This speech provides listeners with an audio glimpse into the nation’s boardroom nearly a quarter of a century ago, and how Members of Parliament from all political parties were working towards supporting and bolstering Canada’s family farms, protecting our national food supply, and finding do-able ways to raise our national understanding and appreciation of how our food moves from the fields to our tables.

Twenty-four years later, issues around food prices and how Canada’s food chain works really have taken a front seat on the tables, in the wallets and in the hearts and minds of Canadians.

Visit ⁠www.dennismills.com to learn more and to ADD YOUR VOICE to the conversation about building a stronger, more inclusive and resilient Canada for all Canadians. YOUR VOICE COUNTS.

And don’t forget to check out the latest book by Dennis Mills, “From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair: A Memoir” available now through ⁠www.benmcnallybooks.com⁠ in the heart of Toronto, as well as through an Amazon global marketplace near you (https://a.co/d/d7qqbpS).

#books #memoir #podcast #politics #bookstagram #parliament #publicpolicy #government #canadianbusiness #politicalleadership #thelifeofaservant #lifeofaservant #politicalmemoir #servantleadership #howtogetelected #taxreform #singletaxsystem #watermanagement #familyfarms #foodsecurity #foodprices #eventplanning #advocacy #howtoadvocate #canadianindigenous #liberalleadership #primeministers #governingcanada #ifiwereprimeminister #ifiwerepm #canada #politicalbiography #businessbiography

Season 3, Episode 2

This episode ofThe Life of a Servant takes listeners back 24 years, to May 8, 2001, in Canada’s House of Commons. On that day,Dennis Mills and several other Members of Parliament from all parties participated in a debate that focused on strengthening the safety, management and protection of Canada’s freshwater resources. The two other voices you hear in this episode are those of the Speaker of the House, the HonourableEleni Bakopanos, andJohn Herron, then the Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal in New Brunswick.

What you’ll hear is in many ways an audio time capsule from theboardroom of the nation – a chamber where Members from all parties rose above partisanship to deal with the issues that affected all Canadians; during a time period, although long-overdue, that featured Canada’s Parliamentarians seizing the importance of working collaboratively with indigenous governments and communities; and in a far-sighted moment, nearly a quarter of a century ago, in which our Members of Parliament from all communities in Canada knew that we would one day have to find some way to protect Canada’s most important resource.

Twenty-four years later, today’s pressing need to protect Canada’s freshwater resources just may be Canada’s defining leadership moment.

Visit ⁠www.dennismills.com to learn more and to ADD YOUR VOICE to the conversation about building a stronger, more inclusive and resilient Canada for all Canadians. YOUR VOICE COUNTS.

And don’t forget to check out the latest book by Dennis Mills, “From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair: A Memoir” available now through ⁠www.benmcnallybooks.com⁠ in the heart of Toronto, as well as through an Amazon global marketplace near you (https://a.co/d/d7qqbpS).

#books #memoir #podcast #politics #bookstagram #parliament #publicpolicy #government #canadianbusiness #politicalleadership #thelifeofaservant #lifeofaservant #politicalmemoir #servantleadership #howtogetelected #taxreform #singletaxsystem #watermanagement #familyfarms #foodsecurity #foodprices #eventplanning #advocacy #howtoadvocate #canadianindigenous #liberalleadership #primeministers #governingcanada #ifiwereprimeminister #ifiwerepm #canada #politicalbiography #businessbiography

Season 3, Episode 1

Who has what it takes lead now?

Welcome to Season 3 of The Life of a Servant.

In this episode, radio personality and podcaster Brian Crombie, of the Brian Crombie Radio Hour, chats with Dennis Mills about leadership.

They talk not only about who’s who in the Liberal Leadership race in Canada, but what national leadership really means -- leadership values in our communities, in ourselves and on the world stage.

