CBC Radio's The House: Shots in the dark

CBC News: The House47:04Shots in the dark

On this week’s show: Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne and a panel of opposition MPs discuss Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Plus: Canada’s new parliamentary poet laureate talks about poetry’s place in a time of crisis, Peel Region’s medical officer of health examines the appearance of a coronavirus variant in Ontario and the CBC’s Chris O’Neill-Yates looks at the potential for renewable energy in Newfoundland and Labrador.

A week of pandemic politics

The pandemic in Canada is entering a new phase as cases decline from record highs in parts of the country, but the vaccine rollout is stumbling amid procurement and supply chain challenges. 

François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry, joins The House to talk about Canada's push to acquire and produce vaccines, before a panel of three opposition MPs — Conservative Stephanie Kusie, New Democrat Don Davies and the Green Party's Jenica Atwin — make their case for changing the country's COVID-19 strategy.

CBC News: The House18:47A week of pandemic politics

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne and a panel of three opposition MPs discuss Canada’s vaccine rollout and COVID-19 strategy.

Poetry for a time of crisis and reconciliation

This week, Canada announced the appointment of its ninth parliamentary poet laureate. Acclaimed poet and residential school survivor Louise Bernice Halfe — who also goes by the Cree name Sky Dancer — is the first person born and raised in an Indigenous community to assume the role. 

In conversation with host Chris Hall, Halfe discusses how poems can mend the divisions in today's society. She also reflects on how her appointment advances reconciliation and shares an excerpt from her upcoming book of poetry. 

CBC News: The House8:11Poetry for a time of crisis and reconciliation

Newly-appointed Parliamentary Poet Laureate Louise Bernice Halfe — who also goes by the Cree name Sky Dancer — shares how poetry can play a role in a time of crisis and reconciliation.

Tracking a coronavirus variant in one of Canada's most populous regions

At least 30 cases of the coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa have now surfaced in Canada. Ontario's Peel Region, which includes the cities of Mississauga and Brampton and is home to an estimated 1.5 million people, identified the province's first case of the variant this week. 

Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel Region's Medical Officer of Health, joins The House to discuss what must happen to curb the spread of coronavirus variants and offers his optimistic view for the months ahead.

CBC News: The House7:30Tracking a coronavirus variant in one of Canada's most populous regions

Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel Region’s Medical Officer of Health, discusses what must happen to curb the spread of coronavirus variants and offers his optimistic view for the months ahead.

Renewable energy in N.L. 

It's election season in Newfoundland and Labrador, with voters in the province heading to the polls Feb. 13. The election comes as the province is reeling from a downturn in oil prices; keeping the oil industry afloat has been a major focus for the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals. 

But the idea of transitioning away from oil has barely come up. CBC National Reporter Chris O'Neill-Yates takes a look at the potential for renewable energy in the province.

CBC News: The House7:33Renewable energy in N.L.

CBC National Reporter Chris O’Neill-Yates takes a look at the potential for renewable energy in Newfoundland and Labrador ahead of the provincial election next week.