It's Political with Althia Raj

Toronto Star

Probing and insightful conversations with Canada's top political insiders, hosted by Althia Raj. A bi-monthly political podcast from the Toronto Star. read less

What will it take to fix Canada’s housing crisis?
1w ago
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 growing problem and what politicians have done to address it. We’ll first look at the problem from different perspectives with the help of several experts, including: Carolyn Whitzman, the expert advisor to the Housing Assessment Resource Tools Project at the University of British Columbia; Adam Vaughan, the former MP for Spadina—Fort York and one of the architects of the Liberal government’s national housing strategy; Mike Moffatt, the senior director at the Smart Prosperity Institute; Rebekah Young, a vice-president and head of Inclusion and Resilience Economics at Scotiabank; Garima Talwar Kapoor, the director of Policy and Research at Maytree; Myriam Mekni, the executive director of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants in Ottawa; Adrian Schut, the director of construction at Habitat for Humanity in greater Ottawa; and Victoria Gibson, the Toronto Star’s affordable housing reporter. Then we’ll let politicians have their say. Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath, Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold and Calgary Coun. Courtney Walcott offer their experiences and perspectives. Then, the opposition critics for housing, Conservative MP Scott Aitchison and NDP MP Jenny Kwan, sit down to offer their solutions. Finally, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser addresses concerns the government’s ambitious immigration targets might deepen the housing crisis, and lead to more polarization.  Clips this week were sourced from the House of Commons, CPAC, CBC, and TVO. This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Michal Stein and Althia Raj. Kevin Sexton and Katie Jensen mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.
As the leaker requested, a conversation on foreign interference
21-04-2023
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 about foreign interference and how to combat it, but were disappointed the conversation had become “marked by ugliness and division.” So this week on “It’s Political,” we’re giving the leaker what they want: a serious conversation about foreign interference.  First, national security expert Wesley Wark walks us through the controversy, the leaks, the government’s response and what we should make of it all. Then, Carleton University associate professor and former national security analyst Stephanie Carvin joins us along with former CSIS director Ward Elcock to tackle the question of whether the government really is doing enough to counter the problem. In this episode: Stephanie Carvin, associate professor of International Relations at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs; Ward Elcock, former director of CSIS; Mehmet Tohti, co-founder of the World Uyghur Congress; Wesley Wark, senior fellow of the Centre for International Governance Innovation Hosted by Althia Raj. Clips were sourced from Global News, CBC, CPAC, CTV News, the House of Commons, Australian Federal Police and CBS.  “It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.
Two topics we’re not supposed to talk about: religion and politics
07-04-2023
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 politics. How it influences MPs’ policy positions, where they believe the line between state and church should be drawn, and the impact of political parties using religion as a wedge. First, we’ll look at the rising numbers of religious hate crimes and a new report by Cardus that suggests Canadians have polarizing views on religion. Canada’s former ambassador for religious freedom, Andrew Bennett, will walk us through his research. Then, we’ll hear from Amira Elghawaby, the Trudeau government’s recent appointee as Canada’s special representative on combatting Islamophobia, on why she believes her role is necessary. After, we’ll sit down with Liberal MP Iqra Khalid, Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu, NDP MP Daniel Blaikie and Liberal MP Anthony Housefather for a conversation on how their faith influences their politics. In this episode: Mississauga—Erin Mills MP Iqra Khalid, Sarnia—Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu, Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather, Elmwood—Transcona MP Daniel Blaikie, Andrew Bennet, Cardus’ program director of Faith Communities, Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia of Canada. Hosted by Althia Raj. Some of the clips this week were sourced from: CPAC, the House of Commons, the Senate, CBC, CP24, BBC, CityNews, CTV, Andrew Scheer’s Facebook page, Global “It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Listen here and follow or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.
Subsidizing big business: Canada’s new green industrial policy
24-03-2023
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. but the Financial Times reported the price was around $15 billion. That’s a lot of public money going to subsidize a private company, even one that will support thousands of jobs. So this week, on “It’s Political” we take a look at what’s driving the case for big subsidies, and how Canada is adopting a green new industrial policy with little public debate. First, we’ll hear from stakeholders and experts on the impact of the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act, and what it could mean here, north of the U.S. border. Then, we’ll sit down with the man some have dubbed Canada’s energizer bunny, Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne. In this episode: Minister Champagne, Lana Payne, the national president of Unifor, Matt Poirier, senior policy director with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, John Lester, an executive fellow at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, Marisa Beck,  director of Clean Growth with the Canadian Climate Institute, Jean Simard, the president and CEO of the Aluminum Association of Canada, Brian Kingston, the president and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, and Genevieve Dufour, a professor of trade law at the University of Sherbrooke. Hosted by Althia Raj Some of the clips this week were sourced from: CPAC, the House of Commons, The White House, CTV, CBC, The Andrew Lawton Show, Street Sport Television Car show and PBS. “It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Sean Pattendon mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.
No stick and a small carrot: Can the federal government fix health care?
17-02-2023
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 health professionals about the problems they've witnessed firsthand and the solutions they’d like to see. Then, host Althia Raj sits down with Canada’s Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos to discuss the federal government’s new funding arrangement with the provinces, the minister’s expectations of what the money will buy, and his stance on the increasing presence of for-profit care. In this episode: Canada’s Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, Toronto Star health reporter Megan Ogilvie, former federal health minister Dr. Jane Philpott, a family doctor, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and director of the School of Medicine at Queen’s University, and CEO of the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization, Dr. Taylor Lougheed, a family, emergency, sport, and cannabinoid physician and chief of emergency medicine services at the North Bay Regional Hospital, longtime registered public health nurse Maureen Cava, who now works with the Safehaven Project for Community Living in Toronto, Dr. Katharine Smart, the past president of the Canadian Medical Association and a pediatrician who works in Whitehorse, Yukon, Dr. Alika LaFontaine, the president of the Canadian Medical Association and an anesthesiologist in Grande Prairie, Alberta, registered nurse Melanie Spence, who works in primary care in a community health centre in Toronto, Dr. Tara Kiran, a family doctor at St Michael's Hospital, a scientist at the MAP Center for Urban Health Solutions, and the Fidani Chair in Improvement and Innovation at the University of Toronto. Hosted by Althia Raj. Some of the clips this week were sourced from the CBC, Global, CTV and CPAC. “It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Kevin Sexton mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.
Is Canada expanding Medical Assistance in Dying too quickly?
18-11-2022
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 having suicidal thoughts, there is help. The Canada Suicide Prevention Service can be reached at 1-833-456-4566 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year or online at www.crisisservicescanada.ca. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. First, we’ll bring you the story of a Toronto man named Michael Fraser who died using MAID this summer. Toronto Star investigative reporter Rob Cribb and Fraser’s doctor Nav Persaud bring us some of the complicated and intertwined issues Fraser’s choice brings to light. This audio documentary includes footage of Fraser. Next, we’ll check in with two MPs who sit on the joint Senate and House of Commons committee that has been charged with reviewing provisions of the Criminal Code relating to medical assistance in dying. Then, we’ll sit down with Justice Minister David Lametti for his thoughts on MAID’s expansion and some of the cracks we’re seeing develop in the system. Thanks this week to Investigative Journalism Bureau’s Charlie Buckley, Thea Gribilas and Declan Keogh for collecting the footage of Michael Fraser. Some of the footage also comes from ParlVu, CityNews and CTV. “It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Sean Pattendon masterfully mixes the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.