The West Block

With more than 100,000 federal workers are on strike across the country, Canadians are facing major disruptions to accessing services on everything from tax returns to passports. ‘The West Block’ guest host Eric Sorensen speaks with Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould about the impact of the strike. Plus, new information from the Pentagon highly-classified intelligence...

Katie Telford, the prime minister’s chief of staff, faced a barrage of questions last week from opposition MPs on what she knew about Chinese interference in the last two federal elections. But what questions remain unanswered? ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Dick Fadden, former CSIS director and national security advisor to the prime minister, and James Moore, former Conserv...

Former U.S. president Donald Trump is facing 34 felony charges related to hush-money payments allegedly made during his 2016 election and allegations of falsifying business records. Regardless of how the case plays out, America is in uncharted political territory. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Rick Wilson, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and Sean Spicer, former White Hou...

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police's reputation and morale have seemingly taken hit after hit in recent years. The recent blistering report issued over the Mounties’ performance in the worst mass shooting in Canadian history, where a gunman executed 22 innocent people in Nova Scotia, hasn't helped. The report found the RCMP failed in almost every way. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson spoke...

U.S. President Joe Biden wrapped up his visit to Ottawa with a strong pitch for creating even closer ties between Canada and the United States. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to David Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, to find out what that future looks like in real terms. As allegations of Chinese election interference continue to dominate headlines, many in the Chinese Canadian...

'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, about the key priorities for the White House as US President Joe Biden begins his first official visit to Ottawa this week. As concern of a global banking crisis grows, Stephenson speaks to Kevin Page, President and CEO of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy and Lisa Raitt, Vice...

Opposition parties are urging the federal government to call a public inquiry into foreign interference in light of a series of reports about China meddling in Canada’s democracy. But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he won’t commit to an inquiry until a special rapporteur evaluates the situation. With new interference allegations arising seemingly every week, ‘The West Block’ guest host Eric So...

Canadians are calling for immediate action as concerns around alleged meddling in Canadian elections grow. The NDP and Conservatives say a public inquiry is needed to restore faith in our democracy, but former top public servants say there are other methods worth considering. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sat down with former privy council clerk Michael Wernick and former Communication...

Bombshell allegations from intelligence sources that a sitting Liberal MP is a witting affiliate of the Chinese government’s attempts to interfere in Canada’s democracy are renewing concerns over foreign meddling in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sat down with former CSIS director Dick Fadden, former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Global News investigat...

The federal government is facing renewed questions over its transparency. Between new leaked documents detailing China's alleged attempts to interfere in Canadian elections and Public Emergency Order Commissioner Justice Paul Rouleau’s report stating the government needs to do a better job of communicating between its branches, there’s a lot to answer for. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson...

Former Deputy Commander of NORAD, retired Gen. Thomas Lawson speaks to 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson about the objects shot down over North America in recent days. Plus, The Toronto Star's Stephanie Levitz and the Globe and Mail's Robert Fife discuss reaction to the federal government's health care announcement, bail reform and Ottawa's response to the devastating earthquake in Turkey...

'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to the United States Ambassador to Canada David Cohen about the diplomatic crisis between Washington and Beijing after a Chinese spy balloon was spotted flying over the United States. Stephenson also speaks to Justice Minister David Lametti about urgent calls to reform the bail system. Lametti also weighs in on Ottawa's decision to drop a controvers...

Canada is the latest country to announce tanks for Ukraine. But as Canada’s international commitments ramp up, a dire lack of personnel and equipment are prompting concern over whether Canada’s defense has the resources to uphold NATO commitments. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sat down with Gen. Wayne Eyre, chief of the defence staff, to discuss the state of the Canadian military. Plus...

The term ‘Just Transition’ has sparked heated debate over the Liberal government’s plan for workers. The government says the transition is necessary to prepare workers for sustainable jobs and meet Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. But Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it will destroy Albertans’ livelihoods. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson spoke with Alex Pourbaix, president...

Health care access for all is something Canadians expect, but hospitals can’t keep up. Nova Scotian Allison Holthoff died while waiting more than six hours to be seen by a doctor in emergency care. Now, her husband, Gunter, says something needs to change. ‘The West Block’ guest host David Akin sat down with Dr. Michael Howlett, president of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, and Dr....

Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, the harm of residential schools, and other Indigenous-focused stories made headlines across the country this year, but sustained action on these issues fell short. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson spoke with Métis National Council President Cassidy Caron to reflect on the progress made towards reconciliation in 2022, and the work that must...

From the ‘Freedom Convoy’ reshaping the Conservative party to allegations of Chinese political interference, 2022 had plenty of major news events. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sat down with Global News’ David Akin, Amanda Connolly and Mackenzie Gray to analyze the top news of the year, and discuss what stories will be making headlines in 2023. Plus, we revisit our conversation with Uk...

'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino about an amendment to federal gun control legislation that has faced widespread condemnation from hunters, Indigenous groups and some provinces. Stephenson also speaks to Defence Minister Anita Anand about her plan to implement the 48 recommendations in the report by former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbou...

The Liberal government recently unveiled its nearly $4 billion strategy to position Canada as a global supplier of critical minerals. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson about the national security implications of these minerals, and what the government’s plan does to protect Canada. Plus, Stephenson speaks with NDP Leader Jagmeet...

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks to 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson about her government's controversial Sovereignty Act. Smith says the proposed legislation is a warning to Ottawa 'to stay in their lane'. Stephenson also speaks to former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about Russia's war in Ukraine. He says Russian President Vladimir Putin only understands force and Ukraine ne...

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has released the long-awaited Indo-Pacific Strategy outlining the government’s priorities for a region it sees as key to Canada’s economic growth. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Minister Joly about the government’s economic priorities and its relationship with China. Plus, Stephenson speaks with freelance investigative journalist Justin...

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...