Former MPs Scott Simms, Lisa Raitt and Peggy Nash discuss the Liberals’ pending decision on the Rogers-Shaw merger and growing government consulting costs. Defence and intelligence experts weigh in on the Russian mercenary Wagner Group. Opposing lawyers Paul Champ and James Manson each give their side of the case in the developing convoy protest class-action. Plus — former clerk of the privy council Alex Himelfarb discusses an attempt to quantify the costs of misinformation.

The Wagner Group: Russia’s brutal mercenary force

Making sense of the political decisions that affect your life. Every Saturday, host Catherine Cullen takes you to Parliament Hill — and across Canada — for in-depth coverage and analysis of the week’s major political news.

News

Politics

Canada’s spies have been busy this year. There have been accusations of foreign interference, industrial espionage — and of course the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil. And don’t forget a few looming issues, like whether Canadians can trust TikTok with their data. David Vigneault, the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, sits down in a rare interview to talk through it all. 
 Then, CBC has found itself in the news a few times this year, amid declining revenues, job losses and a pledge by the Conservatives to defund at least part of the Crown corporation. Host Catherine Cullen talks with CBC head Catherine Tait about the president and CEO’s plans to shepherd the public broadcaster through a turbulent time in the media world. 
 Plus — two journalists talk about their new books chronicling the prime minister. 
 This episode features the voices of: 
David Vigneault, director of CSISCatherine Tait, president and CEO of the CBCPaul Wells, journalist and author Stephen Maher, journalist and author

Spy chief warns Canadians of TikTok risks

Conservatives this week hammered the government on drug decriminalization, but Liberals countered with another hot-button issue: abortion. The House digs into both of those issues, hearing from an addictions doctor about what the heated political rhetoric means for people on the ground, and then weighing whether the Liberals’ claims on reproductive rights have any substance. 
 Then, we’ll sit down with Canada’s top diplomat in Moscow for her first interview since taking on that role. She says Canada-Russia relations might never have been worse — we ask what it’s like dealing with Putin’s regime. 
 Plus, Canada Post is losing money — a lot of it. Two experts sit down to talk through the options for saving, selling or changing the postal service. 
 This episode features the voices of:  
Dr. Vincent Lam, addictions doctor and authorShachi Kurl, president, Angus Reid InstituteSarah Taylor, ambassador to RussiaIan Lee, associate professor, Carleton University Marvin Ryder, associate professor, McMaster University

Abortion, drug decriminalization dominate the political discussion

A dramatic development in a shocking case: police on Friday arrested three men in connection with the killing of the pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We’ll break down what led to the arrest and what we know so far. The public safety minister also joins the program to discuss the situation, as well as the foreign interference inquiry’s first report. 
 Then, two of Ottawa’s keenest Hill-watchers break down a wild week in the House of Commons, which featured more than its fair share of theatrics. 
 Politicians were fighting over B.C. drug decriminalization policy, which the province is looking to partially roll back. The co-founder of an anti-overdose advocacy group, and a Richmond, B.C. city councillor, both discuss that proposal. 
 Finally, Pierre Poilievre suggested this week that he’d use the notwithstanding clause to pass some criminal justice reforms if he’s elected prime minister. The House takes an in-depth look at what that could mean. 
 This episode features the voices of:  
The CBC’s Evan DyerPublic Safety Minister Dominic LeBlancShannon Proudfoot, Globe and MailChristopher Nardi, The National Post Leslie McBain, co-founder, Moms Stop the HarmAlexa Loo, city councillor, RichmondSujit Choudhry, constitutional lawyer, Haki ChambersLindsay Board, partner, Daniel Brown Law Geoffrey Sigalet, associate professor, UBC Okanagan

Alleged hit squad arrested, and chaos in the House

There’s a lot of garbage talk happening in the nation’s capital, as representatives from 176 countries try to hammer out a global deal on plastic pollution — one of the planet’s most significant and growing environmental issues. We speak with some of the participants at the conference — from officials, to advocates, to industry members — about the stakes of the negotiations and the odds of success. 
 But first: The federal government, Ontario government and Honda came to a major agreement this week that will see billions of dollars worth of investment poured into new EV manufacturing facilities in this country. The minister responsible talks about why it’s worth taxpayer dollars, then Honda’s head in Canada discusses the road ahead for electric vehicles — and the jobs that come with them. 
 This episode features the voices of:  
Industry Minister François-Philippe ChampagneJean Marc Leclerc, president and CEO, Honda CanadaRufino Varea, Scientist Coalition for an Effective Plastic TreatyMarian Ledesma, Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk, president of Inuit Circumpolar Council CanadaAllen Langdon, CEO, Circular MaterialsEli Browne, director of corporate sustainability, Sobeys; Inger Andersen, head of the UN Environment Programme

Trash talking: High-stakes UN plastics negotiations unfold in Ottawa

It may sound boring, it might be confusing, but the federal government’s new capital gains tax change could just become a major political sticking point. The House hears from tax experts and others about what the change could accomplish and whether everyday Canadians might be affected.  
 Then, the federal budget unveiled this week failed to meet the moment when it comes to a new disability benefit, an advocate tells The House. A Liberal official also joins the program to respond. 
 Plus — six years and tens of billions of dollars later, the Trans Mountain expansion is about to begin operation. In a special report, The House investigates how communities along the mega-project’s route feel now that oil is finally set to flow. 
 Finally: The lifetime ban handed out to Raptors player Jontay Porter is raising questions about legal gambling’s influence on the integrity of sport. An MP who pushed for the legalization of single event sports betting weighs in, and an expert urges more regulation. 
 This episode features the voices of:  
Allison Christians, professor, McGill UniversityBarry Schwartz, executive vice president, Baskin Wealth Management Edward Faruzel, executive director, KW AccessAbilitySameer Zuberi, parliamentary secretary to the minister of diversity, inclusion and persons with disabilitiesThe CBC’s Allison DempsterConservative MP Kevin WaughJeremy Luke, president and CEO, Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport 

The Wagner Group: Russia’s brutal mercenary force

Download our free app to listen on your phone