The West Block Curiouscast

With the rise of pro-Palestinian encampments across North American university campuses, concerns have been raised over police response and safety of Jewish students. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson interviews Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Minister Kamal Khera to discuss the campus protests. Minister Khera also addresses concerns from disability advocates about the Canada Disability Benefit’s ability to lift Canadians out of poverty.
Plus, Stephenson speaks with former British intelligence officer Philip Ingram about the U.K.’s calls for NATO members to boost their defence spending, geopolitical threats, and more.

The issue of foreign interference returns to the spotlight as the public inquiry into election meddling releases its first report and the RCMP make an arrest of suspected foreign hitmen. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc to discuss the new arrests in the 2023 killing of B.C. Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. LeBlanc also addresses the findings of the foreign interference inquiry, which found that instances of foreign meddling did occur but did not alter the outcomes of Canada’s 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue also concluded that foreign interference did undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Plus, Stephenson speaks with former CSIS executive manager Dan Stanton and Global News’ national security journalist Stewart Bell about the arrest of three suspected hitmen and their alleged ties to the Indian government.

Following the federal government’s announcement of a $15-billion Honda electric vehicle plant in Ontario, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson asks Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne for a follow-up to his government’s efforts to increase grocery store competition. Minister Champagne discusses his talks with foreign grocery chains, as well as Canada’s electric vehicle infrastructure.
Plus, Stephenson sits down with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to talk about her life in exile, her jailed husband, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ties to the current Belarusian regime.

What are the risks of a greater escalation between Iran and Israel after more retaliatory strikes are exchanged between the two countries? ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson interviews the Atlantic Council’s Jonathan Panikoff, the former deputy national intelligence officer for the Near East at the National Intelligence Council, about the possibility of a greater conflict between Iran and Israel, fears over the potential use of nuclear weapons, and more.
Plus, Stephenson speaks with John Manley, former Liberal finance minister, and Lisa Raitt, former Conservative deputy leader, about the new federal budget. The panel also discusses proposed capital gains tax changes, the housing crisis, and how the budget might impact the Liberals’ polling numbers.

Heightened tension in the Middle East after Iran launches missile and drone attacks against Israel. Tehran says the attack is in retaliation for Israel’s suspected strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett to discuss the threat of a wider conflict with Iran, the crisis in Gaza, and more.
Plus, Stephenson speaks with Steven Chase, The Globe and Mail’s senior parliamentary reporter, and Vina Nadjibulla, an international security specialist at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s testimony at the foreign interference inquiry.

Big revelations have emerged from the latest rounds of foreign interference inquiry hearings. At the inquiry, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director David Vigneault said the agency had intelligence before Canada's 2019 election that China's government attempted to funnel about $250,000 through a network, possibly to interfere in Canadian elections. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson is joined by Steven Chase, The Globe and Mail’s senior parliamentary reporter, and Dick Fadden, former CSIS director, to discuss the latest round of testimony from intelligence officials and MPs, as well as the potential political fallout.
Plus, Stephenson speaks with retired Lt.-Gen. Roméo Dallaire, former UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda Force Commander, about the 30th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide.