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The Week with Mark Sutcliffe
October 14, 2012
This Sunday, Mark welcomes two guests 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: Susan Riley, Columnist for the Ottawa Citizen Bob Plamondon, Author and Public Policy Consultant Tune in, call in, and tweet in, this Sunday, to talk about: NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES: National security concerns grabbed the spotlight this week. A Canadian naval officer pleaded guilty to spying for Russia. Meanwhile, the United States warned against doing business with Chinese firms such as Huawei Technologies. How much should the Harper government worry about national security, as it reaches beyond borders for business? And how will this affect the proposed takeover bid of Alberta oil company Nexen by China's state-owned CNOOC? FOOD SAFETY SYSTEM BROKEN? The union representing workers at XL Foods wants a public inquiry into the E. Coli outbreak. As the meat recall and the list of those ill expand, more questions are being asked about Canada's food safety system. Are the government and industry doing enough? Who should be responsible for the safety checks? FEDERAL-QUEBEC RELATIONS: The prime minister travelled to Africa this week to offer aid, discuss business, and attend the Francophonie Summit. The trip also provided the first opportunity for a face-to-face meeting with Quebec's new premier. What will come of Stephen Harper’s interactions with the new Parti Québécois government? How will the PQ government's minority status impact its ability to negotiate with the federal government? And will there be another national unity crisis, as one pollster reportedly suggests? PBO EXTENDS DEADLINE: The Parliamentary Budget Officer is giving federal departments until October 19th to provide information he has been requesting for months: how they plan to meet savings outlined in the March federal budget. Kevin Page had threatened Federal Court action if an earlier deadline was not met. But department officials asked for more time. Is the Conservative government now taking the PBO's request more seriously? ANYTHING ELSE: What are the national political stories that matter most to you this week?