Juno News: Straight Up

EXCLUSIVE: Former Harper advisor says Conservatives need to stop fighting and start winning

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 01:46:20 GMT

Dimitri Soudas, a longtime Conservative strategist who served as Stephen Harper's communications director and later as executive director of the Conservative Party, joins Straight Up with Marc Patrone to discuss the debate over Pierre Poilievre's leadership, public disputes among prominent Conservatives, and the party's path forward.

Soudas says the public clashes among Conservative figures, former staffers and insider voices have become a distraction from the party’s larger goal of returning to government. While he says debate and disagreement are part of any political movement, he argues personal disputes cannot be allowed to fracture the broader Conservative coalition.

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Discussing recent tensions surrounding the BC Conservative leadership race and the fallout involving Caroline Elliott and members of her campaign team, Soudas argues Conservatives need to focus on bringing more people into the movement rather than pushing supporters away. “Politics is about making additions, not about making subtractions,” he says.

Soudas also addresses the ongoing criticism and counter-criticism involving Pierre Poilievre and political strategist Kory Teneycke, arguing the party’s leader has a responsibility to rise above internal battles.

“One person, Kory Teneycke, is a party member, a Conservative... The other person is supposed to be the prime minister in waiting. Why is he wasting time on Kory Teneycke?” Soudas says.

While praising Poilievre as “probably the hardest working politician I have ever met,” Soudas argues the Conservative leader’s focus should be on showing Canadians he is ready to govern.

Soudas also outlines what he believes to be the path forward for Conservatives, urging the party to “ignore the noise,” focus on the job ahead, and become a government-in-waiting.

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Andrew Lawton: Carney Liberals are “finishing the job” on Trudeau's war on faith

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 01:49:00 GMT

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The Carney Liberal government has banned references to God at official Canadian Armed Forces ceremonies, ordering military chaplains to replace prayers with non-religious “spiritual reflections” at events such as Remembrance Day services, graduations, and changes of command.

Conservative MP Andrew Lawton joins Marc Patrone to explain why he believes the directive is the latest attack on religious freedom by a Liberal government that has repeatedly targeted people of faith.

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"This is Mark Carney finishing the job that Justin Trudeau started," Lawton said, arguing the policy prevents chaplains from performing one of their most fundamental responsibilities.

Lawton rejected the government's claim that eliminating prayers protects Charter rights. "We don't protect religious freedom by just eliminating all religious expression," he said.

"Religious freedom for one is religious freedom for all. If we don't protect the right for Christians to worship, we're not respecting the rights of Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and so on."

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Premier Smith tells Juno News: "It's a hard no" to energy war with U.S.

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:18:09 GMT

On today’s episode of Straight Up, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith joins Marc Patrone from Charlottetown, P.E.I., following meetings with Canada’s premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss the country’s response to escalating trade tensions with the United States.

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Is China meddling in Alberta's independence movement?

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:55:02 GMT

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Alberta lawyer and independence advocate Jeff Rath is sounding the alarm on Chinese influence in Alberta, alleging that foreign interests are affecting the province’s political landscape and the future of the sovereignty movement.

On today’s episode of Straight Up with Marc Patrone, Rath details what he describes as a growing battle over Alberta’s political future and the forces he believes are shaping the province’s direction.

“If everybody knew how deep the problems we have in this province are, they would be shocked in terms of the amount of influence that China now has in Alberta, the degree of control that they’re taking over the NDP and various other political parties and organs.”

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Rath also addresses his ongoing legal battle with a First Nation over disputed legal fees, rejecting accusations against him and saying the controversy is being used to distract from the independence movement. He dismisses criticism from former Alberta premier Jason Kenney as “payback,” tying it to their past political battles and Rath’s role in Kenney’s political downfall.

Plus, Rath takes aim at Elections Alberta over what he calls a double standard involving former Alberta cabinet minister Thomas Lukaszuk, accusing the agency of allowing Lukaszuk’s anti-independence campaign activity to avoid the same scrutiny and reporting rules faced by referendum organizers.

Finally, Rath weighs in on Mark Carney’s energy policies, Alberta pipeline proposals, digital ID concerns, and why he believes the province’s relationship with Ottawa has reached a turning point.

EXCLUSIVE: Peter MacKay warns against Carney's massive defence spending

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:35:29 GMT

On today’s episode of Straight Up, former defence minister Peter MacKay joins Marc Patrone to discuss Canada’s commitment to dramatically increase defence spending and whether the country can afford it.

MacKay also weighs in on Canada’s fiscal outlook, the state of the economy, and what he sees as missed opportunities to strengthen the country’s finances through pipelines, LNG exports, and resource development.

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They also discuss Canada’s relationship with the United States, the future of free trade, China’s growing influence, and how Ottawa is handling its most important international partnerships.

Finally, MacKay shares his perspective on the ongoing conflict with Iran, NATO’s role in global security, and whether he would ever consider returning to political life.

Trudeau says immigration relies on "shared values"

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:43:00 GMT

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Over the weekend, Justin Trudeau told a Finnish audience that successful immigration relies on “shared values” and integration, rather than ancestry. He went on to admit that Canada had made mistakes on immigration that needed adjustment.

The comments are surprising from a leader who long defended his government’s immigration …

Is Carney's condo bailout dead?

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 01:04:00 GMT

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Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney and BC Premier David Eby announced a joint project to buy up over 2,200 vacant, unsold condominiums and convert them into affordable housing.

The plan immediately triggered intense blowback from all fronts, with critics blasting it as a taxpayer-funded bailout that artificially protects de…

EXCLUSIVE: Jamil Jivani launches Task Force to End Liberal Racism

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:59:39 GMT

On today’s episode of Straight Up, Conservative MP Jamil Jivani joins Marc Patrone to discuss his newly launched parliamentary task force aimed at confronting what he calls “Liberal racism” in Canadian institutions.

The Task Force to End Liberal Racism will take stock of how diversity and inclusion policies are being applied across federal programs and p…

Trump kills possible trade deal with Canada?

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:04:10 GMT

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On today’s episode of Straight Up, Marc Patrone breaks down President Trump’s latest comments suggesting that an updated free trade agreement with Canada may not be coming.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said he’s “not looking to renew” the deal, and outlined his right to terminate the pact as a key component of the agreement.

Th…

Melissa Lantsman on Mark Carney's caucus crackdown

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 23:57:52 GMT

Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman joins Marc Patrone to discuss growing unrest inside Prime Minister Mark Carney’s caucus, as reports emerge of tighter internal discipline and frustration among Liberal MPs behind closed doors.

Lantsman weighs in on Carney’s leadership style and whether efforts to clamp down on dissent are exposing deeper divisions within …

Canada’s recession reality

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:59:24 GMT

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On today’s episode of Straight Up, host Marc Patrone is joined by former Liberal MP and Canadians for Affordable Energy president Dan McTeague to discuss Canada officially slipping into recession and the growing affordability crisis facing Canadians.

The two examine criticism surrounding Prime Minister Mark Carney’s response t…

Carney embraces “Make America Great Again”?

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Fri, 29 May 2026 20:08:16 GMT

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Prime Minister Mark Carney is striking a dramatically different tone toward the United States, telling an audience in New York that “Canada Strong will help make America great again.” But is this a genuine shift in strategy, or a response to mounting economic and political pressure?

On this episode of Straight Up, host Marc Pa…

Carney Ditches U.S. Wedgetail for Swedish Surveillance Plane in Political Defence Shift

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Thu, 28 May 2026 20:47:31 GMT

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Canada’s defence procurement debate is heating up after Mark Carney’s government moved to buy Sweden’s Saab GlobalEye surveillance aircraft instead of the American-made Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, a decision critics say is about politics as much as military capability.

The GlobalEye, built on a Bombardier Global 6500 platform, has b…

Ford loses cabinet minister as Mulroney announces resignation

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

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A major cabinet resignation and fresh party infighting are adding to the political turbulence at Queen’s Park. Doug Ford is losing a key member of his cabinet after Caroline Mulroney announced she will step down as Treasury Board President and resign her York–Simcoe seat, triggering a byelection and handing Ford another polit…

Alberta separatists furious over Smith’s referendum question

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Sat, 23 May 2026 22:57:04 GMT

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Danielle Smith has announced Alberta’s October 19 referendum will include a new question asking voters whether the province should remain in Canada or begin the legal process toward a future binding independence vote.

Smith says she would vote to stay in Canada, but argues Albertans, not the courts, should decide the province’…

Carney's private meeting with Obama and Alex Soros raises serious questions

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Tue, 19 May 2026 11:01:08 GMT

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Prime Minister Mark Carney’s private Toronto meeting with Barack Obama and Alex Soros is raising major questions, including why such a high-profile gathering took place behind closed doors and why so little has been publicly disclosed about what was discussed.

Independent journalist Dan Dicks joins Marc Patrone to unpack what’…

Liberal-appointed judge blocks Alberta independence vote

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Thu, 14 May 2026 22:04:00 GMT

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A Liberal-appointed judge has quashed a citizen-led petition to trigger an Alberta independence referendum, ruling organizers failed to properly consult First Nations communities whose treaty rights could be affected by separation.

Premier Danielle Smith says her government will appeal the decision, calling the ruling incorrec…

CBC caught LYING in attempt to smear Sir John A. Macdonald defenders

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Thu, 14 May 2026 00:33:00 GMT

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The CBC is being accused of deliberately misleading conservative participants into taking part in what they believed was a legitimate documentary about Sir John A. Macdonald.

Participants say they were approached under false pretences and agreed to be interviewed for what they understood to be a serious historical project. Ins…

Carney-backed candidate cries foul after losing Ontario Liberal nomination

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Mon, 11 May 2026 22:33:00 GMT

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A bitter nomination battle in Scarborough Southwest is exposing deep dysfunction inside the Ontario Liberal Party after leadership hopeful Nate Erskine-Smith lost by just 19 votes—and then publicly suggested the process may have been unfair.

But longtime Liberal insider Stephen LeDrew isn’t buying the vague accusations. He say…

College student calls out land acknowledgements on campus

Straight Up with Marc Patrone — Fri, 08 May 2026 22:56:00 GMT

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A recent college graduate is speaking out against the growing use of land acknowledgements in Canadian institutions, arguing they’ve shifted from voluntary recognition into something closer to compelled speech.

George Ramsay, grand-prize winner of the Patricia Trottier and Gwyn Morgan Student Essay Contest, joins Marc Patrone …