10/3: Canada Covered

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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Canada’s gun laws are facing a host of updates, including a freeze on new handgun sales and imports.

The bill replaces an earlier version previously proposed by the feds, and also includes a mandatory buyback of assault-style guns previously targeted by the government.

National Post political reporter Chris Nardi joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss what’s covered under the bill, how this could impact current handgun owners, and why politics may make this an easier sell for the Liberals.

Background reading: Liberals table bill to 'freeze' the purchase, transfer or importation of handguns indefinitely

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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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