100 episodes
The West Block Curiouscast
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- News
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4.1 • 34 Ratings
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The West Block reverses the convention of political talk shows, speaking directly with Canadians in communities across the country and bringing their concerns to Ottawa for answers.
The Global journalists behind the West Block not only ask questions, but seek solutions. The end product is a show that doesn’t just follow the agenda, but helps set it.
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Crisis in the Canadian Armed Forces
On this week’s edition of ‘The West Block’ podcast, Mercedes Stephenson has a follow-up interview with the woman who “open the locked door of secrets” about allegations of sexual misconduct in Canada’s military to talk about what should happen now. Stephenson also asks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau what specific actions his government is going to take to stamp out the problems plaguing the Canadian Armed Forces. And a conversation with Michael Kovrig’s wife Vina Nadjibulla about her hope that President Biden’s strong words last week, will result in action to release the two Canadians jailed in China.
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In her own words: One of the women behind Vance allegations tells her story
On 'The West Block' podcast Maj. Kellie Brennan describes herself as a warrior scarred by her service in the Canadian Forces. She is now breaking her silence on allegations of inappropriate behaviour against General Jonathan Vance, the former chief of the defence staff. In an exclusive interview with Mercedes Stephenson, Brennan says the time has come to tell her story, sounding the alarm about the barriers complainants of sexual misconduct still face all too often in Canada’s military.
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Vaccine divide: provincial procurement and Ottawa’s response
‘The West Block’ podcast host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister who says the federal government has blocked the provinces ability to procure COVID-19 vaccines from suppliers Ottawa has agreements with. But, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, says Ottawa has not signed deals disallowing provinces from buying vaccines. Mercedes Stephenson also presses Huawei Canada’s Vice President of Government Affairs Morgan Elliott on why the company won’t condemn the arbitrary detention of the two Michaels in China.
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Pandemic politics: COVID-19 border measures, airline angst, vaccine frustrations
On ‘The West Block’ podcast this week Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra, Unifor National President Jerry Dias, Providence Therapeutics CEO Brad Sorenson and Canadian Medical Association President Dr. Ann Collins.
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GG resigns; Pipeline politics; COVID-19 vaccine delays
Mercedes Stephenson is joined on 'The West Block' podcast by Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Ottawa Katherine Brucker. Minister LeBlanc says Julie Payette’s resignation as Canada’s governor general “allows the employees of Rideau Hall to have an appropriate workplace and it allows a renewal of the leadership at this important institution.” On U.S. President Joe Biden’s move to cancel Keystone XL, Premier Kenney says ‘it’s a very bad starting point’ for Canada-U.S. relations under a new administration. When asked about Biden's decision, Brucker says “it’s important to know that this is a presidential decision based on a larger climate agenda.”
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Mercedes Stephenson’s full interview with General Jonathan Vance
On 'The West Block' podcast this week Mercedes Stephenson speaks to former Chief of the Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance just before his final day as commander of the Canadian Armed Forces. They talk Operation Honour, global instability and he reflects on his time as the longest serving chief of the defence staff in this full extended interview.
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Customer Reviews
Oh the eardrums
I would give you a five star rating if you didn’t injure my eardrums with the excessively loud advertising
Wish the Program was Longer
Well done Mercedes. I would give a 5 if the program was longer.
Used to be much better
Really enjoyed listening to Mercedes in the past but the media payoff has changed my mind, especially as of late. Her Christmas interview with the PM was ridiculous and embarrassing. No questions of merit, just softball after softball. Won’t listen anymore. You’re out!!
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