Heightened tension in the Middle East after Iran launches missile and drone attacks against Israel. Tehran says the attack is in retaliation for Israel’s suspected strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett to discuss the threat of a wider conflict with Iran, the crisis in Gaza, and more. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Steven Chase, The Globe and Mail’s senior parliamentary reporter, and Vina...

Big revelations have emerged from the latest rounds of foreign interference inquiry hearings. At the inquiry, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director David Vigneault said the agency had intelligence before Canada's 2019 election that China's government attempted to funnel about $250,000 through a network, possibly to interfere in Canadian elections. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson is joined by Steven Chase, The Globe and Mail’s senior parliamentary reporter, and Dick...

Ahead of the federal carbon price rise in April, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault about the push by some provincial premiers and Conservative MPs to scrap the levy, the role of large emitters in reducing emissions and more. Plus, Stephenson is joined by retired U.S. general David Petraeus, a former CIA director, to discuss concerns over terror attacks from the Islamic State (ISIS), the Israel-Hamas conflict and the situation in...

The federal government introduced new legislation to reform the Canadian military justice system, which will transfer military sexual misconduct cases to the civilian justice system. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with Defence Minister Bill Blair to discuss the court reforms. Blair also addresses his comments saying the Canadian Armed Forces is facing a “death spiral” when it comes to recruitment. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Canadian Climate Institute President Rick...

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 Henry. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Canadian Ambassador to Haiti André François Giroux about the situation on the ground, preparations for a possible evacuation, and the role Canada can play in resolving the crisis. Plus, Stephenson is joined by Bob Rae, Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, who discusses the...

Canada has committed to upgrading its NATO mission in Latvia, Operation REASSURANCE, to a brigade-level force by 2026. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with Andris Sprūds, Latvia’s defence minister, to discuss Latvia’s preparations for Russian threats, Canada’s defence spending, and the future of the NATO alliance under a possible re-elected Donald Trump. Plus, Stephenson speaks with retired general Tom Lawson, former chief of defence staff, about Defence Minister 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 oversaw the signing of NAFTA and international treaties on acid rain. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Frank McKenna, the former N.B. premier and former Canadian ambassador to the U.S., about Mulroney’s legacy. Plus, Stephenson is joined by Justice Minister Arif Virani who addresses criticisms that the online harms bill is...

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 sits down with retired general Rick Hillier, the former chief of defence staff and member of the Ukrainian World Congress's Strategic Advisory Council, about Canada’s role in supporting Ukraine and the plight of Ukrainian refugees. Hillier also discusses what’s needed to improve the state of the Canadian Armed Forces. Plus, Stephenson interviews...

Fallout continues over former U.S. president Donald Trump’s comments suggesting Russian President Vladimir Putin could do whatever he wanted to NATO allies who didn’t meet the alliance’s 2-per cent defence spending targets. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with John Bolton, the former U.S. national security adviser to Donald Trump, about the seriousness of the Republican frontrunner’s NATO comments. Bolton also discusses the threat of Iranian foreign interference in North...

The federal government convened a national summit to combat the growing problem of auto thefts in Canada. ‘The West Block’ guest host Eric Sorensen interviews Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc about the jurisdictional roadblocks in tackling organized car thefts, possible new penalties for repeat car thieves, and more. Plus, Sorensen is joined by Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman to discuss the ‘Team Canada’ strategy, preparations for a possible Donald Trump re-election,...

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a suite of new policy proposals aimed at gender identity and transgender youth, triggering political shockwaves across Canada. Some of the proposed changes impact gender-affirming medical treatments for minors and pronoun changes at school. ‘The West Block’ guest host David Akin speaks with Premier Smith about what prompted her to announce these LGBTQ2S+ policy proposals, her government’s plan for sex education in schools, the potential use of the...

