The West Block

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The West Block episodes

December 31, 2017 Episode 17: Tone on the hill, resetting relations and Food for Thought
This week we talk to Conservative Party Leader about why he has called for Canada's Finance Minister to resign. Then has the government reset its relations with the Indigenous community as promised? And Food for Thought, this week in our occasional series we'll talk to NDP MP Nathan Cullen about politics and why he sought office at such an early age.
Guests: Andrew Scheer, Conservative Party Leader; Perry Bellegarde, Assembly of First Nations National Chief; Nathan Cullen, NDP-British Columbia
38 min
December 24, 2017 Episode 16: A conversation with the Prime Minister and our annual Christmas favourite with MPs on the hill
We begin the show this week with a conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Christmas traditions, ethics and what keeps him up at night. Then we will unpack the politics of that conversation with two seasoned Parliament Hill journalists. And we end off our Christmas Eve show with music from Dr. Andrea McCrady, Canada's Dominion Carillonneur and MPs reading 'The Legend of The Christmas Tree'
Guests: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; David Akin, Chielf Political Correspondent Global News; Heather Scoffield, Canadian Press Bureau Chief; Dr. Andrew McCardy, Dominion Carillonneur, Raj Grewal, Liberal-Ontario; Rachel Blaney, NDP-British Columbia; Shannon Stubbs, Conservative-Alberta; Gord Johns, NDP-British Columbia; Cheryl Hardcastle, NDP-Ontario, Martin Shields, Conservative-Alberta; Bill Blair, Liberal-Ontario, Greg Gergus, Liberal-Quebec; Larry Miller, Conservative-Ontario

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24 min
December 24, 2017 Episode 16: A conversation with the Prime Minister and our annual Christmas favourite with MPs on the hill
We begin the show this week with a conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Christmas traditions, ethics and what keeps him up at night. Then we will unpack the politics of that conversation with two seasoned Parliament Hill journalists. And we end off our Christmas Eve show with music from Dr. Andrea McCrady, Canada's Dominion Carillonneur and MPs reading 'The Legend of The Christmas Tree'
Guests: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; David Akin, Chielf Political Correspondent Global News; Heather Scoffield, Canadian Press Bureau Chief; Dr. Andrew McCardy, Dominion Carillonneur, Raj Grewal, Liberal-Ontario; Rachel Blaney, NDP-British Columbia; Shannon Stubbs, Conservative-Alberta; Gord Johns, NDP-British Columbia; Cheryl Hardcastle, NDP-Ontario, Martin Shields, Conservative-Alberta; Bill Blair, Liberal-Ontario, Greg Gergus, Liberal-Quebec; Larry Miller, Conservative-Ontario
23 min
December 17, 2017 Episode 15: Taxes and small businesses, Heckling in the House and the Marathon to 2019
This week we will ask the government if they have any regrets on the handling of the proposed tax changes for small businesses given the uproar and pushback they have faced these past few months. And heckling in the house, the tone seems toxic, are the opposition to blame? Then Jagmeet Singh, the new NDP party leader on the setbacks his party faced in the recent by-elections and what his plans are to rebuild his party for 2019.
Guests: Bardish Chagger, Government House Leader; Candice Bergen, Conservative Party House Leader; Jagmeet Singh, NDP Leader

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26 min
December 17, 2017 Episode 15: Taxes and small businesses, Heckling in the House and the Marathon to 2019
This week we will ask the government if they have any regrets on the handling of the proposed tax changes for small businesses given the uproar and pushback they have faced these past few months. And heckling in the house, the tone seems toxic, are the opposition to blame? Then Jagmeet Singh, the new NDP party leader on the setbacks his party faced in the recent by-elections and what his plans are to rebuild his party for 2019.
Guests: Bardish Chagger, Government House Leader; Candice Bergen, Conservative Party House Leader; Jagmeet Singh, NDP Leader
25 min
December 10, 2017 Episode 14: Trade with China, NAFTA plus politics on the hill with fighter jets and apologies
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returns home from China with no deal on formal trade talks. What are the stumbling blocks? We'll hear from the government on what lies ahead. Then we look south and the ongoing NAFTA negotiations, talks have hit a snag as pro-trade republican lawmakers call on President Trump not to walk away from a deal, will he listen? And the government may be buying used fighter jets from Australia, what are the politics behind this purchase and is it necessary?
Guests: David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation; Jerry Dias, Unifor President; David Akin, Global News Chief Political Correspondent; Joanna Smith, Canadian Press

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24 min
December 10, 2017 Episode 14: Trade with China, NAFTA plus politics on the hill with fighter jets and apologies
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returns home from China with no deal on formal trade talks. What are the stumbling blocks? We'll hear from the government on what lies ahead. Then we look south and the ongoing NAFTA negotiations, talks have hit a snag as pro-trade republican lawmakers call on President Trump not to walk away from a deal, will he listen? And the government may be buying used fighter jets from Australia, what are the politics behind this purchase and is it necessary?
Guests: David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation; Jerry Dias, Unifor President; David Akin, Global News Chief Political Correspondent; Joanna Smith, Canadian Press
23 min
December 03, 2017 Episode 13: Increasing trade with China, more controversy surrounding Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Canada's role in the North Korea crisis
The Canadian government says enhanced trade opportunities with China is a top priority for Ottawa given the growth of both countries. Then we talk to three Members of Parliament about the continued controversy surrounding Finance Minister Bill Morneau and his personal finances and whether or not he should resign. And, North Korea has launched another missile which if directed at North America could strike Toronto or New York. The government announced it will co-host a summit of foreign ministers next month to find a diplomatic solutions to North Korea and tensions in the pacific region.
Guests: Navdeep Bains, Innovation Minister; Ontario Liberal MP Marco Mendicino, Alberta Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs, B.C. NDP Kennedy Stewart; Matt DeCourcey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

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25 min
December 03, 2017 Episode 13: Increasing trade with China, more controversy surrounding Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Canada's role in the North Korea crisis
The Canadian government says enhanced trade opportunities with China is a top priority for Ottawa given the growth of both countries. Then we talk to three Members of Parliament about the continued controversy surrounding Finance Minister Bill Morneau and his personal finances and whether or not he should resign. And, North Korea has launched another missile which if directed at North America could strike Toronto or New York. The government announced it will co-host a summit of foreign ministers next month to find a diplomatic solutions to North Korea and tensions in the pacific region.
Guests: Navdeep Bains, Innovation Minister; Ontario Liberal MP Marco Mendicino, Alberta Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs, B.C. NDP Kennedy Stewart; Matt DeCourcey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
24 min
November 26, 2017 Episode 12: Unanswered Calls, Rohingya Refugees and Food for Thought
The Auditor General slams the Canada Revenue Agency for blocking calls and not answering calls from taxpayers, what is the federal government's response? And a deal has been struck between Bangladesh and Myanmar to allow over half a million Rohingyan refugees to return home, but is it safe for them to go back to Myanmar? And another in our occassional series, Food for Thought, this week Conservative Deputy Leader Lisa Raitt.
Guests: Steve MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Service and Procurement; Bob Rae, Special Envoy to Myanmar; Lisa Raitt, Conservative Party Deputy Leader

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23 min

About The West Block

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The West Block with Jeff Semple is Global News weekly political and current affairs program. The show digs deep into the breaking news and major stories that impact Canadians’ lives. Through in-depth conversations with political, national, and international newsmakers.