The West Block

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 sits down RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme to discuss foreign interference and whether the names of MPs flagged in the NSICOP report should be publicized. Duheme also addresses the national security threats facing Canada and the growing threats facing politicians. Plus, Stephenson is joined by Bob Fife, the Globe and Mail’s Ottawa bureau chief, and Stephanie Levitz, the Toronto Star’s deputy Ottawa bureau chief, to look back on the key issues that dominated the spring sitting and look ahead to the parties’ summer strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

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 Stephenson speaks with Gen. Eyre about the Canadian Armed Forces being a target of foreign interference. Gen. Eyre also discusses the state of Canada’s military, the major challenges during his tenure as CDS, and more. Plus, Stephenson sits down with Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly to discuss the impact of foreign interference allegations levelled against China and India on her government’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Minister Joly also addresses calls for Canada to meet its NATO defence spending targets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

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’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Garry Clement, former RCMP superintendent, and Thomas Juneau, former analyst at the Department of National Defence, about the ability and limitations of the RCMP to investigate these alleged incidents of collusion, the calls to release the names of those alleged parliamentarians, and more. Plus, Stephenson sits down with Oleksandra Matviichuk, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and head of the Centre for Civil Liberties in Ukraine, about her efforts in documenting Russian war crimes, abducted Ukrainian children, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

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 the homicides committed in their jurisdiction have been perpetrated by someone on community release, parole or probation. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson interviews Justice Minister Arif Virani about his government’s bail reforms for violent repeat offenders. Minister Virani also addresses the recent attacks at two Jewish schools and a synagogue. Plus, Stephenson speaks with David Frum, political commentator and staff writer at The Atlantic, about the significance of Donald Trump’s criminal conviction and its potential impact on his bid to be re-elected U.S. president. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

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 him to meet the NATO two per cent of GDP defence spending target. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with David Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, to discuss if the White House shares the senators’ disappointment that Canada won’t reach its NATO commitment this decade. Ambassador Cohen also addresses Canada’s response to the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Winnipeg Police Chief Danny Smyth (President of Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police) and RCMP Deputy Commissioner Jodie Boudreau about the impacts of the federal government’s new bail reforms on the front lines for police. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]