The Liberal government revealed a mini-budget chock full of new spending — but it’s the pitch to keep the spending taps open, to inject up to $100 billion into the economy after the pandemic, that has financial experts turning their heads.In this episode: HuffPost Canada Ottawa reporter Zi-Ann Lum; Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux; Kevin Pa…

As the government whips through 2020 with minority numbers, the Liberal’s No. 1 dissenting MP sits down for a candid talk about how he's found a balance between his own “principled independence” and toeing the party line. In this episode: Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, NDP MP Peter Julian, Conservative MP Bruce Stanton, and Liberal MPs James M…

Social media has given politicians more platforms than ever to engage with the public. But the temptation to package sound bites into spicy content has seemingly encouraged a more casual relationship with the truth — and raised questions about politicians' responsibilities.In this episode: NDP MP Nathan Cullen, Conservative MP Peter Kent, and Liber…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's former principal secretary has kept a low-profile since testifying about the SNC-Lavalin affair. Now, he speaks candidly about that, his new relationship with the PMO, and the unexpected realities of political fame. In this episode: Gerald Butts, former principal secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Hosted by …

Whether you agree or disagree with him, Maxime Bernier is a newsmaker. We sit down with the People’s Party of Canada leader to talk about his turning point with Andrew Scheer and his brand of "smart populism based on serious policy." Hosted by Althia Raj.Detailed show notes:(4:36) Bernier on why he backed out of supporting Scheer(9:20) “Christmas g…

As the NDP and Tories piled on the Liberal government for deepening Canada's deficit, they face some deep troubles of their own. In this episode: Liberal MP Scott Simms, Conservative strategist Rachel Curran, Liberal strategist Greg MacEachern, and former NDP national director Karl Bélanger. Hosted by Althia Raj.Detailed show notes:(2:55) Panellist…

Jagmeet Singh was supposed to be a fundraising magnet, but his first rocky year as NDP leader has been a bust. The party calls a regroup in B.C. Also: Two outgoing veteran NDP MPs get real about the “Real Change” that blocks them from getting things done.In this episode: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, party strategists Karl Bélanger and Robin Sears, NDP…

While Maxime Bernier tried to steal headlines from the start of the Conservative party policy convention in Halifax, 3,000 delegates focused on positioning their party for the 2019 election. In this episode: Andrew Scheer’s chief of staff Marc-Andre Leclerc, ex-Harper war room strategist Jason Lietaer, Alberta Tory delegate Natalie Pon, Tory MPs To…

Move over Morneau. Tories have changed focus and are hell-bent on selling a story of Liberal intrigue starring the prime minister’s national security adviser Daniel Jean. One 21-hour voting marathon later, how many more to go? .In this episode: iPolitics reporter Kady O’Malley. Hosted by Althia Raj.By HuffPost Canada

Employment And Workforce Minister Patty Hajdu, labour pioneer and former NDP MP Peggy Nash join host Althia Raj for a live conversation about working as a woman in the male-dominated field of politics to mark Women’s History Month.By HuffPost Canada

The NDP took a hard turn to the left at its convention in Ottawa as Jagmeet Singh gave Canadians a sneak peek at the party’s much-anticipated platform. How left can the NDP go?In this episode: Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and lots of interesting voices from what the party calls its youngest and most diverse policy convention. Hosted by Althia …

An end-of-year note to listeners from host Althia Raj.By HuffPost Canada

In this episode: Guy Caron’s spokesman Farouk Karim, Charlie Angus’ campaign manager Jesse Brady, Jagmeet Singh’s campaign manager Michal Hay and field director Nuvi Sidhu, HuffPost Canada senior politics editor Ryan Maloney, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Hosted by Althia Raj.By HuffPost Canada

In this episode: With the NDP leadership race in full swing, meet Quebec NDP MP Guy Caron in the first our sit-down interviews with the candidates. Hosted by Althia Raj.By HuffPost Canada