Local Journalism Initiative journalist Adam Cooke launches his first podcast with an interview with the new Canadian Consul-General to New England.

MIRA - He watched the official Boston Tree Lighting ceremonies from afar as a white spruce from his former federal riding was lit up in a virtual presentation, but Canada's new Consul-General to New England is also keeping a close eye on Canada-U.S. relations and the impending transfer of power as he prepares to move to Boston in early 2021. 

Rodger Cuzner, who served as Cape Breton-Canso's Liberal Member of Parliament for 19 years before withdrawing from active politics prior to the 2019 federal election, was tapped by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early November to assume the Consul-General's position, which incorporates the states of Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. 

Speaking to TELILE 24/7 host Adam Cooke in a phone interview that is now available in its entirety on the first edition of the TELILE 24/7 Podcast, Cuzner confirmed that he hopeful for a peaceful transition between the Republican administration of current President Donald Trump and the incoming Democratic President, Joe Biden, who will be inaugurated on January 21, 2021 in Washington, D.C.

Only a few days earlier, the White House's Government Services Administration (GSA) Committee confirmed that it would work with the Biden team to ensure a smooth transition, and Cuzner is hopeful that political officials on both sides of America's traditional political schematic will take this development seriously. 

"I think it's an exciting time," Cuzner enthused, as he pointed out that "watching American politics" has been one of his past-times for several years. 

"I'm very hopeful about the transition...The Governor of Massachusetts is Charlie Baker, and he's a Republican - a very reasonable Republican. I've been following how each of the states has been responding to the transition, and the Republican governors down there have really led the way...So I think, for the most part, the states that I'll be working with and the elected officials I'll be working with are pretty reasonable and pretty responsible."

Cuzner began his work as Consul-General earlier this week, but will spend the next month in Cape Breton carrying out his duties virtually until he and his wife Lynn officially move to Boston in early January.