The Hill Times' Hot Room: Recent Episodes
Hill Times Publishing
The Hot Room is a podcast by The Hill Times, Canada's all-politics, all-the-time newspaper in the heart of Parliament Hill. We talk to politicians, experts, and other reporters about the biggest stories of the day.
Hot Room podcast theme music written and performed by Gavin Gardiner for The Hill Times.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May joins The Hot Room to break down Mark Carney's Building Canada Act, which proposes to give the cabinet the power to skip major infrastructure and natural resource projects past the environmental assessment process.
Peter Mazereeuw and Sheila Copps dig into the return of Parliament, how Mark Carney might handle Question Period, whether the Liberals should elect a Conservative House speaker, and more.
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Mark Carney's finance minister, François-Philippe Champagne, says the government isn't releasing a budget this year. Peter Mazereeuw digs into why, what that means, and how the government gets its money, with the help of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy's Mostafa Askari.
Author, columnist and CEO Rose LeMay joins The Hot Room to discuss her new book, Ally is a Verb: A Guide to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Jared Wesley, a political scientist at the University of Alberta, about how Albertans are taking the election of another Liberal government, Danielle Smith vs. Mark Carney, and the tensions between East and West.
"There's executive risk all over these platforms," says former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page, now with the University of Ottawa's Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy. Page takes a high-level look at the Liberal and Conservative party election platforms with Peter Mazereeuw.
Ekos Research pollster Frank Graves joins The Hot Room to discuss the historic Liberal collapse and resurgence in opinion polls over the past year, why men and women are so far apart in their party preference, and the conservative activists rejecting opinion polls that show their party trailing.
Canada Proud? Protecting Canada? Hill Times reporter Stuart Benson joins the podcast to talk about the so-called "third party" groups behind political ads posted on trucks and spamming your screens.
Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Sahir Khan, an expert in government finances at IFSD, about election promises from Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre to cut wasteful spending in government—and what the next prime minister should really do to get taxpayers the best bang for their buck.
Hot Room host Peter Mazereeuw reviews the building pressure on U.S. President Donald Trump over his trade war, and walks you through the highlights of Mark Carney's cabinet choices.
Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Flavio Volpe, the president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association of Canada, about Donald Trump's chaotic approach to imposing and removing tariffs on Canada. Volpe weighs in on how Canada's political leaders how fared so far, and how Canada can win the fight.
Rebecca Bligh, the president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, joins the Hot Room to talk about how she and Canada's mayors are pushing back against a trade war with the U.S., and what tariffs could mean for your town or city.
Peter Mazereeuw walks you through Justin Trudeau's high-speed rail proposal, and what's happening in the week ahead in this solo mini-pod.
Peter Mazereeuw speaks with conservative strategist and Hill Times columnist Gerry Nicholls about Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's pivot to a new message, as the Liberals choose a new leader and Donald Trump takes aim at Canada.
Peter Mazereeuw talks with Alasdair Roberts about the reasons Canada's governments have struggled to work together to achieve big things, and how to build better political practices to help Canada survive through the tumultuous years ahead.
Roberts is a professor of public policy at the University of Massachusetts and author of The Adaptable Country: How Canada Can Survive the Twenty-First Century.
Eric Miller is a Washington-based trade consultant who used to work in Canada's government. He joins The Hot Room to explain the how a trade war between Canada and the United States is likely to play out, and how it could affect ordinary Canadians.
Frank Baylis talks with Peter Mazereeuw about his campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Sheila Copps, a former deputy prime minister in Jean Chrétien's Liberal government, about Chrystia Freeland's resignation from the cabinet and the troubles plauging the Liberal Party.
Host Peter Mazereeuw explains how the government might pass legislation to create a two-month sales tax holiday through a House of Commons paralyzed by a Conservative filibuster. Then, he speaks with Corinne Pohlmann, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business's vice-president of advocacy, about the challenges facing businesses that will have to implement the temporary tax break.
The Hot Room takes another look at the housing shortage with Carolyn Whitzman, a PhD in urban planning and author of, Home Truths: Fixing Canada’s Housing Crisis.
Foreign actors have been funding crime and democratic corruption in Canada. Jessica Davis of Insight Threat Intelligence explains how the money gets in, what it's used for, and how we can help authorities to stop it.
Canada's environment commissioner, Jerry DeMarco, rejoins The Hot Room to talk about his audit of the government's Net Zero Accelerator initiative. DeMarco's team found that the government has awarded billions to businesses without requiring any commitment that the money will be spent effectively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a significant cut this week to the number of temporary and permanent immigrants who will be admitted to Canada in the coming years. Peter Mazereeuw speaks to Elizabeth Long, an immigration lawyer and partner at LM Law Group in Toronto, to get her perspective on this shift and what it could mean for immigrants who have already settled in Canada, and those who want to.
Hill Times columnist Bhagwant Sandhu weighs in on the dispute between Canada and India, and what you need to know about the politics of Indo-Canadian communities.
Hill Times reporter Irem Koca joins The Hot Room to explain the fight over documents that has led to a week-long filibuster in the House of Commons.
Peter Mazereeuw talks to Health Minister Mark Holland about the launch of HERC, or Health Emergency Readiness Canada, a new organization that will fund pharmaceutial research and manufacturing, and help coordinate the government's response to future pandemics.
Peter Mazereeuw talks with Yaroslav Baran, a Pendulum Group consultant and former chief of staff to a government House leader, about how confidence votes work, and how the big parties will strategize around them in the coming months.
Hill Times columnist David Crane and Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association president Flavio Volpe debate the best way forward for Canada, as China aims to export high-quality, low-price electric vehicles around the world.
Former NDP strategist Karl Bélanger joins The Hot Room to discuss NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's move to withdraw from his party's "supply and confidence" deal with the governing Liberals, and what it means for the months ahead.
