10/3: Canada Covered

The night of Sept 30, 2017 will be burned into the memory of Edmontonians for years.

That night, a man ran down a police officer before stabbing him, then used a U-Haul truck as a weapon on a busy downtown street.

More than three years after the attacks, there are still questions left unanswered.

Edmonton Journal justice reporter Jonny Wakefield joins Dave to discuss new details uncovered in the case, why, despite the appearance of an act of terrorism those charges were not pursued, and why we may never get a full picture of the motivations behind these crimes.

Background reading — Last night in September: The lingering questions behind the 2017 Edmonton 'terror' attack

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A Canadian who authorities allege is one of the world’s biggest drug kingpins, has been arrested in the Netherlands.

Tse Chi Lop, also known as brother number three, was nabbed on an Interpol warrant at the request of Australian police, who allege he is the head of an international drug smuggling ring, which has earned him comparisons to the likes of Pablo Escobar and El Chapo.

National Post crime reporter Adrian Humphreys joins the show to discuss Tse Chi Lop’s alleged role in this massive drug network, what led to his capture, and his criminal past in Canada.

Background reading: Captured Canadian, one of world's biggest drug kingpins, learned the trade from Montreal Mafia

Dutch police arrest alleged Asian drug syndicate kingpin

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Canadians coming home from abroad are facing tough new restrictions announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The government is hoping to keep cases of new COVID-19 variants at bay as it grapples with a slowdown in vaccine shipments and an ongoing second wave of the pandemic.

Ryan Tumilty, who covers federal politics for the National Post, joins Dave to discuss the new restrictions, where Canada’s vaccine shipments are at, and a new report that shines a light on a lack of preparedness at the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Background reading: Incoming travellers will face mandatory hotel quarantine while they await COVID tests: Trudeau

Poll finds overwhelming support for new travel restrictions

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After members showed up at the Capitol Hill riot in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, the far-right group the Proud Boys have caught the attention of politicians in Canada. 

Members of parliament passed a motion on Jan. 25 calling on the government to declare the Proud Boys a terrorist entity. 

But some wonder whether it’s the right approach to crack down on such groups. 

Freelance investigative journalist Justin Ling, who has spent years investigating extremist groups, joins Dave to discuss the motivation behind the motion, why the move is problematic, and what a better approach could be to deal with the Proud Boys and others. 

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Governor General Julie Payette and the top bureaucrat in her office have resigned amid a review into allegations there was a toxic workplace at Rideau Hall. 

The allegations claim they were abusive to staff, sometimes reducing them to tears. These resignations have called into question the vetting process that saw the highly accomplished Payette appointed to the position. 

National post political reporter Brian Platt is on to discuss the allegations in the report, why Payette may not have been suited for the role despite her accomplishments, and where the government goes next. 

Background reading: GG Julie Payette and Rideau Hall's top bureaucrat resign in wake of damning workplace review

Despite resigning, Julie Payette still qualifies for perks such as a $149,484 annual pension for life

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The Keystone XL pipeline project has long been a sticking point in both Canadian and American politics.

It has been a hot potato for successive American presidents, and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney bet big, with more than a billion in investment, plus loan guarantees.

But now, the new U.S. president has put a stop to it.

Calgary Herald columnist Chris Varcoe joins me to discuss Joe Biden’s motives for cancelling the project, what the ramifications are for Canada’s oil industry, and what it means for Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.

BACKGROUND READING:  Varcoe: Keystone XL is shot down, and the target turns to other pipelines

TC Energy and Alberta face long odds if they sue U.S. government over cancelled Keystone XL

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President Donald Trump has left office, but his political presence will likely be lingering for some time, both in the U.S. and Canada.

And that poses a problem for Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole. With the threat of a possible election an ongoing concern, O’Toole has tried to distance himself from claims he is ‘far right’ and quash attacks that his party is Trump-lite

Dave's guest is Andrew MacDougall, a communications consultant and ex-director of communications to former prime minister Stephen Harper, who wrote for the Ottawa Citizen why Trumpism is a problem Erin O’Toole has to address, and the electoral consequences if he doesn’t.

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Ontario has been hit hard in recent weeks with growing numbers of COVID-19 cases.

In response, Doug Ford has announced a host of new restrictions to try to stem the tide.

But will they work?

Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley joins Dave to talk about what’s driving the new measures, why Ontario didn’t opt for a curfew like Quebec, and where the province it at in terms of its vaccine rollout.

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While the new year has brought some hope in the covid-19 fight, with a ramping up of vaccine campaigns, 2021 is also presenting a new set of challenges in the pandemic.

Variant strains that can be passed more easily from person to person are cropping up, and there are supply issues when it comes to the vaccines.

National Post Health Reporter Sharon Kirkey joins Dave to talk about the concerns around the new virus strains, whether Quebec’s new curfew could help slow infections and the challenges Canada is facing with its vaccine rollout.

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Prime minister Justin Trudeau has set the lofty goal of Canada being net-zero for carbon emissions for 2050.

And as part of that strategy, the country has bet on nuclear power to help get us there.

Financial Post energy reporter Geoffrey Morgan joins Dave to talk about why the government is looking at nuclear power, what communities could eventually see mini-reactors at use, and why some are opposed to the technology.

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