The national foreign interference inquiry will hold its first public hearings this week. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Dick Fadden, a former CSIS director, and Vina Nadjibulla, an international security specialist at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, about the threat of foreign interference, protecting national security, implications for Canada’s foreign relations, and more. Plus, Stephenson sits down with The Globe and Mail’s Ottawa Bureau Chief Bob Fife and The...

Following the Canadian Medical Association’s calls for urgent political action to fix the crisis in Canada’s emergency rooms, ‘The West Block’ guest host Eric Sorensen speaks with Health Minister Mark Holland about how his government is addressing the issue. Minister Holland also discusses Ontario’s plan for more private health-care clinics and safeguarding Canada’s medication supply. Plus, Sorensen sits down with Jonathan Madison, a Republican strategist, and Sarada Peri, former senior...

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. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wraps up his latest tour of the region. ‘The West Block’ guest host Eric Sorensen speaks with Frank Lowenstein, a former U.S. special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, on the implications of the U.S.-led strikes on Houthi sites, the White House’s diplomacy in the region, and the next stages of the...

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 care. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew about the state of progress on his promises, his priorities for the new year, the carbon tax, and more. Plus, Stephenson sits down with a panel of retired top military brass, Gen. (Ret’d) Tom Lawson, Vice-Admiral (Ret’d) Mark Norman and Lt.-Gen. (Ret’d) Guy...

As tensions grow on the open seas– confrontations with China, Russia’s growing interest in the Arctic– ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, the commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, about the challenges facing the naval force, including personnel shortage. Vice-Admiral Topshee also addresses concerns about ship procurement and possible federal defence spending cuts. Plus, Stephenson is joined by Global News’ David Akin, Abigail Bimman and Mackenzie...

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 top political issues, including Canadian protests concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict, foreign interference in Canada, the housing crisis. PM Trudeau also addresses an exclusive poll that says the majority of Canadians say he should resign as prime minister.

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 demanding an ‘immediate humanitarian ceasefire.’ ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with U.S. Ambassador David Cohen about the U.N. vote, calls for Canada to label the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist group, and possible Canadian define spending cuts. Plus, following the House of Commons rising for...

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 province of Alberta, has criticized the federal plan as being a ‘backdoor’ production cap, while environmental groups blasted the plan for not going far enough. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson about the emissions cap framework, as well as the marathon voting session in the...

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 the Royal Canadian Navy’s top commander released a video saying their was a naval recruitment shortfall. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks to Defence Minister Bill Blair about military procurement, ammunition shortages, defence spending, and more. Plus, Stephenson is joined by Generation Squeeze’s Paul Kershaw and CanAge’s Laura...

The federal government made a push for housing in its fall economic statement, while attempting to show some fiscal restraint. ‘The West Block’ guest host Eric Sorensen speaks with Treasury Board President Anita Anand about the government’s housing measures, the federal debt, spending cuts, and defence funding. Plus, Sorensen is joined by The Globe and Mail’s Ottawa Bureau Chief Bob Fife and Toronto Star’s parliamentary reporter Stephanie Levitz to break down the political reaction to the...

Iran’s alleged links to proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas have come under increased scrutiny after the October 7th attacks on Israel—raising questions about the Iranian regime’s reach into Canada. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with human rights activist Masih Alinejad about her warnings to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Canadian public, the threats made against her, and more. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Roy Chun Lee...

Protests and demonstrations have erupted across Canada since the start of Israel-Hamas conflict in October, many of which have been peaceful. But officials have become concerned about a rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia in light of recent escalations, including attacks on a Montreal synagogue and two Jewish schools, as well as a violent clash on Concordia University’s campus. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Government House Leader Karina Gould on what help the feds...

After the federal Liberals paused carbon pricing on home heating oil, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says there will be no further carbon tax carve-outs despite blowback that the policy change only benefitted Atlantic Canada. The Opposition is now calling for that freeze to be extended to other forms of home heating. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault about the carbon tax change, his message to Albertans who deem the Atlantic Canada...