It's Political with Althia Raj

Experts discuss the implications of a potential Trump 2.0 presidency on Canada, focusing on defense spending, NATO alliances, and diplomatic strategies. The episode emphasizes the need for Canada to prepare for uncertainty and strengthen international relationships to navigate potential challenges successfully.

Cracks in the consensus on immigration in Canada have emerged due to a surge in unplanned growth. Minister Marc Miller discusses the breakdown and measures to address concerns. Speakers analyze the impact of immigration on housing affordability and healthcare, and urge for better planning and coordination. The chapter also discusses blaming immigrants and the need for responsible government planning, as well as addressing challenges in the foreign worker programs and housing for asylum seekers.

Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, sits down with Toronto Star columnist, Susan Delacourt, to discuss various political events and issues, such as housing prices, international conflicts, the emotional impact of the Israel-Hamas war on Canadian communities, concerns about a Trump re-election, the importance of public perception, seeking advice from trusted sources, and the significance of in-depth conversations among political leaders.

It’s been quite a tumultuous year in federal politics, from allegations of foreign interference involving China and India, to the expansion of industrial and dental subsidies, and a rejigging of public support for Canada’s two main parties. We asked Toronto Star readers and “It’s Political” podcast listeners for their questions — and received many probing queries about themes from the last year, especially about the influence of Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre on Canadian politics and the future of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. We gathered a few of our parliamentary journalists to answer them. In this episode: National Columnist Susan Delacourt, Ottawa deputy bureau chief Stephanie Levitz and reporter Mark Ramzy join host Althia Raj. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC, CTV, Global, the NDP’s Instagram account, Rex Murphy’s Full Comment podcast and Pierre Poilievre’s Facebook page. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Alberta Conservative MP Damien Kurek was kicked out of the House of Commons this week for using unparliamentary language. Within minutes of his expulsion, Kurek had the video of his outburst up on social media proudly showcasing his outrage at the Liberal government.  Last week, another Alberta Conservative, Rachel Thomas, was forced to apologize after requesting Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge stop answering her questions in French and instead use English. Thomas wanted a social media clip her audience could understand. Social media is changing the way MPs are behaving on Parliament Hill and it’s increasingly changing the way political parties court support.  In this week’s episode of “It’s Political” we take a look at his issue from a number of different angles. First, Toronto Star columnist Susan Delacourt gives us an overview of how political communications has changed during her time in Ottawa. Then, MPs Kevin Waugh, Rob Oliphant and Stéphane Bergeron reflect on the demise of local media, where their constituents get their news, and how the new media landscape is changing the way MPs engage with one other. Later, I sit down with Canada Proud founder Jeff Ballingall, who worked with both Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and former leader Erin O’Toole, as well as Mélanie Richer, the former director of communications for NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and with Cameron Ahmad, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former director of communications. And finally, we’ll hear about the impact an MP’s social media campaign recently had on a member of the upper house, Senator Bernadette Clement.  In this episode: Toronto Star national columnist Susan Delacourt, Saskatchewan Conservative MP Kevin Waugh, Ontario Liberal MP Rob Oliphant, Bloc Québecois MP Stéphane Bergeron, former Conservative media strategist and Mobilize Media president Jeff Ballingall, former director of communications for NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Earnscliffe senior consultant Mélanie Richer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former director of communications Cameron Ahmad, and Ontario Independent Senator Bernadette Clement. Hosted by Althia Raj. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, The Senate, The House of Commons, CBC, Pierre Poilievre’s Facebook page and Damien Kurek’s X/Twitter account. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.  

