Heckling’s pretty common during House of Commons debates. But with tensions running high as the Liberals fight to keep the government afloat, one stray quip can set off a barrage of accusations and criticism. The House sits down with two Hill watchers to discuss Conservative MP Garnett Genuis’ allegedly homophobic comment and what it tells us about civility in Parliament.

Then, as the Middle East remains on the brink of all-out war, Canada’s national defence minister tells The House how the government has been preparing over the summer to possibly evacuate tens of thousands of people with Canadian connections stuck in Lebanon.

Plus — Chinese dissidents living in Canada share their stories of alleged harassment and intimidation by Beijing. Canada’s former ambassador to China listens in and tells us what steps should be taken to protect free speech and assembly rights for all students across Canadian campuses.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Shannon Proudfoot, writer for The Globe and Mail’s Ottawa bureau
• Paul Wells, author and podcaster
• Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
• Craig Desson, CBC News
• Guy Saint-Jacques, former Canadian ambassador to China