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No Talking Points: Quebec's French language bill and priorities for the government and opposition before summer recess

Season One, Episode Fourteen

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPolitics

Chattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star | Alex Boutilier, Toronto Star

Quebec, Bill 96 and the constitution, how is this playing out on the Hill and across the country?

In just over three weeks the House is set to rise for the summer, what are the priorities for the government and the opposition before the summer recess?

And what to expect in the coming days on Parliament Hill.

No Talking Points: Sexual misconduct allegations and freedom of expression concerns

Season One, Episode Thirteen

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPolitics

Chattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star | Kieran Leavitt, Toronto Star

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin is forced to step down as the head of Canada’s vaccine rollout, one of an increasing number of military members facing sexual misconduct allegations. Who is involved and will the environment change?

Bill C-10 concerns over freedom of expression and the government provides a document to address it. Will this be enough?

Plus, what to expect in the coming days on Parliament Hill.

No Talking Points: Line 5 pipeline and sexual misconduct in the Military

Season One, Episode Twelve

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPolitics

Chattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Alex Ballingall, Toronto Star | Jacques Gallant, Toronto Star

The Enbridge Line 5 pipeline running through the straights of Mackinac has ignited a cross-border political battle. Is the government doing enough to try and reverse Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s order to shut it down?

Allegations of sexual misconduct against former chief of defence staff Jonathan Vance and another independent review of the military. How did we get here?

And what to expect in the coming days on Parliament Hill.

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No Talking Points: Social media and Bill C-10 showdown and vaccine messaging

Season One, Episode Eleven

Thursday, May 6, 2021

Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPolitics

Chattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Stephanie Levitz, Toronto Star | Kieran Leavitt, Toronto Star

Bill C-10 and social media, what is the showdown all about?

COVID vaccines and mixed messaging, scientists and politicians, whose message should we believe?

And what to expect in the coming days on Parliament Hill.

No Talking Points: Season One, Episode Ten

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPolitics

Chattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star | Alex Ballingall, Toronto Star

The debate over paid sick leave, this falls under provincial jurisdiction but, is there a role for the federal government ?

Bill C1-12: net-zero emissions by 2050, will the liberals amend the bill to garner NDP support?

Mandatory voting, Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole says he is listening to arguments in favour of mandatory voting, why?

Finally, what to expect in the days ahead in the House of Commons.

No Talking Points: Season One, Episode Nine

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPolitics

Chattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Alex Boutilier, Toronto Star | Alex Ballingall, Toronto Star

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces new greenhouse gas emissions targets at the virtual global climate summit hosted by the Biden administration. What’s the plan for Canada to meet those goals? And will the opposition support it?

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tables her first budget which includes over $100 billion in new spending. Is this a preview of her government’s election platform? What can we expect in the days ahead on the budget debate?

And as always we’ll let you know what’s on tap at the House of Commons.

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No Talking Points: Season One, Episode Seven

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPolitics

Chattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Heather Scoffield, Toronto Star | Alex Ballingall, Toronto Star

Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole announces the Tory climate plan.  What does it include and how does it compare to the Liberal plan?

On April 19, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will table her first budget.  What is expected in the budget? And, when would the opposition have to trigger a non-confidence vote if they are not willing to support the government’s spending plan?

Finally, beyond the budget, what else is expected in the House of Commons next week.

No Talking Points: Season One, Episode Seven

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPolitics

Chattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Heather Scoffield, Toronto Star | Alex Ballingall, Toronto Star

Vaccine blame game: provincial leaders blame the federal government for vaccine supply issues while some federal officials point to provinces for not distributing the vaccines they have received.  Why the blame game?

Party gatherings: the NDP will gather on Friday through the weekend for their virtual convention while the Liberals begin their virtual convention Thursday evening.  What are some of the policies being debated at both conventions and what are some of the struggles behind the party curtains?

And we look ahead to some of the key items facing MPs upon their return to the House of Commons when it resumes next week.

No Talking Points: Season One, Episode Six

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPolitics

Chattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star | Kieran Leavitt, Toronto Star

Executives from Facebook Canada appeared before the Heritage committee earlier this week to defend their role in news distribution. Do Facebook and Big Tech overall have an unfair advantage? Ontario, B.C., and Quebec clamp down with more restrictions as cases of COVID variants increase, and there’s a push to bend the curve through vaccinations. How will this two-track approach affect Canadians?

The House isn’t sitting next week, but there are a few interesting committees to watch. We’ll let you know what’s worth keeping an eye on.

No Talking Points: Season One, Episode Five

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Moderator: Janet E Silver, iPolitics

Chattering Class: Kady O’Malley, iPolitics | Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star | Alex Ballingal, Toronto Star

The Supreme Court upholds the federal government’s carbon pricing plan. What does this mean?

Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole vows to put forth a comprehensive environment policy though delegates to the virtual convention last weekend voted against “climate change is real” as part of their party policy. Is there a conservative divide on this issue?

The federal government has announced it will table a federal budget on April 19th. What are some early indicators as to what that might include?

Plus, the House isn’t sitting next week, but there are a few committees to watch. We take a look at what to expect.