It’s been described as a signature blow to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s signature policy. Last month, the Liberals announced a three-year pause to the application of the carbon price on home heating oil to help ease the costs, especially in Atlantic Canada where it’s used in about a third of all households. Climate and energy experts decried it as a weakening of Trudeau’s policy, former environment minister Catherine McKenna condemned the move, and potential leadership candidate Mark Carney said publicly that he wouldn’t have done things that way. Provincial premiers, such as Alberta’s Danielle Smith, Ontario’s Doug Ford, British Columbia’s David Ebby, Manitoba’s Wab Kinew, and Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe all called for the carbon price to be eliminated from home heating for all their residents. Moe went so far as to pledge to stop collecting and transmitting the levy on natural gas. What was expected by some rural MPs to be a popular announcement, unleashed a huge outcry putting the debate over carbon pricing right back on the front burner. This week on “It’s Political” we dig into the carbon pricing debate, with Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, experts Andrew Leach, Dale Beugin and Katya Rhodes, and Liberal MP Kody Blois, whose persistent lobbying led to the policy change. 4:23.077 - Kody Blois 17:15.840 - The Case for Carbon Pricing 39:46.601 - Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault In this episode: Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, Nova Scotia Liberal MP Kody Blois, University of Alberta Professor Andrew Leach, Canadian Climate Institute Executive Vice President Dale Beugin, University of Victoria Assistant Professor in climate policy Katya Rhodes. Hosted by Althia Raj. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, The Senate, The House of Commons, The Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, CBC, Global News, CTV, Pierre Poilievre’s Facebook Page, The Conservative Party of Canada, Scott Moe’s X/Twitter account. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Experts debate whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should step down and the Liberals' growing fatigue. They discuss controversies, fiscal expenditure, childcare agreements, carbon pricing, reconciliation actions, and the discontent within the Liberal Party caucus. They emphasize preventing a conservative leader from taking over and the potential consequences for Canada.

This podcast explores the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a Canadian lens. It discusses the current situation in Gaza, the impact on families affected by the conflict, and Canada's political reactions. It also delves into the historical background of the conflict and the challenges in achieving a two-state solution. The podcast highlights the need for protection and support for communities in times of violence and examines the influence of diasporic groups on Canadian foreign policy.

Charlie Angus, Richard Cannings, Taylor Bachrach, and other guests join Althia Raj in discussing the challenges faced by the NDP party, including declining fortunes, Jagmeet Singh's leadership, the Supply and Confidence Agreement, and the impact of the pandemic on social dynamics. They also delve into political abuse, disinformation, and challenges in rural communities. The episode explores the NDP's position in polls, their performance, and strategies to regain official opposition status, while addressing the impact of the Israel-Palestine conflict on the NDP convention. With engaging discussions and insights, this podcast provides a comprehensive overview of the party's current state and future prospects.

In this episode: Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge, Toronto Star Publisher Jordan Bitove, Ottawa University law professor Michael Geist, Toronto Star reporter Raisa Patel, Meta’s head of public policy Rachel Curran, Google Canada’s Richard Gingras, News Media Canada President Paul Deegan, Village Media CEO Jeff Elgie. La Presse President Pierre-Elliott Levasseur, Yellowknife evacuee Kelsey Worth, Conservative MP Kevin Waugh, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Hosted by Althia Raj. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized to the world and House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota resigned after MPs honoured a man in Parliament who’d fought with a Nazi unit. This isn’t the only story that rocked Canadian politics recently. Last week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford reversed course on the development of Greenbelt land and Trudeau announced the government of India is more than likely involved in the shooting death of a Canadian citizen. These controversies may not have come to light if it wasn’t for the work of journalists. But journalism, in Canada, is facing a crisis. Declining advertising revenues have led to the shedding of thousands of jobs and the closures of hundreds of local publications. Meanwhile, Google and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, are reaping billions of ad dollars worldwide. This week on “It’s Political,” we dig into the federal government’s response to a crisis decades in the making. The Online News Act, which became law this summer, has prompted Meta to block news links on its platforms. Is Google ready to follow suit? Is the government shooting itself in the foot or has it found the path to sustainability for newspapers and local broadcasters? Ottawa University law professor Michael Geist, the Canada research chair in internet and e-commerce law, joins Toronto Star reporter Raisa Patel in helping us break down the law, formerly known as Bill C-18. We’ll also hear from Meta, Google, and publishers affected by the bill, including Toronto Star owner Jordan Bitove. Then, we’ll sit down with Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge.