The spring sitting on Parliament Hill is coming to a close. There’s been a lot to keep track of — the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the introduction of a pharmacare bill, a federal budget that brought big changes to taxes on capital gains — not to mention intelligence reports of foreign interference. On June 3, a report from the National Security and I…

If 22 people were being shot each day on Canadian streets, you might expect a federal state of emergency to be called, a co-ordinated federal-provincial-territorial response, billions of dollars flowing out of government coffers to stop the violence. The opioid crisis hasn’t received the same kind of all-hands-on-deck approach. Instead, there has b…

Hours after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was expelled from the House of Commons for calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “a wacko” and refusing to withdraw his comments, both leaders’ parties had issued fundraising emails pointing to the incident on Parliament Hill and asking for donors for more cash. Fundraising is a huge part of what pol…

We started “It’s Political” two years ago with an episode on the NDP’s supply and confidence agreement. Back then, we wondered, would the party get any credit for what they accomplished? Two years on, public opinion polls suggest the answer is “no.” The NDP believes the answer is really “maybe,” and one they hope to turn into a resounding “yes.” Th…

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled her latest budget Tuesday, with big spending plans to increase the housing supply, deliver on commitments to Indigenous people, boost funding to the Canadian military and finally deliver on a promise to create a Canada Disability Benefit. But there is more to the budget’s $39.3 billion in new spending than …

The federal government’s latest effort to regulate speech on the internet was met with relief from parents who’ve long advocated for a safer space online for their children, but with alarm from free speech advocates who believe the government’s bill goes too far. This week on “It’s Political,” we dig into the Online Harms Act with a number of exper…

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre attempted to topple the Liberal government this week by introducing a motion calling for a non-confidence vote on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s plan to increase the carbon price on April 1. With all the other parties supporting a price on carbon — the Bloc Québécois, the NDP and the Greens — Poilievre’s motion…

On Feb. 29, Canada’s Health Minister Mark Holland introduced a pharmacare bill in Parliament, seemingly laying down the foundation for a new national universal single payer pharmacare plan. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh declared victory. After fifty years of efforts, he boasted that a first big step had been taken toward giving all Canadians equal acces…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau managed one chaotic term under U.S. President Donald Trump, and he’s made it clear he’d prefer to continue working with current President Joe Biden. But with the Republican primaries favouring Trump, a divided electorate and a U.S. election this fall, Trudeau faces the possibility of another Trump White House. One that…

For decades, there was solid political and social consensus on immigration in Canada. But recently, cracks in that consensus have emerged. In 2023, Canada’s population hit 40 million, after growing by more than a million people in one year. Most of that growth was in temporary residents, such as international students and temporary foreign workers.…

Public opinion polls suggest Canadians have had enough of Justin Trudeau’s government, and yet the prime minister vows to stay on. As 2024 began, Toronto Star columnist Susan Delacourt sat down with the prime minister for her yearly chat, and she allowed our microphones to listen in. This conversation was recorded on Jan. 12 in Guelph, Ont. In this…

It’s been quite a tumultuous year in federal politics, from allegations of foreign interference involving China and India, to the expansion of industrial and dental subsidies, and a rejigging of public support for Canada’s two main parties. We asked Toronto Star readers and “It’s Political” podcast listeners for their questions — and received many …

Alberta Conservative MP Damien Kurek was kicked out of the House of Commons this week for using unparliamentary language. Within minutes of his expulsion, Kurek had the video of his outburst up on social media proudly showcasing his outrage at the Liberal government. Last week, another Alberta Conservative, Rachel Thomas, was forced to apologize af…

It’s been described as a signature blow to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s signature policy. Last month, the Liberals announced a three-year pause to the application of the carbon price on home heating oil to help ease the costs, especially in Atlantic Canada where it’s used in about a third of all households. Climate and energy experts decried it …

Eight years ago, Justin Trudeau and 30 ecstatic Liberal MPs walked up to Rideau Hall, ready to be sworn in as Canada’s next government. But after three elections, the Liberal glow has faded – drastically – as more and more Liberals suggest it’s time for the prime minister to step down. This week on “It’s Political,” Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, P…

A month ago, we weren’t talking about the Israelis-Palestinian conflict. The world’s attention was elsewhere, on Ukraine and Russia, on China. But on October 7, all that changed. Hamas’ brutality — the hunting of young adults at a music festival, the burning of homes, shooting of grandmothers, allegations of rape of women and girls, and the kidnapp…

In this episode: Timmins—James Bay NDP MP Charlie Angus, South Okanagan—West Kootenay NDP MP Richard Cannings, Skeena—Bulkley Valley NDP MP Taylor Bachrach, Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, Traxxion Strategies President Karl Bélanger, Canadian Strategy Group senior manager of public affairs Sally Housser, University of Saskatchewan Political Studies …

In this episode: Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge, Toronto Star Publisher Jordan Bitove, Ottawa University law professor Michael Geist, Toronto Star reporter Raisa Patel, Meta’s head of public policy Rachel Curran, Google Canada’s Richard Gingras, News Media Canada President Paul Deegan, Village Media CEO Jeff Elgie. La Presse President Pierre-Ell…

In this episode: Abacus Data CEO David Colettto, Toronto Star Reporter Stephanie Levitz, Conservative Party members Kevyn Nightingale, Emilie Matheson, Nancy Bangsboll and Adrian Tarcea, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former executive director of policy and cabinet affairs Marci Surkes, former NDP MP David Christopherson, former spokesman for Cons…

With Parliament about to break for the summer, exchanges between MPs in the House have gotten tense. But is it just June — when the hours run long and the frustrations high — or has decorum in the chamber taken a nasty slide? This week on “It’s Political,” we survey MPs about the tone in the chamber and what it is leading to outside the House, and …

Whether you’re trying to buy a house or struggling to find a decent and affordable place to rent, it seems Canadians across this country are experiencing the housing crisis in one form or another. This week on “It’s Political,” we look at this growing problem and what politicians have done to address it. We’ll first look at the problem from differe…

This week on “It’s Political” we check in on the Alberta election. NDP Leader Rachel Notley and UCP Leader Danielle Smith are in a hotly contested race and there’s lots at stake for Albertans and all Canadians. First, Toronto Star reporter Kieran Leavitt brings us a report from Lethbridge, in a riding the NDP needs to win if it is to form governmen…

As Liberals from across the country gather in Ottawa for the party’s first in-person national convention since the pandemic, “It’s Political” digs into Justin Trudeau’s record as party leader and his time as prime minister. With bleak polling numbers and an ambitious Conservative opponent, how can the Liberals correct their course? First, we sit do…

In an op-ed in the Globe and Mail last month, that newspaper’s confidential national security source explained why they decided to leak secret documents on China’s interference attempts. They wrote they had hoped to spur a much deeper discussion about foreign interference and how to combat it, but were disappointed the conversation had become “mark…

They say it’s dangerous to talk about politics and religion. We’re not listening. This week on “It’s Political,” we mark April’s high religious holidays, such as Easter, Ramadan, Passover and Vaisakhi, with a conversation on faith and politics. How it influences MPs’ policy positions, where they believe the line between state and church should be d…

Last week, Volkswagen announced it will build its first overseas electric vehicle battery gigafactory in St. Thomas, Ontario. The federal and provincial governments declined to say what they’d paid to lure Volkswagen to Canada rather than the U.S. but the Financial Times reported the price was around $15 billion. That’s a lot of public money going …

This week on “It’s Political,” we take stock of the supply and confidence agreement the Liberals and NDP agreed to last March. In exchange for supporting the Liberal government on confidence matters until June 2025, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh received assurances Ottawa would enact a dental care program for low and middle income Canadians, as well as …

This week on "It’s Political," we take a look at what’s plaguing the country's health-care system, from long wait lines in emergency rooms to the lack of family doctors. What will it take to fix health care in Canada? First, we hear directly from health professionals about the problems they've witnessed firsthand and the solutions they’d like to se…

