The West Block

On The West Block podcast this week Mercedes Stephenson recounts the record numbers of COVID-19 cases that continue to sweep across the country. She asks Conservative Party Leader, Erin O’Toole, about his take on Canada’s response to the pandemic. Internationally, O’Toole says it’s time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to get serious on China from a security, human rights and trade perspective. I...

On this week’s US election edition of The West Block podcast, Mercedes Stephenson talks with former chair of the Democratic National Committee about why the election was so close?  She also talks with Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister about what a Biden presidency will mean for Canada.  Whitehouse reporter for Bloomberg News Josh Wingrove lays out what Trump’s next moves will likely be. And former...

In this week’s edition of The West Block podcast, Mercedes Stephenson speaks with former foreign affairs Minister John Baird about the U.S. election, Canada’s top doctor Theresa Tam about the second wave of the pandemic and an interview with Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan about the path forward for the Keystone pipeline project if Joe Biden wins the presidency. Learn more about your ad...

The West Block's full interview with Canada's top doctor, Dr. Theresa Tam. “We’re only at a few percentage points in terms of the immunity in our population. That leaves over 90 per cent of the population, or 95 per cent of the population still vulnerable,” says Dr. Tam.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mercedes Stephenson talks to strategists about which political party would gain by forcing a federal election during the pandemic – this week’s West Block panel includes conservative strategist Melissa Lantsman, NDP strategist Robin MacLachlan and Liberal strategist Richard Mahoney. Former White House national security advisor John Bolton opens up about how he expects President Trump to respond to...

The West Block host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Minister of Small Business Mary Ng about the second wave of  forced business closures and what the federal government is doing to help.  National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Perry Bellegarde talks about what needs to be done to resolve a worsening dispute between Indigenous and non-Indigenous fishers on the east coast. And a panel of p...

Check out the full interview with Mona Nemer, Canada's chief science advisor. Nemer says researchers will likely know by the end of this year whether they have developed a usable vaccine. If they have, she said, it could be available to Canadians by early 2021.  Nemer gave a wide-ranging interview on this week’s edition “The West Block” about the status of the pandemic globally and Canada’s effort...

As Canada enters the second wave of the pandemic, The West Block host Mercedes Stephenson talks to Canada’s chief science advisor about this country’s efforts to slow the spread of the virus.  Justice Minister David Lametti talks about the challenges facing the court system.  And former federal health minister and interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose weighs in on the emergency response to the...

Mercedes Stephenson unpacks headlines of the week as the second wave of COVID-19 sweeps over Canada. She speaks with Global News’ Washington Bureau Chief, Jackson Proskow, about US President Donald Trump testing positive for COVID-19. Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Minister, Carla Qualtrough, speaks about the changes to EI. Conservative Deputy Leader Candice Bergen weig...

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks to West Block host Mercedes Stephenson about the billions of dollars the government is spending to fight the pandemic, Jagmeet Singh on how he struck a deal with the Liberals on paid sick leave to avert a fall election and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister talks about his deep disappointment in Liberal government’s Throne Speech. L...

Throne Speech Preview : Dominic LeBlanc, Jason Kenney and Jagmeet Singh outline their priorities for the federal government as COVID-19 cases surge in Canada.  Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc lays out the government’s priorities for the upcoming throne speech, Alberta premier Jason Kenney  explains why he feels Ottawa should increase health care funding by $28 B each year, react...

The A block includes a MPs panel talking about the WE Charity controversy and the Prime Minister and his family with Liberal Arif Virani, Conservative Michael Barrett and NDP Don Davies.  Then we do further analysis with journalists David Akin and Supriya Dwivedi. The B block includes an interview with former Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd discussing China. Learn more about your ad choices...

The government will be announcing its economic snapshot in a few days, how has COVID-19 affected the national economy?  Then how has the black lives matter protests impacted Indigenous issues in Canada, plus what nations need to do when it comes to managing China? Guests: Ken Peacock, Business Council of B.C.; Phil Fontaine, Former National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations; Bonnie Glaser, C...

This week we look at China....the diplomatic divide it is causing within Canada...should Magnitsky sanctions be used against Chinese officials, plus the east coast bubble and calls for separation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Late last week China announced it was charging two Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Korvig with espionage.  They have been detained in China since December 2018, shortly after Huawei Executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver.  What happens next?  Plus systemic racism in Canada and the race to be the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Guests: David Mulroney, Canada's Former...

Disturbing new video leads to renewed calls for action against systemic racism within the RCMP and in communities and institutions across the country.  Plus the political battle on COVID-19 funding and accountability. Guests: Carla Qualtrough, Minister for Employment Workforce Development & Inclusion; Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations; Sean Fraser, Parliamentary Sec...

Racism....what can the federal government do to end systemic racism?  Plus will the marches and protests south of the border change anything? Guests: Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth; Jagmeet Singh, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh; Author and sociology professor at Georgetown University, Michael Eric Dyson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Policing questions, Long-Term care concerns, Canada-China relations and Hong Kong unease with China's new national security legislation. Guests: John Tory,Toronto Mayor; Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Garnett Genuis, Conservative Sherwood Park–Fort Saskatchewan; Emily Lau, Former Chair of the Hong Kong Democratic Party Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

In this episode we take a look at the billions being spent by the federal government during this pandemic, when will there be an economic update?  Plus we'll talk to Canada's former Ambassador to China about the Canada-China relationship, and then a conversation with former cabinet minister Peter MacKay on his campaign to be the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Learn more about you...

In this edition of The West Block we talk to China's Ambassador to Canada about a full investigation in how COVID-19 started...plus the latest on the two Canadians detained in China.  Then we speak to Canada's federal seniors minister about help for seniors during this pandemic. Then we talk to a labour lawyer about what rights workers have when heading back to work. Guests: Cong Peiwu, China's Am...

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...