We started “It’s Political” two years ago with an episode on the NDP’s supply and confidence agreement. Back then, we wondered, would the party get any credit for what they accomplished? Two years on, public opinion polls suggest the answer is “no.” The NDP believes the answer is really “maybe,” and one they hope to turn into a resounding “yes.”

This week, we look at the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the NDP.

First, Toronto Star reporter Raisa Patel, Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, Singh’s chief of staff Jennifer Howard, will lay out the challenges, internally and externally for the NDP. Then, our panel of NDP strategists will discuss what the party should do and can do to unite progressives against the possibility of a majority Conservative government.

Finally, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will join us to discuss the supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals and the path ahead.

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

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

In this episode: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Toronto Star reporter Raisa Patel, Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, Singh’s chief of staff Jennifer Howard, NDP strategist and GT & Co. partner Brian Topp, former NDP MP David Christopherson, former director of communications to Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley and Wellington Advocacy vice president Leah Ward, and taxi driver Kirby Pittman. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled her latest budget Tuesday, with big spending plans to increase the housing supply, deliver on commitments to Indigenous people, boost funding to the Canadian military and finally deliver on a promise to create a Canada Disability Benefit.

But there is more to the budget’s $39.3 billion in new spending than just those big ticket items. There is a little bit of money in there for nearly everyone. It is an election budget, with lots of promises, most of which start to kick in next year. And to pay for it all, without sinking further into deficit and blowing past Freeland’s debt-to-GDP ratio, the federal government is increasing the inclusion rate on capital gains, affecting business investments and, with some exceptions, those Canadians earning more than $250,000 from capital gains annually.

This week on “It’s Political,” we’ll look at the government’s 2024 spending plan and its decision to target capital gains as a way of raising taxes with economists Armine Yalnizyan and Christopher Ragan. But before that discussion, we’ll unpack the budget process and look at the last budget, the 2023 budget, and review its forecasts, its promises and what it actually delivered on.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, WhiteHouse.gov and Right Side Broadcasting.

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

In this episode: Armine Yalnizyan, an economist and Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Workers, Christopher Ragan, the director of McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, Heather Scoffield, senior vice president of strategy at the Business Council of Canada, Yves Giroux, the Parliamentary Budget officer, Tyler Meredith, a senior fellow at the Munk School and former budget crafter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Kevin Page, the president and CEO of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy at the University of Ottawa, and Evert Lindquist, a University of Victoria School of Public Administration professor. Hosted by Althia Raj.

The federal government’s latest effort to regulate speech on the internet was met with relief from parents who’ve long advocated for a safer space online for their children, but with alarm from free speech advocates who believe the government’s bill goes too far.

This week on “It’s Political,” we dig into the Online Harms Act with a number of experts, discussing what it contains and what the controversies are about. Then we sit down with Justice Minister Arif Virani.

In this episode: Federal Justice Minister Arif Virani, as well as the Center for Media, Technology and Democracy founding director and McGill University associate professor Taylor Owen, the Canadian Constitution Foundation litigation director Christine Van Geyn, University of Calgary associate professor and Canada research chair in cybersecurity law Emily Laidlaw, the Canadian Center for Child Protection’s executive director Lianna McDonald, University of Ottawa professor and Canada research chair in internet and e-commerce law Michael Geist, former Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission vice chair and Macdonald-Laurier Institute senior fellow Peter Menzies, University of Windsor law professor Richard Moon, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation’s CEO Mohammed Hashim, B.C. Civil Liberties Association staff counsel Safiyya Ahmad, and NDP House leader Peter Julian. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CTV, Global, The Canadian Press Gallery, CBC, City, The Rebel’s YouTube and Privacy Lawyer David Fraser’s YouTube.

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

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre attempted to topple the Liberal government this week by introducing a motion calling for a non-confidence vote on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s plan to increase the carbon price on April 1.

With all the other parties supporting a price on carbon — the Bloc Québécois, the NDP and the Greens — Poilievre’s motion was more about partisan communication strategy than a legitimate attempt to defeat the government, but it raises important questions. With the Conservatives leading in the polls, what would a Poilievre agenda look like? What policies would he and his party pursue? What tone would a government led by him take?

This week on “It’s Political,” we dig into what we know and don’t know about the Conservatives’ agenda. The Toronto Star’s deputy bureau chief Stephanie Levitz, Le Devoir’s parliamentary correspondent Boris Proulx, and Poilievre’s former director of communications during his leadership bid Ginny Roth join us. We’ll also break down the latest polling figures with Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, and hear from Queer Momentum’s executive director Fae Johnstone about her airport run in with Poilievre.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, Poilievre’s Facebook Page, Poilievre’s YouTube channel and CTV.

