It's Political with Althia Raj – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

If 22 people were being shot each day on Canadian streets, you might expect a federal state of emergency to be called, a co-ordinated federal-provincial-territorial response, billions of dollars flowing out of government coffers to stop the violence.

The opioid crisis hasn’t received the same kind of all-hands-on-deck approach. Instead, there has been immense politicization of the issue, with different sides arguing different approaches while accusing political opponents of making the crisis worse and literally killing people. 

In this episode of “It’s Political,” we tackle the question of how to deal with the opioid crisis through different lenses.

First, we’ll look at the move behind decriminalization of personal possession for small amounts of illegal drugs. We’ll hear about the experience in British Columbia with its three-year decriminalization pilot, the reforms its brought and the impact in Ontario. We’ll look at the impact of safe injection sites, and the experience so far with “safe supply.” What is working, what is not working as well as it could be and what’s behind the lack of progress?

Then, we’ll sit down with Alberta’s Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Dan Williams and discuss his province’s focus on treatment and why he believes “safe supply” isn’t the answer. Finally, Federal Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu joins us to provide the federal government’s perspective.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, CPAC, CTV, and BreakTheNeedle’s X account.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Michal Stein and Althia Raj. Joy SpearChief-Morris assisted with production. Kevin Sexton mixed the show. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

In this episode: Alberta Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Dan Williams, Federal Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu, Moms Stop the Harm co-founder Leslie McBain, Akosua (last name withheld), who has been sober from drugs for six years, Dorian Clough, a person living with addiction, Memorial University Assistant Professor Gillian Kolla, Sudbury’s safe consumption site’s former manager Amber Fritz, McMaster University Assistant Clinical Professor Dr. Lori Regenstreif, Peterborough Deputy Chief of Police Jamie Hartnett, Vancouver City Councillor Rebecca Bligh, Richmond City Councillor Alexa Loo, Surrey City Councillor Linda Annis, University of Alberta Associate Professor Elaine Hyshka, and Liberal MP for Beaches-East York Nathaniel Erskine Smith. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Public opinion polls suggest Canadians have had enough of Justin Trudeau’s government, and yet the prime minister vows to stay on. As 2024 began, Toronto Star columnist Susan Delacourt sat down with the prime minister for her yearly chat, and she allowed our microphones to listen in.

This conversation was recorded on Jan. 12 in Guelph, Ont.

In this episode: Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and Toronto Star National Columnist Susan Delacourt

Some of the clips this week were sourced from the CBC, ABC, CTV, CPAC, and The Guardian.

This episode of “It’s Political” was packaged by Althia Raj and mixed by Kevin Sexton. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

It’s been quite a tumultuous year in federal politics, from allegations of foreign interference involving China and India, to the expansion of industrial and dental subsidies, and a rejigging of public support for Canada’s two main parties. We asked Toronto Star readers and “It’s Political” podcast listeners for their questions — and received many probing queries about themes from the last year, especially about the influence of Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre on Canadian politics and the future of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. We gathered a few of our parliamentary journalists to answer them.

In this episode: National Columnist Susan Delacourt, Ottawa deputy bureau chief Stephanie Levitz and reporter Mark Ramzy join host Althia Raj.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC, CTV, Global, the NDP’s Instagram account, Rex Murphy’s Full Comment podcast and Pierre Poilievre’s Facebook page.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Alberta Conservative MP Damien Kurek was kicked out of the House of Commons this week for using unparliamentary language. Within minutes of his expulsion, Kurek had the video of his outburst up on social media proudly showcasing his outrage at the Liberal government. 

Last week, another Alberta Conservative, Rachel Thomas, was forced to apologize after requesting Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge stop answering her questions in French and instead use English. Thomas wanted a social media clip her audience could understand.

Social media is changing the way MPs are behaving on Parliament Hill and it’s increasingly changing the way political parties court support. 

In this week’s episode of “It’s Political” we take a look at his issue from a number of different angles.

First, Toronto Star columnist Susan Delacourt gives us an overview of how political communications has changed during her time in Ottawa.

Then, MPs Kevin Waugh, Rob Oliphant and Stéphane Bergeron reflect on the demise of local media, where their constituents get their news, and how the new media landscape is changing the way MPs engage with one other.

Later, I sit down with Canada Proud founder Jeff Ballingall, who worked with both Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and former leader Erin O’Toole, as well as Mélanie Richer, the former director of communications for NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and with Cameron Ahmad, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former director of communications.

And finally, we’ll hear about the impact an MP’s social media campaign recently had on a member of the upper house, Senator Bernadette Clement. 

