Synopsis

How did Stephen Harper dodge the Senate scandal? Why did the press let him? Toronto Star columnist Susan Delacourt speaks candidly about Canada’s broken political press.

Guest

Susan Delacourt covers federal politics for the Toronto Star, after doing so for The National Post, the Ottawa Citizen, and the Globe and Mail. She has written several books on Canadian politics and history, including the recent Shopping for Votes: How Politicians Choose Us and We Choose Them.

People mentioned

Jean Chretien, Stephen Harper, Andrew Coyne, Mark Kennedy

Topics discussed

How has Stephen Harper obstructed the press, evaded media scrutiny, and diminished journalists’ influence in Canada? Why do reporters act as repeaters, airing negative political ads for free? Why does our press let all of this happen? What can the Canadian political press do to reverse the situation and provide true inquiry and analysis?