Unpacking the parties' housing promises

It's Political with Althia Raj

#Politics #News #Toronto Star #Althiaraj #Canada #Federalgovernment #Parliamenthill

51:57

On the Season 2 debut of Lost Cultures: Living Legacies , we travel to Bermuda, an Atlantic island whose history spans centuries and continents. Once uninhabited, Bermuda became a vital stop in transatlantic trade, a maritime stronghold, and a cultural crossroads shaped by African, European, Caribbean, and Native American influences. Guests Dr. Kristy Warren and Dr. Edward Harris trace its transformation from an uninhabited island to a strategic outpost shaped by shipwrecks, colonization, the transatlantic slave trade, and the rise and fall of empires. Plus, former Director of Tourism Gary Phillips shares the story of the Gombey tradition, a vibrant performance art rooted in resistance, migration, and cultural fusion. Together, they reveal how Bermuda’s layered past continues to shape its people, culture, and identity today. You can also find us online at ⁠travelandleisure.com/lostcultures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

about a year ago 31:48

MP3•Episode home

Conservative party infighting! Candidate removals! U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs!

There’s been a lot of issues flying around this election campaign but one thing might be flying below the radar: the parties' actual policy proposals.

Today, we offer the first in a series examining policy offerings. We’ll unpack issues that matter to you, and matter to the politicians hoping to represent you.

First off: housing. Carolyn Whitzman, an adjunct professor and housing researcher and the University of Toronto’s School of Cities joins us to discuss the housing crisis. Then Mike Moffatt, the founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative will join host Althia Raj to discuss what the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP have so far promised and whether it goes far enough to address the crisis.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed this show. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from Empire Club of Canada, CPAC, CBC and CTV.

75 episodes

It's Political with Althia Raj

Unpacking the parties' housing promises

It's Political with Althia Raj

45 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Conservative party infighting! Candidate removals! U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs!

There’s been a lot of issues flying around this election campaign but one thing might be flying below the radar: the parties' actual policy proposals.

Today, we offer the first in a series examining policy offerings. We’ll unpack issues that matter to you, and matter to the politicians hoping to represent you.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed this show. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from Empire Club of Canada, CPAC, CBC and CTV.

75 episodes

#Politics #News #Toronto Star #Althiaraj #Canada #Federalgovernment #Parliamenthill

All episodes

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Our Defence Minister on threats, bigger budgets, and Canada's new relationship with the U.S. 55:19

17 hours ago55:19

55:19

Canada’s Minister of National Defence David McGuinty joins Althia to discuss increases to the country’s defense budget and what the relationship looks like with the U.S. going forward. Their conversation follows Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement this week that Canada will greatly increase military spending to 2 per cent of GDP just as NATO allies get together later this month to discuss raising the bar to 5 per cent. We also speak to industry experts about just how integrated the Canadian and American militaries are, and what it would mean to become less reliant on the U.S. In this episode: Minister of National Defence David McGuinty; Centre for International Governance Innovation’s visiting executive and former National Defence director general Raquel Garbers, University of Ottawa associate professor and former bureaucrat Peter Jones; Canadian Global Affairs Institute President and CEO David Perry. Hosted by Althia Raj. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Kevin Sexton and Althia Raj. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC, Canadian Press Gallery, C-SPAN, CNN, CTV, CBS, BBC and NATO News.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
The banker and the King: Parliament returns 39:48

15 days ago39:48

39:48

MPs returned to the House of Commons this week with three leaders missing from the chamber: Justin Trudeau, Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh. But that wasn’t the only difference on Parliament Hill. His Majesty, King Charles III, came to Canada to read Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first throne speech — widely seen as a message to U.S. President Donald Trump and to Canadians about this country’s unflinching sovereignty. On today’s episode of “It’s Political,” the Star’s Ottawa bureau breaks down the latest news from the start of Carney’s first term as an elected prime minister. In this episode: Toronto Star deputy Ottawa bureau chief Alex Ballingall, Ottawa bureau reporter Raisa Patel, Ottawa bureau reporter Mark Ramzy. Hosted by Althia Raj. “It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Kevin. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC and CBC.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Conservatives on their election loss and what happens now 1:04:12

5 weeks ago1:04:12

1:04:12

What are Conservative MPs and candidates thinking as the party regroups after their election loss and charts a path forward? On this week’s show, we ask some of them. But first, Toronto Star reporter Raisa Patel gets us caught up on what happened at the Conservatives’ caucus meeting Tuesday. In this episode: Toronto Star politics reporter Raisa Patel; Greg McLean, MP for Calgary Centre; Bernard Généreux, MP for Côte-du-Sud-Rivière-du-Loup-Kataskomiq-Témiscouata;and Garry Keller, former Conservative candidate for Nipissing-Timiskaming, and vice-president at StrategyCorps. Hosted by Althia Raj. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Kevin Sexton and Althia Raj. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CTV, CPAC, CBC and Michelle Ferriri’s Instagram Account.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Our “recovering partisans” dissect the 2025 election results and what comes next 52:56

