The West Block

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister goes to Washington as negotiators prepare for more talks on NAFTA, what are the big issues still on the table?  Plus the NDP are in Ottawa this weekend, just how divisive is the pipeline issue for the federal party?  Plus the federal government tables its over later this month, what are Canada's big city mayors hoping to get this time around? Guests: Chrystia Free...

The government announced its new environmental bill, what does this mean for future pipeline projects?  And the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion battle in the west, what more can the federal government do?  Then some Food for Thought with NDP MP Niki Ashton, we break some bread and talk sleep deprivation, challenges on the hill and what a life post politics might look like. Guests: Catherine McKen...

This week we take a look at the battle in the west between Alberta and British Columbia over expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, is there a role for the federal government to play?  Then we will talk to a former U.S. Ambassador to Canada on what more Canada can do when it comes to selling NAFTA south of the border.  And, two weeks ago Turkey began an aggressive military campaign in northern...

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, SEXUAL MISCONDUCT...IN RECENT MONTHS WE HAVE HEARD FROM MANY WOMEN WHO HAVE COME FORWARD TO TELL THEIR STORY. AND LAST WEEK THOSE STORIES HIT THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN THIS COUNTRY FORCING THREE POLITICAL LEADERS TO RESIGN. HOW IS THIS AFFECTING POLITICS AND THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE?  PLUS A CONVERSATION WITH NEO CONSERVATIVE WRITER AND POLITICAL DAVID F...

Changes to the Canada Summer Grants program mean organizations have to check a box when it comes to reproductive rights, will there be more changes for federal funding?  Round six of the North America Free Trade Agreement negotiations get under way Tuesday in Montreal, how critical is this round of talks?  Plus we'll unpack the politics of NAFTA and the Prime Minister's trip to Davos, Switzerland....

We begin the show this week with Canada's Foreign Minister on what is at stake in the next round of the NAFTA negoations later this month in Montreal and what is our plan B if the talks fail.  Then two experts on the North Korean crisis plus a conversation with Canada's former Ethics Commissioner on her report on Trudeau's 2016 vacation and advice to her successor. Guests: Chrystia Freeland, Forei...

This week we begin with the uproar in Washington with Michael Wolff's new book, Fire and Fury, based on President Trump his actions in the White House.  We talk to one republican strategist who is hopeful this will allow traditional republican party members to move forward and the extreme elements of the party will have less influence over the President.  We then talk to the President of the Euras...

This week we talk to Conservative Party Leader about why he has called for Canada's Finance Minister to resign.  Then has the government reset its relations with the Indigenous community as promised? And Food for Thought, this week in our occasional series we'll talk to NDP MP Nathan Cullen about politics and why he sought office at such an early age. Guests: Andrew Scheer, Conservative Party Lead...

 We begin the show this week with a conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Christmas traditions, ethics and what keeps him up at night.  Then we will unpack the politics of that conversation with two seasoned Parliament Hill journalists.  And we end off our Christmas Eve show with music from Dr. Andrea McCrady, Canada's Dominion Carillonneur and MPs reading 'The Legend of The Christmas...

This week we will ask the government if they have any regrets on the handling of the proposed tax changes for small businesses given the uproar and pushback they have faced these past few months.  And heckling in the house, the tone seems toxic, are the opposition to blame? Then Jagmeet Singh, the new NDP party leader on the setbacks his party faced in the recent by-elections and what his plans ar...

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returns home from China with no deal on formal trade talks.  What are the stumbling blocks?  We'll hear from the government on what lies ahead.  Then we look south and the ongoing NAFTA negotiations, talks have hit a snag as pro-trade republican lawmakers call on President Trump not to walk away from a deal, will he listen?  And the government may be buying used fight...

The Canadian government says enhanced trade opportunities with China is a top priority for Ottawa given the growth of both countries.  Then we talk to three Members of Parliament about the continued controversy surrounding Finance Minister Bill Morneau and his personal finances and whether or not he should resign.  And, North Korea has launched another missile which if directed at North America co...

The Auditor General slams the Canada Revenue Agency for blocking calls and not answering calls from taxpayers, what is the federal government's response? And a deal has been struck between Bangladesh and Myanmar to allow over half a million Rohingyan refugees to return home, but is it safe for them to go back to Myanmar? And another in our occassional series, Food for Thought, this week Conservati...

This week The West Block is in Halifax covering the Halifax International Security Forum where leaders from over seventy countries have gathered to talk about advancing a modern vision of security.  We talk to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about member nations, including Canada, meeting their pledged financial support for the alliance and what NATO is asking its members to do regarding A...

We begin the show this week with Canada's climate commitments and whether or not we are meeting our greenhouse gas emissions targets.  Then, Alberta politicians on the right and left are deeply divided over Bill 24, a bill that prevents teachers from telling parents if their child is a member of a gay straight alliance club, what happens now?  And, the fallout continues from the Paradise Papers sh...

As ethical concerns continue surrounding Finance Minister Bill Morneau's assets, we'll sit down with him to discuss these concerns and whether or not he has any regrets regarding this controversy.  Then the Iraqi government rejects the Kurdish Regional Governments offer to freeze moving forward on its independence vote, what happens now in Iraq and is civil war a possibility? And heckling in Quest...

Embattled Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced late last week he was divesting his company shares and setting up a blind trust to quell outrage over his personal assets.  Plus we take a look at the comments of two former presidents speaking about the current president and what this means for nations doing business with the Trump administration. Finally, we'll talk to two parliament hill journal...

Congressman Richard Neal is the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, a committee which could determine if a new NAFTA deal passes congress.  Then we will talk to Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown about why he is telling his party they will not debate social conservative issues at their convention next month.  And, we begin our occassional series, Food For Thought, this week cabinet...

Trans Canada cancels plans to proceed with Energy East pipeline and the opposition blames the government for its tough regulation policies.  Round four of the NAFTA negotiations gets underway this week in Washington, what are the essentials for Mexico for a renegotiated agreement? And what changes is the government planning on its proposed tax changes? Guests: Jim Carr, Natural Resources Minister;...

In this episode we get an update on the NAFTA negotiations, what premiers want from the federal government when it comes to their proposed tax changes for small businesses, and the new Netflix deal in Canada. Guests: Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland; Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil; Heritage Minister Melanie Joly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former prime minister, The Rt. Hon. Paul Martin weighs in on Canada joining the Ballistic Missile Defence program, twelve years after he said no to the system.  And,  as the government here moves ahead with cannabis legalization, how will this impact the increasing restrictions for those travelling to the U.S.? Then a look at week at the first week back following the summer recess for MPs, who is...

Cannabis is set to become law in Canada July 1st, 2018.  Law enforcement officials across the country say that deadline is too tight, will the government delay? Meanwhile defence experts across the country say its time to join the Ballistic Missile Defence program given the latest missile launches from North Korea but opposition remains high. And tobacco giant Philip Morris says it has a new heat...

President Trump says he may end up terminating the NAFTA agreement if he cannot get a good deal with Canada and Mexico.  The deadline to reach a new deal is January 1st, 2018 ahead of elections south of the border.  Will the three nations be able to reach a deal by then?  And given the rhetoric coming from the Trump administration, how is this affecting relations between Canada and Mexico and what...