Maclean’s 10 Most Popular Interviews of 2024

Conversations with some of Canada’s most interesting people

December 18, 2024

The Canadian conversation covered every conceivable topic this year: political polarization, our crumbling health-care system, the dangers of climate change, Indigenous reconciliation. Maclean’s managing editor and chief interviewer Katie Underwood was there to help readers make sense of it all. This year, Underwood had intimate, enlightening and always entertaining conversations with some of Canada’s biggest personalities about the issues that affect us all. She spoke to former Calgary mayor and current Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi about his plan to oust Premier Danielle Smith. She and former federal health minister Jane Philpott considered how to fix the family-doctor shortage. She even interrogated Metropolitan Opera music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin on how he taught Bradley Cooper to conduct an orchestra. Here, our top 10 interviews of 2024.

NO. 10

Teresa Resch Is Calling The Shots

The WNBA is coming to Toronto. Its new president is determined to make it a slam-dunk success.

By Katie Underwood

NO. 9

The Many Battles of Refugee Olympian Nigara Shaheen

She fled Afghanistan as a baby. Now she’s headed to the Olympics. How she fought her way to to the top.

KATIE UNDERWOOD

NO. 8

Need a Family Doctor? Jane Philpott Can Help.

Canada’s former health minister is diving back into politics to get every Ontarian a primary care provider within five years. Now comes the hard part.

interview by katie underwood • photography by jennifer roberts

NO. 7

Diana Beresford-Kroeger Is a Green Machine

The inexhaustible Irish-Canadian botanist enjoys whisky and shamrocks—but trees are her true love

By Katie Underwood
Photography by Rémi Thiérault

NO. 6

Richard Ireland, Mayor of Jasper, is Ready to Rebuild

After this summer’s devastating fire, Ireland is looking forward—to recovery and to winter

By Katie Underwood

NO. 5

Tanya Talaga is Rewriting Canadian History Her Way

In The Knowing, her third non-fiction book, Talaga travels back in time—and unearths a few family secrets in the process

By Katie Underwood

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No. 4

The Canadian Doctor Who Helped Invent Ozempic

Decades ago, Toronto researcher Daniel Drucker co-discovered a hormone that paved the way for today’s most-talked-about drug. Does he get the hype? Yes and no.