6 weeks ago52:56

52:56

The federal election results are in. The Liberals have won a fourth term with Mark Carney at the helm, besting Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives but falling just shy of a majority government. While the Tories have much to celebrate, Poilievre’s seat loss in Carleton is a major wrinkle that will impact his party for the next few months and possibly years. The NDP also saw its leader Jagmeet Singh lose his seat. Singh said he would resign on election night after leading the party to the worst electoral result in its history. This week, our panel of recovering partisans weighs in on both of those storylines, as well as the challenge Carney faces and how long this 169-seat minority government can survive. In this episode: Karen Vecchio, the outgoing Conservative MP for Elgin—Middlesex—London ; David Christopherson, the former NDP MP for Hamilton Centre; and Rodger Cuzner, the former Liberal MP for Cape Breton—Canso, and now an independent Senator. Hosted by Althia Raj. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed this episode. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC and CTV. Note: At the time of the panel recording, latest figures showed the Liberals at 169 seats. After a validation process, Elections Canada has reported that one of those seats has flipped to the Bloc Québecois. There will be a judicial recount for that seat…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Post-election huddle 35:19

6 weeks ago35:19

35:19

In this episode: Toronto Star Ottawa deputy bureau chief Alex Ballingall and Ottawa bureau reporters Ryan Tumilty, Raisa Patel and Mark Ramzy. Hosted by Althia Raj. Mark Carney will remain prime minister. On Monday, he led the Liberals to a fourth consecutive term. It was a close two-way race that saw the Liberals underperform their own expectations. The NDP lost official party status and their leader, Jagmeet Singh, announced his intention to resign. The Conservatives made gains in Ontario, with one big exception — their leader, Pierre Poilievre, lost his seat in Carleton. Poilievre signalled on Monday that he had no plans to resign. But can he stay on? Toronto Star Ottawa bureau reporters join host Althia Raj to discuss the 2025 federal election campaign, Monday’s surprising result and what the next weeks and months may look like. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. This episode was also mixed by Kevin. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC and CBC.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Party platforms, leaders tour, Trump’s return: our “recovering partisans” weigh in 53:27

7 weeks ago53:27

53:27

The federal election campaign is in the final stretch with just a few days to go. The party leaders are crisscrossing the country, trying to shore up support in new ridings and protect turf they’ve long considered their own. With the platforms finally released — most with large deficits and some creative accounting — what is really on the voters’ mind? Our panel of recovering partisans will offer their thoughts. We’ve also hit the campaign trail asking electors across the country, what’s behind their vote and what they are looking for. In this episode: Karen Vecchio, the outgoing Conservative MP for Elgin—Middlesex—London ; David Christopherson, the former NDP MP for Hamilton Centre; Kristina Michaud, and Rodger Cuzner, the former Liberal MP for Cape Breton—Canso, and now an independent Senator. 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 audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC and CBC.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Unpacking the parties’ promises on growing the economy 31:33

7 weeks ago31:33

31:33

Canada’s political parties have now released their election platforms and put a price tag on their plans. Some of their costing is a little suspect, some uses creative accounting, it all fails to go far enough to address the problem economists say political leaders should be grappling with: increasing the country’s productivity. This week, on “It’s Political,” we look at productivity. What is it, and what should Canada be doing to increase it. Then, we’ll sit down and dissect the party’s platforms: their math and what they are really doing to increase economic growth in the country. Does any party go far enough? In this episode: Don Drummond, fellow-in-residence at the CD Howe Institute and former TD chief economist, and Tim Sargent, a senior fellow and director of the domestic policy program at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Hosted by Althia Raj. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed this program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC and CBC.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Who won the debates? Our “recovering partisans” weigh in 41:12

8 weeks ago41:12

41:12

With less than two weeks left until election day, the leaders' debates were a crucial time for the parties to make a pitch to voters and take their opponents down a peg. Our panel of ‘recovering partisans’ weighs in on the highlights of the debates and the Leaders’ Debate Commission’s decision to exclude the Green Party and accredit right-wing “media” to the debates. In this episode: Karen Vecchio, outgoing Conservative MP for Elgin—Middlesex—London ; David Christopherson, the former NDP MP for Hamilton Centre; Kristina Michaud, the outgoing Bloc Quebecois MP for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia ; and Rodger Cuzner, the former Liberal MP for Cape Breton—Canso, and now an independent Senator. Hosted by Althia Raj. “It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed this episode. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC and CBC.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Unpacking the parties’ promises on fighting crime 33:55

8 weeks ago33:55

33:55

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed this week that if elected prime minister, his government would invoke the notwithstanding clause to ensure mass murderers serve consecutive sentences without a chance for parole. “They should only come out in a box,” the Tory leader said Monday. In this episode of “It’s Political,” we look at the impact of Poilievre’s decision and what the main parties are suggesting to tackle crime. We’ll also discuss what they should be proposing instead. In this episode: Irvin Waller, professor emeritus of criminology at the University of Ottawa, Anthony Doob , professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto’s Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, and Lisa Kerr , Associate professor and Director of the Criminal Law Group at Queen’s. Hosted by Althia Raj. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed this episode. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC, CTV, TV Ontario and the BBC.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Our “recovering partisans” on rallies and the press on the campaign trail 46:30

9 weeks ago46:30

46:30

Pierre Poilievre held massive rallies in Alberta this week and received an endorsement from former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. But why is he spending precious campaign time in a province with solid Conservative support? We’ve also seen members of the media increasingly speaking out against the Conservative campaign for exerting too much control over the press. Our “recovering partisans” compare the parties’ media strategies, weigh in on what the leaders’ movements can tell us about the campaign, and look ahead to next week’s debates. In this episode: David Christopherson, the former NDP MP for Hamilton Centre; Kristina Michaud, the outgoing Bloc Quebecois MP for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia ; Karen Vecchio, the outgoing Conservative MP for Elgin—Middlesex—London ; and Senator Rodger Cuzner, the former Liberal MP for Cape Breton—Canso. 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 audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC and CBC.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Unpacking the parties’ climate change promises 29:24

9 weeks ago29:24

29:24

Halfway through this five-week federal election campaign, no major party has yet released its platform and there have been no big climate change announcements either. With U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and affordability concerns top of voters’ minds, addressing our heating planet seems to be taking a back seat to other considerations, namely how to build up Canada’s economy through energy exploration and diversifying our international markets. But what will that mean for Canada’s climate commitments? In this episode of “It’s Political,” Rick Smith, the president of the Canadian Climate Institute, catches us up on the state of Canada’s current fight against climate change and Chris Severson-Baker, the executive director of the Pembina Institute, joins host Althia Raj to discuss what the parties’ policy proposals mean, and what questions are still left unanswered by their plans. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC and the CBC.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
From Trump’s tariffs to bozo eruptions, our 'recovering partisans' break down the campaign’s second week 51:06

10 weeks ago51:06

51:06

Canada was spared Wednesday when the U.S. President Donald Trump announced new punishing tariffs on the rest of the world. But many Canadian industries are already feeling the pinch from tariffs Trump had imposed earlier, and big job losses are on the horizon. This week, Liberal Leader Mark Carney headed to Ottawa and put on his prime minister’s hat to respond to the crisis, just as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was attempting a different strategy to address the Trump threat — to the country and to his own election campaign. This week, our panel of “recovering partisans” joins us to discuss the campaign’s second week, from Trump’s tariffs and who they politically benefit, to the policy offerings and the response — or lack of response — to candidates saying things they simply shouldn’t. But first, Abacus Data’s David Coletto gives us the lie of the land: what’s moved, what hasn’t and what to make of it. In this episode: David Christopherson, the former NDP MP for Hamilton Centre; Kristina Michaud, the outgoing Bloc Quebecois MP for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia ; Karen Vecchio, the outgoing Conservative MP for Elgin—Middlesex—London ; John McKay, the outgoing Liberal MP for Scarborough—Guildwood; and David Coletto, the CEO of Abacus Data. 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 audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC, CTV, Global, CNBC, NBC, MSNBC, CNN and ABC.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
Unpacking the parties' housing promises 31:48

10 weeks ago31:48

31:48

Conservative party infighting! Candidate removals! U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs! There’s been a lot of issues flying around this election campaign but one thing might be flying below the radar: the parties' actual policy proposals. Today, we offer the first in a series examining policy offerings. We’ll unpack issues that matter to you, and matter to the politicians hoping to represent you. First off: housing. Carolyn Whitzman, an adjunct professor and housing researcher and the University of Toronto’s School of Cities joins us to discuss the housing crisis. Then Mike Moffatt, the founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative will join host Althia Raj to discuss what the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP have so far promised and whether it goes far enough to address the crisis. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Kevin also mixed this show. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the clips this week were sourced from Empire Club of Canada, CPAC, CBC and CTV.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
'Recovering partisans' break down the campaign’s first week 44:08

11 weeks ago44:08

44:08

U.S. President Donald Trump injected himself into the Canadian election campaign this week but he was already a central figure. This week on “It’s Political” our panel of recovering partisans break down the campaign’s first week. Join David Christopherson, the former NDP Hamilton Centre MP; Sen. Rodger Cuzner, the former Liberal MP for Cape Breton—Canso; Kristina Michaud, the outgoing Bloc Quebecois MP for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia ; and Karen Vecchio, the outgoing Conservative MP for Elgin—Middlesex—London . 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, CBC, and CPSAN.…

It's Political with Althia Raj

1
From the campaign trail: the first 24 hours 28:51

12 weeks ago28:51