On Background

No Talking Points: Season 2, Episode 21Thursday, Feb 24Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPoliticsChattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star | Jacques Gallant, Toronto StarTopic 1: The government revoked the Emergencies Act this week, 10 days after invoking it. What happens next? And how effective was the Act at ending the protests and blockades in Ottawa and across the country?Topic 2: Russia invaded Ukraine late Wednesday, after Canada announced earlier this month it was sending lethal weapons and increasing loans to Ukraine. What more can Canada do to help, now the country's under attack?

No Talking Points: Season 2, Episode 20Thursday, Feb 17Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPoliticsChattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Althia Raj, Toronto StarThe government invoked the Emergencies Act earlier this week to finally deal with the protests around the country of mandatory COVID vaccination, including those that have immobilized parts of downtown Ottawa. Will the opposition support the motion? And how have the protests affected politics on the Hill?

No Talking Points: Season 2, Episode 20Thursday, Feb. 10Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPoliticsChattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics |Heather Scoffield, Toronto Star | Tonda MacCharles, Toronto StarTopic 1: Protesting truckers are still causing gridlock in downtown Ottawa, on the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ont., to Detroit, and at the border crossing in Coutts, Alta. — all of which is taking a toll on federal-party unity. What should Ottawa do to end the blockades?Topic 2: Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre has announced he's running to become his party's new leader. What's his message to supporters?

No Talking Points: Season 2, Episode 19Thursday, Feb. 3 , 2021Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPoliticsChattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics |Althia Raj, Toronto Star | Alex Ballingall, Toronto StarTopic 1: The Conservative caucus has voted out leader Erin O’Toole and Candice Bergen has taken the helm as interim leader. Can the party unite? And what direction will it take?Topic 2: As the truck convoy continues to paralyze downtown Ottawa, the prime minister says he won't meet with the protesters, and residents want the truckers removed. What can we expect in the coming days? And what are the protest's political implications?

No Talking Points: Season Two, Episode EighteenThursday, Dec. 16 , 2021Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPoliticsChattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics |Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star | Jacques Gallant, Toronto StarTopic 1. Omicron: The government warns Canadians not to travel outside the country, are further restrictions coming as this new COVID variant spreads across the country?Topic 2. Apology : Defence Minister Anita Anand and top military brass apologized on Monday for sexual misconduct and treatment of victims in the CAF. Did this apology go far enough for those inside?Topic 3: Accomplishments: The House rises tomorrow, since MPs return to Parliament on Nov. 22, four weeks ago, what has been accomplished on the Hill?

No Talking Points: Season Two, Episode SeventeenThursday, Dec. 9 , 2021Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPoliticsChattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics |Althia Raj, Toronto Star | Raisa Patel, Toronto StarTopic 1. As new cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant are confirmed across the country, confusion about testing and travel mounts. What is the government advising?Topic 2. MPs voted in support of adding another committee to the House, this one on Afghanistan. The government opposed the committee’s creation, why?Topic 3:Next week Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will present the Fall Economic Statement and, we may hear more news from the government on COVID. Our chattering class weighs in on what they will be watching on these two fronts.

No Talking Points: Season Two, Episode SixteenThursday, Dec. 2 , 2021Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPoliticsChattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics |Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star | Alex Ballingall,Toronto StarTopic 1. In a surprise move the Conservatives asked for unanimous consent to move the government’s conversion therapy bill through the House and on to the Senate. Why?Topic 2. All three parties of the official opposition are calling for the government to boycott the winter Olympics in China by not sending any diplomatic representation. Who is leading the charge and will the government comply? Topic 3: Interim Green Party Leader Amita Kuttner says they will “listen and love” to “heal the party.” Can the Greens save themselves?

No Talking Points: Season Two, Episode FifteenThursday, Nov.25 , 2021Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPoliticsChattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics |Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star | Althia Raj ,Toronto Star1. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivered the government’s speech from the throne on Tuesday. Did the government succeed on setting a new tone for the 44th Parliament?2. The government is moving ahead with a return to a hybrid sitting for the House of Commons for the remainder of this session. What is the impact?