This week on “It’s Political,” we bring you Toronto Star’s columnist Susan Delacourt’s interview with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The two sat down together on Jan. 17 in Windsor, Ont., for a candid conversation on his future and the future of his government. In this episode: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Toronto Star columnist Susan De…

This week on “It’s Political,” we dive into ministerial accountability. Mistakes and ethical lapses happen all the time. Whether it’s allowing tins of tainted tuna to hit the market or leaving secure documents where they shouldn’t be, Canadian parliamentarians have a long history of resigning when they mess up. Today, we ask the question: Why does …

This week on “It’s Political,” we dig into the government’s rationale for invoking the Emergencies Act to end last winter's "Freedom Convoy" protests. First, Toronto Star reporters Tonda MacCharles and Alex Ballingall will walk us through all of the drama and pivot points exposed during the Public Order Emergency Commission’s hearings. The parade o…

This week on "It’s Political," we tackle some of the issues around the expansion of medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Canada. A word of caution. Today’s program discusses death and suicide. Please take care while listening. If you are having suicidal thoughts, there is help. The Canada Suicide Prevention Service can be reached at 1-833-456-4566…

This week on "It’s Political," we focus on the inflation crisis and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s fall economic update. First, we’ll look back on what policies, decisions and events contributed to the current inflation numbers that are putting the squeeze on many Canadian households with Toronto Star Ottawa bureau chief and economics columni…

“It’s Political" will be coming to you a little bit later today because of yesterday’s Fiscal update. We’ll have a round table discussion on Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s latest numbers, and look back on what’s led to these rising interest rates and the possible recession around the corner.By Toronto Star

This week on "It’s Political," we take a deep dive into the controversial Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act. Is it really about censorship and government control over what you see and listen to on the internet? Or is it about safeguarding and promoting Canadian culture and the French language in Quebec on new streaming platforms? In this episode:…

This week on “It’s Political,” we focus on the threads connecting François Legault’s big win in Monday’s election in Quebec and the United Conservative Party leadership race in Alberta — culminating in Danielle Smith's victory — and ask what if we are having a constitutional crisis and no one is noticing? In this episode: Constitutional lawyer Mari…

This week on "It’s Political," we focus on Pierre Poilievre’s leadership. First, we’ll take a look back at the divisive leadership race and Poilievre’s big win. Then we’ll sit down with Yan Plante, the former chief of staff to transport minister Denis Lebel in Stephen Harper’s government, and Melanie Paradis, a long-time advisor and deputy campaign…

Now that the House is back in session, Althia Raj will be returning every other Friday, with Canada's top political insiders. Keep an eye on your feed this Friday, September 23.By Toronto Star

This week on It’s Political, we focus on political polarization and the political advantages and drawbacks of sowing division, and whether Canadians are really that divided. Guests: Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, Marci Surkes, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former executive director of policy and cabinet affairs, …

Guests: Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, Ottawa City Councillor Diane Deans, the former chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board. This week on It’s Political, we unpack the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act, the never-before-used legislation that was invoked to bring an end to the so-called Freedom Convoy’s occupation of Ottaw…

This week on It’s Political, we focus on the Conservative leadership race. First, we take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of each of the six candidates and their strategies. Then, we go behind the scenes at campaign events to hear directly from members and potential party members about what they want to see from a new Conservative leader. An…

Guests: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, along with Jennifer Howard, Singh’s chief of staff, NDP National Director Anne McGrath, Star columnist Susan Delacourt, former NDP staffer Brad Lavigne, Liberal Government House Leader Mark Holland and Abacus Data CEO David Coletto. Hosted by Althia Raj This week on "It’s Political," we take stock of the NDP-Libera…

‘It's Political with Althia Raj’ is the Toronto Star’s new Canadian politics podcast. Every two weeks, Raj brings listeners behind the scenes on Parliament Hill with exclusive interviews, in-depth reporting and thoughtful analysis. Join us as we explore the ins and the outs of the drama unfolding in Ottawa with humour and intelligence.The first epi…