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  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The election has kicked off, leaders have hit the trail, rallies were had, press conferences were held and photo ops were taken. It’s been a busy 24 hours. In this episode of "It's Political," join Toronto Star reporters Raisa Patel and Ryan Tumilty as they break down Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's and Liberal Leader Mark Carney's first foray into their campaigns.

    In this episode: Toronto Star Ottawa bureau reporters Raisa Patel and Ryan Tumilty.

    Hosted by Althia Raj.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 CPAC.

  • Liberal Leader Mark Carney spent his 10th day as prime minister asking Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament, and then asking Canadians for a mandate to keep his current job for longer.

    She agreed and Canadians will now go to the polls on April 28. There is a lot at stake with U.S. President Donald Trump looming over this Canadian election like no other.

    On this episode of “It’s Political,” Abacus CEO David Coletto joins host Althia Raj to discuss the current political landscape, and what it means for the job each party leader needs to do over the next 36 days.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 CPAC.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • For the past two years, the Conservatives drove home the message that things were “broken” in Canada and that the governing Liberals, specifically Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was to blame. Whether it was branding the rising cost of living ‘Justinflation’ or blaming those costs on the Liberals’ carbon price and urging Canadians to ‘Axe the Tax,’ the Tories’ messaging was working perfectly fine.

    Then U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House and, with that, a new obstacle blocked Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's path to power.

    Trump says he's serious about annexing Canada through economic means. His threats to impose across-the-board tariffs have already caused panic in this country, and it's led to a bounce in the polls for the federal Liberals.

    Though the Conservatives had enjoyed a 27-point lead over the Liberals for a while, a Leger poll this week seemed to confirm a new trend: a single-digit gap between both parties — and if Mark Carney led the Liberals, the possibility the Grits could win.

    With Trudeau’s resignation, and Liberal leadership candidates pledging to axe-the-tax, those issues are now off the table. Is it Trump's return that changes the ballot question for the next Federal election? Does winning now depend on whether the Conservatives can be seen as the best defenders of Canada against an unpredictable threat coming from our southern border?

    In this episode of “It’s Political,” Pollara Chief Strategy Officer Dan Arnold and 338canada.com’s editor-in-chief Philippe J. Fournier join us for a deep dive on what the numbers really signal.

    Then, we’ll explore the current challenges facing Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative party with Toronto Star Ottawa reporters Raisa Patel and Ryan Tumilty, along with Radio-Canada’s Christian Noël.

    In this episode: Pollara Strategic Insight’s Chief Strategy Officer Dan Arnold, 338canada.com Editor-in-Chief and Politico Contributor Philippe J. Fournier; Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau reporter Raisa Patel; Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau reporter Ryan Tumilty; and Radio-Canada parliamentary bureau journalist Christian Noël. Hosted by Althia Raj.

    Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, Fox News, CBC, CTV, Radio-Canada, Global News, CP24, Toronto Sun, the X accounts of Pierre Poilievre, Chrystia Freeland, and Mark Carney, and Poilievre’s YouTube account.

    This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Julia De Laurentiis Johnston. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

  • Two years ago bombshell allegations emerged suggesting foreign actors were succeeding in influencing Canadian electoral contests and Canadian parliamentarians.

    Media reports suggested the Liberal government hadn’t done enough to warn the public or even MPs about the matter, and a political debate emerged about how best to get to the bottom of it.

    After a series of false starts, it was Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue who was appointed to investigate and weigh in with findings and recommendations.

    Tuesday, Hogue issued her final report.

    While Hogue left some questions answered, she came to a very different finding on a key matter involving foreign interference and parliamentarians.

    This week on “It’s Political,” we unpack what we learned from Hogue’s report and what it says about where foreign interference threats now lie.

    Then NDP MP Charlie Angus joins us to discuss what he see as the next and most concerning phase of foreign interference. Hint: it’s at your fingertips.

    In this episode: The Center for International Governance Innovation’s senior fellow Wesley Wark, Timmins—James Bay NDP MP Charlie Angus, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Public Safety Minister David McGuinty. Hosted by Althia Raj.

    Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CBC, Global, ABC and CTV.

    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.

  • The 2025 political landscape is looking very different than it did just a few weeks ago.

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s pending resignation, the prorogation of Parliament, and the sudden Liberal leadership race has offered the Grits a new lifeline.

    U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to hit Canada with 25 per cent tariffs on Feb. 1 also offers the political parties another chance at reframing themselves and what they want the ballot question to be at the next election, whether that’s in eight weeks or eight months.

    This week on “It’s Political,” former Conservative party campaign director Fred DeLorey, former Prime Minister's Office head of policy and cabinet affairs Marci Surkes and former NDP press secretary Allison Gifford join Althia to talk about the shifting landscape and what it means for the major players.