Peter Julian, the House leader for the New Democratic Party, speaks with Peter Mazereeuw about the upcoming return of Parliament, the NDP's supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals, and more.
Senator Ratna Omidvar speaks with Peter Mazereeuw about the problems with Canada's temporary foreign worker program, and how the federal government could make it better for migrant workers and businesses that rely on them.
Peter Mazereeuw talks with Nneka Otogbolu and Leah Sanford of the Foundation for Black Communities about the 100-plus Black charities funded by their organization so far, their call for more Black community members to help them choose new recipients, and more.
Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Ben Rowswell, the convenor of the Circle for Democratic Solidarity and Canada's last ambassador to Venezuela, about the crisis unfolding in that country.
Former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps joins The Hot Room to discuss rumours, leaks, and the fortunes of Justin Trudeau, Chrystia Freeland, and Mark Carney.
Peter Mazereeuw talks with Stephen Saideman, the director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network and Paterson chair in international affairs at Carleton University, about the NATO leaders' summit in Washington; what a Trump presidency would mean for the alliance; Canada's commitment to the two per cent target; and its plan to buy a new batch of attack submarines.
Senator Raymonde Saint-Germain talks to Peter Mazereeuw about the Senate reforms passed this spring, what will top the Red Chamber's agenda this fall, and gives a warning to the government about its use of omnibus bills.
Host Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Calgary MP George Chahal about the city's water crisis, the last weeks of the parliamentary session, the life of an MP in the summer, and his advocacy to stop the deportation of Jaskirat Singh Sidhu.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is one of just a few MPs who have seen the unredacted version of a new report on the work foreign governments have done to corrupt Canadian politics. She joins The Hot Room to tell us what she took away from that report, and what needs to change.
McGill University's Daniel Béland joins The Hot Room to explain what Quebecers make of the federal parties vying for power, and why.
Host Peter Mazereeuw interviews Lynette Ong, an expert on power and authoritarianism in China at the University of Toronto. Ong explains how and why China's government tries to shape political outcomes in other countries, and what Canada and its political parties can do to protect themselves.
NDP MP Charlie Angus is preparing to wrap up a 20-year career in federal politics. He joined The Hot Room to talk about his career, why he's not running for re-election, and the state of Canadian politics in 2024.
Chris Aylward, the leader of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, joins The Hot Room to talk about the government's plan to require civil servants to spend more time working from the office, and how his union plans to push back this summer.
MP Scott Reid joins the The Hot Room to talk about his proposal to stop governments from changing the rules of the House of Commons without consent from the opposing parties.
Kathleen Ross, a family doctor and the president of the Canadian Medical Association, speaks with Peter Mazereeuw about the changes that could set Canada's ailing family medicine systems back on track.
Former health minister Jane Philpott comes on the podcast to talk about how to fix Canada's ailing primary health systems, and her new book, "Health for all: A doctor's prescription for a healthier Canada."
Canada's political parties are fighting a court battle to avoid federal privacy laws—and the government is taking their side. Hill Times reporter Ian Campbell joins host Peter Mazereeuw to explain why and how.
Justice Minister Arif Virani joins The Hot Room to talk about his controversial bill to crack down on online hate speech, 'revenge porn', and more.
Host Peter Mazereeuw talks to Arthur Milnes about his years working with late former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
The Haida Nation's governing council will soon get legal recognition from the federal government. It's on its way to settling the nation's land claims. Gaagwiis, the president of the Haida Nation, joins the Hot Room to talk about the Haida, and what legal self-governance means for their future.
Peter Mazereeuw takes you through a four-minute preview of the week to come in Canadian politics, including Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly's visit to the Middle East.
In February of 2023, the federal government gave control over a $200-million fund to the Foundation for Black Communities. The non-profit FFBC is responsible for channeling that funding into projects led by Black Canadians that aim to make life better for Black communities in Canada.
Peter Mazereeuw talks with the FFBC's Leah Sanford and Michelle Musindo about the work they're doing, and why it's needed.
The Hot Room digs into the Trudeau government's bill that aims to create new rules governing the use of artificial intelligence in Canada. Stuart Benson and Peter Mazereeuw discuss the bill, and what comes next.
Journalist Les Whittington joins The Hot Room to share what he's learned about why the Port of Montreal is a key cog in the theft and export of cars in Canada, and why the government hasn't been able to fix the problem.
Conservative campaign strategist Dan Robertson explains how, why, and when political parties use "wedge" issues to improve their chances at winning an election.
With Donald Trump campaiging to lead his party into the U.S. presidential election this fall, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has once again dispatched ministers to lobby for Canada's interests in the United States. Hill Times reporter Neil Moss joins the podcast to explain the mission.
MPs are set to return to the Hill, and the governing Liberals have plenty to do. What will top the agenda? Peter Mazereeuw talks it through with journalist Dale Smith.
Senator and psychiatrist Stan Kutcher joins The Hot Room to talk about the looming legalization of medical assistance in dying for people suffering from mental illness.
Peter Mazereeuw looks back on Ed Broadbent and his legacy in Canadian politics with Frances Abele, a political scientist who helped Broadbent to write his last book, and was his partner during the last years of his life.
The government wants to change the rules constraining Canada's spy agency, CSIS. Peter Mazereeuw talks to Professor Stephanie Carvin about the benefits, and the risks, of giving CSIS new powers.
Julie Dabrusin, the parliamentary secretary to Canada's ministers of environment and natural resources, joins The Hot Room to field questions about the government's newly-announced plan to impose a cap and trade program on greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector.
What is a basic income, how might it work, and how could we pay for it? Senator Kim Pate tackles those questions, as she and host Peter Mazereeuw discuss her Senate bill proposing a basic income framework.
