10/3: Canada Covered

In the city’s most high-profile killing since the death of Tina Fontaine, Winnipeg has been rocked by the serial murders of four Indigenous women earlier this year.

And there is controversy around the police investigation and whether enough is being done to recover their remains from an area landfill.

Winnipeg Sun reporter Glen Dawkins joins the show to discuss the investigation, what we know so far about the accused killer, and how this tragedy has strained relations between the police and the community.

Background reading: Smyth has no plans to resign, police considering outside help in landfill search

Calls to search Manitoba landfills for murder victims sent to Ottawa, WPS commits to working group

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One of the main functions of governments, especially local governments, is building stuff. 

And that stuff doesn’t get much bigger than mass transit projects. But what happens when those projects are hit with delays, operational problems, or even safety issues?

Ottawa Citizen reporter Blair Crawford and Edmonton Journal columnist Keith Gerein join me to discuss problems two major LRT projects in Canada, a scathing review into one of them, and how these issues could make it harder to get public buy-in on similar projects in the future.

Background reading: Report blames failures in leadership, 'deliberate malfeasance' for LRT troubles

Keith Gerein: Ottawa's LRT debacle may hold lessons for Edmonton's

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After months of build-up, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith finally unveiled the legislation that was key to her leadership win.

The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act may have had a softer name than initially proposed, but it was met with controversy over how it would operate.

Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell joins the show to discuss what’s in the new bill, why some aspects of it have forced the Smith government to walk it back, and how it could be applied to federal law.

Background reading: Vindicated! Smith under fire, UCP retools sovereignty act

Bell: Danielle Smith misses her Ralph Klein moment

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Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside has long dealt with social issues stemming from homelessness and addiction, and to many, the situation has only gotten worse.

Social agencies are feeling the strain, and the public is pressuring politicians to do more to solve the problem.

Vancouver Sun columnist Douglas Todd joins the show to discuss why there’s a feeling that the problems are worse than ever, the new B.C. premier’s controversial proposals to address some of the issues, and how public compassion could be failing the people in the Downtown Eastside.

Background reading: Douglas Todd: Why compassion is failing Vancouver’s most distressed neighbourhood

David Eby's bold plan to take ownership of the DTES

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Over the course of six weeks of testimony, Canadians heard from police and municipal officials in Ottawa, provincial representatives and even from organizers of the so-called Freedom Convoy that occupied the capital for weeks earlier this year.

This was all building to the appearance by senior members of Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, and the PM himself, as they looked to justify the government’s use of the Emergencies Act to dismantle what had become a disruptive protest.

In the second of a special two-part look at the Emergencies Act inquiry, National Post political reporters Chris Nardi and Ryan Tumilty join the show to discuss how intelligence officials viewed the convoy, how blockades at the border in Alberta and Ontario changed the conversation, and how, ultimately, ministers explained the government’s actions. 

Background reading: As Emergencies Act inquiry closes, commissioner says he has the evidence he needs

'No confidence' in police plan: Trudeau says he had no alternative to Emergencies Act

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Was the Freedom Convoy a threat to public safety when it occupied downtown Ottawa earlier this year? Was the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act justified? Did Ottawa drop the ball in planning for the convoy’s arrival?

These are just some of the questions arising from six weeks of testimony before the Public Order Emergency Commission and Justice Paul Rouleau.

In the first of a special two-part episode, National Post political reporters Chris Nardi and Ryan Tumilty join the show to discuss what the inquiry into the use of the emergencies act looked at, how it has shown how unprepared police were to handle the convoy, and what that lack of preparedness meant in the overall response to the occupation.

Background reading: Lack of 'coherent plan' from Ottawa police made RCMP, OPP 'reluctant' to help them with protest: Bill Blair

Emergencies Act was helpful but 'not necessary' to clear Freedom Convoy: Ontario deputy solicitor general

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According to reports, intelligence officials have warned the prime minister that China covertly funded candidates in the 2019 election.

While it’s not clear yet who these candidates were, it’s not the first time the Chinese regime has tried to influence our politics, and apparently not illegal.

National Post columnists Terry Glavin joins the show to discuss how this funding works, the extent of other forms of foreign influence in our politics, and why attempts to address it have been stymied. 

Background reading: What's it going to take for the Liberals to crack down on Chinese subterfuge?

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Canada’s men’s soccer team is playing in its first FIFA World Cup in 36 years, only the second time we’ve qualified for the event.

And, unlike 1986, when we didn’t manage to win a game, this group is looking to put Canada on the world soccer map.

Postmedia national soccer writer Derek Van Diest, who is in Qatar for the World Cup, joins the show to discuss Canada’s road to get there, how well we could presumably do, and some of the controversies hanging over FIFA and the event. 

Background reading: Canada look to defy odds again against Belgium at FIFA World Cup

2022 FIFA WORLD CUP PREVIEW: A look back at history of tournament

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Whether it’s politicians or health professionals or even average Canadians, most people will tell you health care in Canada is struggling.

While there are many friction points, whether its the strain from the COVID-19 pandemic, staff burnout, or funding, getting at the solutions has proven challenging.

Freelance writer Mark Hill, who is part of a joint project between the National Post and the Hub looking at the problems plaguing health care in Canada, joins the show to discuss what’s at the core of the problems, how changing expectations in health care affect the system, and where Canada should look to for solutions.

Background reading: The big fix: Canada’s health system is melting down. Is ‘liberalized’ care the answer?

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Canadians have been hit by rising costs, whether it’s housing, gas prices or even food.

But what happens when government policy is helping drive some of those increases?

National Post columnist Jesse Kline joins the show to discuss how supply management in the dairy industry is affecting consumers, how it ties into inflation, and whether the federal government is planning on making any changes. 

Background reading: Jesse Kline: Don't tell us you care about the high cost of living if you're not willing to end supply management

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