Everything Is Political With Evan Solomon

On the Show: David Akin, Kevin O'Leary, John McKay, Alex Nuttall, Hélène Laverdière, Don Plett, Jason Lietaer, Sally Housser, Bob Richardson Kevin O’Leary—former Dragon’s Den dragon, investor and former television host—says he can’t speak French, but he doesn’t think that’s a problem if he runs to be Canada’s prime minister. Liberal parliamentary secretary for defence John McKay, Conservative MP Alex Nuttall and NDP foreign affairs critic Hélène Laverdière debate Canada's commitment to the fight against ISIS in the wake of reports a Canadian was killed in the terrorist attack in Jakarta, Indonesia. Conservative Senator and former Conservative Party president Don Plett says the Conservative party doesn't need an overhaul and has strong candidates for the next leadership election. The War Room panel with Sally Housser of Navigator, Jason Lietaer of Enterprise Canada and Bob Richardson of Edelman Canada weigh in on Kev

On the Show: David Akin, Stephen McNeil, Mary Polak, John Tory, Noreen Taylor, Jessica Murphy, Daniel Dale Justin Trudeau double dates — the Prime Minister jets to Toronto for a one-on-one with the city's mayor, John Tory, then wings it back to Ottawa to host a sit-down with the Premier of Nova Scotia, Stephen McNeil. What does the new PM mean for big cities and small provinces? Did the B.C. government do a Kinder Morgan pipeline flip-flop? The province's environment minister, Mary Polak says the province wants to set a high standard for safety and environmental protection with projects moving forward. We begin a series on the Charles Taylor Prize for non-fiction literature. Founder Noreen Taylor talks family, books and politics. U.S. President Barack Obama's final state of the union address had few surprises, but what did surprise some was Republican Nikki Haley's official response and Ann Coulter's call for Donald Trump to deport her, an American-born citizen.

On the Show: David Akin, Leera Aheer, Armine Yalnizyan, Mike Moffatt, Sean Casey, Murray Rankin, Michael Cooper, Danial Dale Wild Rose MLA and energy critic Leera Aheer says Alberta needs to get its oil to market amid economic woes for the province, the country and globally. Armine Yalnizyan, senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Mike Moffatt, professor at the Ivey School of Business and the University of Western Ontario debate what the governments priorities should be amid scarce economic resources.  MPs on the parliamentary committee tasked with examining physician-assisted dying legislation will meet on Monday for the first time and a government report on the issue is coming shortly. Liberal MP Sean Casey, Conservative MP Michael Cooper and NDP MP Murray Rankin say their parties haven't decided yet whether it will be a free vote or a whipped vote, but that a whipped vote may be likely. Toronto Star Washington Corespondent Danial Dale says U.S> President Barack

On the Show: David Akin, Andy Fillmore, Cam Guthrie, Alex Neve, Jason Lietaer, George Soule, Lindsay Doyle Liberal MP Andy Fillmore from Halifax was at the government's budget consultations while Morgan Stanley forecasts $20 oil. The Liberal government may end up the losers in the economic game of 2016. Fillmore says issues like temporary foreign workers and the underground economy are being raised by stakeholders in his region. In Guelph, Ont., economic growth is not a fantasy. Mayor Cam Guthrie explains how the city is number one in Canada for job creation and has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. Amnesty International Canada's Alex Neve says the government should do an assessment of the human rights situation specifically around the arms deal between Canada and Saudi Arabia. The War Room with Enterprise Canada's Jason Lietaer, Summa Strategies' Lindsay Doyle and former NDP strategist George Soule weigh in on the Prime Minister's holiday trip to the Caribbean, the upcoming budget, assisted suicid

On the Show: David Akin, Steve MacKinnon, Lisa Raitt, Guy Caron, Greg Selinger, Murray Rankin, Quito Maggi, Duane Bratt Liberal MP Steve MacKinnon, Conservative finance critic Lisa Raitt and NDP finance critic Guy Caron debate the economy and budget consultations. Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger says Manitoba has an opportunity to help Alberta move away from coal through the creation of a cross-provincial hydro grid. NDP justice critic Murray Rankin says if the Liberals are going to legalize marijuana in Canada, they should expunge criminal records of people convicted of possession too. What is the future of the NDP in 2016? Should leader Tom Mulcair stay or go? Quito Maggi, president and CEO of Marketstreet Research, and Duane Bratt, political science professor at Mount Royal University weigh in.

On the Show: David Akin, Patty Hajdu, Alvin Fiddler, Brad Wall, Erin O'Toole, Michael Diamond Minister for Status of Women Patty Hajdu from Thunder Bay says hearing what happened to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls will be central to finding out what happened to victims during the national inquiry. Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief at Nishnawbe Aski Nation, says there are many challenges for police forces in remote, First Nations communities and when people go missing, the police don't always talk to the families involved in cases they're investigating. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says he supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's free trade plan for China as well as TransCanada's challenge to Obama's rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline under chapter 11 of NAFTA. Former Conservative Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O'Toole says he hopes Prime Minister Trudeau continues to fund more resources for veterans to help get those who served Canada off the streets. Michael Diamond, principal of Upst

On the Show: David Akin, Robert Fife, Elizabeth May, Jody Mitic, Kent Hehr, David Coletto, Michele Austin, Stephen Carter Globe and Mail Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife explains what Canada has to gain or lose from a free trade deal with China.  Green Party Leader Elizabeth May lays our her concerns over increased free trade with countries like China and says Canada shouldn't do trade with nations that are not on equal par with Canada in their environmental targets. Ottawa City Councillor and veteran Canadian Forces sniper says homelessness among veterans is a complex problem that can become a cycle. Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr says a housing strategy will be key to helping get over 2,200 homeless veterans off the streets. Abacus Data pollster David Coletto describes the factors contributing to making Alberta more politically progressive. Michele Austin of Summa Strategies and Stephen Carter, president of QED Marketing weigh in.

On the Show: Yvonne Jones, Cathy McLeod, Matt Vis, Ujjal Dosanjh, John Ivison, Joe Warmington Liberal Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous Affairs Yvonne Jones and Conservative critic Cathy McLeod debate the First Nations Financial Transparency Act and challenges for the Trudeau government in resetting the relationship between the federal government and First Nations. Reporter with TB Newswatch Matt Vis explains the issues surrounding the inquest into seven First Nations students who died in Thunder Bay as families try to find answers to the deaths of their children. Former British Columbia Premier Ujjal Dosanjh argues that political correctness is getting in the way of productive conversations about race and culture. National Post columnist John Ivison discusses the government's challenges with military procurement on files like the F-35 fighter jets. Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington debates the treatment of Liberal MP Seamus O'Regan coming forward to say he is seeking treatment for alcohol use as

On the Show: David Akin, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Tony Clement, Jeremy Kinsman, Ian Lee, Michele Austin, Tom Parkin, Lindsay Doyle Alternate host David Akin of "Everything is Political" discusses new confrontations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and how tensions in the Middle East will impact Canada's relationships to the two Arab countries. Former Canadian ambassador Jeremy Kinsman says Saudi Arabia knew its actions in executing 47 people on terrorism-related charges would provoke Iran to respond. Ian Lee, a professor at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University explains what the market meltdown in China and the rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran mean for global markets and the impact these events will have on Canada's economic outlook for 2016. The War Room with Tom Parkin, national columnist for Sun Media, and Michele Austin and Lindsay Doyle of Summa Strategies weigh in on Donald Trump's latest campaign ad and the biggest issues facing Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2

On the Show: Kathleen Wynne, Peter Tabuns, Carolyn Bennet, Michael Cooper, Michele Austin, Will Stewart, Tom Parkin Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne distances herself from the political aides charged with breach of trust, mischief and improper use of government computers saying "they never worked for me." Ontario NDP energy critic Peter Tabuns said he hopes more details of the gas plant scandal come out in the trial beginning in the new year. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett describes the challenges that lie ahead and also her hopes for repairing the relationship between the federal government and Indigenous peoples.  Conservative MP Michael Cooper discusses his call for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take action to help Alison Azer be reunited with her children who were taken to Northern Kurdistan in August by her ex-husband. The War Room with Michele Austin of Summa Strategies, Will Stewart of Ensight and Tom Parkin, national columnist with Sun Media debate who leaders of the opposition part

On the Show: Paul Martin, Jane Philpott, Nick Köhler, Jason Lietaer, Bob Richardson, Marit Stiles Former Prime Minister Paul Martin, who negotiated the Kelowna Accord and now works to improve education for First Nations youth, says Aboriginal Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett is ready to bring change for Indigenous Canadians and that change may come sooner than people might expect. Health Minister Jane Philpott says the government still hopes to bring all 10,000 Syrian refugees to Canada as promised before the end of the year, but there have been bumps in the road. Nick Köhler of Maclean's recounts highlights from Mike Duffy's cross-examination by the Crown, including stories Duffy told of Stephen Harper eating hotdogs in his under shirt whole his staff ironed his shirt. The War Room with Jason Lietaer of Ensight, Marit Stiles of Story-Stiles Communication and Bob Richardson of Edelman Canada give their top three challenges facing Justin Trudeau in 2016.

On the Show: Murray Sinclair, Jim Watson, Catherine McKenna, Will Stewart, Supriya Dwivedi After six years, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has published its final report.It rips off the blinders the country has on residential schools and it’s a shocking series of revelations—systematic neglect, abuse, death—all well known by and supported by the political leadership. Commission chairman Justice Murray Sinclair gives the details. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says he's optimistic about his relationship with the new Liberal federal government because trying to get a meeting with the previous Conservative government was like "pulling teeth," he says. Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, who just returned from Paris with a climate change agreement in hand, says the targets set there are the floor, not the ceiling. In the War Room, Will Stewart of Ensight and Supriya Dwivedi of Crestview Strategy give their top three issues to watch for in 2016.

On the Show: Nick Khöler, Jonathan Wilkinson, Ed Fast, Patrick Bonin, Geoff Norquay, Susan Smith, Tom Parkin Maclean's reporter Nick Khöler brings the latest from the Mike Duffy trial on Duffy's payments to outside consultants and even details about the hairdresser who gave Peter Mansbridge his 'do. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson and Conservative environment critic Ed Fast debate how the Liberals will follow through on the ambitious goals set out at the Paris climate talks. Patrick Bonin, a Greenpeace campaigner says the government will need to walk the walk on cutting emissions not that some lofty goals have been set. The War Room with Geoff Norquay of Earnscliffe Strategy Group, Susan Smith of Bluesky Strategy Group and national columnist for Sun Media Tom Parkin give each of their top three turning point moments in politics for 2015.  

On the Show: Harjit Sajjan, James Bezan, Alexandra Kotyk, Stephen Carter, Bob Richardson, Kate Harrison, Tom Parkin Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says there's no timetable for pulling jets and covers many topics including new money in the budget for the military, sexual misconduct in the forces, and Canada’s support for the Afghan police force. Conservative defence critic James Bezan responds to the defence minister and says he's waiting to see the plan for pulling jets out of the combat mission in Iraq and Syria. Alexandra Kotyl, Project Director of Lifeline Syria, a resettlement services organization in the GTA, describes the next steps for Syrian refugees arriving in Canada and says even a welcoming smile from Canadians can go a long way. Stephen Carter, President of QED Marketing Inc., sheds light on the political and personal fall out of Bill 6 in Alberta as MLAs receive death threats. The War Room with Bob Richardson from Edelman Canada, Kate Harrison from Summa Strategies and Tom Parki

On the Show: Nick Köhler, Dawn Harvard, Michelle Rempel, Ann Coulter, Alia Hogben Maclean's reporterNick Köhler on day three of Mike Duffy's testimony on the stand. President of The Native Women’s Association of Canada Dr. Dawn Harvard talks about the racism faced by Canada's indigenous peoples and why maybe it's time for an #IndigenousLivesMatter movement. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel on questions she raised in the House of Commons on Syrian refugees and what she and some others thought were sexist comments from John McCallum. Evan Solomon calls out Ann Coulter for her bigotry and anti-Muslim comments. Alia Hogben, Executive Director of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women addresses the racism and bigotry Donald Trump and Ann Coulter are expressing in the U.S.

