The West Block

Trans Canada cancels plans to proceed with Energy East pipeline and the opposition blames the government for its tough regulation policies.  Round four of the NAFTA negotiations gets underway this week in Washington, what are the essentials for Mexico for a renegotiated agreement? And what changes is the government planning on its proposed tax changes?

Guests: Jim Carr, Natural Resources Minister; Dionisio Perez Jacome, Mexican Ambassador to Canada, Joël Lightbound, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

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In this episode we get an update on the NAFTA negotiations, what premiers want from the federal government when it comes to their proposed tax changes for small businesses, and the new Netflix deal in Canada.

Guests: Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland; Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil; Heritage Minister Melanie Joly

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Former prime minister, The Rt.Hon. Paul Martin weighs in on Canada joining the Ballistic Missile Defence program, twelve years after he said no to the system.  And,  as the government here moves ahead with cannabis legalization, how will this impact the increasing restrictions for those travelling to the U.S.? Then a look at week at the first week back following the summer recess for MPs, who is winning the political debate?

Guests: The Rt. Hon. Paul Martin, former prime minister; Mark Holland, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety; Joanna Smith, Canadian Press; Bob Fife, Globe and Mail Ottawa Bureau Chief

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Cannabis is set to become law in Canada July 1st, 2018.  Law enforcement officials across the country say that deadline is too tight, will the government delay? Meanwhile defence experts across the country say its time to join the Ballistic Missile Defence program given the latest missile launches from North Korea but opposition remains high. And tobacco giant Philip Morris says it has a new heat not burn tobacco product that may help reduce smoking in Canada, we'll hear the pitch they want to give the government.

Guests: Bill Blair, Parlamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, Former Diplomat Colin Robertson, Lt. Gen. (ret'd) George Macdonald, André Calantzopoulos, CEO Philip Morris International

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President Trump says he may end up terminating the NAFTA agreement if he cannot get a good deal with Canada and Mexico.  The deadline to reach a new deal is January 1st, 2018 ahead of elections south of the border.  Will the three nations be able to reach a deal by then?  And given the rhetoric coming from the Trump administration, how is this affecting relations between Canada and Mexico and what does this mean for doing business in Washington, DC.

Guests:

Ambassador Carla Hills, former primary negotiator for the original NAFTA deal Republican Congressman Kevin Cramer, North Dakota

Michael Steele, former Chairman of the Republican National Committee

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