The race to replace Erin O’Toole as leader of Canada’s Conservatives took a surprising turn with the party’s leadership committee removing Patrick Brown as a candidate.

It’s alleged that a private corporation had paid members of Brown’s campaign staff, which would be a violation of Canadian election law.

National Post political reporter Ryan Tumilty joins host Dave Breakenridge to discuss how these allegations came to light, whether Brown has any recourse, and how this changes the race in the remaining two months.

Background reading: Patrick Brown disqualified from Conservative leadership race

Patrick Brown whistleblower comes forward, claims Brown knew of improper payments

'Brown campaign knew full well' the allegations, Tory officials say in letter to members

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As candidates duke it out over who is best to lead the Conservative Party of Canada, many in the conservative movement are asking what the party itself should look like, and how to best position itself to beat the Liberals in the next election.

After three straight losses, many see the next campaign as being mission-critical for the party.

Tasha Kheiriddin, principal at Navigator LTD and author of new book The Right Path, joins host Dave Breakenridge to discuss how Conservative politics have become a reaction to Justin Trudeau’s policies, what sorts of policies would best expand the party’s voting base, and why the “Freedom” message may turn off some Canadians.

Background reading: Trudeau's true legacy — stoking the woke, an excerpt from The Right Path

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The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade has set off a spate of controversy over whether access to abortion will be severely limited or outright banned in many states.

And, as their closest neighbour, the issue has spilled over into Canada. 

National Post columnist Sabrina Maddeaux joins Dave to discuss why the fallout from the Roe decision could have ramifications for Canadian women who work, study and travel in the U.S., and why some feel the federal government should pass legislation to protect access here.

Background reading: Yes, overturning Roe v. Wade affects Canadian women

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The inquiry into Canada’s worst mass shooting has developed into a political scandal, with allegations the head of the RCMP interfered with the investigation to help push Liberal firearms policy.

In notes uncovered by the Mass Casualty Commission, it appears that Commissioner Brenda Lucki demanded Nova Scotia RCMP release the types of guns Gabriel Wortman used to kill more than 20 people in advance of the rollout of new gun control measures.

National Post reporter Tristin Hopper joins Dave to discuss how these notes came to light, why this is problematic for the RCMP and the government, and the inquiry itself has been faced with its own set of credibility issues. 

Background reading: The Lucki affair just keeps getting worse

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Early in the race to replace Jason Kenney as leader of Alberta’s conservatives, the conversation has turned to the province’s place in Confederation, with one frontrunner pushing an aggressive strategy.

Danielle Smith is proposing an Alberta Sovereignty Act, which would allow the province to supersede federal law deemed not to be in Alberta’s interests.

National Post reporter Tyler Dawson joins Dave to discuss the thinking behind the “Free Alberta Strategy,” how it could potentially be used, and why some feel it’s a constitutional crisis waiting to happen.

Background reading: UCP leadership contender Danielle Smith wants Alberta to ignore federal laws it doesn't like

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Openness and transparency are key tenets of our justice system. But what happens when more and more information is locked behind a publication ban?

In a first-of-its-kind investigation, reporters Adrian Humphreys and Talha Hashmani looked into the rising number of discretionary publication bans in both criminal and civil cases.

Adrian joins Dave to discuss why more publication bans are being granted, how these bans intrude on the notion of open courts, and how that can erode credibility in the justice system.

Background reading: Secrecy in the courts — Exclusive study reveals increasing use of publication bans in Canada

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What is it like to cover some of the most notorious criminal cases in Canadian history, to dig into a story, and follow the details as it winds through court?

How do the really big cases affect the reporters on those stories?

Kathleen Goldhar, host of True Crime Byline, a new podcast from Postmedia and Antica Productions, joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the new show, what listeners can expect, and why stories like this resonate with people.

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A decade after she died by suicide, the case against Amanda Todd’s alleged tormentor has landed in a B.C. courtroom.

Dutch national Aydin Coban is facing a number of charges in what the Crown prosecutor is calling a horrific case of sextortion.

Vancouver Sun reporter Susan Lazaruk joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss what the Crown is alleging Coban did to Amanda Todd, how they’re trying to prove their case, and what court has heard in the trial so far.

Background reading: B.C. girl Amanda Todd victim of 'persistent campaign' of 'sextortion': Crown

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A Canadian airline crew has been stuck in an ongoing nightmare, ever since they alerted police in the Dominican Republic to the presence of cocaine in a compartment on their charter aircraft.

For their efforts, they were jailed, subject to threats and have been ordered to stay put in the Caribbean nation.

National Post reporter Tom Blackwell joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how the crew found themselves in this mess, what their experience in jail was like, and whether there is any political maneuvering to get them back home.

Background reading: 'A living hell': Canadians who reported cocaine in plane urge Trudeau to lobby for their freedom

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Ontario voters handed Premier Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario a renewed mandate with even more seats than the last election.

The PCs managed a strong win despite the fact that less than 50 per cent of voters turned up at the polls. The loss also has both main opposition parties looking for new leaders.

National Post politics reporter Bryan Passifiume joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how Ford and the PCs managed such a decisive win, how the opposition parties regroup, and what may explain the low voter turnout.

Background reading: Doug Ford PCs roar to a second majority win in Ontario

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