They ask the questions: What is leadership, really? Is it charisma? It is a fancy resume? Is it likeability or electability? Or is it the capacity to speak for the poor, the challenged, those without a voice? Is leadership about the ability, passion and commitment to serve?

This episode also features Dennis endorsing Chrystia Freeland as the most suitable candidate to lead the Liberal Party of Canada, and he outlines the opportunities in this choice both for the Liberal Party and for Canada as a whole.

This interview was originally aired on January 31, 2025 on News Talk Sauga 960 AM. Listen to more episodes of the Brian Crombie Hour by checking out his podcast at https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/brian-crombie-radio-hour--4107390.

Visit ⁠www.dennismills.com to learn more and to ADD YOUR VOICE to the conversation about building a stronger, more inclusive and resilient Canada for all Canadians. YOUR VOICE COUNTS.

And don’t forget to check out the latest book by Dennis Mills, “From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair: A Memoir” available now through ⁠www.benmcnallybooks.com⁠ in the heart of Toronto, as well as through an Amazon global marketplace near you (https://a.co/d/d7qqbpS).

#books #memoir #podcast #politics #bookstagram #parliament #publicpolicy #government #canadianbusiness #politicalleadership #thelifeofaservant #lifeofaservant #politicalmemoir #servantleadership #howtogetelected #taxreform #singletaxsystem #watermanagement #familyfarms #foodsecurity #foodprices #eventplanning #advocacy #howtoadvocate #canadianindigenous #liberalleadership #primeministers #governingcanada #ifiwereprimeminister #ifiwerepm #canada #politicalbiography #businessbiography #briancrombie #briancrombieradiohour #chrystiafreeland #dennismills #donaldtrump #justintrudeau #liberalparty #newstalksauga960am #sauga960am #tariffs

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 11 of The Life of a Servant. This episode features the uncut interview by John Oakley with Dennis Mills, originally aired on 640am in Toronto, in early December 2024.

John talks about Dennis’ newest memoir, “From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair”, and how a couple of chairs ended up becoming a metaphor for a life in service. And while John dives deep into the details of the book, the book itself becomes a metaphor for servant leadership.

For those people interested in running for public office, this episode (and the book it’s based on) is a call to action. In fact, John Oakley points out that “From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair” can be used as a manual for any aspiring public servant.

The back-and-forth conversation around service – as a basis of leadership – then segues into the really tough questions about political leadership in Canada.

Enjoy listening to this episode, and loop back by telling us what you think. And be sure to let us know if you the passion, commitment and aspiration for a life in service.

Many thanks to John Oakley and his production team. Check out the John Oakley Show live and in its entirety weekdays from 3:00 - 6:00pm on am radio 640 in Toronto, streamed at www.640toronto.com or through his podcast on Spotify, Curiouscast, Apple Podcasts and more.

“From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair: A Memoir”, by Dennis Mills, was published in October 2024 by Big Sky Publishing.

Copies are available for purchase now at ⁠www.benmcnallybooks.com⁠. Visit ⁠www.dennismills.com⁠ or ⁠www.bigskybooks.ca⁠ for more information.

#books #memoir #podcast #politics #bookstagram #parliament #publicpolicy #government #canadianbusiness #politicalleadership #thelifeofaservant #lifeofaservant #politicalmemoir #johnoakley #fromthewoodchairtothegreenchair #sarsfest #GST #Canadarm #publicservice #servantleadership

Season 2, Episode 10

Insights about “From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair” with Vince Nigro

In this episode, celebrated Media Personality Vince Nigro, Host of Insights on CamoesTV+, chats with author Dennis Mills about his newest Memoir, "From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair".

In this 30-minute conversation, you'll learn about the inspirations behind "From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair". Vince also takes listeners on a personal tour of words and images that make up this very special memoir. In a wonderfully unique moment Dennis shares a story about discovering the Wood Chair two years ago in a neighbour’s garage, only to learn that this 80-year-old relic from his family’s event rental company had been used during a Canadian tour by Queen Elizabeth II.

