The West Block

A cold winter looms over Ukraine as the country attempts to repair key energy infrastructure destroyed by Russian missiles. At the Halifax International Security Forum, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna about seeking light in literal and metaphorical darkness. Plus, Stephenson sits down with Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of the NATO Mil...

Amid new allegations of Chinese political interference in Canada reported by Global News, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with national security expert Akshay Singh, former Canadian ambassador to China David Mulroney, and Global News investigative reporter Sam Cooper about the need for Ottawa to take action against this national security threat. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Minist...

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks to ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson about the financial challenges facing Canadians after the release of the Fall Economic Statement. Stephenson speaks to political commentator and ‘The Atlantic’ staff writer David Frum about what’s at stake in the U.S. midterm elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to emergency room physicians about what they call a “perfect storm” of pressures that have resulted in overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait times at hospitals across the country. Stephenson also speaks to Veterans’ advocates and former Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O’Toole about the challenges facing Canadian veterans and why they support call...

What’s the forecast for the global economy and how is Canada poised to weather the economic challenges ahead. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group. Plus, Stephenson speaks with retired Gen. Rick Hillier, former chief of the defence staff, about the recruitment crisis facing the Canadian military and Russia’s war in Ukraine. Learn more about...

The public inquiry into the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act during last winter's convoy blockades held its first public hearings. 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Robert Fife, Ottawa bureau chief for The Globe and Mail, and freelance investigative journalist Justin Ling on what to expect. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Kurt Volker, former U.S. ambassador to NATO,...

Outgoing Alberta Premier Jason Kenney spent 25 years in political life. He speaks to ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson about the highs and lows of the job and why he’s concerned about the future of conservatism. Plus, new UCP Leader Danielle Smith speaks to Stephenson about her political comeback and why she’s ready to take on Ottawa as Alberta premier. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

‘The West Block” host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to bestselling author and political activist Bill Browder about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent setbacks in Ukraine and the implications for Russians and the West. And, Alberta’s governing UCP prepares to elect a new leader to replace outgoing Premier Jason Kenney. Janet Brown, Principal, Janet Brown Opinion Research, discusses front runne...

'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine, Larisa Galadza, about Russian President Vladimir Putin's latest efforts to claim territory in Ukraine by holding sham referendums and announcing the mobilization of Russian reservists. One of the lead plaintiffs in a multi-billion dollar class action lawsuit against the federal government describes allegations of a...

The season premiere of The West Block looks at Pierre Poilievre's landslide victory in the Conservative Leadership Race and how he intends to shake-up federal politics as Official Opposition Leader. Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Harper-era cabinet ministers James Moore and Poilievre campaign co-chair John Baird. Governor General Mary Simons reflects on the Queen's legacy and the future of the mona...

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre discusses the challenges facing Canada's military in a wide-ranging interview. Conservative Party veteran and retired Senator Marjory LeBreton expresses concern about the direction the party is taking during the Conservative leadership race.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra discusses airport bottlenecks and changes to travel rules as vaccine mandates are lifted for air and train passengers travelling within Canada or leaving the country. Economist Don Drummond looks at Ottawa's affordability plan. Conservative Leadership Candidate Jean Charest discusses his path to winning the leadership and why he's the best candidate to unite the pa...

‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David Cohen, for a wide-ranging conversation. Cohen discusses the risk to democracy from populist movements, Canadian defence spending and Alberta's oil industry. Brampton mayor Patrick Brown speaks about his Conservative leadership campaign and whether he will run again for mayor before the leadership race wraps u...

Defence Minister Anita Anand reacts to reports of Chinese fighter pilots buzzing Canadian planes and discusses moving forward on the recommendations into military sexual misconduct by former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour. Former Governor General David Johnston reflects on his personal encounters with the Queen and the future of the monarchy in Canada.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Justice Minister David Lametti discusses the federal government's gun control measures and reaction to Quebec's new French language law Bill-96. The Atlantic Staff Writer David Frum discusses the challenges in getting tougher gun laws passed in the United States. The Toronto Star's Robert Benzie and Queen's Park Observer Sabrina Nanji weigh-in on the final week of the Ontario election campaign. Le...

This week on ‘The West Block,’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, who says Canada plans to ban ‘high-risk vendors’ in other sensitive industries in the wake of barring Huawei from the nation’s 5G infrastructure. Then, Stephenson speaks with former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith about her goal to lead Alberta’s United Conservative Party following Prem...

Guest host Eric Sorensen speaks to Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship about the latest efforts to bring Ukrainian refugees to Canada. Former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page discusses inflation and the Bank of Canada. Former Conservative cabinet ministers Lisa Raitt and Monte Solberg weigh-in on the Conservative leadership debate. Learn more about your ad choices...

Guest host Eric Sorensen speaks to Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, about improving access to abortion in Canada. Former Conservative cabinet minister Peter MacKay discusses the first unofficial leadership debate. Two Queen's Park journalists weigh-in on the start of the Ontario election campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest host David Akin speaks to retired U.S. General Philip Breedlove, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander about the shift in Western efforts to help Ukraine and Russia's response. Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino discusses the convoy blockades and the federal Emergencies Act. Conservative leadership candidate Roman Baber explains why he's running to be the new leader of the Conservative Pa...

Anna Veduta, Vice-President of the Anti-Corruption Foundation and former spokesperson for jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny discusses the impact of Western sanctions on the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin's information war. Former Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and former Conservative Cabinet Minister James Moore discuss the Conservative leadership race. Housing policy e...

Lt.-Gen Romeo Dallaire (Ret.) discusses Russia's war in Ukraine amidst mounting evidence of war crimes and accusations of genocide. Defence Minister Anita Anand discusses Canada's commitment to provide more military aid to Ukraine. Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk describes what she's doing to support Ukrainians who are the front lines of the war.  Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

'West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and last week's federal budget. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh discusses his party's deal to support the Liberals and how it paid off in the budget. Conservative MP Dan Albas explains his party's opposition to the budget and what Conservatives would have liked t...

'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to ITK President Natan Obed about the Pope's historic apology and what needs to happen next. Ukrainian MP Lesia Zaburanna discusses the war in Ukraine and what more Canada can do to help. Simon Fraser University Professor Meghan Mackenzie discusses the implications of Gen. Jonathan Vance's guilty plea and conditional discharge to the military's effo...

Guest host Eric Sorensen speaks to former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker about NATO's response to Russia's war in Ukraine. Canada's Ambassador to the UN Bob Rae discusses the diplomatic efforts underway to hold Russia to account for its invasion of Ukraine. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh explains how the agreement he reached with Prime Minister Jus...

This week on 'The West Block' guest host David Akin speaks to Immigration Minister Sean Fraser about Ottawa's plan to help Ukrainian refugees come to Canada. Former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, Allan Rock, discusses what  Western leaders can do to help Ukraine and end Russia's invasion. Conservative leadership candidate, Scott Aitchison, explains why he thinks he's the best option to...