    But first, Future Borders Coalition’s Laura Dawson explains what Trump’s latest threats could mean for Canada, and how best to brace for the impact.

    In this episode: Compass Rose Group chief strategy officer and former senior advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Marci Surkes; NorthStar Public Affairs chair Fred DeLorey; Clear Strategy vice-president of public policy Allison Gifford; and Future Borders Coalition executive director Laura Dawson. Hosted by Althia Raj.

    Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC, CP24 and the White House.

    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.

  • It’s been an eventful year in Canadian politics — from Chrystia Freeland’s bombshell resignation, to allegations of foreign interference involving Parliamentarians, to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming return to the White House.

    As 2024 draws to a close, the Star’s Ottawa bureau takes your questions and looks back on the year that was and what we can expect in 2025.

    In this episode: Ottawa bureau reporters Raisa Patel, Ryan Tumilty, and Mark Ramzy. Hosted by Althia Raj.

    Some of the clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, CPAC, CP24, the Canadian Press, and CBC.

    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.

  • United States President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House is renewing pressure on Canada to focus more on defense spending and border security.

    In February, Trump warned NATO members that if they didn’t pay their fair share — spending 2 per cent of their country’s GDP on their military — they should not assume the U.S. would leap to their defence.

    In July, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada would meet the 2 per cent target, but only in 2032.

    The Liberals have invested billions to update the Canadian Armed Forces, but decades of underinvestment have led to serious capability gaps.

    This week, on “It’s Political,” we take a look at the state of the Canadian Armed Forces and ask how prepared Canada is for the threats we face.

    First, we’ll hear from experts: Canadian Army Commander Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Carleton University Associate Professor Philippe Lagassé, University of Calgary Associate Professor Rob Huebert, Observatory on Politics and Security in the Arctic Director Mathieu Landriault, Canadian Global Affairs Institute President David Perry, Royal Military College of Canada Professor Jane Boulden, and retired Royal Canadian Air Force brigadier general Kevin Whale.

    Then, Althia will sit down with National Defence Minister Bill Blair.

    Some of the clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, CPAC, the Halifax International Security Forum, the CBC, CTV, Global, NBC and ABC.

    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.

  • The House of Commons is in gridlock. Government bills and private members’ legislation have stalled. The Senate is running out of government matters to study.

    Parliament is paralyzed by a Conservative filibuster that started in late September.

    The Bloc Québécois, the NDP and the Green Party accuse the Tories of hijacking the Commons for their own parliamentary games.

    The Conservatives say they are filibustering their own motion — tabling one sub-amendment after another — to pressure the Liberals to turn over documents to the RCMP.

    The documents were requested by parliamentarians months ago — but the Liberals have ignored the demand, refusing to hand all the records over in unredacted form.

    The Conservatives accuse the government of trying to hide evidence of Liberal corruption involving millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money.

    Who’s telling the truth?

    This week on “It’s Political,” we turn our attention to the Conservative filibuster and the allegations at the heart of the standoff in Parliament.

    First, we’ll dig into the substance of the request for documents with Toronto Star Ottawa bureau reporter Mark Ramzy.

    Then our panel of experts – former PMO senior director Marci Surkes, former senior Conservative communication adviser Yaroslav Baran and former NDP MP Matthew Dubé – will join Althia to discuss the political strategies at play, and what it will take to finally end the standoff.

    6:08 — Mark Ramzy outlines the substance behind the filibuster 18:18 — Political panel discusses the parties’ political strategies around the filibuster.

    In this episode: Toronto Star reporter Mark Ramzy, Compass Rose Group chief strategy officer and former senior advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Marci Surkes; Pendulum Group Co-founder and former senior Conservative advisor Yaroslav Baran; and Proof Strategies vice-president and former NDP MP Matthew Dubé. Hosted by Althia Raj.

    Some of the clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, CPAC, the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, and the National Post.

    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.

  • Donald Trump will be president of the United States for a second time. Trump’s decisive victory Tuesday plunges the U.S., the world and Canada into uncharted territory. The president-elect pledged to deport American residents, slap tariffs on imported goods, and renegotiate a crucial trade deal with Canada and Mexico.

    Not only are Canada and the U.S. each other’s largest trading partner with $3.6 billion worth of goods and services crossing the border each day, but millions of jobs also rely on that two-way trade and investment.

    This week on “It’s Political” we’ll take a look at the Canada-United States-Mexico-Agreement (CUSMA) or as it is called in the United States, the U.S.M.C.A., and the trade irritants that have popped up since the deal came into effect four years ago.

    Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association President Flavio Volpe, Ontario Independent Senator and former president of the Canadian Labour Congress Hassan Yussuff, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Strategic Policy and Global Partnerships Catherine Fortin LeFaivre, International Trade Lawyer and McMillan Partner William Pellerin, and Future Borders Coalition Executive Director Laura Dawson will join us.

    But we’ll begin with the first of a two-part discussion about the impact of Trump’s election on geopolitics, lessons learned from the last round of trade negotiations, and how Canadians political parties can prepare with Canada’s former ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton and prime minister Justin Trudeau’s former principal secretary and Eurasia Group Vice Chairman Gerald Butts.

    5:24 -- MacNaughton and Butts part 1 25:00 -- Mini-documentary on CUSMA and trade irritants 48:40 -- MacNaughton and Butts part 2

    Some of the clips this week were sourced from the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, CPAC, Global, Fox, Bloomberg, CTV, CBC, C-SPAN, and CP24.

    This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Kevin Sexton and host Althia Raj. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced down more than two dozen MPs this week who suggested he should take time to contemplate his leadership and many who told him to his face that for the good of the Liberal party, and its upcoming electoral chances, he should resign.

    Trudeau was adamant, however, that he feels he is the best person to lead the Grits and Thursday he suggested he wasn’t going anywhere.

    In this episode of “It’s Political,” we’ll unpack what happened at the Liberals’ three-hour caucus meeting and what it means for Trudeau’s future and his vocal dissenters.

    Then, we’ll take a look at interference of another kind: foreign interference. The Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions wrapped its public hearings this week. We’ll look at what the Commission heard, and how it’s been politicized and what to make of last week’s bombshell announcement by the RCMP involving India’s top diplomats in Canada.

    In this episode: Toronto Star Bureau Chief Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star National Columnist Susan Delacourt, Centre for International Governance Innovation Senior Fellow Wesley Wark, Carleton University Associate Professor Stephanie Carvin, Conservative MP Michael Chong’s Commission Counsel Fraser Harland. Hosted by Althia Raj.

    Some of the clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, CPAC, as well as the CBC, CTV, and CP24.

    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.

    Listen here and follow or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

  • Immigration has become a hot political issue with politicians — federally and provincially — and Canadians are telling pollsters what they’re feeling: there are just too many people coming into the country, and resources are being squeezed.

    In this episode of “It’s Political,” we’ll take a look at what’s happened on the immigration front, how the federal government is trying to reduce the number of temporary residents — now sitting at three million — and the challenges that lie ahead with Toronto Star immigration reporter Nicholas Keung.

    Then, we’ll sit down with Scotiabank vice president Rebekah Young, Waterloo University’s Mikal Skuterud, and UBC emeritus professor Dan Hiebert to get their thoughts on what policy makers need to consider, what the number of new immigrants should be, and what to watch for next month when Immigration Minister Marc Miller lays out the government’s three-year plan for permanent and temporary migration numbers.

    Some of the clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery, CPAC, as well as the CBC, CTV, Global, PBS, CityTV, the Western Standard, True North, the Tyee, the Globe and Mail, The Montreal Gazette, the podcast Uncommons with Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith, and the Alberta Government.

    In this episode: Scotia Bank Vice President and head of Inclusion and Resilience Economics Rebekah Young, University of Waterloo Economics Professor Mikal Skuterud, University of British Columbia Geography professor emeritus Daniel Hiebert, Toronto Star Immigration reporter Nicholas Keung, as well as the voices of political leaders such as Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, Conservative MP Ryan Williams, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, Quebec Premier François Legault, federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller, federal Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 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.

  • The Liberal government survived its first confidence vote Wednesday, when the Bloc Québécois and the NDP decided to offer Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a lifeline. The Bloc’s demand are clear — the protection of supply management for poultry, eggs and dairy and more generous pension payments for seniors aged 65 to 74. The NDP’s less so. But, regardless, both parties concluded an election with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre leading in the polls is more dangerous to them now than cooperation with the Grits.

    This week on “It’s Political” we’ll unpack what the parties need to do in the next few weeks and months to accomplish their own goals, with a panel of political strategists.

    Then we’ll hear from pollsters about what the landscape looks like, how it has shifted and where the opportunities lie.

    And finally, we’ll sit down with former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe to discuss the party’s new position as the Liberals’ dance partner, what it could mean for sovereignty and what more the Bloc hopes to extract.

    Some of the clips you heard on this week were sourced from the Canadian Press Gallery, CPAC, the House of Commons, and the CBC.

    In this episode: Crestview Strategy Partner Ginny Roth, Syntax Strategic Principal George Soule, Canada 2020 President and CEO Braeden Caley, Abacus Data founder and CEO David Coletto, Leger Marketing Executive Vice President for Eastern Canada Sébastien Dallaire, Former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe, and Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau Reporter Mark Ramzy.

    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.