Episode description

It’s almost part of Canadian lore that as a nation, across the political spectrum, we recognize the value of immigration. Now, as provinces demand Ottawa curb the number of newcomers, is that consensus breaking down? The House visits an Ottawa shelter to hear how they’re doing their best to keep up with demand as more newcomers turn to them for help. 

A pollster then details Canadians’ changing attitudes toward immigration. Then, host Catherine Cullen runs through key moments in nine years of Liberal policy decisions.

Plus, a research chair on the politics of immigration discusses the growing tensions between the federal government and provinces over asylum seekers.

And finally, two politics reporters explain why the House of Commons has been stuck going in circles over a debate concerning parliamentary privilege and documents related to a now-defunct green technology fund.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Ashley Potter, frontline services manager at the Ottawa Mission
• Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute
• Mireille Paquet, Concordia University research chair on the politics of immigration
• Aaron Wherry, senior writer for CBC Politics
• Laura Osman, politics reporter for The Canadian Press