B.C. Decriminalization of Hard Drugs in Public Revoked – May 7, 2024

Ottawa finally agreed to British Columbia's request and once again banned the use of illicit drugs in public. On April 26 of this year, the province approached Health Canada and asked them to change their exemption under a pilot project. Since then, the Liberal government has been under fire from the Conservatives. Our host Catherine Lafrance discusses this with MPs Élisabeth Brière (Liberals) and Luc Thériault (Bloc Québécois).

The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada has tabled its annual report. There has been a sharp drop in the number of complaints compared to last year. However, the vast majority once again concerns transportation, which comes under federal jurisdiction. Although it has fewer complaints compared to 2022-23, Air Canada still leads with 130 complaints, far ahead of the RCMP with 48. In his report, Commissioner Raymond Théberge blames federal institutions for their lack of cooperation, both for the language of service and for the right of public servants to work in their language. Catherine Lafrance looks back on this record with Raymond Théberge.

Journalist and political analyst Paul Wells releases his book entitled “Justin Trudeau on the Ropes,” which is published by Sutherland House. The book hits book stores today. The author looks at Justin Trudeau’s journey to the leadership of the Liberal Party and analyzes what led to his subsequent falling popularity. He discusses with Catherine Lafrance.