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    Maclean’s on the Hill: Opioid crisis, Canada-U.S. relations

    Also: Shannon Proudfoot on her weekly Ottawa power rankings

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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 Prime Minister speaks face-to-face with first responders who deal with the opioid crisis in Vancouver. We start our show with Health Minister Jane Philpott, who explains the government’s approach to the crisis—and also raises the possibility of shifting Canada’s legal smoking age to 21.

    This week, the government tried to calm fears about the issue of asylum seekers crossing the border illegally from the U.S. into Canada. But some groups dealing with this influx are calling for more help from the feds. We hear the concerns of the executive director of the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council.

    The Trudeau government once again goes to Washington. This week, while Parliament was on a break, a slew of MPs and a couple of cabinet ministers headed south of the border to engage in talks with U.S. lawmakers. The trip comes at a time when there are serious discussions about a new border tax. Joining us to talk about the trip is Wayne Easter, the chair of the Canada-U.S. parliamentary committee.

    Reports suggest a key Donald Trump fundraiser is set to become the next U.S. ambassador to Canada. Maclean’s associate editor Shannon Proudfoot tells us more about Kelly Knight Craft, and finishes the show with this week’s Ottawa Power Rankings.

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    The full episode

    Part 1. Liberals confront the opioid crisis

    Fentanyl pills are shown in a handout photo. Police say organized crime groups have been sending a potentially deadly drug through British Columbia to Alberta and Saskatchewan using hidden compartments in vehicles. (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams/CP)
    Fentanyl pills are shown in a handout photo. Police say organized crime groups have been sending a potentially deadly drug through British Columbia to Alberta and Saskatchewan using hidden compartments in vehicles. (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams/CP)

    The Prime Minister speaks face-to-face with first responders who deal with the opioid crisis in Vancouver. We start our show with Health Minister Jane Philpott, who explains the government’s approach to the crisis—and also raises the possibility of shifting Canada’s legal smoking age to 21.

    Part 2. What should Ottawa do about the border?

    A sign is seen near Emerson, Man. Thursday, February 9, 2016. Refugees have been crossing the closed border port into Canada at Emerson and authorities had a town hall meeting in Emerson to discuss their options. (John Woods/CP)
    A sign is seen near Emerson, Man. Thursday, February 9, 2016. Refugees have been crossing the closed border port into Canada at Emerson and authorities had a town hall meeting in Emerson to discuss their options. (John Woods/CP)

    This week, the government tried to calm fears about the issue of asylum seekers crossing the border illegally from the U.S. into Canada. But some groups dealing with this influx are calling for more help from the feds. We hear the concerns of the executive director of the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council.

    Part 3. Ottawa makes inroads in D.C.

    Inauguration ceremonies swearing in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States take place on the West front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
    Inauguration ceremonies swearing in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States take place on the West front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

    The Trudeau government once again goes to Washington. This week, while Parliament was on a break, a slew of MPs and a couple of cabinet ministers headed south of the border to engage in talks with U.S. lawmakers. The trip comes at a time when there are serious discussions about a new border tax. Joining us to talk about the trip is Wayne Easter, the chair of the Canada-U.S. parliamentary committee.

    Part 4. America’s new face in Ottawa

    The Embassy of the United States of America in Ottawa, Ont., on July 4, 2016. (Lars Hagberg/CP)
    The Embassy of the United States of America in Ottawa, Ont., on July 4, 2016. (Lars Hagberg/CP)

    Reports suggest a key Donald Trump fundraiser is set to become the next U.S. ambassador to Canada. Maclean’s associate editor Shannon Proudfoot tells us more about Kelly Knight Craft, and finishes the show with this week’s Ottawa Power Rankings.

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