10/3: Canada Covered

As calls grow for more action from the Liberal government on allegations of election interference by China, there were new developments this week.

The PMO released the mandate for special rapporteur David Johnston and, after several days of pushing back against the suggestion, it was announced Justin Trudeau’s chief of staff would appear before MPs looking into the issue.

National Post political reporter Bryan Passifiume joins the show to discuss what Johnston will be looking into, what we hope to learn from Telford’s appearance at committee, and whether it’s likely we’ll see a public inquiry into election interference.

Background reading: PMO releases mandate for 'special rapporteur' tasked with probing foreign interference allegations

Trudeau's chief of staff Katie Telford to testify on foreign interference at committee: PMO

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They’re potentially lurking in grasslands and forests across several provinces, prepared to cause devastation, eating and digging their way through crops and gardens, and could even wind up in our cities.

Wild hogs are a growing problem in Canada, especially on the prairies, where they’ve become an invasive species.

Tyler Dawson, National Post reporter and producer of this podcast, joins the show to discuss how wild hogs have thrived here, why they’re such a pesky animal to deal with, and why our neighbours to the south are worried about a porcine invasion.

Background reading: Latest border-crossing crisis for U.S.: a potential flood of Canadian 'super pigs'

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The illegal border crossing at Roxham Road in southern Quebec has seen an uptick of asylum seekers in recent months, taking us close to the record levels we saw in 2017.

The surge has seen some politicians call for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to close the entry point once and for all.

But some feel that will only cause more problems.

National Post political reporter Chris Nardi visited the area and joins the show to discuss what he saw on the ground, what local officials have to say about the issue, and what some feel is the most viable solution.

Background reading: Life on Roxham Road, where frustrations mount and hundreds of illegals cross over every day

Private buses, food and hotel rooms: Behind the booming, multi-million-dollar business of Roxham Road

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The recent cyberattack on Canadian retailer Indigo has served as a reminder for how disruptive such invasions can be in a world so reliant on digital properties.

But what happens when those attacks disrupt the operations of governments, even small ones.

Emma McPhee, a reporter for Brunswick News, joins the show to discuss how a similar ransomware attack affected the city of Saint John, what can make a government vulnerable, and what we all have to be wary of when it comes to cyber security.

Background reading: Anatomy of a cyberattack — How a 'Russian Mafia group' took Saint John hostage

Read the full Safety Net series

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In advance of a spring election, Alberta’s United Conservative government unveiled its latest budget, the first under Premier Danielle Smith.

It’s a blueprint for big spending, but is it a recipe for an election win?

Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell joins the show to discuss how the government hopes this fares them well on voting day, whether it leaves any room for the NDP to pick up votes, and whether it has helped the government solidify support among the public.

Background reading: Danielle Smith's budget boss draws election line in the sand

Bell: Will the real Danielle Smith please stand up?

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Fuelled in part by people looking for recreational activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, an unlikely sport has become one of the hottest things going in North America.

Pickleball, almost a strange hybrid of tennis and ping pong, has gained tens of thousands of new members in Canada in the last two years. But why is it so popular?

National sports writer Dan Barnes joins the show to discuss why people are gravitating towards the sport, whether there are enough courts to facilitate the surge in participation, and why some have designs on getting pickleball into the Olympics.

Background reading: Pickleball craze has Canadians of all ages headed for court

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Chinese government activity related to our elections is once again in the spotlight.

Recently uncovered intelligence information suggests a sophisticated plan to interfere in the 2021 federal election, targeting Conservative candidates to the benefit of the Liberals.

National Post political reporter Catherine Levesque joins the show to discuss the nature of the allegations, what the response has been from the prime minister and his opponents, and whether MPs will be investigating this further. 

Background reading: Trudeau claims there are 'inaccuracies' in the leaked documents about Chinese interference

Liberal MP accuses Tories of using Trump-like tactics in questioning past election results

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The much talked about “Just Transition” plan, designed to move workers to greener, more sustainable jobs, has been unveiled, with a new name.

Now called the Sustainable Jobs plan, the initiative was released with little fanfare, and light on details, according to critics.

Tyler Dawson, National Post reporter and producer of this podcast, joins the show to discuss what the Sustainable Jobs plan covers, what it’s lacking, and why it’s still ruffling feathers in Alberta.

Background reading: Liberals' 'just transition' clean energy jobs plan is a plan for more plans

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A year to the day after police started dismantling the large-scale Freedom Convoy protest that had blockaded a large swath of downtown Ottawa, Justice Paul Rouleau delivered his report into the federal government's use of the Emergencies Act to deal with the movement.

While he ultimately found the threshold was met to invoke the act, there was plenty of blame to throw around as to how we got there.

National Post political reporter Ryan Tumilty joins the show to discuss Justice Rouleau’s main findings, where agencies and governments dropped the ball, and what recommendations he makes to address problems in the future.

Background reading: Trudeau government justified in using unprecedented powers of Emergencies Act: ruling

Trudeau expresses regret for denouncing Freedom Convoy protesters as 'fringe minority'

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Just a few months into his third term as mayor of Canada’s largest city, John Tory announced his resignation on Friday. 

The resignation follows revelations he had an affair with a 31-year-old staffer, and forces the city to hold a byelection in the coming months.

National Post columnist Chris Selley joins the show to discuss how the revelations came to light, what it does to Tory’s legacy in politics and business, and what issues his replacement will have to deal with.

Background reading: Chris Selley: John Tory's political career ends in the stupidest way imaginable

John Tory still hasn't officially resigned after admitting affair — and he may not have to

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