In this episode: Toronto Star national columnist Susan Delacourt, Saskatchewan Conservative MP Kevin Waugh, Ontario Liberal MP Rob Oliphant, Bloc Québecois MP Stéphane Bergeron, former Conservative media strategist and Mobilize Media president Jeff Ballingall, former director of communications for NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Earnscliffe senior consultant Mélanie Richer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former director of communications Cameron Ahmad, and Ontario Independent Senator Bernadette Clement. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, The Senate, The House of Commons, CBC, Pierre Poilievre’s Facebook page and Damien Kurek’s X/Twitter account.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

It’s been described as a signature blow to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s signature policy. Last month, the Liberals announced a three-year pause to the application of the carbon price on home heating oil to help ease the costs, especially in Atlantic Canada where it’s used in about a third of all households.

Climate and energy experts decried it as a weakening of Trudeau’s policy, former environment minister Catherine McKenna condemned the move, and potential leadership candidate Mark Carney said publicly that he wouldn’t have done things that way.

Provincial premiers, such as Alberta’s Danielle Smith, Ontario’s Doug Ford, British Columbia’s David Ebby, Manitoba’s Wab Kinew, and Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe all called for the carbon price to be eliminated from home heating for all their residents. Moe went so far as to pledge to stop collecting and transmitting the levy on natural gas.

What was expected by some rural MPs to be a popular announcement, unleashed a huge outcry putting the debate over carbon pricing right back on the front burner.

This week on “It’s Political” we dig into the carbon pricing debate, with Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, experts Andrew Leach, Dale Beugin and Katya Rhodes, and Liberal MP Kody Blois, whose persistent lobbying led to the policy change.

4:23.077 - Kody Blois

17:15.840 - The Case for Carbon Pricing

39:46.601 - Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault

In this episode: Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, Nova Scotia Liberal MP Kody Blois, University of Alberta Professor Andrew Leach, Canadian Climate Institute Executive Vice President Dale Beugin, University of Victoria Assistant Professor in climate policy Katya Rhodes. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, The Senate, The House of Commons, The Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, CBC, Global News, CTV, Pierre Poilievre’s Facebook Page, The Conservative Party of Canada, Scott Moe’s X/Twitter account.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Eight years ago, Justin Trudeau and 30 ecstatic Liberal MPs walked up to Rideau Hall, ready to be sworn in as Canada’s next government. But after three elections, the Liberal glow has faded – drastically – as more and more Liberals suggest it’s time for the prime minister to step down.

This week on “It’s Political,” Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, P.E.I. Sen. Percy Downe and Toronto Star reporter Alex Ballingall join me to discuss whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should step down, and what the Liberals could do to address the public’s growing fatigue with their leader. 

But first, if Trudeau were to step down, what would he be remembered for? We ask several close observers for their thoughts on the prime minister’s legacy. Some of their answers may surprise. 

• 2:20 Mini documentary on Justin Trudeau’s legacy
• 31:55 Panel discussion on Justin Trudeau’s future as Liberal leader

Some of the clips this week were sourced from CBC, CPAC, Global, CTV, and The Guardian.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

In this episode: Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, Prince Edward Island Sen. Percy Downe, Toronto Star reporter Alex Ballingall, University of Calgary political science professor Lisa Young, UBC economics professor Kevin Milligan, Acadia University politics professor Alex Marland, Queen’s University adjunct professor Eugene Lang, the executive director of First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada and McGill University School of Social Work professor Cindy Blackstock, Canadian Climate Institute executive vice-president Dale Beugin, and York University public administration professor Thomas Klassen. Hosted by Althia Raj.

A month ago, we weren’t talking about the Israelis-Palestinian conflict. The world’s attention was elsewhere, on Ukraine and Russia, on China. But on October 7, all that changed. Hamas’ brutality — the hunting of young adults at a music festival, the burning of homes, shooting of grandmothers, allegations of rape of women and girls, and the kidnapping of more than 200 Israelis and foreigners — placed the question of Israel and the occupied territories back on the front burner.

And there are many questions.

How should Israel respond to an event that shocked the nation’s psyche? Can it pursue Hamas without triggering a wider conflict in the region? Is it justifiable to kill so many civilians in an attempt to neutralize a terrorism threat?

This week on ‘It’s Political,’ we take a look at the war between Israel and Hamas through a Canadian lens.

First, we’ll review how we got to the current conflict with the aid of Canada’s former representative in the West Bank, Douglas Scott Proudfoot.

Then, we’ll hear from two families, a Israeli-Canadian man from Toronto and a Palestinian-Canadian couple from Ottawa, whose families have been deeply affected by Hamas’ attack and Israel’s bombing in response.

This is a political show, and we’ll sit down with two Liberal MPs from two different communities — Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather and Scarborough Centre MP Salma Zahid — to discuss what they want to hear from their government and what their constituents want to hear from them.

