It's Political with Althia Raj

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Probing and insightful conversations with Canada's top political insiders, hosted by Althia Raj. A bi-monthly political podcast from the Toronto Star.

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How prepared is the Canadian military for the threats we face?

United States President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House is renewing pressure on Canada to focus more on defense spending and border security. In February, Trump warned NATO members that if they didn’t pay their fair share — spending 2 per cent of their country’s GDP on their military — they should not assume the U.S. would leap to their defence. In July, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada would meet the 2 per cent target, but only in 2032. The Liberals have invested billions to update the Canadian Armed Forces, but decades of underinvestment have led to serious capability gaps. This week, on “It’s Political,” we take a look at the state of the Canadian Armed Forces and ask how prepared Canada is for the threats we face. First, we’ll hear from experts: Canadian Army Commander Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Carleton University Associate Professor Philippe Lagassé, University of Calgary Associate Professor Rob Huebert, Observatory on Politics and Security in the Arctic Director Mathieu Landriault, Canadian Global Affairs Institute President David Perry, Royal Military College of Canada Professor Jane Boulden, and retired Royal Canadian Air Force brigadier general Kevin Whale. Then, Althia will sit down with National Defence Minister Bill Blair. Some of the clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, CPAC, the Halifax International Security Forum, the CBC, CTV, Global, NBC and ABC. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

59 min
22 NOV.

Stalemate: Why the House of Commons has ground to a halt

The House of Commons is in gridlock. Government bills and private members’ legislation have stalled. The Senate is running out of government matters to study. Parliament is paralyzed by a Conservative filibuster that started in late September. The Bloc Québécois, the NDP and the Green Party accuse the Tories of hijacking the Commons for their own parliamentary games. The Conservatives say they are filibustering their own motion — tabling one sub-amendment after another — to pressure the Liberals to turn over documents to the RCMP. The documents were requested by parliamentarians months ago — but the Liberals have ignored the demand, refusing to hand all the records over in unredacted form. The Conservatives accuse the government of trying to hide evidence of Liberal corruption involving millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money. Who’s telling the truth? This week on “It’s Political,” we turn our attention to the Conservative filibuster and the allegations at the heart of the standoff in Parliament. First, we’ll dig into the substance of the request for documents with Toronto Star Ottawa bureau reporter Mark Ramzy. Then our panel of experts – former PMO senior director Marci Surkes, former senior Conservative communication adviser Yaroslav Baran and former NDP MP Matthew Dubé – will join Althia to discuss the political strategies at play, and what it will take to finally end the standoff. 6:08 — Mark Ramzy outlines the substance behind the filibuster 18:18 — Political panel discusses the parties’ political strategies around the filibuster. In this episode: Toronto Star reporter Mark Ramzy, Compass Rose Group chief strategy officer and former senior advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Marci Surkes; Pendulum Group Co-founder and former senior Conservative advisor Yaroslav Baran; and Proof Strategies vice-president and former NDP MP Matthew Dubé. Hosted by Althia Raj. Some of the clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, CPAC, the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, and the National Post. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

44 min
8 NOV.

Donald Trump Wins. Now what?

Donald Trump will be president of the United States for a second time. Trump’s decisive victory Tuesday plunges the U.S., the world and Canada into uncharted territory. The president-elect pledged to deport American residents, slap tariffs on imported goods, and renegotiate a crucial trade deal with Canada and Mexico. Not only are Canada and the U.S. each other’s largest trading partner with $3.6 billion worth of goods and services crossing the border each day, but millions of jobs also rely on that two-way trade and investment. This week on “It’s Political” we’ll take a look at the Canada-United States-Mexico-Agreement (CUSMA) or as it is called in the United States, the U.S.M.C.A., and the trade irritants that have popped up since the deal came into effect four years ago. Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association President Flavio Volpe, Ontario Independent Senator and former president of the Canadian Labour Congress Hassan Yussuff, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Strategic Policy and Global Partnerships Catherine Fortin LeFaivre, International Trade Lawyer and McMillan Partner William Pellerin, and Future Borders Coalition Executive Director Laura Dawson will join us. But we’ll begin with the first of a two-part discussion about the impact of Trump’s election on geopolitics, lessons learned from the last round of trade negotiations, and how Canadians political parties can prepare with Canada’s former ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton and prime minister Justin Trudeau’s former principal secretary and Eurasia Group Vice Chairman Gerald Butts. 5:24 -- MacNaughton and Butts part 1 25:00 -- Mini-documentary on CUSMA and trade irritants 48:40 -- MacNaughton and Butts part 2 Some of the clips this week were sourced from the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, CPAC, Global, Fox, Bloomberg, CTV, CBC, C-SPAN, and CP24. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Kevin Sexton and host Althia Raj. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

1 h 3 min
25 OCT.

