Policy and Rights

In this episode of Policy and Rights , correspondent Kelly Reeburn covers a major address delivered at the National Press Club by Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration, and Cyber Security, Tony Burke. Minister Burke outlined the federal government's comprehensive overhaul of Australia’s immigration system, structured around three core pillars: who arrives, who stays, and who leaves ....

Event Focus: A municipal candidate forum held in Cloverdale, featuring city council candidates representing major slates and independent campaigns ahead of the October 17, 2026 Surrey Municipal Election Permitting & Housing Supply: Wide agreement on reducing City Hall red tape. Proposals ranged from a 1-week permit approval model (Conservatives) and a 180-day permit guarantee (Imagine Surrey)...

Event Overview: Organized by the local Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, this mayoral candidate forum brought together six candidates running for Mayor of Surrey in the October 17, 2026 municipal election. Moderator & Host: Scott (Chamber Host) opened the event, Alisa Alexis delivered the First Nations land acknowledgment, and Walter van Halst moderated....

A trio of interconnected global emergencies has laid bare the extreme vulnerability of civilian populations to modern warfare, environmental decay, and unprecedented climate shifts. From the war-torn expanses of East Africa, where foreign mercenaries and illegal drone networks are escalating human rights atrocities, to the frozen peaks of the Himalayas, where catastrophic environmental collapses c...

In this episode of Policy and Rights , host Michael Clogs dives deep into the high-stakes intersection of Canada's economic strategy and coastal British Columbia's delicate ecological boundaries. First, we examine the federal government's newly announced tariff relief measures through PacificCan's Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI). Featuring remarks from Minister Gregor Robertson, Ministe...

This radio broadcast covers three major global topics: the Taliban's escalating restrictions on Afghan women, US-Canada trade tensions exacerbated by wildfire-related tariff threats, and Denmark's assumption of the UN Security Council presidency with a focus on food security and conflict resolution. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/sup...

1. Australian Emergency Alert System Announcement (Ozalert) Purpose: An announcement introduces "Ozalert," a new national emergency messaging system designed to send near-instant text alerts to compatible mobile devices during local and national disasters. Test Date: The announcement notes that a test alert will be broadcast to mobile devices around 2:00 PM AEST on Monday, July 27, 2026 . Website:...

This episode of Policy and Rights (Depictions Media Radio) covers five major segments: the WHO's projected doubling of global cancer cases by 2050, surgical mining as an environmentally accountable alternative, critical commentary on Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," the British Columbia lawsuit against OpenAI, and the Alberta pipeline agreement between Danielle Smith and Mark Carney. Become a support...

Recent developments have highlighted critical efforts in both international human rights advocacy and domestic infrastructure investment. On June 24, 2026, the United Nations Security Council received a significant update regarding children in armed conflict zones, while simultaneously, Canadian federal leaders announced substantial financial support to bolster the nation's northern mining and ene...

the UN Secretary General succession process featuring candidate Caroline Rodriguez Burgett , and Canadian housing and foreign policy under Prime Minister Mark Carney . The host frames both segments under a broader theme of human rights, pluralism, and inclusive governance. Announcements UN Secretary General candidate: Caroline Rodriguez Burgett (b. 1973), Guyanese diplomat and permanent resident t...

Pauline Hanson is a prominent right-wing populist politician and the leader of the One Nation party who currently serves as a Federal Senator for Queensland, a role she has held since 2016. Her political career began in 1996 when she was elected to the House of Representatives for Oxley, where she quickly gained national attention for her controversial maiden speech targeting multiculturalism and...

Colombia’s presidency of the UN Security Council in June 2026 is unique, especially when viewed through a human rights lens. Under the leadership of Ambassador Leonor Zalabata—the first Indigenous person to represent Colombia at this level—the country is intentionally intertwining two key tracks: political mediation in the Middle East and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda . Become a supp...

