The West Block

In this episode of The West Block we look at reopening the economy during the COVID 19 pandemic, what civil liberties may have been lost during the coronavirus...and the increase in those suffering from mental health illness because they have lost their job or stuck at home. Guests: Adrian Hill, B.C. Health Minister; Michael Bryan, Canadian Civil Liberties Association; Margaret Eaton, Canadian Men...

Semi automatic weapons designed for military use is now banned in Canada, but what more is the government planning when it comes to gun control?  Plus hard times in Alberta, what lies ahead for this western province?  And workers at meat packing plants in Canada are testing positive COVID-19, what are their concerns inside these facilities? Guests: Bill Blair, Public Safety Minister; Jason Kenney,...

How does a province re-open following a lockdown?  Plus one week after the biggest mass shooting in Canada, how are residents in Nova Scotia doing?  Then, security challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, why NATO countries should keep spending on defense. Guests:  Scott Moe, Saskatchewan Premier; Larry Harrison, MLA Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley; Jens Stoltenbery, NATO Secretary General Learn more...

In this episode we look at the impact of COVID-19 on long-term health care homes, why are so many people dying?  Then the government has announced more financial help for the oil and gas sector, is it enough? Plus we look at one business and the protocols they are putting in place for when they re-open their doors. Guests: Donna Duncan, Ontario Long-Terms Care Association CEO; Jason Dixon, Alberta...

In this episode of The West Block we look at the governments' help to the business community, is it enough?  Then we hear stories about dairy farmers dumping milk, customers not finding yeast or flour at the grocery store--how is our food supply is being affected by the coronavirus.  And finally an interview with a politician on a new website designed to correct misinformation about COVID-19. Gues...

In this episode we look at some of the measures the government has announced to help small and medium sized businesses, plus one politician has returned to the frontlines as an ER nurse, why?  Then we'll talk to a professor who has come up with a free online course to help people cope with their anxiety during this pandemic. Guests: Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and Interna...

This week we take a look at COVID-19 and how it is impacting relations between Canada and the US as the White House wanted to add troops within 30 km of the border to prevent illegal border crossings. Then medical supplies rationed...what is this doing to those on the frontlines?  And how is the coronavirus affecting Canadians? Guests: Mercedes Stephenson, (Show host self-isolating); Lt. Gen. (ret...

Governments are telling its citizens to avoid travelling outside the country and while here at home social distance, work from home if possible...this after providing more economic fiscal stimulus to help combat the impact of COVID-19.  Is this enough? How is the business community responding?  And the markets? Is there a silver lining? Guests: Dr Gigi Osler, Former President Canadian Medical Asso...

Jamie Metzl, WHO Advisory Committee Member; technologist and health care futurist, tells David Akin, the United States is lacking leadership on COVID-19 and given outbreak data, this virus will get much worse with many nations ill prepared to mitigate the impact on its citizens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we take a look at how the Canadian economy is being impacted by the coronavirus...what tools is the government prepared to use to help workers and businesses if the outbreak continues?  We then take a look at critical global threats...are we doing enough to mitigate those threats and which nations are at the top of that threat list?  Plus the Conservative Party of Canada will be choosing...

Today we talk to author and journalist Ethan Lou who recently traveled back to China to visit family and found himself in the centre of the coronavirus outbreak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this edition we look at how the Indigenous blockades have affected Canada and what are some possible paths forward to get over this impasse, plus as more countries report an outbreak of the coronavirus, are nations doing enough to contain the virus and is it time to delay vacations? Guests: Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister; Dr Marcos Espinal, Pan American Health Organization; Grand Chie...

Last fall Canadian diplomats warned the government not to get too close to China, why?  And did the government listen? Guest: Charles Burton, MacDonald-Laurier Institute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this edition we look at the divide within the indigenous community over B.C. LNG projects and reconciliation.  Plus premiers across the country have been pushing for the federal government to end the blockades and get the rail service back up and running. Guests: Ellis Ross, Former Chief Councillor for Haisla First Nation and B.C. MLA for Skeena; Scott Moe, Saskatchewan Premier Learn more about...

In this episode we speak to Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller to get an update on his meetings with the Mohawk Nation. Former attorney general and BC regional chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations Jody Wilson-Raybould is on the show with her take on the Wet’suwet’en Nation conflict with Coastal GasLink and what the country needs to do to move forward. Plus, we hear from Washington’s top...

The Korean peninsula has been defined by a standoff for the last 70 years. Japanese foreign policy expert Professor Junya Nishino joins Mercedes Stephenson to explain what’s going on in the region now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we ask both the current foreign affairs minister, and a former one about Canada’s response to the coronavirus outbreak in China, and the handling of other key international files. We also ask a high-profile Conservative if he’s planning to join the race to lead the party. Plus, we look at what the long-term global economic impact of the coronavirus could be. Guests: François-Philip...

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart and Langley Mayor Jack Froese join Mercedes Stephenson to explain why the region is experiencing a boom in transit use – and why they’re asking the federal government to make a federal transit infrastructure fund permanent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we look at how the government is handling the conoravirus outbreak, then we talk to two MPs on the Canada China committee about Huawei and the relationship between our two nations.  And finally we take a look at Alberta's push for the federal government to green light the Teck Frontier Oil sands project. Guests: Patty Hajdu, Health Minister; Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to...

THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE HAS RULED MYANMAR MUST PROTECT ROHINGYA MUSLIMS WITHIN ITS BORDERS FROM VIOLENCE… AND PRESERVE EVIDENCE OF POSSIBLE GENOCIDE. THE U-N’S TOP COURT RULING COMES AS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ROHINGYA WAIT FOR HELP… LIVING IN REFUGEE CAMPS IN NEIGHBOURING BANGLADESH. MYANMAR’S LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS DEFENDED THE COUNTRY AGAINST THE CHARGES OF GENOCIDE. IS THERE A...

Space is getting messy. How do you clean it up? There are tens of thousands of pieces of hazardous space debris in orbit. And countries are looking at different technologies to clean it up – to prevent a real life ‘Gravity’-like situation. Guest: Michel Doyon, Deputy Director of Space at Global Affairs Canada     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, the Canadian government says it is demanding answers on what happened to Flight 752 in Iran. Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne updates us on the progress as consular official prepare to head to Iran. Then David Frum of the Atlantic on how to apportion the blame for this tragedy. And Conservative Foreign Affairs critic Erin O’Toole on holding Iran to account. Gue...

In this podcast we look at the relationship between Canada and Iran and how this may impact the investigation into the downed Ukrainian plane earlier this week carrying 63 Canadians. Guest: Costanza Musa; University of Ottawa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we look at political strategies for parties in the coming weeks as parliament is set to return late January.  Then we talk to a leading climate scientist about her faith, climate change and why bushfires, floods and drought are the new normal.  We finish the show with a conversation with the President of the ICRC on challenges facing his global humanitarian NGO. Guests: Richard Mah...

In this episode we look at the US killing of an Iranian General in Iraq, what could happen next?  Then as parliament is set to return in late January, what might be on the political agenda in Canada?  Plus bushfires in Australia, how is climate change affecting the intensity and length of the bushfire season? Guests: Matthew Fisher, Canadian Global Affairs Institute Fellow; Richard Mahoney, Libera...