Internal and external interference

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced down more than two dozen MPs this week who suggested he should take time to contemplate his leadership and many who told him to his face that for the good of the Liberal party, and its upcoming electoral chances, he should resign. Trudeau was adamant, however, that he feels he is the best person to lead the Grits and Thursday he suggested he wasn’t going anywhere. In this episode of “It’s Political,” we’ll unpack what happened at the Liberals’ three-hour caucus meeting and what it means for Trudeau’s future and his vocal dissenters. Then, we’ll take a look at interference of another kind: foreign interference. The Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions wrapped its public hearings this week. We’ll look at what the Commission heard, and how it’s been politicized and what to make of last week’s bombshell announcement by the RCMP involving India’s top diplomats in Canada. In this episode: Toronto Star Bureau Chief Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star National Columnist Susan Delacourt, Centre for International Governance Innovation Senior Fellow Wesley Wark, Carleton University Associate Professor Stephanie Carvin, Conservative MP Michael Chong’s Commission Counsel Fraser Harland. Hosted by Althia Raj. Some of the clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, CPAC, as well as the CBC, CTV, and CP24. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Kevin Sexton and Althia Raj. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Listen here and follow or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

1 h 2 min
11 OCT.

How to fix Canada’s immigration system?

Immigration has become a hot political issue with politicians — federally and provincially — and Canadians are telling pollsters what they’re feeling: there are just too many people coming into the country, and resources are being squeezed. In this episode of “It’s Political,” we’ll take a look at what’s happened on the immigration front, how the federal government is trying to reduce the number of temporary residents — now sitting at three million — and the challenges that lie ahead with Toronto Star immigration reporter Nicholas Keung. Then, we’ll sit down with Scotiabank vice president Rebekah Young, Waterloo University’s Mikal Skuterud, and UBC emeritus professor Dan Hiebert to get their thoughts on what policy makers need to consider, what the number of new immigrants should be, and what to watch for next month when Immigration Minister Marc Miller lays out the government’s three-year plan for permanent and temporary migration numbers. Some of the clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, CPAC, as well as the CBC, CTV, Global, PBS, CityTV, the Western Standard, True North, the Tyee, the Globe and Mail, The Montreal Gazette, the podcast Uncommons with Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, and the Alberta Government. In this episode: Scotia Bank Vice President and head of Inclusion and Resilience Economics Rebekah Young, University of Waterloo Economics Professor Mikal Skuterud, University of British Columbia Geography professor emeritus Daniel Hiebert, Toronto Star Immigration reporter Nicholas Keung, as well as the voices of political leaders such as Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, Conservative MP Ryan Williams, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, Quebec Premier François Legault, federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller, federal Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Hosted by Althia Raj. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Kevin Sexton. And Althia Raj. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

1 h 1 min
27 SEPT.

The Liberal government survives – for now

The Liberal government survived its first confidence vote Wednesday, when the Bloc Québécois and the NDP decided to offer Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a lifeline. The Bloc’s demand are clear — the protection of supply management for poultry, eggs and dairy and more generous pension payments for seniors aged 65 to 74. The NDP’s less so. But, regardless, both parties concluded an election with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre leading in the polls is more dangerous to them now than cooperation with the Grits. This week on “It’s Political” we’ll unpack what the parties need to do in the next few weeks and months to accomplish their own goals, with a panel of political strategists. Then we’ll hear from pollsters about what the landscape looks like, how it has shifted and where the opportunities lie. And finally, we’ll sit down with former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe to discuss the party’s new position as the Liberals’ dance partner, what it could mean for sovereignty and what more the Bloc hopes to extract. Some of the clips you heard on this week were sourced from the Canadian Press Gallery, CPAC, the House of Commons, and the CBC. In this episode: Crestview Strategy Partner Ginny Roth, Syntax Strategic Principal George Soule, Canada 2020 President and CEO Braeden Caley, Abacus Data founder and CEO David Coletto, Leger Marketing Executive Vice President for Eastern Canada Sébastien Dallaire, Former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe, and Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau Reporter Mark Ramzy. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

57 min
13 SEPT.

Can Justin Trudeau’s Liberals Hang On?

