Maclean’s on the Hill: Who speaks most in the House of Commons?

The Maclean’s Ottawa bureau offers its weekly audio debrief on all things #cdnpoli

April 29, 2016

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Each week, the Maclean’s Ottawa bureau sits down with Cormac Mac Sweeney to discuss the headlines of the week. This week, the extremist group Abu Sayyaf executed one Canadian in the Philippines—and continue to hold another hostage. The man who was killed, John Ridsdel, was a friend of former Liberal MP Bob Rae, who joins us to talk about the friend he lost, and the efforts he made to try and secure his release. After that, Cormac speaks with a former Canadian diplomat who has handled more than 100 hostage situations for the federal government. He tells us about the risks inherent to hostage situations, and the need for secrecy during sensitive discussions. Next, we ask: Does Aerospace giant bombardier really need a federal bailout, now that it has landed a $5.6-billion deal with Delta Airlines? As the Trudeau Liberals consider their options, we speak with one group calling for the talks to end, as well as the aerospace workers’ union that says a financial injection is vital to the industry’s future. Finally, we all know politicians like to talk, but who blabs the most in the House of Commons? Maclean’s crunched the numbers in a tool called Figures of Speech. Digital production editor Amanda Shendruk explains which MP is most talkative, whether men or women speak more in the House, and how much French the party leaders speak. The answers may surprise you. Subscribe on iTunes today or play below.

The full episode

Part 1. Bob Rae remembers John Ridsdel.

Former premier of Ontario and senior partner with OKT LLP, Bob Rae, in conversation with Maclean’s Magazine regarding the death of John Ridsdel in the Philippines at the hands of terrorists. (Photograph by Cole Garside)

The extremist group Abu Sayyaf executed one Canadian in the Philippines—and continue to hold another hostage. The man who was killed, John Ridsdel, was a friend of fomer Liberal MP Bob Rae, who joins us to talk about the friend he lost, and the efforts he made to try and secure his release.

Part 2. How should Liberals handle hostage situations?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with students, teachers, chiefs, and dignitaries at Oskayak High School in Saskatoon, Sask., Wednesday, April 27, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Matt Smith

Cormac speaks with a former Canadian diplomat who has handled more than 100 hostage situations for the federal government. He tells us about the risks inherent to hostage situations, and the need for secrecy during sensitive discussions.

Part 3. Does Bombardier need a bailout?

Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau speaks to staff at Bombardier’s CS100 plant Friday, December 18, 2015 in Mirabel, Que. After years of delays and cost overruns, Bombardier’s CSeries commercial aircraft has been certified by Canada’s transportation regulator. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Does Aerospace giant bombardier really need a federal bailout, now that it has landed a $5.6-billion deal with Delta Airlines? As the Trudeau Liberals consider their options, we speak with one group calling for the talks to end, as well as the aerospace workers’ union that says a financial injection is vital to the industry’s future.

Part 4. Who speaks most in the House of Commons?

We all know politicians like to talk, but who blabs the most in the House of Commons? Maclean’s crunched the numbers in a tool called Figures of Speech. Digital production editor Amanda Shendruk explains which MP is most talkative, whether men or women speak more in the House, and how much French the party leaders speak. The answers may surprise you.