Benjamin Fung does research on data mining, artificial intelligence, and cyber security at McGill University. He explains how China's government tries to use big payouts to build ties with—and leverage over—Canadian researchers, something he says he has experienced personally.
Host Peter Mazereeuw and Conservative Senator David Wells talk about a private member's bill proposing to expand a carbon tax carveout for farmers that has progressed despite opposition from the government, and sparked acrimony in the Red Chamber.
Abacus Data CEO David Coletto joins the podcast to explain MRP polling, a technique that he says is a "game changer" that will allow pollsters to better predict what Canadians think, and how they will vote, at a local level.
Canada's environment commissioner, Jerry DeMarco, joins The Hot Room to talk about what he found during his audit of the government's climate change plan.
Angus Reid Institute President Shachi Kurl joins The Hot Room to discuss her latest poll, and the sour public attitude towards Canada's House of Commons.
The office of Canada's auditor general laid out its concerns with billions in outstanding COVID payouts, two decades of Defence Department inventory woes, and more in a recent commentary. The office's Etienne Matte joins The Hot Room to walk us through it. You can read the report here: https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_202310_00_e_44330.html
Physician and former Saskatchewan NDP leader Ryan Meili joins the podcast to talk about the lessons learned and challenges that remain following the COVID-19 pandemic, and his new book, "A healthy future: lessons learned from the frontlines of a crisis."
Host Peter Mazereeuw walks you through the government's to-do and must-do challenges for the rest of 2023, and what's coming up in federal politics for the week of Oct. 9. All in eight minutes!
Hot Room host Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Justice Minister Arif Virani about his bill to change the way repeat violent offenders go through bail hearings. Then, Mazereeuw talks to Nicole Myers, a professor of criminology at Queen's University, to get her take on the changes proposed in the bill.
Mike Moffatt of the Place Centre has done research into Canada's housing shortage, and presented his solutions to the federal cabinet. He joined The Hot Room to share some of them with you, and explain how we got into this mess in the first place.
Former ethics commissioner Mario Dion joins the Hot Room to recount his investigation into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and discuss the state of ethics and government, and why we still don't have a permanent ethics commissioner to replace him.
Who's responsible for fixing health care, housing, and other seemingly intractable issues in Canadian public policy? Constitutional expert Carissima Mathen explains political jurisdiction—how power is divided between governments in Canada.
Politicians, lobbyists, and a new generation of workers are upending an old model for getting things done within the federal public service. Bhagwant Sandhu, a senior public servant-turned-Hill Times columnist, tells us how we got here, and how the public service can adapt for the future.
In the last episode, economist Matt Mitchell argued that Canadians would be better off if our governments did not subsidize select businesses. This week, economist Armine Yalnizyan joins The Hot Room to make the case in favour of corporate subsidies, under the right circumstances.
Summertime means cabinet ministers are doubling down on the funding announcement circuit. Canada's federal and provincial governments award billions in subsidies to Canadian businesses each year through a variety of programs. Does that make the economy stronger? Peter Mazereeuw interviews Matt Mitchell, an economist at the Fraser Institute, to get his take.
The president of the Canadian Medical Association, Alika Lafontaine, joins The Hot Room to talk about the jurisdictional divide over health care, who should fix it, and how.
Former House of Commons Speaker Geoff Regan joins The Hot Room to talk about unruly MPs, party discipline vs. independence, hybrid Parliament, and more.
Pollster Shachi Kurl of the Angus Reid Institute fills us in on how Canadians feel about the federal party leaders, and the issues of the day, as summer begins.
Jennifer Ditchburn, the CEO of the Institute for Research on Public Policy, fills us in on what she heard from government officials, former political leaders, and other experts during a recent IRPP conference on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Late nights, little sleep, and tactical tricks: the NDP's House leader, Peter Julian, joins The Hot Room to talk about Commons strategy, hybrid Parliament, and what his party wants done before MPs leave Ottawa for the summer.
What are the parliamentary House leaders in for as we dive into the June legislation crunch? Peter Mazereeuw tees up the final three weeks of sittings before summer in 11 minutes.
Canada's competition commissioner joins the Hot Room to talk about the connection between high prices and poor competition policy, as well as the changes he wants the government to make to Canada's competition law.
Senator and legal expert Marilou McPhedran joins The Hot Room to discuss her new bill to crack down on the use of gag orders for harassment victims in the government.
Former deputy prime minister and Hill Times' columnist Sheila Copps joins The Hot Room to discuss the Liberal Party's convention, and what it means for the governing Grits.
The Hill Times' public service reporter, Mike Lapointe, walks us through the causes and sticking points in the strike that has put more than 150,000 civil servants on picket lines.
Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne talks us through the controversy over the government's online broadcasting bill, her attempt to change it, and what the Senate will do next.
MP John McKay joined The Hot Room from Taiwan, where he and nine other MPs had flown to meet with officials in the embattled nation.
The government's latest budget projects more debt and deficits for years to come. Can we afford it? How should we grade governments on spending when we go to the ballot box?
Mostafa Askari, the chief economist at the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy, tackles those questions, and more.
Canada and the United States have agreed to extend the "Safe Third Country Agreement" across the whole border, and will now be turning back migrants who use unofficial crossing like the one at Roxham Road in Quebec. Was this the right call? Immigration lawyer and professor Jamie Liew gives her take.
The federal government has been making big changes to the immigration system. Are they the right changes ?
Economist Mikal Skuterud studies immigration and labour, and he walks us through the winners and losers these changes could produce.
Justice Minister David Lametti has pledged to make changes to Canada's bail system for people facing charges. Ontario police union president Mark Baxter joined The Hot Room to talk about why changes are needed, and how he thinks the system should be reformed.
