Party in the U.S.A.: D.C.’s changing climate

02/02/21 • 38 min

Since we last checked in President Joe Biden has signed even more executive orders, including directives to advance racial equity and expand health care. He’s also got that big COVID-19 relief bill to get through Congress, and the massive issue of climate change to move up the agenda. By contrast, former President Donald Trump — who faces his impeachment trial on February 8th — had his five lawyers quit this weekend. This week Elamin calls up Seung Min Kim, White House reporter for the Washington Post and CNN Political Analyst, to break down what these executive orders all mean. We also talk to Zahra Hirji, climate reporter at Buzzfeed News to assess Biden’s climate policies so far.

Previous Episode

Variants and the vice-regal vacancy

Two significant news stories have taken over political headlines since Elamin and Rosie dropped their last episode. The first involves some heavy hints from the federal government that tighter travel restrictions are just around the corner. Rosie and Elamin wonder if new COVID-19 variants are behind the push for stricter rules — though as of right now, international travel accounts for less than two per cent of coronavirus cases in Canada. Why has travel become a priority when other methods of community transmission could use attention? The other big story involves former vice-regal office occupant Julie Payette, who resigned as governor general following a detailed review that looked into allegations of workplace harassment. What does the government need to focus on next, when picking a successor? And what does the months-long story say about the Prime Minister’s judgement?

Next Episode

Canada declares Proud Boys a terrorist group

The Proud Boys, a group operating in Canada, who were players in the U.S. Capitol attack have been listed as a terrorist organization in this country. This makes Canada the first country to take this step. Rosie and Elamin lay out what a terrorist designation actually means, how many new tools it offers the government, and who else was added to the list. (Hint: several white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups.) This kind of designation makes for a strong statement, but what impact might it actually have on public safety? The other big news this week was Canada’s tight supply of COVID-19 vaccines, and reliance on other countries to manufacture what we need. Rosie and Elamin check the status of our supply and what plans are in the works to boost manufacturing here at home.