10/3: Canada Covered

The fight within Alberta’s United Conservative Party over Jason Kenney’s leadership took another twist when the planned in-person vote in April was turfed in favour of mail-in ballots.

This has created further controversy, with some of Kenney’s own MLAs suggesting he step down, triggering a leadership race.

Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why Kenney is facing a leadership review now, why the switch to mail-in voting has caused so much controversy, and what’s at stake for Kenney if he fails to get a resounding majority.

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A few short months after Canadians elected a minority government, the Liberals and the NDP announced they were forming a pact to keep the Liberals in power until 2025.

The move, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as an agreement that will provide stability, will see the NDP support the government on confidence matters.

National Post political reporter Christopher Nardi joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss what each of the parties had to give up to formalize this pact, why it could potentially hurt the NDP in the next election, and whether it gives the Conservatives any advantages in the long run.

Background reading: Opposition parties lambaste Liberals, NDP for deal keeping Trudeau in power until 2025

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In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alberta has seen deaths from drug overdoses climb higher than ever before.

That culminated in a record year in 2021, with more than 1,700 deaths.

Edmonton Journal reporter Anna Junker joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss Alberta’s grim milestone, what’s driving these deaths, and what advocates want to see from the provincial government.

Background reading: Toxi-City: Deadly drugs in Edmonton — Overdoses are happening across all neighbourhoods and families are bearing the brunt of the crisis

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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave an impassioned plea to Canada’s parliament this week.

Zelenskyy is seeking support from NATO leaders to create and enforce a no-fly zone over his country, which raises the prospect of wider conflict.

National Post political reporter Ryan Tumilty joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss Zelenskyy’s speech, the mood in the House of Commons, and what Canada is willing to do, short of that no-fly zone.

Background reading: Zelenskyy begs Canada to help 'close the sky' in address to House of Commons

John Ivison: Canada hands embattled Zelenskyy hollow words and symbolic 'courage'

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The war in Ukraine has forced millions from their homes amid Russian bombardment.

Many of these refugees are heading west to Poland, where organizers are working to keep up with seemingly endless arrivals.

National Post columnist Adam Zivo spent time on the ground in Warsaw and Lviv and he joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the effort to help refugees flooding into Poland, what the situation is like on the ground in eastern Ukraine, and the human toll of this war on those who are being displaced.

Background reading: Adam Zivo: Heartache at Warsaw train station as thousands of traumatized Ukrainian refugees pour in

Adam Zivo: The Ukrainians supplying the military with Molotov cocktails and camouflage netting

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The race to replace Erin O’Toole as leader of the federal conservatives got a little more crowded this week. Ontario MPP Roman Barber, federal MP Leslyn Lewis and former Quebec premier and federal PC leader Jean Charest all announced their candidacies.

Charest joins the race as a possible contender to Pierre Pollieve’s frontrunner status.

National Post political reporter Catherine Lévesque joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why Charest is joining the race after 10 years outside of politics, how he hopes to distinguish himself as a potential challenger to the Trudeau government, and how the race changes now that the field is filling out.

Background reading: New federal Conservative leader to be chosen on Sept. 10, candidacy must be declared by April 19

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As the world has reacted in horror to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, global attention has been captured by the steely resolve of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He has positioned himself as a rallying force amid a deadly crisis, in contrast to the authoritarian Vladimir Putin.

National Post reporter Joseph Brean joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss Ukraine’s unlikely hero, the stark differences between Zelenskyy and Putin and how his command of image and messaging is helping him win support worldwide.

Background reading: Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed: How a Ukrainian actor's charisma became a weapon of war

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A pair of Canadian men have been convicted in Australia for their roles running a multi-million-dollar criminal drug network.

The pair are the latest Canadians lured by a lucrative drug market only to be swept up down under in a high profile drug sting by Australian authorities.

National Post reporter Adrian Humphreys joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how the men got involved in the criminal underworld, how they were ultimately brought down, and how Australian authorities want Canada to do more to address the problem of our criminals doing business on their shores

Background reading: Two Canadian gangsters' big plans as narco bosses undone by undercover sting down under

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Canada has joined the international community with a series of escalating sanctions and measures targeting Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

This has included economic sanctions, military supplies and a ban on Russian products.

National Post political reporter Ryan Tumilty joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss Canada’s anti-Russia efforts, the international co-operation in support of Ukraine, and what’s at stake if these measures aren’t successful.

Background reading: Canada sending body armour, helmets, gas masks as war in Ukraine continues

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Since the start of the pandemic, misinformation and conspiracies about COVID-19 or the government response to it have spread widely online.

But a new report from the federal intelligence service suggests that extremist groups could be using that worldview to recruit and attempt to destabilize government,

Ottawa Citizen writer Tom Spears joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the groups the intelligence service is warning about, what kind of messaging they’re spreading, and why experts are concerned.

Background reading: How political extremists took advantage of COVID-19

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