Parliament is back with a bang! In a slick social media video, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced he couldn’t stomach working with the minority Liberals anymore and he was shifting his focus to the next election and taking the fight to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. That was music to the ears of Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet who’s been sidelined for most of the Liberals’ third mandate.With Singh walking away, Blanchet would be able to put the squeeze on the Liberals and try to extract as much as he could for Quebecers — and for his own party.The new chess moves didn’t phase Poilievre who's tried to tie both the NDP and the Bloc to the unpopular Grits. In a news conference this week, Poilievre said he would move a non-confidence vote at the earliest opportunity and dared the other opposition parties to say how they would vote ahead of two crucial by-elections Monday. Those races could help determine whether the NDP has any momentum and whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s brand is as toxic as Liberal MPs report hearing it is.This week, at the party’s national caucus meetings in Nanaimo, there was a show of unity behind closed doors but not in public… Interesting times. This week on “It’s Political,” we’ll hear from the lone MP still calling for Justin Trudeau to go. New Brunswick’s Wayne Long is voicing what most of his colleagues say behind closed doors. We’ll hear from Vancouver Island residents on their prime minister’s decision to stay and what they think of the Liberal government’s record so far. Of course, we’ll also hear from some Liberal MPs on this — and on the Grits’ new economic advisor, likely Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney. Then, we’ll unpack it all with Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau chief Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star Ottawa reporter Alex Ballingall, and former Liberal pollster Dan Arnold, the chief strategy officer at Pollara. In this episode: Saint John—Rothesay MP Wayne Long, Brossard—Saint-Lambert MP Alexandra Mandès, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell MP Francis Drouin, Kings—Hants MP Kody Blois, Brampton North MP Ruby Sahota, Vancouver Island residents Baz Baz, Montah McGee and David Smith, and Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau chief Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star Ottawa reporter Alex Ballingall, former Liberal pollster Dan Arnold, the chief strategy officer at Pollara. Hosted by Althia Raj. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC, and CTV. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

51 min
14 JUIN

Listener questions on the year’s biggest politics stories

The spring sitting on Parliament Hill is coming to a close. There’s been a lot to keep track of — the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the introduction of a pharmacare bill, a federal budget that brought big changes to taxes on capital gains — not to mention intelligence reports of foreign interference. On June 3, a report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) revealed that some elected officials were either unwitting or witting participants in foreign interference. Naturally, all this left listeners with a lot of questions. In the season finale of “It’s Political,” Toronto Star journalists and David Coletto of Abacus Data join to break down questions from listeners and readers. In this episode: CEO of Abacus Data David Coletto, Toronto Star Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief Stephanie Levitz, Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau Chief Tonda MacCharles. Hosted by Althia Raj. Clips this week were sourced from the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, CPAC, BNN, CBC, CTV, BBC, Sky News, and City News, Nate Erskine-Smith’s Uncommons podcast. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Joy SpearChief-Morris assisted with production. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

53 min

Tout afficher (50)

BANDE-ANNONCE

Introducing 'It's Political with Althia Raj,' a new Canadian politics podcast

‘It's Political with Althia Raj’ is the Toronto Star’s new Canadian politics podcast. Every two weeks, Raj brings listeners behind the scenes on Parliament Hill with exclusive interviews, in-depth reporting and thoughtful analysis. Join us as we explore the ins and the outs of the drama unfolding in Ottawa with humour and intelligence.The first episode drops Thursday, May 5. Listen and follow or subscribe here.

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Althia Raj

Animateur

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179 notes

How do we Solve the Opioid Crisis

1 juin

OldPappy59

An Excellent podcast about a heartbreaking topic. I loved hearing about the different approaches and the quality of the people who are working so hard to address addiction across Canada. I do think - Alberta’s approach will fail because it’s rooted in ideology but appreciate their efforts. Unfortunately, there’s no panacea to this crisis. Love the podcast!
Trash Paper

27 oct.

kikidreamer

Blatant rhetoric and propaganda…let’s blast and blame the Conservatives…liberal shrill …no real journalism here …
Its political

19 avr.

hard2please

This is a really good Canadian political podcast - no one is screaming at each other or talking over each other - I appreciate that
Excellent podcast

9 mars

Shar from Canada

Your recent podcast on the reality of the liberal pharmacare program was very informative. I appreciate the clarity and thoroughness that you put into presenting your podcasts. Thank you.!

Probing and insightful conversations with Canada's top political insiders, hosted by Althia Raj. A bi-monthly political podcast from the Toronto Star.