Episodes

• 2021

• How Conservatives feel about Erin O'Toole's climate plan

  The At Issue panel discusses the significance of Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole's climate plan and what he will need to do to get his party and Canadians on board. Plus, the panellists talk about big ticket items they expect to see in next week's federal budget, including around child care. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  April 15, 2021

  23 min

• Liberal, NDP convention messaging ahead of the next federal election

  With the Liberals and the NDP holding virtual conventions, the At Issue panel looks at what the policy debates say about who the parties are trying to appeal to ahead of the next election. Plus, the panellists talk about what political leadership looks like during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  April 8, 2021

  22 min

• The political response to the third wave

  The At Issue panel discusses how the provinces are responding to the latest surge in cases in parts of the country and whether some are playing politics with public health. Plus, the panellists set the stage for the upcoming federal budget. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  April 1, 2021

  19 min

• What the Supreme Court's carbon tax decision means for premiers who opposed it

  The At Issue panel discusses the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling that the federal carbon tax is constitutional and what it means for the Conservative premiers who were against it. Plus, the panellists look at latest signs of a warmer relationship between the prime minister and Quebec's premier. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  March 25, 2021

  20 min

• Erin O’Toole's message at the Conservative policy convention

  The At Issue panel looks ahead to the Conservative Party policy convention and what Erin O'Toole needs to signal in his first major speech since becoming leader. Plus, the panellists talk about the plan for vaccine loans from the U.S. and the trials of two detained Canadians in China. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj
  March 18, 2021

  21 min

• Political lessons one year into the pandemic

  The At Issue panel discusses the political lessons the federal government has learned one year into the COVID-19 pandemic and what to expect from the first budget in two years. Plus, what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah could mean for Canada's future ties to the monarchy and for the next Governor General. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  March 11, 2021

  18 min

• Provinces renew calls for more health funding

  The At Issue panel discusses the latest pitch from the premiers to increase federal health-care funding in the next budget. Plus, is the federal government spending too much, too soon? The panel looks into some of the recent pandemic spending criticism. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  March 4, 2021

  18 min

• Canada's top military commander steps aside

  The At Issue panel discusses the political consequences of Admiral Art McDonald stepping down as chief of the defence staff in light of the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Plus, the panellists unpack the first virtual meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  February 25, 2021

  18 min

• Government urged to declare a genocide against Uighurs in China

  The At Issue panel discusses the Conservative Party's push for Ottawa to declare China's human right abuses of Uighur Muslims a genocide. Plus, what the amended medical assistance dying legislation will look like. And in this extended version, the panellists talk about the criticism over the federal government's gun control legislation. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Althia Raj and Shachi Kurl.
  February 19, 2021

  19 min

• Evaluating Erin O'Toole's leadership six months on

  The At Issue panel discusses the latest changes Erin O'Toole has made to the Conservative critic roles and how he's performing six months after becoming leader. Plus, the panellists talk about Green Party leader Annamie Paul's strategy to run yet again in the Toronto Centre riding. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  February 11, 2021

  18 min

• Canada criticized for tapping into COVAX supply

  The At Issue panel discusses the political consequences of receiving vaccines from the global COVAX fund. Plus, Canada becomes the first country to list the Proud Boys as a terror organization. But was politics behind the decision? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  February 4, 2021

  20 min

• Why the COVID-19 vaccine has become so political

  The At Issue panel discusses the vaccine rollout struggles and whether political leadership is to blame. Plus, how party leaders are positioning themselves in Parliament during this moment. The panellists also explore what the next Governor General needs to bring to the role. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  January 28, 2021

  22 min

• Governor General Julie Payette resigns

  The At Issue panel discusses Gov. Gen. Julie Payette's resignation, what it says about the federal government's vetting process and the role itself. Plus, the panellists unpack the political response on this side of the border to President Joe Biden cancelling the Keystone XL pipeline. And, the Conservative Party votes to kick MP Derek Sloan out of caucus. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  January 21, 2021

  24 min

• The changing political messaging on COVID-19

  As the pandemic gets worse in parts of the country, the At Issue panel discusses the different political messaging from premiers. Plus, what a cabinet shuffle could mean for federal election speculation. And a look at the political response on this side of the border to the riots on the U.S. Capitol. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  January 14, 2021

  25 min

• Your 2020 political questions

  It's that time of year...the At Issue panel takes your political questions about the pandemic, the next federal election and much more. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  January 1, 2021

  15 min
• 2020

• An unprecedented year in Canadian politics

  It has been an unprecedented year in Canadian politics. This week, the At Issue panel looks back on the federal government's response to the global pandemic and the political lessons. Plus, the panellists weigh in on the stories we missed and what's to come in 2021. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  December 25, 2020

  15 min

• The prime minister on his pandemic lessons

  The At Issue panel breaks down the political risks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making by admitting his government made mistakes in the early days of the pandemic. Plus, what was happening behind the scenes as the Canada-U.S. border first closed. The panellists also weigh in on the federal government's climate plan. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  December 17, 2020

  21 min

• Prime minister, premiers at odds over spending priorities

  The At Issue panel breaks down why Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the premiers are at odds over health-care transfers and spending priorities. Plus, the panellists look at what's at stake with the new legislation on medically assisted dying now in the Senate. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  December 10, 2020

  20 min

• Jason Kenney and the politics of Alberta's COVID-19 response

  The At Issue panel discusses Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's leadership during the second wave of the pandemic and how it's influencing the political decision-making behind the scenes. Plus, the panellists look at the opposition's ongoing message on the vaccine rollout. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
  December 3, 2020

  18 min

• The political messaging in the federal economic update

  The At Issue panel looks at the political messaging within the Liberal government’s first federal economic update since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, what it could mean for the spring budget and a federal election. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj for a special Monday edition of the podcast.
  November 30, 2020

  10 min