CBC Radio's The House: Could WE take down the government?
Here is what’s on this week’s episode of The House
PM Youth Council member: 'I decided not to get too close to that initiative'
The government's Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG), which was meant to be administered through the We Charity, has been put on pause in response to an ethics probe into the Liberal government's decision to outsource the program to an organization with ties to the Trudeau family.
"The student service grant would have been a really good opportunity for [students] to give back to the community, but to also earn some money for school," said Alfred Burgesson, a 23-year-old member of the Prime Minister's Youth Council who also works in youth employment.
Burgesson was asked to serve on an advisory board for the student grant project. He told The House that while he had positive experiences with the organization, he turned down the offer.
"I have not come across many people who've had great things to say about their experience with WE, so as a youth service provider, I decided not to get too close to that initiative," he said.
Aside from the fallout from the CCSG, the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard on young Canadians and their careers.
Burgesson spoke to The House about some of those challenges, what the federal government should do to help, and how Ottawa should do more to combat racism.
What does WE mean for the prime minister's future?
The ongoing controversy over the WE organization has become a growing thorn in the side of the Liberal government. The decision to give a sole-sourced contract to administer a program worth nearly $1 billion to an organization with links to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his family and his government has exploded into a potential conflict of interest.
Federal Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion is looking into the matter. On Friday, the federal Conservatives called on the police to launch a criminal investigation.
To sort out what this means for the Liberal government going forward, guest host Catherine Cullen asks CBC chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton and Toronto Star political columnist Susan Delacourt for their views.
Economic recovery from an unparalleled crisis
Finance Minister Bill Morneau tabled the government's fiscal snapshot this week, revealing that Canada's deficit is expected to hit a staggering $343 billion this year.
That update was the first real glimpse of the federal government's finances since the pandemic brought much of the country's economy to a halt and the government began shelling out billions in emergency aid.
But the snapshot offered only a short-term look at Canada's future, and any plans for an economic recovery remain unclear. The CBC's Catherine Cullen talks to economist Armine Yalnizyan and Business Council of Canada president Goldy Hyder for their take on how Canada should navigate a recovery from a crisis unlike any other.
The state of extremism in Canada
When a heavily armed man gained entry into the grounds of Rideau Hall last week, it triggered questions about the level of frustration — and extremism — in this country.
On Parliament Hill, Canada Day was marked by demonstrations organized by an array of groups, including anti-lockdown and pro-gun activists.
CBC Radio's The House speaks to far-right extremism expert Barbara Perry about how the COVID-19 pandemic is being viewed and exploited by such groups.
Conservative leadership candidate Derek Sloan
If everything had gone to plan, the Conservative Party would have elected a new leader by now. Instead, party members are receiving mail-in ballots this week, which they'll have to stamp and send off before Aug. 21.
First-time MP Derek Sloan is one of the names on those ballots. He's one of two social conservatives in the race and made headlines earlier this year with controversial comments about Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam.
Sloan talks about his stance on immigration and abortion, his criticism of China's handling of the COVID-19 crisis and his opposition to a mandatory vaccine policy.
