Introducing 'It's Political with Althia Raj,' a new Canadian politics podcast

Fact or Fiction: Weaponizing political division for partisan gain: 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,... by It's Political with Althia Raj

53 min listen

Pierre Poilievre’s Big Tent: How Pierre Poilievre won the battle for the soul of the Conservative party: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

35 min listen

Growing the Tories' Vote: Inside the Conservative Leadership Race: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

54 min listen

Playing for keeps: Inside the Liberal-NDP Deal: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

35 min listen

Introducing 'It's Political with Althia Raj,' a new Canadian politics podcast: ‘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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

2 min listen

Useful — but necessary? Unpacking the use of the Emergencies Act: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

61 min listen

What if we’re having a constitutional crisis and no one is noticing?: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

40 min listen

Standing down to stand up: Is ministerial accountability dead?: 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,... by It's Political with Althia Raj

39 min listen

Chrystia Freeland’s Balancing Act: The fall economic update and what it signals: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

39 min listen

We'll be back with a new episode Friday, September 23: 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 It's Political with Althia Raj

1 min listen

An attack on free speech or a lifeline for Canadian culture?: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

41 min listen

Is Canada expanding Medical Assistance in Dying too quickly?: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

46 min listen

Programming note: To respond to the news agenda, today's episode will be released early this evening: “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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

1 min listen

Danielle Smith vs. Rachel Notley: What's at stake in the Alberta election?: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

70 min listen

What will it take to fix Canada’s housing crisis?: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

63 min listen

Emergencies Act: The inquiry's most shocking revelations: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

48 min listen

Subsidizing big business: Canada’s new green industrial policy: 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.... by It's Political with Althia Raj

42 min listen

The NDP gears up for a fight: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

60 min listen

Why Jagmeet Singh still wants to prop up the Liberals: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

56 min listen

Justin Trudeau's next moves: A sit down with the Prime Minister: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

41 min listen

No stick and a small carrot: Can the federal government fix health care?: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

50 min listen

Is Canadian politics getting nastier?: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

54 min listen

What Pierre Poilievre’s surge in the polls means for him and Justin Trudeau: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

60 min listen

Salvaging Bill C-18: Will the Liberals' gamble pay off?: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

54 min listen

Canada and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

77 min listen

As the leaker requested, a conversation on foreign interference: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

66 min listen

Is Canada ready for Trump 2.0?: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

49 min listen

Where can Justin Trudeau take the Liberals now? by It's Political with Althia Raj

58 min listen

Two topics we’re not supposed to talk about: religion and politics: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

51 min listen

Is carbon pricing dead?: 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... by It's Political with Althia Raj

68 min listen

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Introducing 'It's Political with Althia Raj,' a new Canadian politics podcast

Introducing 'It's Political with Althia Raj,' a new Canadian politics podcast

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