10/3: Canada Covered

Albertans voting in municipal elections had three provincial initiatives on the ballot. Key among those was a referendum on equalization.

The Alberta government has been pushing for equalization reform for quite some time, but there are questions about whether the referendum does anything.

National Post reporter Tyler Dawson joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why the debate isn’t a simple yes or no question, what a yes vote actually means, and why this vote is so important to Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.

Read more: Majority of Canadians believe equalization is unfair to Alberta: poll

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Last week, nearly a month after winning a third mandate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced when the government would be getting back to work.

The PM said he would name a new cabinet before the end of October and that parliament would resume in late November.

On Thursday, Dave Breakenridge sat down with National Post political reporter Brian Platt to discuss some of the big priorities for this new minority government, what we can expect on the COVID-19 file, and how a vaccine mandate for MPs could spark controversy among the opposition Conservatives.

Background reading: The first 100 days: Major battle over free speech, internet regulation looms when Parliament returns

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Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are back in Canada after more than 1,000 days detained in China.

Their release highlighted the tense relationship between Canada and China, and also it impacts our politics and our economy.

National Post reporter Tom Blackwell joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the state of Canada-China affairs, the political fallout in Canada, and the fate of another Canadian languishing in a Chinese prison.

Background Reading: Canada's ambassador to Beijing urges businesses to seize opportunities in a rising China

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After two seasons impacted by COVID-19, the NHL looks to play a full slate starting on Tuesday, even amid a fourth wave of the pandemic

But despite the sense of normalcy that comes with a return to the ice, the league is reckoning with the departure of one of Canada’s biggest on-ice stars.

Postmedia’s national hockey columnists Michael Traikos joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why it’s so important to the league to hold a season, how the NHL has managed the COVID vaccine situation and the news that star goalie Carey Price has entered the player assistance program

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The treatment of Joyce Echaquan, recorded on her phone as she languished in a Quebec hospital bed, sparked a national outcry about racism in the healthcare sector.

Now, a coroner’s report has found that racism played a role in her death.

Montreal Gazette columnist Allison Hanes joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the findings of the report, how it highlights long-standing issues in Quebec, and how the premier’s response could stall efforts to address them

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The debate among police organizations about the existence of systemic racism is complicated.

While there has been much talk about racism in policing since the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020, there is still pushback from across the thin blue line. The debate in Vancouver has shown where these divisions lie.

Vancouver Sun columnist Dan Fumano joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the complaint made by a long-time officer alleging systemic racism in the force, how the VPD has reacted and how the debate, dating back to last year, has put the chief at odds with Vancouver’s mayor.

Background reading: 'Institutional systemic racism within the VPD,' veteran officer alleges

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A mere two weeks after restating Alberta wouldn’t see a vaccine passport, Premier Jason Kenney announced a vaccine passport amid rising cases of COVID-19’s fourth wave.

Kenney deemed it necessary at this point as Alberta’s health system faced record numbers of hospitalizations and ICU admissions. The move has also created political pressure within his own party.

Edmonton Journal political reporter Lisa Johnson joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the new measures the premier brought in, the criticism he’s facing from the public and within the UCP and how bad things have gotten in the health care system

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The federal election left a bad taste in the mouths of many voters, and has left us right back where started.

We’re facing a minority parliament, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau getting another term in office.

National Post political reporter Chris Nardi joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the factors that led us to another minority for the Liberals, the post-election relationship between Trudeau and Quebec’s premier, and whether Erin O’Toole’s future as Conservative leader is in jeopardy.

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Canada’s election campaign hit the homestretch this past week, as leaders made their final pitches to voters as to why they should be given the opportunity to govern.

But will we see a change in Ottawa, or will this election leave us back where we were before?

Tasha Kheiriddin, a columnist for the National Post and principal for Navigator LTD, joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how the leaders fared this race, what the big issues for voters have been, and what’s next for the main party leaders come Tuesday.

Background reading: Tasha Kheiriddin: Why Maxime Bernier's rise could secure Trudeau's re-election

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Despite not winning any seats in its first election campaign in 2019, Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada is back for the 2021 vote, trying to paint itself as a true conservative alternative.

But the PPC has been dogged by controversy over past ties to white supremacists, its opposition to measures to stem COVID-19 and its courting of anti-vaxxers, and the involvement of members in angry groups mobbing the prime minister.

National Post columnist Rupa Subramanya joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss what the draw is for some candidates, how the party reconciles itself with its own fringe elements, and whether it stands to play spoiler for other parties in this election.

Background reading: Rupa Subramanya: The People's Party of Canada's rise is more complicated than anti-Trudeau rage

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