Don Valley East MP Michael Coteau opened the report of the electoral boundary commission for Ontario on Feb. 10, and discovered that his riding had been erased. Now, he's trying to save it before the change takes effect.
Ron Dalton is the co-president of Innocence Canada, and spent eight years in prison after being wrongly convicted.
Dalton joins The Hot Room to discuss the federal government's new bill to create an independent commission to remedy wrongful convictions.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather has been at the centre of a controversy sparked by his attempt to amend the government's official languages bill, C-13. He joined The Hot Room to talk about what really happened, and why he's still fighting for a better bill.
The head of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, Flavio Volpe, and host Peter Mazereeuw dig into the switch from gas to electric cars, from mining to mandates, and an all-Canadian concept car.
Former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps joins the podcast to talk about election preparation and the return of Parliament following its winter break.
Dogs, mice, and other animals endure torturous testing in Canada in the name of keeping us safe as we consume new drugs and chemical products. Charu Chandrasekera of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods joins The Hot Room to talk about the cutting edge of non-animal product testing, and whether the federal Liberals are living up to their promise to phase out animal testing.
A search of the former Lebret or Qu'appelle residential school site has uncovered a child's jawbone and 2,000 unknown anomalies in the soil.
Host Peter Mazereeuw gives you on a six-minute briefing on what we know about the school and what happened there during the more than a century in which it operated.
Memorial University political scientist Alex Marland joins Peter Mazereeuw look at the forces that could shape Canadian politics in 2023.
Peter Tilley is the CEO of the Ottawa Mission, a shelter and service provider for some of Ottawa's most vulnerable people located just a short walk from Parliament Hill. Tilley joins The Hot Room to talk about Mission's work, its relationship with Parliamentarians, and what it needs most from donors this holiday season.
Conservative MP and public safety critic Raquel Dancho weighs in on the expansive gun ban proposed by the Liberal government, and the clash of cultures highlighted by the gun control debate.
A group of mayors from big cities and small towns are arriving in Ottawa on Dec. 5 to lobby the federal government. Taneen Rudyk, the president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, joins The Hot Room to discuss what they'll be talking about behind closed doors.
Should we make it easier to fire poor performers? Are government executives paid enough? Do we need a bilingualism bonus? Michael Wernick, who served as Canada's top public servant until 2019, joins The Hot Room to talk about his recent column in Policy Options Magazine about the taboo conversations that are key to reforming the public service.
Tracking how much money Canada's government spends, and how MPs approve that spending, is surprisingly complicated. Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux talks us through it on the latest Hot Room podcast.
Shachi Kurl, the president of the Angus Reid Institute, talks us through her latest survey of Canadians and Americans on their support for democracy, strongmen, military rule, and more.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault joins The Hot Room to discuss the upcoming UN biodiversity summit in Montreal, and the government's work towards its target of protecting 25 per cent of Canada by the year 2025.
Liberal MP and former Ontario cabinet minister Yasir Naqvi joins a live recording of The Hot Room to talk about how businesspeople can work with elected officials to pursue their goals—and when they can't.
Host Peter Mazereeuw gives you a five-minute runthrough of what's happening in Canadian politics and government during the week of Oct. 17.
Carole Kennedy served as the director of the Canada Gazette for 15 years, retiring in 2007. She spoke with The Hot Room about how the Gazette works and why it should matter to Canadians.
Senator Vern White is leaving the Red Chamber and moving to Finland to be with his family. He spoke with The Hot Room about his decade in the Senate and what’s next for him.
Hill Times' reporter Kevin Philipupillai joins the Hot Room to discuss the key details and outstanding questions about the government's proposed new benefit for working-age people with a disability.
The veteran MP for Scarborough-Guildwood joins The Hot Room to talk about what he sees as the pressing issues awaiting MPs when they return to the Hill for the fall, including border jams-ups, geopolitics, and a bill he is backing that would crack down on the use of slavery in supply chains.
Former budget insider Sahir Khan joins The Hot Room to give us the ins and outs of how a federal budget is really assembled—who has influence, who doesn't, and how the most effective lobby groups get their items included.
Should Canada try to fill the sudden need for natural gas in Europe created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Can we build the necessary infrastructure before that demand falls again?
Tim Egan, who heads the Canadian Gas Association, gives his take on those questions, and more, in an interview with Hot Room host Peter Mazereeuw.
Michael Serapio, Cable Public Affairs Channel's new English language anchor and host of PrimeTime Politics, joins The Hot Room to talk about the state of Canadian politics and journalism.
Host Peter Mazereeuw gives you a rundown of key events coming up in Canadian politics, then interviews University of Toronto Professor Tim Sayle about the history of Canada-Russia relations.
Former cabinet minister Lisa Raitt tells us how and why Canada's political leaders must re-shape our economy. Raitt is making her pitch as the co-chair of the Coalition for a Better Future.
Host Peter Mazereeuw sets up the week to come in Canadian politics, headlined by mid-summer parliamentary investigations into some of the hottest items in the news.
Political columnist and Conservative organizer Tasha Kheiriddin joins The Hot Room to talk about the present and future of the Conservative Party, and her new book, The Right Path: How Conservatives Can Unite, Inspire and Take Canada Forward.
Hot Room host Peter Mazereeuw runs you through a short and sweet summary of what's happening in Canadian politics as we look to the week to come.
The Hot Room tees up the summertime agenda for MPs and public servants, then journalist and civics wonk Dale Smith joins the podcast to talk about the government's push to extend semi-virtual proceedings in the House of Commons for another year.
Host Peter Mazereeuw previews the final week of Parliament before the summer adjournment. Then, MP Greg Fergus joins the podcast to talk about the proposal to expand the Parliamentary Precinct and close the street in front of the Hill to vehicle traffic for good.
