The West Block
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The West Block
The West Block with Mercedes Stephenson digs deep into the breaking news and major stories that impact Canadians’ lives. Through in-depth conversations with political, national, and international newsmakers, Stephenson pushes for answers to what’s really going on and why it matters.
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What’s the summer strategy for Trudeau and Poilievre as make-or-break byelection looms?
Are the RCMP currently investigating the allegations of some MPs ‘wittingly’ colluding with foreign states? ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson...
Canada to continue diplomacy with alleged foreign interference actors: Joly
As Canada’s top soldier, Gen. Wayne Eyre, is set to step down from his post as chief of the defence staff this summer, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes...
So far, 'deflection,' no answers on allegations of politician collusion: experts
What is the fallout from the bombshell NSICOP report that alleges some parliamentarians “wittingly” co-operated with foreign states? ‘The West Block’...
Judges need to ensure stricter bail principles are being upheld: Justice Minister
Crime has been on the rise, according to Statistics Canada’s Violent Crime Severity Index. RCMP officials have told Global News that 53 per cent of th...
U.S. ambassador says Canada now 'the outlier' in NATO on defence spending
Ahead of the summer NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., a bipartisan group of U.S. senators have written a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging...
What does it take to be one of the prime minister’s bodyguards?
The shooting of Slovakia’s prime minister highlights the growing threat of violence towards politicians. So what does it take to be an officer of a VI...
Lessons for Canada from U.K.’s plan to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP
With the rise of pro-Palestinian encampments across North American university campuses, concerns have been raised over police response and safety of J...
Foreign interference inquiry releases report as RCMP arrest foreign suspects in Nijjar case
The issue of foreign interference returns to the spotlight as the public inquiry into election meddling releases its first report and the RCMP make an...
Why aren’t more foreign grocers in Canada? Lack of space a hurdle: Minister Champagne
Following the federal government’s announcement of a $15-billion Honda electric vehicle plant in Ontario, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson as...
Growing Iran-Israel tensions, Budget 2024’s capital gains tax changes
What are the risks of a greater escalation between Iran and Israel after more retaliatory strikes are exchanged between the two countries? ‘The West B...
Former Israeli PM Bennett on Iranian threats, PM Trudeau at foreign interference inquiry
Heightened tension in the Middle East after Iran launches missile and drone attacks against Israel. Tehran says the attack is in retaliation for Israe...
New foreign Interference revelations, Roméo Dallaire on Rwanda genocide anniversary
Big revelations have emerged from the latest rounds of foreign interference inquiry hearings. At the inquiry, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (...
Feds and premiers spar over carbon price hike, navigating global threats
Ahead of the federal carbon price rise in April, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault about th...
Court reforms for military sexual misconduct cases and carbon tax fact-check
The federal government introduced new legislation to reform the Canadian military justice system, which will transfer military sexual misconduct cases...
Canada’s role in supporting Haiti as gang violence engulfs Port-au-Prince
The crisis in Haiti continues to grow more and more precarious following the rise in gang violence and the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel...
Calls to bolster Canada’s military operation in Latvia and boost CAF recruitment
Canada has committed to upgrading its NATO mission in Latvia, Operation REASSURANCE, to a brigade-level force by 2026. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes...
Brian Mulroney’s legacy, Justice Minister defends Online Harms Bill
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney died at the age of 84 on Thursday, Feb. 29. Mulroney, Canada’s 18th prime minister, governed from 1984-1993 and o...
2-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, threats of insider leaks
What more can Canada do to assist Ukraine as the world marks the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion? ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson...
How should Canada respond to Trump’s NATO threats?
Fallout continues over former U.S. president Donald Trump’s comments suggesting Russian President Vladimir Putin could do whatever he wanted to NATO a...
Auto theft summit and Canadian diplomacy in a high-stakes U.S. election year
The federal government convened a national summit to combat the growing problem of auto thefts in Canada. ‘The West Block’ guest host Eric Sorensen in...
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith defends new transgender policies, federal minister reacts
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a suite of new policy proposals aimed at gender identity and transgender youth, triggering political shockwav...
Parliament to resume sitting as foreign interference inquiry kicks off
The national foreign interference inquiry will hold its first public hearings this week. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Dick Fa...
Health Minister on strained health-care systems and Ontario’s private-care plans
Following the Canadian Medical Association’s calls for urgent political action to fix the crisis in Canada’s emergency rooms, ‘The West Block’ guest h...
Potential fallout from U.S. & U.K. airstrikes on Houthi sites in Yemen, Canada’s ER crisis
Concerns in the Middle East are rising following U.S. and U.K. targeted airstrikes on Houthi-linked sites in Yemen. These airstrikes come as U.S. Secr...
Manitoba premier calls for a carbon tax respite, the future of Canada’s military
When he was elected, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said he was going to deliver “immediate help” to Manitobans when it comes to affordability and health...
Cost-of-living crisis, foreign interference: Reviewing the top stories of 2023
As tensions grow on the open seas– confrontations with China, Russia’s growing interest in the Arctic– ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speak...
One-on-one with PM Trudeau: Israel-Hamas conflict, foreign interference, housing
In a year-end one-on-one interview, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss some of year’s t...
Canada & U.S. on opposite sides of ceasefire call, new poll casts doubt on Trudeau
Ottawa and Washington are no longer on the same page publicly on the Israel-Hamas war following Canada’s vote in favour of a United Nations resolution...
As carbon price fight flares, Minister Wilkinson defends Liberal approach
The federal government has unveiled their draft framework for an emissions cap on the oil and gas sector. The oil and gas industry, as well as the pro...
Defence minister says plan for 'significant' military investments in talks
The federal government is facing heat for its sole-sourced contract with Boeing to replace Canada’s aging Aurora aircraft patrol fleet. This comes as...
‘We need to watch our purse strings’: says Anand following Fall Economic Statement
The federal government made a push for housing in its fall economic statement, while attempting to show some fiscal restraint. ‘The West Block’ guest...
Canada is ‘a haven for Islamic Republic agents’ warns Iranian human rights activist
Iran’s alleged links to proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas have come under increased scrutiny after the October 7th attacks on Israel—raising quest...
Veteran pushes for Canada to recognize toxic legacy of burn pits on soldiers
Protests and demonstrations have erupted across Canada since the start of Israel-Hamas conflict in October, many of which have been peaceful. But offi...
Liberal Cabinet Minister defends carbon tax carve-out for home heating oil
After the federal Liberals paused carbon pricing on home heating oil, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says there will be no further carbon tax carve-out...
Israel’s offensive enters second stage and former Israeli PM on the future of Gaza
Israel has escalated its offensive in Gaza– expanding its ground operation, unleashing more airstrikes, and knocking out communications in the regions...
Challenges in containing the Israel-Hamas conflict and negotiating the release of hostages
U.S. President Joe Biden visits the Middle East to show support to Israel and de-escalate tensions in the region. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Steph...
Israel prepares ground attack as Gaza deals with humanitarian crisis
A week after Hamas’ deadly attacks, Israel prepares its ground offensive. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Brig. Gen. (Res.) Amir...
Israel at war after Hamas launches worst attack 'in a generation'
A surprise attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel has left hundreds dead. Israel immediately launched air strikes into Gaza and has vowed to wip...
Canadian domestic politics under international scrutiny and Jewish groups urge feds to make Nazi documents public
Canada has been making global headlines with back-to-back international incidents. Parliament cheered for a man who fought for the Nazis while Volodym...
Will tensions with India derail Ottawa's Indo-Pacific Strategy?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ignited a diplomatic firestorm with India when he announced that Canada had credible allegations of a potential link bet...