Ontario has a new top cop, but the process to replace the outgoing OPP commissioner was anything but smooth. Premier Doug Ford found himself in political hot water after a senior officer with ties to the Ford family was initially named the new OPP boss. We look at why the decision was so controversial, what the fallout has been, and how the Ford government can move past it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 11, 2019•16 min
With an election looming in Alberta and a federal ballot on the horizon on for the fall, you're going to hear a lot about carbon taxes in the next few months. Whether it's the fight between Ontario, Saskatchewan and Ottawa or the NDP and Conservatives, the idea of the of a carbon tax is a political hot potato. Edmonton Journal reporters Janet French and Emma Graney join dave to dig into the data behind Alberta's two-year-old carbon tax. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...
Mar 08, 2019•20 min
Jody Wilson Raybould spoke her truth to the parliamentary justice committee, and in the process made some pretty damning allegations about the prime minister, and other high ranking officials. But what ripple effects will the former justice minister’s testimony have? We look at why the SNC Lavalin affair could be so damaging to the Liberal government, where the issue could go next, and how this could factor into the fall election. Dave is joined by Postmedia parliamentary bureau chief John Iviso...
Mar 05, 2019•21 min
Bombshell allegations of political interference by top-level political staffers, and even the prime minister himself hit Parliament hill this week. Former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould says she felt there were veiled threats and inappropriate political pressure from people high up in government over the prosecution of Quebec firm SNC Lavalin. Host Dave Breakenridge is joined by National Post politics reporter Brian Platt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 01, 2019•25 min
Quebec’s rookie premier, Francois Legault, promised some major immigration reforms as part of his election plan last fall. But a judge this week struck down part of a bill that would have seen 18,000 applications to a skilled workers program shredded. We look at why the judge ruled against the province, why the move was so contentious, and where Quebec is at with further reforms. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette political reporter Philip Authier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
Feb 27, 2019•14 min
People who want to see a new pipeline carrying Alberta oil to the west coast got a bit of good news last week. The National Energy Board released another ruling on the Trans Mountain project that says it’s in the national interest to get the pipe built. But how far does that get us in the process? We look at what the ruling said, what hurdles the project still faces, and what the delays say about the approval process for energy infrastructure in Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...
Feb 26, 2019•15 min
Western Canadians, many of them upset with Justin Trudeau, his carbon tax and inaction on pipelines, took to the highway over the last week. The United We Roll convoy did just that, they rolled from Red Deer Alberta to Ottawa, where they stayed for a couple of days. But the movement did come with a bit of a muddled message. Dave is joined by National Post reporter Tyler Dawson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 22, 2019•19 min
We have known for nearly half a century that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can harm an unborn child. But the rate of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is higher than expected, and could outpace more widely understood disorders such as autism. We talk with Vanessa Hrvatin, recipient of the 2018 Lang Fellowship in Journalism. We look at how great the risk of FASD is, who is most affected, and how myths and stigma complicate understanding of the disorder. Learn more about your ad ch...
Feb 19, 2019•22 min
Months before a federal election, the Liberal government is embroiled in a potentially damaging scandal. This one surrounds a major Canadian company, SNC Lavalin, that is facing charges related to business dealings in Libya, and whether the Prime Minister’s office applied political pressure on then Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to order federal prosecutors to expedite the case in a manner that would be beneficial to the company. Dave is joined by National Post reporter Brian Platt. Learn...
Feb 15, 2019•24 min
When it comes to disrupting major organized crime activities, getting drugs off the streets is the easy part. For officers who are tasked with following the money, getting charges laid and getting convictions to stick is a big problem. Dave and Vancouver Sun investigative reporter Gordon Hoekstra look at how big a problem money laundering is, how criminals are trying to move that cash, and challenges faced by the police and prosecutors who are tasked with dismantling these outlaw operations. Lea...
Feb 12, 2019•16 min
Admitted Toronto serial killer Bruce McArthur was addicted to killing, says Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington. McArthur is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison for the brutal murder of eight men from Toronto's gay community. Warmington joins Dave to discuss the fallout from the case for police. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 08, 2019•21 min
You practically can’t go a day without stumbling along a mocking story about an industry or trend being killed by Millennials. But despite taking a lot of flack from Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers, things aren’t so peachy for those born from the early ‘80s to the late ‘90s. Dave is joined by Ottawa Citizen reporter Vito Pilieci. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 05, 2019•21 min
Our police and firefighters and paramedics. They’re the ones who rush to our aid when we’re hurt, or victims of crime, or our homes are burning. And that work — at crime scenes and traumatic injuries and raging infernos — places a heavy burden on those on the job. We take a look how the emotional toll cost a veteran police officer his career. Dave is joined by Windsor Star reporter Trevor Wilhelm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 01, 2019•18 min
We’re 100 days into Canada's grand legal pot experiment. And despite a lot of predictions ranging from government blunders to total chaos, is it really all that noticeable? We’ll look at how Canada has fared with legalized cannabis, how the market has grown, what challenges there are to overcome and what the future holds for marijuana in Canada. Dave is joined by Megan Henderson, executive producer of the GrowthOP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 30, 2019•21 min
Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the man alleged to be the head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, is on trial in Brooklyn New York He is accused of running an operation that smuggled tons of drugs into the U.S., as well as into Canada. We look at what was being smuggled into Canada, how far into our country the drug operation reached, and at the men authorities allege were his connections in this country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 24, 2019•26 min
Obviously the sales job offered by former B.C. realtor Howard Chong was solid, as he’s accused of 10 counts of fraud. He presented himself as everything from a Chinese pop singer to a rep for a high-end investment firm, a private investigator claims. He’s also now on the lam. Dave is joined by Vancouver Sun reporter Dan Fumano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 22, 2019•21 min
A major pipeline project saw opposition swell last week, and no, it had nothing to do with Alberta oil. A blockade against a natural gas pipeline from the Peace Country to Kitimat on the West Coast sparked arrests and rallies of support across the country. We look at who is behind the blockade, what issues they have with the project and what the dispute raises about consultations with First Nations when it comes to energy infrastructure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...