Finally, we’ll have a fascinating conversation with two Middle East experts, Carleton University Political Science Professor Mira Sucharov and University of Ottawa Graduate School of Public and International Affairs Associate Professor Thomas Juneau, about Canada’s policy in the Middle East, how it’s changed over time, what impedes Canada from playing a larger role, and how diaspora politics guide Canadian foreign policy.

4:37 - Douglas Scott Proudfoot

22:36 - Aharon Brodutch

31:12 - Israa Alsaafin and Ahmed Alsaafin

42:05 - Salma Zahid and Anthony Housefather

56:07 - Mira Sucharov and Thomas Juneau

Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, Global News, CTV, Al Jazeera, Fox News, the BBC, CBS, the United Nations, the History Channel, France 24, CBC, CNN, Reuters, and Atlas Aware.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

In this episode: Timmins—James Bay NDP MP Charlie Angus, South Okanagan—West Kootenay NDP MP Richard Cannings, Skeena—Bulkley Valley NDP MP Taylor Bachrach, Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, Traxxion Strategies President Karl Bélanger, Canadian Strategy Group senior manager of public affairs Sally Housser, University of Saskatchewan Political Studies Professor David McGrane,, St-John’s East riding association president Amanda Will, Jason Arnold, of the United Steelworkers Local 7619 at the Highland Valley Copper Mine, and longtime New Democrat and socialist caucus co-chair Barry Weisleder. Hosted by Althia Raj.

This weekend as federal New Democrats gather in Hamilton for the party’s first in-person convention in five years, we’ll take stock of the NDP’s current challenges and review the leadership of Jagmeet Singh. 

Six years ago, when Singh took over the party, many hoped he’d be able to stop the bleeding of NDP votes to the Liberal party. But instead of growing the party’s caucus, Singh lost 20 seats in his first election and was only able to gain one more seat in his last campaign. Now, the NDP’s leader faces another leadership review. One that’s being held in the context of the party’s supply and confidence agreement with the Liberal party. Will New Democrats throw their support behind their leader, or will cracks emerge this weekend as some members fear a closer alignment with an unpopular federal government?

But before we tackle that question, we’ll first hear from three NDP MPs, whose ridings are high on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s target list, on why the Official Opposition leader sees opportunity in their communities and how they intend to fight back.

Then we’ll sit down with Abacus Data CEO David Coletto for a look at the numbers and what they reveal about the party’s support and the popularity of the NDP pact with the Liberals.

And discuss it all with Karl Bélanger, the party’s former national director and principal secretary to former NDP leader Thomas Mulcair, Sally Housser, a former NDP strategist in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ottawa, and David McGrane, a political studies professor at the University of Saskatchewan and the author of the book “The New NDP: Moderation, Modernization and Political Marketing.”

We’ll also hear from three NDP convention delegates: St-John’s East riding association president Amanda Will, United Steelworker local executive Jason Arnold, and the co-chair of the party’s socialist caucus Barry Weisleder.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from The House of Commons, CPAC, CTV, CBC, Charlie Angus’ YouTube page, Pierre Poilievre’s YouTube page, Pierre Poilievre’s Twitter account, CFTK-TV in Terrace, B.C., The Curse of Politics podcast.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Althia Raj is an Ottawa-based national politics columnist for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @althiaraj

In this episode: Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge, Toronto Star Publisher Jordan Bitove, Ottawa University law professor Michael Geist, Toronto Star reporter Raisa Patel, Meta’s head of public policy Rachel Curran, Google Canada’s Richard Gingras, News Media Canada President Paul Deegan, Village Media CEO Jeff Elgie. La Presse President Pierre-Elliott Levasseur, Yellowknife evacuee Kelsey Worth, Conservative MP Kevin Waugh, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized to the world and House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota resigned after MPs honoured a man in Parliament who’d fought with a Nazi unit. This isn’t the only story that rocked Canadian politics recently. Last week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford reversed course on the development of Greenbelt land and Trudeau announced the government of India is more than likely involved in the shooting death of a Canadian citizen.

These controversies may not have come to light if it wasn’t for the work of journalists. But journalism, in Canada, is facing a crisis. Declining advertising revenues have led to the shedding of thousands of jobs and the closures of hundreds of local publications. Meanwhile, Google and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, are reaping billions of ad dollars worldwide.

This week on “It’s Political,” we dig into the federal government’s response to a crisis decades in the making. The Online News Act, which became law this summer, has prompted Meta to block news links on its platforms. Is Google ready to follow suit? Is the government shooting itself in the foot or has it found the path to sustainability for newspapers and local broadcasters?

Ottawa University law professor Michael Geist, the Canada research chair in internet and e-commerce law, joins Toronto Star reporter Raisa Patel in helping us break down the law, formerly known as Bill C-18. We’ll also hear from Meta, Google, and publishers affected by the bill, including Toronto Star owner Jordan Bitove. Then, we’ll sit down with Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge.