Nigel Wright and the economy shape Week 2 of the campaign
Two stories dominated the second week of this still young election campaign.
Nigel Wright was in the witness box at the Mike Duffy trial, putting the Senate scandal squarely back in the spotlight. Then, more global financial uncertainty as China devalued its currency and oil dropped below $42 USD a barrel, a low not seen since 2009, and one that promises further trickle-down consequences for the Canadian economy.
Our In House panelists, National Post and Post Media columnist Andrew Coyne and the CBC's Power & Politics host Rosemary Barton, share their insights into how the politics of the Mike Duffy trial are playing out in the campaign narrative, then former Conservative strategist and senior advisor to Stephen Harper Tom Flanagan joins us with his perspective.
Long-time Conservative cabinet minister and Calgary Midnapore candidate Jason Kenney joins us to discuss the economy, Mike Duffy and why he doesn't believe the government should be involved in counter-radicalization efforts.
Then, another Canadian Premier jumps into the federal campaign. New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant has been a vocal supporter of the Energy East pipeline that would bring Western oil to his province. Now he's calling on federal party leaders to do more for the project.
Canada's chief electoral officer Marc Mayrand may have had to scramble to sign 480 election office leases after a surprise early election call, but two weeks in and Mayrand says Elections Canada is back on track and ready to focus on what really counts — getting Canadians out to vote, especially groups with traditionally low voter turnout.
Speaking of voter turnout, the CBC's polls analyst Éric Grenier is back to look at a province that was almost entirely Conservative blue — save for Ralph Goodale's red exception — before the election was called.
But a redrawn electoral map might just shake things up in Saskatchewan, especially in urban ridings, says Grenier, who joins us with a look at Battleground Saskatchewan.