Jan 15, 2019•19 min
The trial of Gerald Stanley, and the arrest of Eddie Maurice brought the issue of rural crime to the forefront in 2018. Amid the discussion last year, many residents in rural communities said they were worried about an increase in property crime, and an overtaxed RCMP that may not be able to respond to calls in far-flung areas. We sat down to talk about at what drove these concerns, how police were trying to respond, and how rural residents took action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...
Jan 12, 2019•20 min
It has been nine months since the horrific crash between a semi-trailer and a bus carrying players and personnel from the Humboldt Broncos hockey team. On April 6 2018, the driver of the semi failed to yield at a stop sign along a Saskatchewan Highway and hit the team’s bus, killing 16 and injuring 13. Now, nine months later, the driver of the truck has owned up for his actions, pleading guilty to all charges. Dave is joined by Saskatoon Star Phoenix justice reporter Bre McAdam. Learn more about...
Jan 10, 2019•12 min
December month marked one year since the slayings of billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman, who were found dead in their North Toronto Mansion on Dec. 15, 2017. And despite a lot of interest in this case from coast to coast, it seems like there has been little movement on the investigation. We look back at the killings, what may have stalled the investigation, and where police are at in their effort to catch those responsible. Dave is joined by Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington. Learn more abo...
Jan 03, 2019•18 min
MPs and cyber security officials are worried Canada’s federal election, slated for next fall, could be at risk. Like with the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, there are fears that foreign actors could try to influence our next election using social media, or that data breaches could be weaponized for political gain. We look at what specific concerns are being raised and what’s being done in an attempt to prevent outside forces from subverting Canadian democracy. Learn more about your ad choices....
Dec 20, 2018•24 min
Despite many similarities and a shared independent streak, Quebec and Alberta have found themselves on opposite sides in a back and forth over the idea of revamping the Energy East pipeline idea. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette National Assembly reporter Philip Authier. Update: Quebec sources 82 per cent of its oil from North American sources, according to National Bank of Canada. A different figure was reported within the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...
Dec 14, 2018•17 min
Should consenting adults be allowed to strap on a pair of leather gloves, step into the ring and beat the daylights out of each other? Is the entertainment, and payday, worth the risk of potential harm, or even death? These are questions being raised after a Quebec-based boxing champ wound up in hospital with a life-threatening brain injury. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette editorial pages editor Edie Austin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 13, 2018•17 min
Earlier this month, a top executive for Chinese tech giant Huawei, Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver at the request of the U.S. Meng was wanted on fraud charges linked to violating sanctions against Iran. We look at the fallout being felt in the wake of Meng’s arrest, whether this situation could have a chilling effect on Canada-China relations, and how tied in Huawei is with Canada’s telecoms network. Dave is joined by National Post reporter Marie-Danielle Smith. Learn more about your ad c...
Dec 12, 2018•19 min
In Canadian politics, the legislature Clerk, Sergeant at arms and Speaker of the house aren’t often thrust into the spotlight. But in B.C. the men in those three roles have been embroiled in controversy since it was revealed that two of them have been suspended from their jobs now the subject of a secret RCMP investigation. Dave is joined is Vancouver Sun political writer Rob Shaw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 06, 2018•23 min
Amid a fiscal crisis caused by the low price of oil, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley took the drastic step to cut oil production. The move is seen as an attempt to shrink the difference between the price on Alberta oil and global benchmarks. We look at how industry is reacting, whether it will help Alberta’s financial picture, and how federal policy has played a role. Dave is joined by Calgary Herald business columnist Chris Varcoe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 04, 2018•17 min
General Motors announced Monday it is closing its Oshawa assembly plant, leaving nearly 3,000 people out of work. We look at what the closure means for the community and what the future holds for Canada's car manufacturing industry. Dave is joined by Financial Post reporters Emily Jackson and Geoff Zochodne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 30, 2018•20 min
Recent court cases on the Prairies have raised the issue of gun culture and rural crime across Canada. But for many farmers and ranchers, a firearm is not seen as a tool for self defence, but a part of the way of life out in the country. We look at what rural residents have to say about gun culture, the rural-urban divide in attitudes when it comes to firearms, and whether there are concerns about safety on the farm. Dave is joined by Regina Leader Post reporter Mark Melnychuk. Learn more about ...
Nov 27, 2018•26 min
The price gap on Alberta oil has hit a crisis point. Business leaders, politicians and everyday Albertans are demanding action to fix a divide that's costing the Alberta treasury and Canadian economy billions. We look at what's being done to mitigate the damage, what help Alberta is asking for from the feds, and what the Prime Minister has to say. Dave is joined by Edmonton Journal provincial affairs reporter Clare Clancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 23, 2018•19 min
Conservative politicians across Canada are banding together to fight Justin Trudeau's carbon tax. Last month Trudeau announced that the Liberal government carbon pricing plan will include rebates for people in provinces that do not have their own plan. Dave is joined by National Post reporters Tyler Dawson and Maura Forrest to discuss the origins of the coalition of provincial politicians opposing the federal liberals, and what it may mean for next years election. Learn more about your ad choice...
Nov 20, 2018•29 min
