It's Political with Althia Raj

Apr 11 2025 66 ep. 49 mins 311

It's Political with Althia Raj Podcast artwork

Probing and insightful conversations with Canada's top political insiders, hosted by Althia Raj. A bi-monthly political podcast from the Toronto Star.

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Our “recovering partisans” on rallies and the press on the campaign trail

Apr 11 2025 46 mins

Pierre Poilievre held massive rallies in Alberta this week and received an endorsement from former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. But why is he spending precious campaign time in a province with solid Conservative support? We’ve also seen members of the media increasingly speaking out against the Conservative campaign for exerting too much control over the press. Our “recoveri

Unpacking the parties’ climate change promises

Apr 09 2025 29 mins

Halfway through this five-week federal election campaign, no major party has yet released its platform and there have been no big climate change announcements either. With U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and affordability concerns top of voters’ minds, addressing our heating planet seems to be taking a back seat to other considerations, namely how to build up Canada’s e

From Trump’s tariffs to bozo eruptions, our 'recovering partisans' break down the campaign’s second week

Apr 04 2025 51 mins

Canada was spared Wednesday when the U.S. President Donald Trump announced new punishing tariffs on the rest of the world. But many Canadian industries are already feeling the pinch from tariffs Trump had imposed earlier, and big job losses are on the horizon. This week, Liberal Leader Mark Carney headed to Ottawa and put on his prime minister’s hat to respond to the crisis, ju

Unpacking the parties' housing promises

Apr 01 2025 31 mins

Conservative party infighting! Candidate removals! U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs! There’s been a lot of issues flying around this election campaign but one thing might be flying below the radar: the parties' actual policy proposals. Today, we offer the first in a series examining policy offerings. We’ll unpack issues that matter to you, and matter to the politicians h

'Recovering partisans' break down the campaign’s first week

Mar 28 2025 44 mins

U.S. President Donald Trump injected himself into the Canadian election campaign this week but he was already a central figure. This week on “It’s Political” our panel of recovering partisans break down the campaign’s first week. Join David Christopherson, the former NDP Hamilton Centre MP; Sen. Rodger Cuzner, the former Liberal MP for Cape Breton—Canso; Kristina Michaud,

From the campaign trail: the first 24 hours

Mar 25 2025 28 mins

The election has kicked off, leaders have hit the trail, rallies were had, press conferences were held and photo ops were taken. It’s been a busy 24 hours. In this episode of "It's Political," join Toronto Star reporters Raisa Patel and Ryan Tumilty as they break down Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's and Liberal Leader Mark Carney's first foray into their campaigns. In this

The race begins

Mar 24 2025 27 mins

Liberal Leader Mark Carney spent his 10th day as prime minister asking Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament, and then asking Canadians for a mandate to keep his current job for longer. She agreed and Canadians will now go to the polls on April 28. There is a lot at stake with U.S. President Donald Trump looming over this Canadian election like no other. On this epis

And they’re (almost) off!

Mar 21 2025 61 mins

The federal parties are putting the final touches on their election campaigns. What just recently seemed like an easy victory for the Conservatives is no longer so certain. This week, several public opinion polls had the Liberal ahead and in majority territory. Canada’s 45th general election will be an unexpectedly tight race. This week on “It’s Political,” Toronto Star Ot

Mark Carney’s first day

Mar 14 2025 44 mins

Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s new Prime Minister Friday morning, after winning the Liberal leadership race in a landslide. He unveiled a new, leaner cabinet but tapped many of outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau’s ministers for key portfolios. Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau Chief Tonda MacCharles and national politics reporters Ryan Tumilty and Mark Ramzy join host Althia

Mark Carney won the Liberal leadership. Next up? Trump, Poilievre and a likely early election

Mar 10 2025 26 mins

Mark Carney, the former Bank of Canada governor, trounced the competition Sunday winning the Liberal leadership with nearly 86 per cent support. Carney will become prime minister in the days ahead. He will appoint a new cabinet. And is widely expected to call a federal election campaign next week. In this bonus episode of “It’s Political,” the Toronto Star’s national column