PrimeTime Politics with Michael Serapio

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.

Michael Serapio questions Pam Damoff, the parliamentary secretary for the minister of public safety, on the Conservative call for cabinet minister Bill Blair and RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki to resign in light of new audio connected to alleged political interference in the Nova Scotia mass shooting investigation. They also discuss the coming into force of new handgun regulations that freeze the purchase, sale, and transfer of handguns. Ottawa city councillor Mathieu Fleury reacts to this week's testimony by municipal leaders and police at the Public Order Emergency Commission. Journalists Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joanna Smith (The Canadian Press) analyze today's top political headlines.

This week the Public Order Emergency Commission is hearing first-hand testimony on the police response to the Freedom Convoy occupation of Ottawa. Michael Serapio welcomes Michael Kempa, a security analyst and University of Ottawa associate professor of criminology, for his reaction. And political commentators Tim Powers, Geoff Turner, and Kim Wright analyze the politics of a potential recession and react to the resignation of Liz Truss as British prime minister.

Michael Serapio speaks with Sohaib Shahid (Conference Board of Canada) and Trevor Tombe (University of Calgary) about the Canadian economy and the latest inflation numbers. Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan discusses the start of consultation on a proposal to ban replacement workers in federally-regulated sectors. Senator Tony Dean recaps his recent tour of Canada's Arctic region and ongoing concerns about security and sovereignty in the Far North. And parliamentarians pay tribute to the late New Democrat MP Bill Blaikie, who passed away in September.

Michael Serapio and Andrew Thomson recap Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson's testimony at the Public Order Emergency Commission, with reaction from MPs Yasir Naqvi (Liberal) and Matthew Green (NDP). Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald discusses her committee appearance on legislation to create the National Council for Reconciliation.

The inquiry into the federal emergency has started its full week of public testimony. Michael Serapio speaks with former Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau and lawyer Paul Champ, who is representing Ottawa residents at the Public Order Emergency Commission. NDP MP Alistair MacGregor discusses his motion calling on the government to address high food prices, which received unanimous support today in the House of Commons.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser joins Martin Stringer on the latest measures against Iran -- plus Canada's labour shortage and the plan to let international post-secondary students work more hours during the school year. Lori Williams, a Mount Royal University professor and political scientist, analyzes Danielle Smith's United Conservative leadership win and what to expect from the new Alberta premier. Journalists Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Mia Rabson (The Canadian Press) offer their thoughts on this week's top political stories. And Ted Mallett of the Conference Board of Canada reviews the state of the labour market and September's job data.

Political commentator Graham Thomson analyzes the United Conservative leadership race and tonight’s result as party members choose a new leader – and premier of Alberta – to succeed Jason Kenney. Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), joins Michael Serapio after the federal government committed new funding for the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy Farhad Rezaei, a visiting political science professor at York University, discusses the protests against the Iranian regime after the death of Mahsa Amini – and the call for Canada to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist entity.

Michael Serapio speaks with Larisa Galadza, Canada's ambassador to Ukraine, about the latest developments in Russia's invasion -- including the so-called annexation of Ukrainian territory -- as Ukrainian forces continues to drive back the Russian military. CPAC's Andrew Thomson has political reaction to the latest Hockey Canada development -- Hockey Quebec's decision to cut ties and withhold funds from the national organization. Richard Fadden, a former deputy minister of defence and senior national security official, outlines his concern with the domestic deployment of Canadian Forces personnel as a natural disaster response. Amanda Arella, YWCA Canada's director of public policy, explains the attempt to raise awareness for housing affordability issues specific to women and gender-diverse individuals.