Prisons, goats, questionable labour practices and exports to China—this story has it all.
Conservative MP Scott Reid joins The Hot Room to walk us through his concerns with a federal government program for prisoners that is raising eyebrows.
The government is working to pass a new law that would set lax limits on when border agents can search through your phones and laptops. Senator Paula Simons joins The Hot Room to talk us through it.
Retired colonel and Canadian Global Affairs Institute fellow Brett Boudreau joins The Hot Room to discuss how the military's communications strategy targeted the Canadian public, raising issues with its commitment to truthful, objective, and appropriate public communication.
Former Supreme Court chief justice Beverley McLachlin joins The Hot Room to talk about the government's pledge to crack down on hate speech online.
The government is holding a "seal summit" in Newfoundland this fall. The reason? To remedy a modern political and policy conundrum that has roots that go back decades in Canadian politics. Glenn Blackwood joins The Hot Room to give us the lowdown.
Senator Pamela Wallin talks us through the parliamentary review of assisted dying in Canada: the good, the bad, and the change she wants to see.
Federal Environment Commissioner Jerry DeMarco joins The Hot Room to talk about what he found when he dug into five areas of the government's work on climate change.
The Conservative House leader fields questions on the upcoming spring crunch in the House of Commons, delay tactics, and navigating the Liberal-NDP confidence agreement.
The author of Charlie Foxtrot joins The Hot Room to talk about budget 2022 commitments to beef up the military, and why Canada's government has struggled to get defence procurement right for decades.
The executive director of Clean Prosperity gives us his view of the strengths and weaknesses of the Liberal government's new plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions.
Minister Bennett discusses the government's work to create national standards for the treatment of mental illness and addiction.
Conservative strategist and Hill Times columnist Gerry Nicholls joins The Hot Room to break down the Conservative Party leadership race.
Hill Times reporter Alice Chen talks us through the House Justice Committee's study of Canada's law governing sex work.
How do economic sanctions work? Professor Dane Rowlands gives us a crash course on why and how the West is sanctioning Russia, and what that will mean for ordinary Russians.
The CEO of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress joins The Hot Room to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the response from Canada's government.
CSG Senate Leader Scott Tannas joins the podcast to discuss the Ottawa protests and the political divide in Canada.
Yasir Naqvi, the MP for Ottawa Centre, joins The Hot Room to talk about the occupation of his riding by protesters.
Former ambassadors Ben Rowswell and Jeremy Kinsman join The Hot Room to talk about the state of democracy around the world.
Greg Fergus, the parliamentary secretary to the prime minister and the chair of the Black Caucus, joins The Hot Room to talk about the protest in Ottawa, the return of Parliament, and how to lobby for the spring budget.
Mary Ng, the minister responsible for international trade and small business, joins the Hot Room to field questions about vaccines for the developing world, her push for WTO reform, and trade with the U.S., China, and Taiwan.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer joins The Hot Room to discuss his recent report on the government's fall economic statement, and weigh in on government spending and transparency.
Minister Marc Miller joins The Hot Room to talk about the priorities in his mandate letter, the government's multi-billion dollar commitment to fix First Nations child services, the Justice Department's court battles over Indigenous issues, and more.
The leader of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada breaks down the impact of the government's announcement of $40-billion to compensate Indigenous kids taken from their family homes, and fix the gaps in the child welfare system.
The veteran Liberal MP weighs in on a "lost year," Bill 21, inflation, and what's in store in 2022.
McGill University's Christopher Ragan joins The Hot Room to explain how inflation works, whether the Trudeau government is to blame for rising prices, and the Bank of Canada's new-look plan to manage it.
Melissa Lantsman, a rising star in the Conservative caucus, talks with host Peter Mazereeuw about the direction of her party, her political roots, and her new job as the transport critic.
Senate Leader Raymonde Saint-Germain talks about government bills, taking on the top job in the ISG, and more.
The NDP's House Leader talks about the government's pre-Christmas legislative agenda, the NDP's role in the 44th Parliament, fundraising, and confidence votes.
Historian Nelson Wiseman gives us a brisk tour of the history behind Canada's oft-vaunted multiculturalism, and where immigration and politics met and melded over the centuries.
Political cartoonist Michael de Adder talks about his path to making it big; an uncomfortable encounter with Peter MacKay; political polarization; ’Twitter Liberals’; and why Canada is not a good place to draw cartoons right now.
The audaciously humble Neil Moss helps to break down the PM’s cabinet choices. Then, MP and former Ontario minister Yasir Naqvi talks about the new cabinet, federal-provincial childcare negotiations, and why he entered federal politics.
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Immigrants 'on the dole'? Elizabeth Long doesn't think so.
An immigration lawyer with Long Mangalji, Ms. Long unpacks the rules and safeguards in Canada's immigration system, and fact-checks Premier Doug Ford's controversial warning to would-be immigrants to work hard and stay off social assistance.
Who's in, who's out, and who's getting shuffled? Press gallery journalist Dale Smith joins The Hot Room to discuss Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's next cabinet.
Canada’s former chief public servant talks about his new book on the inner workings of cabinet, and his controversial exit from the role.
Canada’s military has been caught surveilling activists, gathering data on Canadian’s social media posts, and training soldiers to deceive entire communities. Journalist David Pugliese walks us through his reporting on these operations.
Former deputy PM Sheila Copps weighs in on election 44, and the path ahead for Justin Trudeau’s third Liberal government.
With election day approaching, Hill Times reporter Mike Lapointe breaks down the safest seats in the House of Commons, and what it means to hold one.
We check in on the status of one of Politics and the Pen, an annual fundraiser honouring Canada's top political novel of the year, with co-chairs Elizabeth Gray-Smith of GSD & Company and Jim Armour of Summa Strategies.
