The Hill Times' Hot Room

Host Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Calgary MP George Chahal about the city's water crisis, the last weeks of the parliamentary session, the life of an MP in the summer, and his advocacy to stop the deportation of Jaskirat Singh Sidhu.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is one of just a few MPs who have seen the unredacted version of a new report on the work foreign governments have done to corrupt Canadian politics. She joins The Hot Room to tell us what she took away from that report, and what needs to change. 

McGill University's Daniel Béland joins The Hot Room to explain what Quebecers make of the federal parties vying for power, and why.  

Host Peter Mazereeuw interviews Lynette Ong, an expert on power and authoritarianism in China at the University of Toronto. Ong explains how and why China's government tries to shape political outcomes in other countries, and what Canada and its political parties can do to protect themselves.

NDP MP Charlie Angus is preparing to wrap up a 20-year career in federal politics. He joined The Hot Room to talk about his career, why he's not running for re-election, and the state of Canadian politics in 2024. 

Chris Aylward, the leader of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, joins The Hot Room to talk about the government's plan to require civil servants to spend more time working from the office, and how his union plans to push back this summer.

MP Scott Reid joins the The Hot Room to talk about his proposal to stop governments from changing the rules of the House of Commons without consent from the opposing parties.

Kathleen Ross, a family doctor and the president of the Canadian Medical Association, speaks with Peter Mazereeuw about the changes that could set Canada's ailing family medicine systems back on track. 

Former health minister Jane Philpott comes on the podcast to talk about how to fix Canada's ailing primary health systems, and her new book, "Health for all: A doctor's prescription for a healthier Canada."

Canada's political parties are fighting a court battle to avoid federal privacy laws—and the government is taking their side. Hill Times reporter Ian Campbell joins host Peter Mazereeuw to explain why and how.

Justice Minister Arif Virani joins The Hot Room to talk about his controversial bill to crack down on online hate speech, 'revenge porn', and more.  

Host Peter Mazereeuw talks to Arthur Milnes about his years working with late former prime minister Brian Mulroney. 

The Haida Nation's governing council will soon get legal recognition from the federal government. It's on its way to settling the nation's land claims. Gaagwiis, the president of the Haida Nation, joins the Hot Room to talk about the Haida, and what legal self-governance means for their future. 

Peter Mazereeuw takes you through a four-minute preview of the week to come in Canadian politics, including Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly's visit to the Middle East.

In February of 2023, the federal government gave control over a $200-million fund to the Foundation for Black Communities. The non-profit FFBC is responsible for channeling that funding into projects led by Black Canadians that aim to make life better for Black communities in Canada. Peter Mazereeuw talks with the FFBC's Leah Sanford and Michelle Musindo about the work they're doing, and why it's...

The Hot Room digs into the Trudeau government's bill that aims to create new rules governing the use of artificial intelligence in Canada. Stuart Benson and Peter Mazereeuw discuss the bill, and what comes next.

Journalist Les Whittington joins The Hot Room to share what he's learned about why the Port of Montreal is a key cog in the theft and export of cars in Canada, and why the government hasn't been able to fix the problem.

Conservative campaign strategist Dan Robertson explains how, why, and when political parties use "wedge" issues to improve their chances at winning an election. 

With Donald Trump campaiging to lead his party into the U.S. presidential election this fall, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has once again dispatched ministers to lobby for Canada's interests in the United States. Hill Times reporter Neil Moss joins the podcast to explain the mission. 

MPs are set to return to the Hill, and the governing Liberals have plenty to do. What will top the agenda? Peter Mazereeuw talks it through with journalist Dale Smith. 

Senator and psychiatrist Stan Kutcher joins The Hot Room to talk about the looming legalization of medical assistance in dying for people suffering from mental illness. 

Peter Mazereeuw looks back on Ed Broadbent and his legacy in Canadian politics with Frances Abele, a political scientist who helped Broadbent to write his last book, and was his partner during the last years of his life. 

The government wants to change the rules constraining Canada's spy agency, CSIS. Peter Mazereeuw talks to Professor Stephanie Carvin about the benefits, and the risks, of giving CSIS new powers.

Julie Dabrusin, the parliamentary secretary to Canada's ministers of environment and natural resources, joins The Hot Room to field questions about the government's newly-announced plan to impose a cap and trade program on greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector. 

What is a basic income, how might it work, and how could we pay for it? Senator Kim Pate tackles those questions, as she and host Peter Mazereeuw discuss her Senate bill proposing a basic income framework.