Total Search Results: 1
The Week with Mark Sutcliffe
February 26, 2012
This Sunday, Mark welcomes two veteran political journalists to discuss the week in national politics. Viewers are also welcome to contribute their thoughts about the big stories of the week. On the program: John Geddes, Ottawa Bureau Chief for Maclean’s Elizabeth Thompson, Senior Political Writer for iPolitics.ca Tune in, call in, and tweet in, this Sunday, to talk about: FRAUDULENT CALLS: Opposition MPs say it's cheating and call it dirty politics. The Conservatives say they know nothing about it. But Elections Canada is investigating a series of automated phone calls that misinformed voters about their polling stations in the last federal election. Is there a connection? Did the calls impact the results in close races? LEGAL ADVICE: Reconsider mandatory minimum sentences for minor marijuana offences -- that's the message from American law enforcement officials in a letter to the Canadian government. The group of judges, police officers and investigators calls the U.S. war on drugs a costly failure. Is Canada going in the wrong direction when it comes to fighting drug use? Should the government change course on the omnibus crime bill? OAS ETA: The Human Resources Minister Diane Finley reaches out to young Canadians with her message about Old Age Security. She says they will have to shoulder an unfair burden if changes aren't made. Meanwhile a new study from a public sector union says government spending cuts could send the country back into recession. Whose economic projections do you believe? DIRTY OIL? A European Union committee reached a stalemate this week over whether to designate Alberta's oil sands crude as more harmful to the environment than conventional crude. Canada’s Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says the government is encouraged by vote results. The proposal now moves to the EU Council. Canada has threatened to go to the World Trade Organization over the issue. Is oil sands crude dirtier than conventional crude? And should the government be fighting the industry's battles? JET JITTERS: Countries around the globe are delaying or reducing the number of F-35s they plan to purchase. Government opposition wants to know if Canada will do the same. The manufacturer has indicated the dip and delays in orders could bump up the price. Canada’s military is reportedly now assessing the life expectancy of its CF-18s. Should Canada reduce the number of F-35s it plans to buy, or cancel the purchase? ANYTHING ELSE: What are the national political stories that matter most to you this week?