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole and his Conservative Party are surging in the polls, and have drawn even with the Liberals. Pollster Nik Nanos takes us behind the numbers.
Liberal strategist Omar Khan breaks down the election campaign, and the case for Justin Trudeau's party to return to power.
Subscribe to the free Politics This Morning newsletter to stay on top of the campaign, at: https://bit.ly/3yiejEe
Political strategist Gerry Nicholls weighs in on Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole's election campaign, and how he can escape the shadow of former prime minister Stephen Harper.
NDP strategist Kathleen Monk weighs in on how the New Democrats will fare if an election is held this fall.
Richard Savage, first national vice-president of the Customs and Immigration Union, explains why Canada's border officers are threatening to strike—and how it could cost the government more than $87-million per day.
What's on Canadians' minds, as rumours of an election call abound? The president of the Angus Reid Institute, Shachi Kurl, walks us through her latest data, and what it means for the federal parties.
Outgoing MP Wayne Easter joins The Hot Room to discuss the change in Canadian politics and the Prime Minister's Office during his 28 years in the House of Commons.
MPs Len Webber and Matt Jeneroux beat the odds to pass private member's bills in June that will encourage organ donation and change the rules for bereavement leave. They tells us how, and why.
“Sometimes to make big things happen, you need to step on toes.”
Former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps weighs in on fixing the long-term care sector, a late-summer election, and the forty-third Parliament.
Former House of Commons lawyer Steven Chaplin walks us through the ins and outs of the battle between the Liberal government and the House of Commons over secret documents the feds won't disclose.
Canada's government changed the way it was evaluating would-be immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. How this class of new Canadians fares over time will teach us important lessons about the the strengths and flaws of our immigration system, says Iain Reeve, the associate director of immigration research at The Conference Board of Canada.
Many Canadians were shocked when the bodies of 215 children were discovered at the former site of the Kamloops residential school.They may be more surprised to learn how their government is handling some Indigenous policy files today.
Rose LeMay walks us through the modern day battle between the federal government and Indigenous peoples.
MPs will rise for the summer adjournment on June 23rd, and they may not come back before the next election. The government has plenty of legislation left on the agenda, and few days to try and pass it. Earnscliffe Strategy Group consultant Yaroslav Baran, a former chief of staff to a government House leader, breaks down how the parties will handle the legislative "silly season."
Nearly three million Canadian citizens live in another country. Senator Yuen Pau Woo tells us why he thinks the government should do more to harness this "hidden asset" for Canada.
Canada doesn't have a stellar track record on going after tax evasion and avoidance. The budget made some investments to help enforcement, but will it work? Senator Percy Downe and NDP MP Matthew Green walk us through it to find out.
Music by Gavin Gardiner
Bill C-10, the bill to update the Broadcasting Act introduced by Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, has been making headlines for weeks after an amendment was introduced that experts and the opposition says could regulate social media content.
The Wire Report's Jenna Cocullo gets us up to speed on the actual bill, Corus Entertainment's Troy Reeb gives us a broadcaster's perspective, and Liberal MP Anthony Housefather gives his take on the controversy and where the bill stands at committee.
Music by Gavin Gardiner
The 2021 federal budget had a lot of spending on domestic policy, but what did it have to say about foreign policy? Hill Times reporter Neil Moss breaks down what the budget said, what it didn't, and what it could mean for Canada's place in a post-pandemic world.
Music by Gavin Gardiner
There've been some big developments in the telecommunications industry in the past couple of weeks. Rogers and Shaw announced a $26-billion dollar merger, and the CRTC came out with a decision that could have a big impact on your cellphone bills. We brought on Mike Lee Murphy, editor of the Wire Report, to walk us through what these two developments mean, why they matter, and how it could affect you.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered the Liberal government's first budget in two years, marking the first time a woman has done so in Canadian history. Kevin Page, John Delacourt, and Erica Ifill walk us through the document so you don't actually have to read it. Trust us, it's over 700 pages.
Music by Gavin Gardiner
Canada's a pretty small country. In the face of a declining birth rate, should the government seek to dramatically boost our population? What would happen and how would we even do it? Ipsos CEO Darrell Bricker walks us through it all and what it would mean for Canada's future.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will present the government's first budget in two years on April 19. Finance committee chair Wayne Easter and vice-chair Pat Kelly join The Hot Room to give us their take on what should be in the budget and what role the Finance committee plays in the budget process.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Conservative MP Michael Chong woke up on Saturday morning to news he'd been sanctioned over a motion he put forward in the House of Commons to deem the Chinese government's treatment of the Uyghur people as a genocide. He takes us through what it means to him, why it happened, and what the Canadian government should do in the face of an increasingly assertive Chinese foreign policy.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
The ongoing sexual misconduct scandal at the Department of National Defence took new twists this week with key players testifying before House of Commons committees, and more reporting on the fallout from military members. Hill Times reporter Samantha Wright Allen walks us through what happened, why it matters, and where we could go from here.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Erin O'Toole has been in some hot water lately. MPs have been speaking to newspapers to voice their frustration with his leadership. Now, the party membership will have their say on the direction of the party at the Conservative policy convention. Hill Times reporter Palak Mangat and Hill Times columnist Tim Powers walk us through what to watch.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
The parties have been trading barbs for weeks over which of them is causing consternation in the Commons. What's behind all the harsh words? Could it lead to a pandemic election? Conservative house leader Gérard Deltell and parliamentary secretary to the government house leader Kevin Lamoureux join The Hot Room to explain their side of the story.
Music by Kevin Mcleod
A two part podcast! First, we talk with CUTRIC's Josipa Petrunic to get an look inside a lobbying campaign that just bore fruit in the form of the Liberal government's multi-billion dollar transit funding announcement.
