It's Political with Althia Raj

• And they’re (almost) off!

  The federal parties are putting the final touches on their election campaigns. What just recently seemed like an easy victory for the Conservatives is no longer so certain. This week, several public opinion polls had the Liberal ahead and in majority territory.  Canada’s 45th general election will be an unexpectedly tight race. This week on “It’s Political,” Toronto Star Ottawa bureau reporters unpack the strategies of the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP and Greens going into this campaign. Then, three conservative former strategists join Althia to discuss leader Pierre Poilievre’s response to new Liberal Leader Mark Carney. Is Poilievre’s strategy working? Does it need to change? In this episode: Melanie Paradis, the president of texture communications and a former deputy campaign director to former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole; Rudy Husny, a former Conservative leadership candidate and a former advisor in Stephen Harper’s government; Evan Menzies, a vice-president at Crestview Strategy and a former director of communications for the United Conservative Party of Alberta; as well as Toronto Star Ottawa reporters Raisa Patel, Ryan Tumilty and Mark Ramzy. Hosted by Althia Raj. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CTV, CBC and Fox News, and the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

  --------  

  1:01:38
• Mark Carney’s first day

  Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s new Prime Minister Friday morning, after winning the Liberal leadership race in a landslide. He unveiled a new, leaner cabinet but tapped many of outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau’s ministers for key portfolios. Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau Chief Tonda MacCharles and national politics reporters Ryan Tumilty and Mark Ramzy join host Althia Raj to talk about Carney’s cabinet picks, his first move as prime minister and what it says about the timing of the next federal election. Also on the show, pollster Alex Kohut of North Poll Strategies breaks down the Liberal leadership race numbers, and what they tell us about some of the challenges and opportunities the Liberal party may face and seize on the campaign trail. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC and Right Side Broadcasting Network.

  --------  

  44:43
• Mark Carney won the Liberal leadership. Next up? Trump, Poilievre and a likely early election

  Mark Carney, the former Bank of Canada governor, trounced the competition Sunday winning the Liberal leadership with nearly 86 per cent support. Carney will become prime minister in the days ahead. He will appoint a new cabinet. And is widely expected to call a federal election campaign next week. In this bonus episode of “It’s Political,” the Toronto Star’s national columnist Susan Delacourt joins Althia Raj to discuss Sunday’s leadership event, from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s speech to Carney’s big introduction to the country, whether former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland should be in cabinet and what to watch for in the days ahead. The clips this week were sourced from CPAC and CBC. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton, who also served as sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

  --------  

  26:35
• Mélanie Joly on dealing with the Trump tariffs

  U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was slapping tariffs on Canada this week, and the federal government — along provincial premiers — responded. This week on “It’s Political,” Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly joins Althia for an in-depth interview during the ongoing trade war with the United States. Joly talks about the hectic week which saw Trump impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, negotiating with an unpredictable administration, and how Canada is preparing for a future with a more hostile American neighbour. But tariffs are just one part of a larger shift in American foreign policy under Trump. Since assuming office, the U.S. president has repeatedly threatened to annex countries, including Canada. He has battled publicly with historic allies, such as Ukraine, and become friendlier with Russia. What does this shift in American policy represent for the rules-based international order the U.S. itself sought to establish?  Two foreign affairs specialists weigh in on that.  In this episode: Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. Raquel Garbers, a visiting executive at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and principal architect of Canada’s defence policy, “Our North, Strong and Free” and Roland Paris, the director of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. Hosted by Althia Raj. Some of the clips this week were sourced from C-SPAN, CPAC, the Canadian Press Gallery, CBC, CNN, Global news, NBC, CBS, Fox, BBC, Sky News, and Emmanuel Macron’s X account. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

  --------  

  53:53
• Liberal leadership contenders face off

  Liberal leadership contenders faced off in two debates this week, and the stakes were high, with the winning candidate set to replace Justin Trudeau as prime minister and lead the party into the next election. The debates were dominated by the spectre of Donald Trump, with a central question being who can best lead Canada in this moment of national crisis.  Our political panel, Toronto Star Deputy Bureau Chief Alex Ballingall, Ottawa bureau reporter Ryan Tumilty, and Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, join host Althia Raj to break down what we learned about the candidates and perceived frontrunner Mark Carney’s weaknesses.  Liberal MPs Randy Boissonnault and Francis Drouin also weigh in on their choices for the next Liberal leader. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, the Liberal Party of Canada, the podcast “The Rest Is Politics” and Global News. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

  --------  

  42:34

More News podcasts

Trending News podcasts

About It's Political with Althia Raj

It's Political with Althia Raj: Podcasts in Family