It's Political with Althia Raj

Halfway through this five-week federal election campaign, no major party has yet released its platform and there have been no big climate change announcements either. With U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and affordability concerns top of voters’ minds, addressing our heating planet seems to be taking a back seat to other considerations, namely how to build up Canada’s economy through energy exploration and diversifying our international markets. But what will that mean for Canada’s climate commitments?  In this episode of “It’s Political,” Rick Smith, the president of the Canadian Climate Institute, catches us up on the state of Canada’s current fight against climate change and Chris Severson-Baker, the executive director of the Pembina Institute, joins host Althia Raj to discuss what the parties’ policy proposals mean, and what questions are still left unanswered by their plans.  This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC and the CBC.

Canada was spared  Wednesday when the U.S. President Donald Trump announced new punishing tariffs on the rest of the world. But many Canadian industries are already feeling the pinch from tariffs Trump had imposed earlier, and big job losses are on the horizon.  This week, Liberal Leader Mark Carney headed to Ottawa and put on his prime minister’s hat to respond to the crisis, just as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was attempting a different strategy to address the Trump threat — to the country and to his own election campaign. This week, our panel of “recovering partisans” joins us to discuss the campaign’s second week, from Trump’s tariffs and who they politically benefit, to the policy offerings and the response  — or lack of response — to candidates saying things they simply shouldn’t.  But first, Abacus Data’s David Coletto gives us the lie of the land: what’s moved, what hasn’t and what to make  of it. In this episode: David Christopherson, the former NDP MP for Hamilton Centre; Kristina Michaud, the outgoing Bloc Quebecois MP for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia; Karen Vecchio, the outgoing Conservative MP for Elgin—Middlesex—London; John McKay, the outgoing Liberal MP for Scarborough—Guildwood; and David Coletto, the CEO of Abacus Data. Hosted by Althia Raj.  This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC, CTV, Global, CNBC, NBC, MSNBC, CNN and ABC. 

Conservative party infighting! Candidate removals! U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs! There’s been a lot of issues flying around this election campaign but one thing might be flying below the radar: the parties' actual policy proposals. Today, we offer the first in a series examining policy offerings. We’ll unpack issues that matter to you, and matter to the politicians hoping to represent you. First off: housing. Carolyn Whitzman, an adjunct professor and housing researcher and the University of Toronto’s School of Cities joins us to discuss the housing crisis. Then Mike Moffatt, the founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative will join host Althia Raj to discuss what the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP have so far promised and whether it goes far enough to address the crisis. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed this show. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the clips this week were sourced from Empire Club of Canada, CPAC, CBC and CTV.

U.S. President Donald Trump injected himself into the Canadian election campaign this week but he was already a central figure. This week on “It’s Political” our panel of recovering partisans break down the campaign’s first week. Join David Christopherson, the former NDP Hamilton Centre MP;  Sen. Rodger Cuzner, the former Liberal MP for Cape Breton—Canso; Kristina Michaud, the outgoing Bloc Quebecois MP for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia;  and Karen Vecchio, the outgoing Conservative MP for Elgin—Middlesex—London. This episode of "It's Political" was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC, and CPSAN.

The election has kicked off, leaders have hit the trail, rallies were had, press conferences were held and photo ops were taken. It’s been a busy 24 hours. In this episode of "It's Political," join Toronto Star reporters Raisa Patel and Ryan Tumilty as they break down Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's and Liberal Leader Mark Carney's first foray into their campaigns. In this episode: Toronto Star Ottawa bureau reporters Raisa Patel and Ryan Tumilty. Hosted by Althia Raj.This episode of "It's Political" was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed this show. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC.

David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data and an expert in Canadian polling, shares insights on the dynamic political landscape as the 45th general election campaign kicks off. He delves into the shifting support for the Liberals and Conservatives, influenced by regional trends and U.S. politics. Coletto discusses the importance of consistent messaging for candidates while navigating voter sentiment that favors change. He also explores the challenges facing the Conservative Party and the implications of provincial interests on national unity.

The federal parties are putting the final touches on their election campaigns. What just recently seemed like an easy victory for the Conservatives is no longer so certain. This week, several public opinion polls had the Liberal ahead and in majority territory.  Canada’s 45th general election will be an unexpectedly tight race. This week on “It’s Political,” Toronto Star Ottawa bureau reporters unpack the strategies of the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP and Greens going into this campaign. Then, three conservative former strategists join Althia to discuss leader Pierre Poilievre’s response to new Liberal Leader Mark Carney. Is Poilievre’s strategy working? Does it need to change? In this episode: Melanie Paradis, the president of texture communications and a former deputy campaign director to former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole; Rudy Husny, a former Conservative leadership candidate and a former advisor in Stephen Harper’s government; Evan Menzies, a vice-president at Crestview Strategy and a former director of communications for the United Conservative Party of Alberta; as well as Toronto Star Ottawa reporters Raisa Patel, Ryan Tumilty and Mark Ramzy. Hosted by Althia Raj. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CTV, CBC and Fox News, and the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s new Prime Minister Friday morning, after winning the Liberal leadership race in a landslide. He unveiled a new, leaner cabinet but tapped many of outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau’s ministers for key portfolios. Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau Chief Tonda MacCharles and national politics reporters Ryan Tumilty and Mark Ramzy join host Althia Raj to talk about Carney’s cabinet picks, his first move as prime minister and what it says about the timing of the next federal election. Also on the show, pollster Alex Kohut of North Poll Strategies breaks down the Liberal leadership race numbers, and what they tell us about some of the challenges and opportunities the Liberal party may face and seize on the campaign trail. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC and Right Side Broadcasting Network.

Mark Carney, the former Bank of Canada governor, trounced the competition Sunday winning the Liberal leadership with nearly 86 per cent support. Carney will become prime minister in the days ahead. He will appoint a new cabinet. And is widely expected to call a federal election campaign next week. In this bonus episode of “It’s Political,” the Toronto Star’s national columnist Susan Delacourt joins Althia Raj to discuss Sunday’s leadership event, from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s speech to Carney’s big introduction to the country, whether former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland should be in cabinet and what to watch for in the days ahead. The clips this week were sourced from CPAC and CBC. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton, who also served as sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was slapping tariffs on Canada this week, and the federal government — along provincial premiers — responded. This week on “It’s Political,” Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly joins Althia for an in-depth interview during the ongoing trade war with the United States. Joly talks about the hectic week which saw Trump impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, negotiating with an unpredictable administration, and how Canada is preparing for a future with a more hostile American neighbour. But tariffs are just one part of a larger shift in American foreign policy under Trump. Since assuming office, the U.S. president has repeatedly threatened to annex countries, including Canada. He has battled publicly with historic allies, such as Ukraine, and become friendlier with Russia. What does this shift in American policy represent for the rules-based international order the U.S. itself sought to establish?  Two foreign affairs specialists weigh in on that.  In this episode: Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. Raquel Garbers, a visiting executive at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and principal architect of Canada’s defence policy, “Our North, Strong and Free” and Roland Paris, the director of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. Hosted by Althia Raj. Some of the clips this week were sourced from C-SPAN, CPAC, the Canadian Press Gallery, CBC, CNN, Global news, NBC, CBS, Fox, BBC, Sky News, and Emmanuel Macron’s X account. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.