Second, we talk with Hill Times columnist Scott Taylor about the ongoing crisis in the Canadian Armed Forces after investigations were launched into former top general Jonathan Vance and Art McDonald, his short-lived replacement who recently stepped aside from the top job.
Music by Kevin Macleod
The government just introduced a new bill that takes steps towards drug decriminalization in the face of the ongoing opioid crisis. The bill doesn't go all the way towards decriminalization, but will these interim measures achieve the goals of reducing overdoses and overrepresentation of Black and Indigenous people in Canadian prisons? Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Justice Arif Virani and University of Windsor law professor Bill Bogart join to walk us through it all.
Music by Kevin Macleod
As Canada's vaccine supply slowly ramps up, should policy makers be worried about how many people are willing to take it? Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, joins The Hot Room to walk us through his research on vaccine hesitancy in Canada and how we compare to other countries.
Music by Kevin Macleod
Senator Pamela Wallin's mother and grandmother had Alzheimer's. She knows firsthand the pain the disease can bring to an person and their family. That's why she's been an outspoken advocate for amending the assisted dying law, currently before the Senate, to allow those suffering from the disease to make an advanced request for medically assisted death. She joined The Hot Room for a candid conversation on a deeply personal and difficult issue for hundreds of thousands of Canadians.
Music by Kevin Macleod
You may have heard that Canada’s been having some issues with vaccine supply in the past few weeks.
Getting enough doses into the country is just one issue the vaccination drive will face.
Dr. Kumanan Wilson, a physician scientist at The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa professor, and CEO of CANImmunize, joined The Hot Room to discuss how the technologies used to schedule and track the rollout are essential to ensuring the largest healthcare intervention in human history runs smoothly.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Senator Murray Sinclair said he has no interest in the Governor General post but is interested in being part of the appointment process. He joined The Hot Room to talk about the role of the Governor General in an evolving Canadian society, his Senate tenure, Reconciliation, and white supremacy.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Derek Sloan was booted from the Conservative caucus after a "destructive pattern of behaviour" over the past year, the final straw being his accepting a donation from a known white supremacist during the Conservative leadership campaign.
Mr. Sloan has been a thorn in the side of Conservative leader Erin O'Toole since Mr. O'Toole won the leadership in August. How does this move affect the direction Mr. O'Toole is trying to take the party? Will Sloan and his brand still be a presence in Canadian politics?
Conservative strategist and Hill Times columnist Tim Powers joins The Hot Room to walk us through it all.
Music by Kevin Macleod
In the wake of Capitol Hill riots many have wondered aloud whether there is a similar threat posed by hate groups in Canada. The country has already seen a number of heinous attacks by supporters of neo-fascist ideologies, and the threat to politicians and citizens alike continues to grow as these groups gain a following online. Stephanie Carvin, professor of international relations at the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs and an expert on terrorism, joins The Hot Room to walk us through what it all means for Canadian politics.
Hill Times deputy editor Peter Mazereeuw, Hill Times managing editor Charelle Evelyn, and freelance journalist Dale Smith, author of The Unbroken Machine: Canada's Democracy in Action discuss the top storylines for each party ahead of the House returning on Jan. 25.
Will there be an election? How can Erin O'Toole balance playing to the Conservative base and courting a larger coalition? Can Jagmeet Singh revitalize the NDP? Can the Bloc Quebecois maintain their support as other parties look to pick off seats in Quebec? What vision does Annamie Paul have for the Green Party and how can she win a seat in the House of Commons? And how does the pandemic and vaccine rollout affect it all? All this and more in this episode of The Hill Times Hot Room.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
The Liberal government recently promised to admit over 400,000 immigrants per year over the next three years, the highest number in over a century. Is this the right time to pursue the policy? How will COVID affect the plan? Conservative immigration critic Raquel Dancho joins The Hot Room to give us her thoughts on the ambitious plan.
Programming note: This episode was recorded on Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m. eastern time.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, is stepping down after six years at the helm of the organization that advocates for nearly one million First Nations people. He joins The Hot Room to talk about how reconciliation has progressed over his tenure, what work still has to be done, why he's not running for National Chief again, and what comes next.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux joins the Hot Room to discuss the government's fall economic statement and his recent report that argued the Liberal government's fall economic statement uses contradictory guardrails that could derail a post-pandemic recovery.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Today is the fifth anniversary of the Paris Climate accords and evidently the Liberal government wanted to make a splash. The federal government released an ambitious climate plan aimed at getting Canada on the path to meeting its Paris targets and a net zero economy. The Healthy Planet and Healthy Economy plan proposes spending $15-billion on 64 different measures, including building retrofits and electric vehicle incentives, along with raising the carbon tax, something the Liberals promised repeatedly NOT to do in the 2018 election.
There’s a ton more in the plan, so we brought on Sara Hastings-Simon, a researcher at the University of Calgary and the Payne Institute of Public Policy to walk us though it.
A new report by The Lancet has some startling findings on how climate change affects our health, and how it could be partially responsible for thousands of deaths per year in Canada. Dr. Finola Hackett and Dr. Claudel Petrin-Desrosiers analyzed the report to find out what it means for Canadians. They joined The Hot Room to walk us through their findings.
Canada's privacy laws have been pilloried by experts for years as unfit for the digital age. The government recently introduced a new bill aimed at bringing the privacy regime into the 21st century. That law, C-11, could see a fundamental reset of the existing framework. University of Ottawa professor Teresa Scassa, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Information Law and Policy, joins The Hot Room to walk us through the key issues.
The Liberal government just tabled new legislation on climate change accountability with the goal of meeting, and even exceeding, Canada's climate change targets. How will the bill help keep future Canadian governments accountable to these targets? Where are the loopholes? Will the bill actually help accomplish these important goals? Eco Justice lawyer Julia Croome joins The Hot Room to answer these questions and more.