 Romania's strategic security posture on NATO's eastern flank and Colombia's historic June 2025 Security Council presidency under indigenous Ambassador Leonora Zalabata Torres, focusing on Black Sea security, multilateral peace efforts, and the next UN Secretary General selection process.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support .

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's May 20 press conference attacking Prime Minister Mark Carney's economic policies following Canada's economic contraction, plus the government's $5 billion Saab Global Eye surveillance aircraft purchase for Arctic defense. Canada was the only G7 country to see economic contraction in the last quarter despite similar global headwinds faced by peers 1 Global Eye...

BC Hydro's $1 billion PowerSmart II conservation program and the contentious federal-provincial dialogue between Mark Carney and Premier David Eby on pipeline expansion, environmental protection, and trade policy. 12 The energy efficiency initiative aims to avoid $2 billion in new infrastructure costs while Eby maintains firm opposition to lifting the North Coast oil tanker moratorium.  Become a s...

The wave of targeted extortion schemes against local businesses—predominantly targeting South Asian business owners in the Lower Mainland—prompted extensive coordination between municipal police forces, the RCMP, and provincial authorities. Rather than a single, formal, published "government task force report," the operational updates, findings, and ongoing strategies regarding these extortion syn...

On May 4, 2026 , Auditor General Karen Hogan and Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Jerry V. DeMarco released five critical performance audits. Their reports highlight significant gaps in federal oversight, ranging from climate change preparedness to the management of public health resources and Indigenous funding. Below is a summary of the key findings from their latest r...

Carney has described the DSRB as a "multilateral financial institution" aimed at mobilizing private capital for collective security. The bank is intended to function similarly to the World Bank or the European Investment Bank, but with a specific focus on: Lowering Borrowing Costs: Reducing the financial burden on governments for massive procurement projects, such as submarines, fighter jets, and...

My name is Will Rogers. I have been a paramedic in British Columbia since 1987. I am also a member of the Cloverdale Chamber. I have a story I think your listeners would find compelling. Four years ago, I started traveling to Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid and medical supplies to frontline medics. I have been five times now." I have personally invested over $110,000 of my own money into suppo...

It appears you are referring to Mary Simon , the Governor General of Canada and an esteemed Inuk leader, who has a long history of advocating for Indigenous rights at the international level. As of today, Monday, April 20, 2026, Mary Simon is attending the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York City. During the briefing (held in mid-April 2026), Sima Sami Bahous ,...

In recent comments, Cobena argued that these surcharges effectively cancel out the benefits of recent government tax relief measures. Her response centers on several key points: Key Arguments from MP Sandra Cobena Ineffectiveness of Current Relief: Cobena stated that the surcharges "ultimately erase any savings" provided by the Prime Minister's recent suspension of the federal excise tax. Call for...

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a news conference in Richmond, B.C., to   last year. The B.C. Supreme Court ruling found that the Cowichan tribes holds Aboriginal title over large portions of land in Richmond. Poilievre faces questions from reporters on MP Marilyn Gladu’s decision cross the floor and join the governing Liberals, the fourth defection of a Conservative MP from his caucus....

The $127 million federal investment signifies a targeted effort by the Government of Canada to strengthen the Canadian biomanufacturing and life sciences ecosystem. Specifically, the funding is allocated to two entities for distinct but related purposes: Aspect Biosystems The investment will support the development and commercialization of Aspect's bioprinting technology, which is used to create t...

An Urgent Call to Action: Building Coalitions to End Gender-Based Violence The upcoming event marks a critical convergence of influential women leaders and dedicated allies from the pinnacles of entertainment, science, media, and global business. The central focus of this high-level convening is to illuminate the devastating and often hidden impact of gender-based violence on the life trajectories...

In March 2026, Canada is facing a significant national and international reckoning over alleged human rights violations, fueled by an intensified movement of doctors, human rights advocates, and legal experts. This push for accountability centers on two critical and interconnected areas: the government's restrictive interpretation of the right to life in international law and the perceived systemi...