Listen here and follow or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

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

On Feb. 29, Canada’s Health Minister Mark Holland introduced a pharmacare bill in Parliament, seemingly laying down the foundation for a new national universal single payer pharmacare plan. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh declared victory. After fifty years of efforts, he boasted that a first big step had been taken toward giving all Canadians equal access to medicines regardless of employment status or financial means.

The deal starts small, just two classes of drugs — diabetes medication and contraception — are covered free of charge, and only if the provinces who will administer the program sign on.

But already a fight is brewing between public-system advocates who want a single-payer public program established and expanded to include a vast list of medicines, and the pharmaceutical industry, health insurance firms, pharmacists and the business community who fear a multibillion-dollar change to their bottom lines, and the impact on patients and government deficits.

Navigating between the two sides is the Liberal government, which succumbed to NDP pressure in order to stave off a federal election.

In this week’s episode of “It’s Political,” just how committed is the Liberal government to public pharmacare? Federal Health Minister Mark Holland joins us.

But first we dig deep into the debate over drug coverage in Canada with Dalhousie University Political Science Professor Katherine Fierlbeck, Canada Research Chair in Health Justice Dr. Nav Persaud, former Ontario health minister and former chair of the Federal Advisory Council on Pharmacare Dr. Eric Hoskins, Pharmacist Kristen Watt, Ontario Pharmacists Association CEO Justin Bates, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association President Stephen Frank, Canada Canada Research Chair in Access to Medicines at the University of British Columbia Michael Law, Queen’s University Assistant Professor Dr. Samantha Buttemer and Canadian Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Policy and Government Relations Matthew Holmes.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from the CBC, CPAC, Global, and the Canadian Press Gallery.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein, and mixed by Sean Pattendon. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau managed one chaotic term under U.S. President Donald Trump, and he’s made it clear he’d prefer to continue working with current President Joe Biden. But with the Republican primaries favouring Trump, a divided electorate and a U.S. election this fall, Trudeau faces the possibility of another Trump White House.

One that’s likely much more unpredictable and isolationist than the first Trump administration.

Earlier this month, at a campaign rally, Trump suggested NATO countries that don’t spend enough on defence would be left to defend themselves if Russia were to attack. His comments sent shock waves throughout Europe and North America, with experts and politicians warning that undermining NATO undermines the security of all member countries.

On today’s show, we talk to experts with first-hand knowledge on what a second Trump presidency could mean for Canada and what we should do to prepare.

In this episode: Canada’s former ambassador to the United States David MacNaughton, Canada’s former ambassador to NATO Kerry Buck, Queen’s University professor emeritus of political science and author of "Canada Alone" Kim Richard Nossal, and retired Lieutenant-General and former Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary for Canada-U.S. relations Andrew Leslie. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from: CTV, CBC, Global, CPAC, CNBC, PBS, Fox, CP24, and the Associated Press.

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

Suggested Readings:

• What a Donald Trump victory would mean for Canada's economy
• Donald Trump's dangerous agenda: Editorial
• NATO chief hails record defence spending while warning that Donald Trump's remarks undermine security
• Joe Biden says Donald Trump sowing doubts about U.S. commitment to NATO is 'un-American'
• Donald Trump stands by remarks about not defending NATO members after backlash

For decades, there was solid political and social consensus on immigration in Canada. But recently, cracks in that consensus have emerged.

In 2023, Canada’s population hit 40 million, after growing by more than a million people in one year. Most of that growth was in temporary residents, such as international students and temporary foreign workers.

Unlike with permanent residents, Canada doesn’t set targets or caps on how many people enter the country on a temporary status. Amidst a housing crisis and a health care system buckling under the weight of demand, a growing number of Canadians appear to be pointing the finger at policies that allowed for a surge in unplanned growth.

Last month, in response, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a two-year cap on international students and a promise to crack down on so-called “puppy mill” private colleges.

On today’s show, experts discuss what contributed to the breakdown in Canada’s long-held consensus, and Miller sits down for an interview with Althia.

In this episode: Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller, Toronto Star immigration reporter Nicholas Keung, Place Centre founding director Mike Moffat, Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, Statistics Canada demographer Patrick Charbonneau, Canadian Chamber of Commerce senior vice president Matthew Holmes, Dalhousie University assistant professor of social work Raluca Bejan, Centre for Newcomers chief program officer Kelly Ernst, University of British Columbia post-doctoral research fellow Lisa Brunner and One Voice Canada’s Balraj Kahlon. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from: Kellie Leitch for Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, YouTube, CBC, CTV, CBC Radio, The Montreal Gazette, CPAC and Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery.

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

• 4:20 — Mini documentary on public opinion, the rise of unplanned migration and some of its consequences

• 26:44 — Interview with Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller

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.