Each week, the Maclean’s Ottawa bureau sits down with Cormac Mac Sweeney to discuss the headlines of the week. Subscribe on iTunes now!

This week, we lead off by talking about the news that’s top of mind for many in Ottawa: the fraught CETA trade deal with the European Union. With our trade minister furious after continued stonewalling from the Walloons in Belgium, the accord looks all but dead. Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose discusses the deal and what she hopes to see moving ahead.

Then, we play excerpts of Justin Trudeau’s exclusive interviews with morning shows across Canada to mark the one-year anniversary of his election. He spoke to Breakfast Television shows across the country; we showcase some of the most interesting quotes.

We’ll then move to a conversation between Ottawa bureau chief John Geddes and senior writer Michael Friscolanti about Chanie Wenjack and our Runaways project. They talk about Maclean’s efforts to shed light on the tragic stories of children who died fleeing residential schools, and Gord Downie’s Secret Path project. Read Friscolanti’s story here.

Finally, David Wilkins—a Republican and a former U.S. ambassador to Canada—tells us about why he’s still supporting Donald Trump, and how their election will affect us.

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The full episode

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Part 1. Rona Ambrose on the EU trade deal

As free-trade talks collapse between Canada and the small Belgian region of Wallonia over CETA—with Chrystia Freeland saying that she’s returning home—many questions have arisen about what has gone wrong. Conservative Party Leader Rona Ambrose comes on the show to ask why the Prime Minister didn’t head to Belgium himself, and whether he truly supports free trade.

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Part 2. Justin Trudeau marks his one-year anniversary

Justin Trudeau marked the first anniversary of his election on Oct. 19. Here are some clips of Trudeau speaking to Rogers-owned Breakfast Television morning shows across the country to talk about the occasion. Read our report-card package here.

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Part 3. Remembering Chanie Wenjack—and other runaways like him

Chanie Wenjack’s story is tragic and horrible, inspiring Gord Downie, Joseph Boyden and Jeff Lemire to produce the Secret Path project to highlight his story. But Wenjack is not alone. Maclean’s senior writer Michael Friscolanti talks about his reportage on ‘Bean’ and Roderick, two boys who suffered similar fates in Kenora, Ont., and Maclean’s Runaways Project. Here’s how you can help us tell more of these runaways’ stories.

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Part 4. David Wilkins on the U.S. election so far

David Wilkins served as the U.S. ambassador to Canada during George W. Bush’s administration, and he spoke to us about his support for Donald Trump, the future of the Republican Party, and the impact of this wild presidential election.

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OUR BUREAU’S TOP READS

• 
  ON NOV. 9
  The day after Trump

• 
  ON IMMIGRATION
  Canada vs. U.S.

• 
  IN RAPID FIRE
  Solomon/Geddes from Ottawa

• 
  ON LEADING
  Q&A: Chris Alexander

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