Year-end listener questions on Trudeau, Poilievre, dental subsidy, foreign interference and more

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.

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