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21 Episodes 2022 - 2023
Episode 1
The Conservative Party has a new leader and direction following the decisive victory of Ottawa MP Pierre Poilievre. "The West Block" host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with veteran Harper-era cabinet ministers John Baird and James Moore to gain insight on what Canadians should expect from the CPC with Poilievre at the helm. Plus, Stephenson sits down with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to talk about her relationship with Queen Elizabeth, and what her she expects to see from King Charles as he begins his reign as Canada's head of state.
Episode 2
Russian President Vladimir Putin is mobilizing hundreds of thousands of soldiers and hinting that he might consider using weapons of mass destruction in his war on Ukraine, but Ukraine and its allies aren't backing down. 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Canada's envoy to Ukraine, Larisa Galadza, on this latest escalation in the conflict. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Nicholas Marcus Thompson, one of the lead plaintiffs in a landmark proposed class action lawsuit filed by Black civil servants against the federal government, alleging decades of discrimination and harassment.
Episode 3
Episode 4
Outgoing Alberta Premier Jason Kenney spent 25 years in political life. He speaks to 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson about the highs and lows of the job and why he's concerned about the future of conservatism. Plus, new UCP Leader Danielle Smith speaks to Stephenson about her political comeback and why she's ready to take on Ottawa as Alberta premier.
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
As emergency rooms are hitting breaking points across the country, with a cough and cold season surge, 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Dr. Rod Lim, pediatric emergency physician, and emergency physician Dr. David Carr about the factors fueling this health-care crisis. Plus, Stephenson also speaks with Erin O'Toole, former Conservative leader and former veterans affairs minister, as well as advocates Bruce Moncour and Debbie Lowther, about the dire lack of veteran support.
Episode 9
Amid new allegations of Chinese political interference in Canada, 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with national security expert Akshay Singh, former Canadian ambassador to China David Mulroney, and Global News investigative reporter Sam Cooper about the need for Ottawa to take action against this national security threat. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay about the calls for his resignation and his failed promises to meet national standards.
Episode 11
23 mins
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly will release the federal government's long-awaited Indo-Pacific Strategy outlining the government's priorities for a region it sees as key to Canada's economic growth. 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Minister Joly about the government's economic priorities and its relationship with China. Plus, Stephenson speaks with freelance investigative journalist Justin Ling and The Globe and Mail Ottawa bureau chief Robert Fife about the revealing testimony from the public inquiry into the government's use of the Emergencies Act, and the lasting impact of the commission.
Episode 12
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith followed through on a campaign promise by introducing the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act last week. 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Premier Smith about her reasoning behind the act and the message she's sending to Ottawa. Plus, Stephenson speaks with former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko at the Halifax International Security Form about the need for force in confronting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Episode 14
Episode 15
From the 'Freedom Convoy' to allegations of Chinese political interference, 2022 had plenty of major news events. 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson sat down with Global News' David Akin, Amanda Connolly and Mackenzie Gray to analyze the top news of the year, and discuss what stories we should be watching in 2023. Plus, we revisit our conversation with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna at the Halifax International Security Forum. Stephenson speaks with Stefanishyna about what it will take to stop the Russian invasion of Ukraine - one of the biggest international headlines of the year.
Episode 16
Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, the harm of residential schools, and other Indigenous-focused stories made headlines across the country this year, but sustained action on these issues fell short. 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson spoke with Métis National Council President Cassidy Caron to reflect on the progress made towards reconciliation in 2022, and the work that must be done to move forward on Indigenous priorities in 2023. Plus, Stephenson sits down with Fae Johnstone, Wisdom2Action executive director, and Kyne Santos, the math whiz from 'RuPaul's Drag Race Canada,' to discuss the alarming rise in anti-trans and anti-gay hate fuelled by misinformation and polarized political rhetoric.
Episode 23
Host: Mercedes Stephenson; Guests: Kenny Chiu, Former Conservative MP; Dick Fadden, Former CSIS Director; Anita Anand, Defence Minister. Location: Ottawa, ON
Episode 24
Host: Mercedes Stephenson. Guests: Artur Wilczynski, Former Assistant Deputy Minister, Communications Security Establishment; Politics Panel: Stephanie Levitz, The Toronto Star; and Robert Fife, The Globe and Mail
Episode 25
Guest Host: Eric Sorenson. Guests:
Episode 26
U.S. President Joe Biden has met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau many times before, but there's a unique sense of urgency surrounding Biden's upcoming official visit to Ottawa. "The West Block" host Mercedes Stephenson sat down with Kirsten Hillman, Canadian Ambassador to the United States, to discuss what priorities will likely be top of the agenda. Plus, Canadians may have had flashbacks to the 2008 financial crisis last week when it looked like the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank was spreading before Washington stepped in. Ahead of the federal budget announcement on March 28, Stephenson speaks with Kevin Page, former Parliamentary Budget Officer and head of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy, and Lisa Raitt, former Conservative cabinet minister and vice chair of global investment banking at CIBC, about the state of Canada's economy.
Episode 29
Former U.S. president Donald Trump is facing 34 felony charges related to hush-money payments allegedly made during his 2016 election and allegations of falsifying business records. Regardless of how the case plays out, America is in uncharted territory. "The West Block" host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Rick Wilson, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and Sean Spicer, former White House press secretary under Trump, about what this means for the future of U.S. politics and whether the Republican Party will have to shift gears ahead of the 2024 election. Plus, Stephenson talks with Jeremy Hansen, the Canadian astronaut serving on NASA's lunar mission Artemis II, about the future of deep space exploration.
Episode 30
Katie Telford, the prime minister's top aide, faced a barrage of questions last week from opposition MPs on what she knew about Chinese interference in the last two federal elections. But what questions remain unanswered? 'The West Block' host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Dick Fadden, former CSIS director and national security and intelligence adviser to the prime minister, and James Moore, former Conservative cabinet minister. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Kurt Volker, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, on the massive leak of U.S. intelligence documents and what it could mean for the war in Ukraine.
Episode 31
More than 100,000 federal workers are on strike across the country. The union is looking for wage increases that keep up with inflation and more say on working from home. Meanwhile, the strike is causing a series of disruptions for Canadians, including delays on tax returns and passport applications. 'The West Block' guest host Eric Sorensen speaks with Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould about the impact of the strike and what Canadians can expect. Plus, Sorensen speaks with Retired Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, former Canadian army commander, and Retired Gen. Raymond Henault, former chief of the defence staff, about what's at stake for Canada - and the global order - if we don't meet NATO commitments.
Episode 36
Host: Mercedes Stephenson. Guests: Rachel Notley, NDP Leader; Ron Liepert, Conservative-Calgary Signal Hill; Evan Menzies, Crestview Strategies. Location: Calgary, Alberta