Revealing and poignant, Vince and Dennis share insights about why Canada’s national government is such an important partner in Canada’s economy and society, and they offer suggestions for anyone interested in running for public office.

Many thanks to Vince Nigro for his express permission to use this interview for The Life of a Servant. Check out more Insights with Vince Nigro at https://www.camoestvplus.com/insights-with-vince-nigro.

“From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair” was published in October 2024 by Big Sky Publishing.

Get your copy today at ⁠www.benmcnallybooks.com⁠. Visit ⁠www.dennismills.com or ⁠www.bigskybooks.ca⁠ for more information.

#books #memoir #podcast #politics #bookstagram #parliament #publicpolicy #government #canadianbusiness #politicalleadership #thelifeofaservant #lifeofaservant #politicalmemoir

Season 2, Episode 9

In this episode, host Brian Crombie, of the Brian Crombie Radio Hour, chats with Dennis Mills about his newest book, From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair: A Memoir.

Published in October, the book is a memoir about a life in service.

Brian Crombie reviews the book, describing From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair as a compelling narrative about the value of working for others in the greater common good—the value and lessons of being a servant.

This interview was originally aired on November 5 on News Talk Sauga 960 AM, and it provides listeners with an in-depth conversation that explores the meaning of service, whether it’s in business, in one’s community or the in public sector.

The book assembles more than 50 personal experiences with people including prime ministers and presidents, music, film and sports celebrities, and leaders from every professional walk of life.

And this episode of The Life of a Servant features Brian Crombie and Dennis Mills getting into the details and backstories about these and many more fascinating personal experiences, what we can learn from these stories and, of course, how and where you can get a copy of From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair.

Get your copy today at www.benmcnallybooks.com.

Visit www.dennismills.com or www.bigskybooks.ca for more information. #books #memoir #podcast #politics #bookstagram #parliament #publicpolicy #government #canadianbusiness #politicalleadership #thelifeofaservant #lifeofaservant #politicalmemoir

Season 2 Episode 8

In this episode of The Life of a Servant, host Brian Crombie and Dennis Mills ask the question, Who Speaks for Canada?

This episode was recorded for the Brian Crombie Radio Hour, aired and streamed on NewsTalk Sauga 960 AM, on September 30, 2024 – and was put in motion by a Facebook post by Dennis the week prior.

During that week, the Bloc Québecois, a separatist political party in Canada issued an ultimatum to the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, telling the government what they need to do to survive. They provided a deadline and conditions, which, if not met, would be subject to a confidence vote, potentially bringing down Canada's national government.

Dennis argues passionately that the ultimatum by the separatist party provides the Prime Minister with precisely what he needs in order to win the next national election.

It all gets down to the question – Who Speaks for Canada?

Dennis and Brian talk about how national unity has become the most significant issue in the political landscape of Canada, demanding that we ask who can best serve the interests of the Canadian nation, while recognizing that the Conservative Party simply has no appropriate or adequate response to this looming crisis.

Only Justin Trudeau, like his father, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in 1980, can keep our country together.

The argument is compelling, the analysis persuasive, and the outlook for the current Liberal Government in Ottawa is in, Brian’s words, a little scary.

You can visit the Brian Crombie Radio Hour at www.briancrombie.com⁠ and at his official YouTube channel, ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNI04-ugbxCp4xsFyXaQIUg⁠ . Also check out Brian’s podcast and others at NewsTalk Sauga 960 AM ⁠https://sauga960am.ca⁠

And, of course, visit ⁠DennisMills.com⁠ for more information and archived episodes of this program. You can also learn more about Dennis’ upcoming memoir, From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair, at ⁠DennisMills.com⁠.

Featured in this episode: Brian Crombie, Canadian politics, national election, podcasts, Dennis Mills, The Life of a Servant, From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Government of Canada, Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québecois.