The West Block

This week on 'The West Block' Mercedes Stephenson reports from Latvia with an exclusive interview with Latvian President Egils Levits. Guest host Eric Sorensen speaks to Canada's ambassador to Ukraine, Larisa Galadza, about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Conservative strategist Tim Powers discusses potential candidates in the Conservative Party leadership race.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly discusses Canada's efforts along with Western allies to stop Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Charles Kupchan, former senior director for European Affairs in the Obama administration outlines Russian President Vladimir Putin's strategy in Ukraine and why he thinks Putin miscalculated the West's response. Canada's UN Ambassador Bob Rae explains why diplomacy still matters and why Russia needs to be held accountable for its actions in Ukraine.

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Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair defends the federal government's decision to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time. Author and writer David Frum discusses why Republican politicians and conservative media outlets embraced the blockade protesters.

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Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair tells Mercedes Stephenson that protesters are hurting Canada and he urges police to restore order and enforce the law. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney explains why it is time to pull back on Covid restrictions. National security expert Dean Alexander discusses American support for the blockades.

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Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino discusses Ottawa's response to the blockades. Former Conservative Cabinet Minister John Baird endorses MP Pierre Poilievre in the leadership race to replace Erin O'Toole. Retired Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau explains the challenges for police in ending the blockade in the nation's capital. 

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This week on The West Block, Eric Sorensen speaks to Transport Minister Omar Alghabra about vaccine mandates for truckers and the protests against pandemic restrictions in Ottawa. Former Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada, Andriy Shevchenko discusses Canada's response to the crisis in Ukraine. Former Conservative MP James Cumming reveals highlights of his report from the last federal election.

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Defence Minister Anita Anand discusses Canada's efforts to support Ukraine as it faces the threat of an invasion from Russia. Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney about vaccine mandates, his pandemic response and the controversy involving his Justice Minister.

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Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos on the Omicron surge, vaccine mandates and the challenges facing Canada's health care system. The WHO's Dr. Peter Singer explains why vaccinating the world is the best way to stop the next Omicron from spreading. 

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This week on ‘The West Block’, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly joins host Mercedes Stephenson to discuss Canada’s role in addressing Russia amassing troops on Ukraine’s border and relations with China. Then, millions of students across Canada are once again remote learning. MacLean’s Ottawa bureau chief Shannon Proudfoot shares her family’s struggle with navigating virtual schooling. Plus, the Nova Scotia Liberals will choose their second leader in just under a year. Former premier Iain Rankin is resigning as party leader and joins Stephenson to look back at his time in office.

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Mercedes Stephenson sits down with Governor General Mary Simon for a feature  interview. Simon reflects on her appointment as Canada's first Indigenous Governor General. She speaks about the need for an ongoing conversation about reconciliation with Indigenous people. She describes her childhood and bridging two cultures. She also explains why she wants to be a unifying force for all Canadians.

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