Quebec’s controversial new language bill was passed in the legislature last week.

It governs wide swaths of Quebec life, including college spaces and in what language people can access healthcare.

Montreal Gazette columnist Allison Hanes joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why the bill is so controversial, how it could affect relations between Anglophones and francophones, and whether it offers Quebec’s premier a federal punching bag when voters go to the polls in September.

Background reading: Hanes: After divisive Bill 96 debate, what happens next for Quebec anglophones?

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Ontario voters go to the polls in just a few days, but it hasn’t exactly been a barn-burner of a campaign.

Despite trying to make a dent in Doug Ford’s support in opinion polls, the Liberals and the NDP still trail the PCs.

National Post columnist Sabrina Maddeaux and Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley join Dave Breakenridge to discuss why voters may be feeling disengaged, how the leaders have fared so far, what we can expect in the waning days of the campaign, and what’s at stake for the opposition leaders.

Background reading: Sabrina Maddeaux: Doug Ford's pro-development agenda proves to be an asset

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The debate of whether mercy killing can be used as a defence in a murder case is once again in the spotlight after a domestic homicide in Ottawa.

Richard Rutherford, a former principal dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and officer with the Canada Council for the Arts, was found dead in his home Easter weekend. His longtime spouse Phillipe Hebert has been charged in his death.

Ottawa Citizen reporter Andrew Duffy joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss events that led up to Rutherford’s death, why the couple’s friends think it was an act of mercy, and how such acts are viewed by the Canadian legal system.

Background reading: The 'tragic and profoundly human' story of Richard Rutherford and Philippe Hébert

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Alberta’s governing United Conservative Party is looking for a new leader after Jason Kenney announced he would be stepping down.

Kenney made the announcement after receiving a bare majority of support in a scheduled leadership review.

Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why Kenney fared so poorly with members of a party he built, what’s next for the UCP, and how this shapes the remaining year before the next election.

Background reading: Bell: What the hell? Kenney is sticking around until God knows when

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Canada’s top court has struck down a section of the criminal code that could allow for extreme intoxication to be used as a defence in violent crimes.

The ruling upheld the acquittal of a Calgary man who attacked a university prof after consuming alcohol and magic mushrooms.

Calgary Herald reporter Bill Kaufmann joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the initial court case, the Supreme Court ruling and why some are concerned about a lack of protection for victims.

Background reading: Supreme Court says MRU student's magic mushroom assault defence was valid

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Ontario voters go to the polls June 2, and the much-anticipated election campaign got off to a slow start last week.

Much debate centred around highways and transit, as the Liberals and the NDP tried to make a dent in the PCs polling lead.

National Post columnist Sabrina Maddeaux joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how the major parties have fared so far, why the province’s COVID-19 response has not been a bigger issue, and what we can expect in the coming weeks.

Background reading: Sabrina Maddeaux: Liberal plan won't fix Ontario's ludicrous elevator crisis

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Been feeling the pinch on your utility bills this year, or maybe at the grocery store? You’re not alone.

Canada has been hit with rising inflation, which has meant people are paying more for, gas, food and just about everything else.

Edmonton Journal columnist Keith Gerein, who has been exploring the impact of inflation on people’s day-to-day lives, joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss where people are really feeling a cash crunch and what’s driving some of these higher costs.

Background reading: Groundwork: Edmontonians definitely feeling the sting of affordability, but some more than others

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Devastating floods and fires in B.C. last year showed the havoc these disasters can bring to communities. But it also laid bare how vulnerable some communities are to widespread destruction from future emergencies.

Vancouver Sun reporters Gordon Hoekstra and Glenda Luymes join Dave Breakenridge to discuss an investigation that reveals just how unprepared some B.C. communities are, what’s keeping communities from doing the necessary work, and how disaster-plagued residents feel heading into another flood and fire season.

Background reading: Fire & Flood: B.C. is facing two extremes — is your community ready?

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The Ontario election campaign is set to get underway this week, but the Ford government gave it the unofficial kickoff, with a campaign-style budget.

Rebuilding the economy after COVID will likely be a key theme during the campaign, but so could the government’s response to the pandemic, which still looms over the political landscape.

Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how the budget telegraphs the PCs election campaign, what we can expect from the Liberals and the NDP, and whether upstart right-wing parties pose any serious threat to Doug Ford.

Background reading: Ford looks poised for another majority but campaigns still matter

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The NHL playoffs are set to kick off in a return to near normalcy after two years under the shadow of COVID-19.

And as the post-season looms, many are wondering whether this is the year Auston Matthews or Connor McDavid will lead their teams to glory, whether the Calgary Flames will up their game, or if the Lightning is poised for a three-peat.

National post sports writer Scott Stinson joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why this post-season is so important to the league, what match-ups to keep an eye on in the first round, and what teams could surprise fans this year.

Background reading: Fans might want to prepare themselves for the possibility that the Leafs will lose in the first round

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