Political Blind Date

Liberal MP Greg Fergus and Toronto City Councillor Michael Thompson delve into possible ways to tackle anti-Black racism. From organizations encouraging Black Canadians to seek public office, to federal government programs providing financial assistance to Black-owned businesses, Fergus and Thompson debate their visions on how to address systemic racism.

Conservative MP John Brassard and Liberal MP Darrell Samson square off for a debate about the state of veteran affairs in Canada. Brassard takes Samson to meet veterans in Barrie who are fighting for their claims to be resolved due to a significant back log. In Nova Scotia, Samson takes Brassard to talk to former service members and families who have benefited from the Liberal government's latest programs to help veterans.

Sol Mamakwa, NDP MPP and member of the Kingfisher First Nation, meets with Kingston City Councillor Jeff McLaren about what to do with the statues and symbols of some of Canada's early political leaders whose policies harmed Indigenous Peoples. McClaren is opposed to removing Sir John A. Macdonald's statue, but is in favour of telling a more complete history. Mamakwa takes McClaren to Sioux Lookout to meet Indigenous leaders who have a very different perspective about how to remember Canada's real history.

Monte McNaughton and Jerry Dias discuss trade unionism.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter, who himself was homeless for 14 years, discuss solutions to the growing homelessness crisis in their cities and across Canada. Carter takes Brown to Oshawa to examine solutions that include an integrated health care and social services hub for the homeless, and a micro-home prototype made from storage containers. In Brampton, Brown demonstrates the power of large, diverse cities to harness faith communities to help combat homelessness and poverty.

Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith and Conservative MP Garnett Genuis reunite to debate what needs to be done to address the opioid drug crisis in Canada. Erskine-Smith believes that the government needs to legalize and regulate all illicit drugs, since a poisoned supply laced with the synthetic opioid fentanyl is killing thousands of unsuspecting drug users. Garnett Genuis believes that the threat of criminal charges may encourage those with substance use disorders to seek treatment services and recovery, and that these services need to be expanded across Canada.