On the Show: Nick Köhler, Mark Holland, Scott Reid, Alexandre Boulerice, Suzanne Legault, David Frum Freelance journalist Nick Köhler brings news from Day Two of Mike Duffy's testimony in his trial for fraud, breach of trust and bribery. MPs Mark Holland, Scott Reid and Alexandre Boulerice debate electoral reform and whether Justin Trudeau needs to call a referendum to have legitimacy for his plans to overhaul and ditch the first-past-the-post system. Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault describes her latest scathing report on the status of access to information in Canada and outlines what her office needs from the Trudeau government to restore the system to what she says it ought to be. David Frum, editor of The Atlantic magazine, calls Donald Trump a 'flim-flam' man for his views on immigration and Muslims, and explains why he thinks Trump will never win the GOP nomination.

On the Show: Tonda MacCharles, Dawn Harvard, Chris Simpson, Rabia Khedr, Mohamed El Rashidy Tonda MacCharles, parliamentary reporter with the Toronto Star, brings the latest from the Mike Duffy trial as Duffy takes the stand. Dr. Dawn Harvard, president of the Native Women's Association of Canada, on what she expects from an inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women and girls. Dr. Chris Simpson, chair of the Wait Time Alliance, explains why the Canadian government needs to act to reduce wait times as meetings are planned to negotiate a new Health Accord. And with Donald Trump making headlines again for proposing a ban on Muslims entering the U.S., Rabia Khedr of the Federation of Muslim Women and Mohamed El Rashidy, a human rights and civil liberties activist and lawyer, give their reactions.

On the Show:  Bill Morneau, Lisa Raitt, Guy Caron, Althia Raj, Tom Parkin, Michele Austin, Susan Smith With slow growth, the price of oil hitting a 10-year low of $38 a barrel, a commodity price meltdown, a growing trade deficit and bad job numbers, Finance Minister Bill Morneau is having a hard time balancing the spending promises with the new fiscal reality. Conservative finance critic Lisa Raitt and NDP finance critic Guy Caron debate how to best tax Canadians and manage the economy through the challenging economic times. Huffington Post Ottawa Bureau Chief Althia Raj says the Liberals have agenda overload and Canadians expect them to get things done fast. The War Room with national columnist for Sun Media Tom Parkin, Summa Strategies' Michele Austin and Susan Smith of Bluesky Strategy Group debate tax cuts for the middle class, budgetary deficits, the combat mission in Iraq and Syria and the first Question Period on the House.

On the Show: Navdeep Bains, John McKay, Matthew Dubé, James Bezan, Perry Bellegarde, Geoff Norquay, Jean Ong, Max Rubin  Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains discusses his party's plan to invest in growth and how the Liberal legislative agenda will keep up with very ambitious promises. Liberal MP John McKay, NDP MP Matthew Dubé and Conservative MP James Bezan debate security and defence issues as Germany joins the mission against ISIS and a link is found between ISIS and the San Bernadino, Calif shooting. Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde says the Liberals shouldn't rush their consultation processes on First Nations issues, but rather listen to families affected. He says Trudeau should begin the formal inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women around April 1.  The War Room with Geoff Norquay, Jean Ong, Max Rubin debate the Liberal agenda and the Speech from the Throne.

On the Show: Bonnie Lysyk, Patrick Brown, Dominic LeBlanc, Heather Scoffield, Adam Radwanski Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk explains why Ontarians have been paying 80 per cent more, or $37 billion more, for their electricity over the past eight years than they should have been.  Patrick Brown, the Ontario Progressive Conservative leader, reacts to the explosive Auditor General's report. Liberal Government House leader Dominic LeBlanc says his party's plan for democratic reform in the Senate was the best option without opening up the Constitution. Canadian Press Ottawa Bureau Chief Heather Scoffield and Globe and Mail politics reporter Adam Radwanski get into the challenges and expectations facing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the House resumes sitting and he prepares to deliver his first Speech from the Throne.