Two vaccine candidates have given the world a flicker of the light at the end of the COVID-shaped tunnel. With that light in mind, the UN just released a paper titled UN Research Roadmap for the COVID-19 Recovery focused on key questions that need answering if the recovery is to be equitable, sustainable, and resilient. Steven Hoffman, scientific director of the Institute of Population and Public Health at the Canadian Institute for Health Research, was heavily involved in the development of the roadmap and joins The Hot Room to take us through what it argues for in a post-COVID world.
Statistics Canada released a report in October showing Canadian military colleges rife with sexual harassment and assault. The military has tried to rid itself of sexual misconduct over the years, but has been less than successful. Why does this problem persist and what can be done about it? Michel Drapeau and Joshua Juneau join The Hot Room to offer some answers.
Hill Times columnist Erica Ifill, who also co-hosts the Bad + Bitchy podcast and co-owns Not in My Colour, joins The Hot Room to talk the still-ongoing U.S. election. Erica touches on transnational populism, racism in Canada, the pandemic-induced economic fallout, and more.
China's National Security Law, passed in response to massive protests in Hong Kong, tightened the Chinese Communist Party's control over the semi-autonomous region. NDP MP Jenny Kwan, her party's immigration critic, joins The Hot Room to discuss what policy levers the government can pull on to help Hong Kongers.
Conservative House Leader Gérard Deltell joins The Hot Room to talk about the Conservative motion to strike a special committee to study the WE scandal and the government's pandemic response, and the newest motion to have the Health Committee study the government's pandemic response.
The family reunification immigration lottery system just opened up and Elizabeth Long joins The Hot Room to take us through the changes in the program over the past decade, the pros and cons of a lottery system, and how Canada's traditional economic immigration streams can hurt immigrant families in Canada.
Chief Science Advisor Dr. Mona Nemer was just reappointed to a two-year term and released her annual report. The University of Ottawa's Paul Dufour joins The Hot Room to talk about the history of the position, how it differs from other models across the world, and what could be coming down the road for Canadian science as the pandemic continues to rage, and more.
The Liberal government "is now focused on entirely eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada" according to the Speech from the Throne. Billions of dollars of investments were made prior to the pandemic, with billions more dollars coming during COVID to help address homelessness in Canada. Western University professor of nursing Abe Oudshoorn joins The Hot Room to unpack this ambitious promise.
Governor General Julie Payette delivered the Throne Speech and to Canada's collective relief it didn't mention spaceships. It did, however, promise quite the ambitious agenda. Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada and political science professor Daniél Beland joins The Hot Room to parse through the rhetoric and tell us what to expect in Canadian politics going forward.
Testing centres across the country, and especially in Ottawa, are filling up, with some wait times over six hours. Professor David Juncker, chair of the Biomedical Engineering Department at McGill University, joins The Hot Room to talk rapid saliva tests for COVID-19 and how they could help ahead of a vaccine.
Christopher Ragan, director of the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University, joins The Hot Room to take us through Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem's speech on the Bank's role in the economic recovery.
Rose LeMay is the CEO of the Indigenous Reconciliation Group, a twice-monthly Hill Times columnist, and member of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in northern British Columbia. She joins The Hot Room to discuss protestors toppling a statue of Sir John A. Macdonald in Montreal, two residential schools being designated as national historic sites, and the Liberal track record on reconciliation.
Erin O'Toole takes over as leader of the Conservative Party during a worldwide pandemic with a prorogued parliament and a general election lurking in the shadows of West Block.
How did we get here, and where do we go next? Tim Powers is vice-president of Summa Strategies, managing director of Abacus Data, a Hill Times columnist, joins The Hot Room to discuss all things Conservative leadership.
Tariffs are back! U.S. President Donald Trump slapped aluminum tariffs on Canada again. Trade lawyer Matthew Kronby joins The Hot Room to talk about the economic impact, Canada's ability to respond, and how the looming U.S. election could affect it all.
Carleton University Professor Jonathan Malloy joins the Hot Room to talk Bill Morneau's departure, Chrystia Freeland as the new Finance Minister, and internal power dynamics within Cabinet. Sorry to all Dominic LeBlanc fans.
York University professor Steven Hoffman, one of Canada's leading experts on public health, joins The Hot Room to evaluate Canada's COVID response to date - and where we go from here.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
"Acid Trumpet" and "Faster Does It"
Former lieutenant general and Liberal MP Andrew Leslie joins to talk about Canadian foreign policy ahead of the U.S. election. Hill Times reporter Neil Moss takes us through a story he wrote on a new parliamentary process for trade deals.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
"Acid Trumpet" and "Faster Does it"
Nik Nanos joins the pod to talk about how the WE scandal could affect Canadians' attitudes toward the Liberal Party and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as more details continue to emerge. In the second half, Hill Times deputy editor Laura Ryckewaert talks about a survey she conducted on political staff diversity.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
"Faster Does It" and "Acid Trumpet"
Senator Gwen Bonfiace, former head of the OPP, talks police reform in Canada, her experience with the Ipperwash Inquiry, and more.
Host Peter Mazereeuw returns from vacation to talk with reporter Aidan Chamandy about the new contact-tracing app. Chris Sands, head of the Wilson Center's Canada Institute, also joins The Hot Room to talk about Canada-U.S. trade tensions and the USMCA.
Paul Heinbecker, former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, joins The Hot Room to talk about Canada's unsuccessful campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council. Hill Times managing editor Charelle Evelyn also joins to talk about her recent story on Black public servants pushing back against racism in the federal public service.
Former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page joins the podcast to talk about the government's unprecedented spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hill Times reporter Mike Lapointe digs into his latest story on a lack of diversity in the Parliament Press Gallery.