PrimeTime Politics with Michael Serapio

Martin Stringer examines the latest job numbers and yesterday's fall economic statement with economists Pedro Antunes (Conference Board of Canada) and Jim Stanford (Centre for Future Work). Steve Staples, national director of public policy for the Canadian Health Coalition, previews the upcoming meetings between Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and his provincial and territorial colleagues. Saskatchewan Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre faces question on the province’s legislation to assert its constitutional jurisdiction over natural resources. And journalists Ian Bailey (The Globe and Mail) and Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) analyze the fiscal update and this week's testimony at the Emergencies Act inquiry.

Michael Serapio has full coverage of today's fall economic statement, including political reaction and expert analysis. Among those interviewed are associate finance minister Randy Boissonault, Conservative Treasury Board critic Stephanie Kusie, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, economist David Macdonald (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives), Anne McLellan and Lisa Raitt (Coalition for a Better Future), and Robert Asselin (Business Council of Canada). Political commentators Tom Parkin, Tim Powers, and Susan Smith also offer their view.

Freedom Convoy leader Pat King testified today at the Emergencies Act inquiry, following testimony by a convoy lawyer and a key organizer. Michael Serapio has more analysis and details from journalist Alex Ballingall (Toronto Star) and security expert Stephanie Carvin (Carleton University). Immigration Minister Sean Fraser talks about the federal plan to increase the number of new arrivals to 500,000 annually by 2025. Former Reform leader Preston Manning explains his call for an independent, national inquiry into the federal COVID-19 response.

Chris Barber, one of the Freedom Convoy leaders facing charges for the occupation of Ottawa, appeared today at the Emergencies Act inuqiry. Michael Serapio recaps his testimony with journalists Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Christopher Nardi (National Post). Two Ontario MPPs react to Ontario Premier Doug Ford's legal fight against testifying at the inquiry -- and react to his government's bill that would use the Constitution's notwithstanding clause to force education workers into a new contract. We hear from NDP education critic Chandra Pasma and interim Liberal leader John Fraser. Iain Reeve, an immigration expert with the Conference Board of Canada, analyzes the government's plan to boost immigration levels over the next three years.

Martin Stringer welcomes Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, to preview this week's economic and fiscal update. Warren Mabee of Queen's University's Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy, analyzes what the fiscal update might say about federal subsidies for clean technologies. Patrick August, a Haitian-Canadian community organizer, discusses what further aid Canada could provide to Haiti as that country struggles with a cholera epidemic, economic collapse, and lawlessness. Historian and political organizer Andre Pagliarini talks about Brazil's presidential election and the victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Former Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly took the stand today at the Public Order Emergency Commission. Michael Serapio has reaction from one of Sloly's predecessors, Charles Bordeleau, and analysis from journalists Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Christopher Nardi (National Post). And as he retires, Peter Van Dusen looks back on a distinguished journalism and broadcasting career that included 21 years at CPAC as executive producer, anchor, and host of PrimeTime Politics.

MPs join Michael Serapio to discuss foreign policy issues on a day U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Ottawa for meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly -- and an announcement on Haiti. We also hear from Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong on reports of Chinese "police" stations operating in Canada. Political commentators Richard Mahoney, Tim Powers, and Kim Wright analyze Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the Emergencies Act inquiry -- and the political debate over affordability after another interest rate hike.

The Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest rate by another 50 basis points to 3.75%. Michael Serapio hears analysis from economists Mostafa Askari (Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy) and Armine Yalnizyan (Atkinson Foundation). AFN Regional Chief (Manitoba) Cindy Woodhouse reacts to the Canadian Human Right Tribunal's rejection of the $20-billion federal compensation package for the First Nations child welfare system. We also welcome Sarah Clarke, co-complainant for the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada in the historic case. And we have key numbers from today's Census release on immigration, diversity, and religion in Canada.

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu reacts to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal's rejection of a $20-billion First Nations child welfare compensation package. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh joins Michael Serapio to discuss why he continues to criticize the Bank of Canada's sharp focus on inflation. Toronto Star journalist Robert Benzie analyzes the controversy over Ontario Premier Doug Ford's resistance to testifying at the Public Order Emergency Commission. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown reacts to his re-election in yesterday's municipal election.

Ontario NDP MPP Joel Harden, who represents areas of downtown Ottawa affected by last winter's occupation, reacts to the move by Premier Doug Ford and former solicitor general Sylvia Jones to fight their summons to testify at the Public Order Emergency Commission. And Murray Faulkner, former chief of police in London, Ont., analyzes what we've learned about the police response to the Freedom Convoy. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has argued the Bank of Canada should not again hike interest rates, though economists expect another jump in the bank's key rate this week. We hear more on the debate over inflation and afforability from MPs Franceso Sorbara (Liberal), Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative), and Laurel Collins (NDP). Columnist Graham Thomson analyzes the new Alberta provincial cabinet and Danielle Smith's early days as premier. And journalist Aubrey Alligretti (The Guardian) joins us to recap the political drama at Westminster, as Rishi Sunak prevails in the race to succeed Liz Truss as Conservative leader and British prime minister.