Each week, the Maclean’s Ottawa bureau sits down with Cormac Mac Sweeney to discuss the headlines of the week. This week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched a cross-country tour to reconnect with Canadians, but as the election-style circuit continues, his messaging is being derailed by an ethical controversy related to his Christmas vacation. Maclean’s senior writer Anne Kingston joins us from the road.

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister gave his inner circle a facelift. Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle also signallled a big change in who will be dealing with Donald Trump’s administration. Ottawa bureau chief John Geddes weighs in on the impact of Trudeau’s new team.

Unverified reports this week claimed Russia has been able to gather enough compromising information on president-elect Donald Trump that Russian officials could blackmail him. Trump and the Kremlin deny it, but we ask: Could a similar blackmail scenario happen to Canadian politicians? We speak with Stephanie Carvin, a Carleton University professor and former government security analyst who says it not only can happen—it does.

Is TV host and businessman Kevin O’Leary about to jump into the Conservative Leadership Race? It sure sounds like it—and in advance of his decision, we speak with one of his key supporters, former Sen. Marjory LeBreton.

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The full episode

Part 1. Justin Trudeau hits the road

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched a cross-country tour to reconnect with Canadians, but as the election-style circuit continues, his messaging is being derailed by an ethical controversy related to his Christmas vacation. Maclean’s senior writer Anne Kingston joins us from the road.

Part 2. Trudeau shuffles his inner circle

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister gave his inner circle a facelift. Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle also signallled a big change in who will be dealing with Donald Trump’s administration. Ottawa bureau chief John Geddes weighs in on the impact of Trudeau’s new team.

Part 3. On international espionage in Canada

Unverified reports this week claimed Russia has been able to gather enough compromising information on president-elect Donald Trump that Russian officials could blackmail him. Trump and the Kremlin deny it, but we ask: Could a similar blackmail scenario happen to Canadian politicians? We speak with Stephanie Carvin, a Carleton University professor and former government security analyst who says it not only can happen—it does.

Part 4. Hear from one of Kevin O’Leary’s supporters

Is TV host and businessman Kevin O’Leary about to jump into the Conservative Leadership Race? It sure sounds like it—and in advance of his decision, we speak with one of his key supporters, former Sen. Marjory LeBreton.

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