The West Block

Bombshell allegations from intelligence sources that a sitting Liberal MP is a witting affiliate of the Chinese government’s attempts to interfere in Canada’s democracy are renewing concerns over foreign meddling in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sat down with former CSIS director Dick Fadden, former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Global News investigative reporter Sam Cooper to discuss whether a public inquiry is necessary to investigate foreign election interference. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Defence Minister Anita Anand about the four Leopard 2 tanks being sent to support Ukraine at a time when the Canadian Armed Forces are being stretched to the limit at home.

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The federal government is facing renewed questions over its transparency. Between new leaked documents detailing China's alleged attempts to interfere in Canadian elections and Public Emergency Order Commissioner Justice Paul Rouleau’s report stating the government needs to do a better job of communicating between its branches, there’s a lot to answer for. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sat down with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino to ask some tough questions about what action the government is willing to take. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Former Defence Minister Peter MacKay about the urgent need to modernize the Canadian military as threats from China and Russia grow. 

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Former Deputy Commander of NORAD, retired Gen. Thomas Lawson speaks to 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson about the objects shot down over North America in recent days. Plus, The Toronto Star's Stephanie Levitz and the Globe and Mail's Robert Fife discuss reaction to the federal government's health care announcement, bail reform and Ottawa's response to the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

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'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to the United States Ambassador to Canada David Cohen about the diplomatic crisis between Washington and Beijing after a Chinese spy balloon was spotted flying over the United States. Stephenson also speaks to Justice Minister David Lametti about urgent calls to reform the bail system. Lametti also weighs in on Ottawa's decision to drop a controversial gun law amendment and delay medical assistance in dying for mental illness.

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Canada is the latest country to announce tanks for Ukraine. But as Canada’s international commitments ramp up, a dire lack of personnel and equipment are prompting concern over whether Canada’s defense has the resources to uphold NATO commitments. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sat down with Gen. Wayne Eyre, chief of the defence staff, to discuss the state of the Canadian military. Plus, ahead of Parliament’s return, Stephenson spoke with The Globe and Mail’s Ottawa bureau chief Robert Fife and Stephanie Levitz from the Toronto Star, to analyze the tactics Liberals and Conservatives are leaning on to deal with the hot-button political issues of a potential new health-care deal and the rising cost of living. 

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The term ‘Just Transition’ has sparked heated debate over the Liberal government’s plan for workers. The government says the transition is necessary to prepare workers for sustainable jobs and meet Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. But Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it will destroy Albertans’ livelihoods. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson spoke with Alex Pourbaix, president of Canadian energy giant Cenovus, and Kendall Dilling, president of Pathways Alliance, a consortium representing 95 per cent of Canada’s oil and gas companies, about ‘Just Transition’ and the future of the oil and gas industry in Canada. Plus, Stephenson sat down with Shogofa Danish, Afghan political journalist working with Global News, Heather McPherson, NDP critic for foreign affairs, and Tim Laidler, director of Afghan Support Project at the Veterans Transition Network, to talk about what the federal government could do to bring women MPs in Afghanistan under watch by the Taliban to safety.

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Health care access for all is something Canadians expect, but hospitals can’t keep up. Nova Scotian Allison Holthoff died while waiting more than six hours to be seen by a doctor in emergency care. Now, her husband, Gunter, says something needs to change. ‘The West Block’ guest host David Akin sat down with Dr. Michael Howlett, president of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, and Dr. Alika Lafontaine, president of the Canadian Medical Association, to talk about what’s needed to save Canada's health care system. Plus, Akin asks Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston about what he’s doing right now to ensure Nova Scotians can trust emergency room care going forward. 

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Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, the harm of residential schools, and other Indigenous-focused stories made headlines across the country this year, but sustained action on these issues fell short. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson spoke with Métis National Council President Cassidy Caron to reflect on the progress made towards reconciliation in 2022, and the work that must be done to move forward on Indigenous priorities in 2023. Plus, Stephenson sits down with Fae Johnstone, Wisdom2Action executive director, and Kyne Santos, the math whiz from ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Canada,’ to discuss the alarming rise in anti-trans and anti-gay hate fuelled by misinformation and polarized political rhetoric.

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From the ‘Freedom Convoy’ reshaping the Conservative party to allegations of Chinese political interference, 2022 had plenty of major news events. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sat down with Global News’ David Akin, Amanda Connolly and Mackenzie Gray to analyze the top news of the year, and discuss what stories will be making headlines in 2023. Plus, we revisit our conversation with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna at the Halifax International Security Forum. Stephenson speaks with Stefanishyna about what it will take to stop the Russian invasion of Ukraine – one of the biggest international stories of the year.

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'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino about an amendment to federal gun control legislation that has faced widespread condemnation from hunters, Indigenous groups and some provinces. Stephenson also speaks to Defence Minister Anita Anand about her plan to implement the 48 recommendations in the report by former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour into military sexual misconduct.

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