The West Block

Following the federal government’s announcement of a $15-billion Honda electric vehicle plant in Ontario, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson asks Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne for a follow-up to his government’s efforts to increase grocery store competition. Minister Champagne discusses his talks with foreign grocery chains, as well as Canada’s electric vehicle infrastructure.

Plus, Stephenson sits down with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to talk about her life in exile, her jailed husband, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ties to the current Belarusian regime.

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What are the risks of a greater escalation between Iran and Israel after more retaliatory strikes are exchanged between the two countries? ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson interviews the Atlantic Council’s Jonathan Panikoff, the former deputy national intelligence officer for the Near East at the National Intelligence Council, about the possibility of a greater conflict between Iran and Israel, fears over the potential use of nuclear weapons, and more.

Plus, Stephenson speaks with John Manley, former Liberal finance minister, and Lisa Raitt, former Conservative deputy leader, about the new federal budget. The panel also discusses proposed capital gains tax changes, the housing crisis, and how the budget might impact the Liberals’ polling numbers.

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Heightened tension in the Middle East after Iran launches missile and drone attacks against Israel. Tehran says the attack is in retaliation for Israel’s suspected strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett to discuss the threat of a wider conflict with Iran, the crisis in Gaza, and more.

Plus, Stephenson speaks with Steven Chase, The Globe and Mail’s senior parliamentary reporter, and Vina Nadjibulla, an international security specialist at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s testimony at the foreign interference inquiry.

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Big revelations have emerged from the latest rounds of foreign interference inquiry hearings. At the inquiry, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director David Vigneault said the agency had intelligence before Canada's 2019 election that China's government attempted to funnel about $250,000 through a network, possibly to interfere in Canadian elections. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson is joined by Steven Chase, The Globe and Mail’s senior parliamentary reporter, and Dick Fadden, former CSIS director, to discuss the latest round of testimony from intelligence officials and MPs, as well as the potential political fallout.

Plus, Stephenson speaks with retired Lt.-Gen. Roméo Dallaire, former UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda Force Commander, about the 30th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide.

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Ahead of the federal carbon price rise in April, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault about the push by some provincial premiers and Conservative MPs to scrap the levy, the role of large emitters in reducing emissions and more.

Plus, Stephenson is joined by retired U.S. general David Petraeus, a former CIA director, to discuss concerns over terror attacks from the Islamic State (ISIS), the Israel-Hamas conflict and the situation in Ukraine. Petraeus also addresses Canada’s capabilities to respond to global threats.

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The federal government introduced new legislation to reform the Canadian military justice system, which will transfer military sexual misconduct cases to the civilian justice system. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with Defence Minister Bill Blair to discuss the court reforms. Blair also addresses his comments saying the Canadian Armed Forces is facing a “death spiral” when it comes to recruitment.

Plus, Stephenson speaks with Canadian Climate Institute President Rick Smith about his new report tracking emission reductions, the political debate over the carbon tax, and more.

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The crisis in Haiti continues to grow more and more precarious following the rise in gang violence and the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Canadian Ambassador to Haiti André François Giroux about the situation on the ground, preparations for a possible evacuation, and the role Canada can play in resolving the crisis.

Plus, Stephenson is joined by Bob Rae, Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, who discusses the international response, the flow of illegal U.S. weapons to Haitian gangs, and more.

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Canada has committed to upgrading its NATO mission in Latvia, Operation REASSURANCE, to a brigade-level force by 2026. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with Andris Sprūds, Latvia’s defence minister, to discuss Latvia’s preparations for Russian threats, Canada’s defence spending, and the future of the NATO alliance under a possible re-elected Donald Trump.

Plus, Stephenson speaks with retired general Tom Lawson, former chief of defence staff, about Defence Minister Bill Blair’s comments on the state of Canada’s military recruitment.

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Former prime minister Brian Mulroney died at the age of 84 on Thursday, Feb. 29. Mulroney, Canada’s 18th prime minister, governed from 1984-1993 and oversaw the signing of NAFTA and international treaties on acid rain. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Frank McKenna, the former N.B. premier and former Canadian ambassador to the U.S., about Mulroney’s legacy.

Plus, Stephenson is joined by Justice Minister Arif Virani who addresses criticisms that the online harms bill is government overreach and impedes on free speech.

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What more can Canada do to assist Ukraine as the world marks the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion? ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with retired general Rick Hillier, the former chief of defence staff and member of the Ukrainian World Congress's Strategic Advisory Council, about Canada’s role in supporting Ukraine and the plight of Ukrainian refugees. Hillier also discusses what’s needed to improve the state of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Plus, Stephenson interviews Dan Stanton, the former executive manager at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), about the dangers of insider threats at highly critical institutions like nuclear power plants and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

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