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On Power & Politics, host David Cochrane asks decision-makers the questions that matter – and gets answers. Every weekday, we feature hard-hitting interviews with politicians and leaders, check in with CBC’s top political journalists for updates on breaking stories, and take the time to analyze the latest developments with a cast of regular panelists and critical thinkers. Whether you’re getting caught up on Canadian politics daily or weekly, we’ve got an insider’s view of the continuously-unfolding drama.'
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1Two Conservative MPs defected to the Liberals and a third announced his resignation in the months leading up to Pierre Poilievre's leadership review in January. Ontario Conservative MP Adam Chambers tells Power & Politics that 'many people' still support Poilievre after the second floor-crossing. But interim NDP Leader Don Davies tells host David Cochrane that 'if I were Mr. Poilievre, I'd be deeply concerned.'
Ontario Conservative MP Michael Ma announced Thursday evening that he was crossing the floor to the Liberals, bringing the government within one seat of the 172-vote threshold for a majority in the House of Commons. Power & Politics breaks the news live on the program and gets instant reaction from the bureau chiefs of the Globe and Mail, Canadian Press and La Presse. Plus, despite no official resumption of Canada's trade talks, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tells Power & Politics that 'what we're trying to do now is sectoral deals' with the U.S. and that 'discussions are ongoing.'
There's no official word yet on who will be replacing Kirsten Hillman once she leaves her post as Canada's ambassador to the U.S. in January, but whoever picks up that file will soon be heading into CUSMA negotiations. Power & Politics hears from former ambassador Frank Mckenna. The Power Panel weighs in.
Liberal MP Corey Hogan weighs in on the breaking news that Canada’s Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman is stepping down. Plus, Liberal MPs reject an attempt to put their caucus in an uncomfortable position, as Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre tries to wedge the Liberals on their pipeline support. The Power Panel breaks down the vote.
The Conservatives are looking to magnify a potential rift in Liberal caucus on Tuesday, with a motion that would force MPs to show their support for a new oil pipeline to B.C. and changes to the North Coast tanker ban. Andrew Scheer tells Power & Politics his party is putting forward the motion because 'Canadians deserve clarity,' and accuses Prime Minister Mark Carney of delivering a different message to Alberta than other parts of the country. Plus, Catherine Abreu explains why she was one of two members who resigned from Canada's Net-Zero Advisory Body last week, saying the Carney government 'at no point' sought its advice on the oil and gas projects it's supporting.
The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Carlene Variyan, Ginny Roth and Zain Velji.
The leaders of all three nations in the North American free trade deal spent more than an hour chatting and laughing in the stands of the FIFA World Cup draw on Friday, before Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum retreated to a 45-minute private meeting without any staff. Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations member Jean Charest warns that Canada can 'expect a lot of posturing' like threats to abandon CUSMA from the U.S., but that patience and focus will preserve the deal. Plus, CBC's Peter Armstrong explains how a revision to Canada's economic data shows that growth has actually been better than previously thought.
The day after denying his party's announcement that they'd removed him as leader and posting on social media that he was 'not going anywhere,' John Rustad resigned his leadership of the B.C. Conservative Party. Trevor Halford, the new interim leader of the party, joins Power & Politics to discuss the path forward from the caucus revolt. Plus, Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu responds to Algoma Steel's layoff of 1,000 workers and explains the extension of federal child-care subsidies in Ontario as fees still remain above $10 a day.
On the first day of hearings on the U.S. review of CUSMA, the free trade deal that exempts most Canadian goods from 35 per cent tariffs, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to either let it expire — the current deal would end in 2036 if not renewed — or pursue a different agreement. Brad Wood, a senior director at the National Foreign Trade Council who's testifying at the hearings, says he'll be telling the top U.S. trade official that keeping the deal is 'critical' for U.S. business. Plus, Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty reacts to the Assembly of First Nations' unanimous call for the withdrawal of her government's pipeline agreement with Alberta.
In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, First Nations chiefs called for the withdrawal of the energy agreement between Ottawa and Alberta at the AFN's special chiefs assembly in Ottawa. B.C. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee and Indian Resource Council president Stephen Buffalo join Power & Politics to respond to Prime Minister Mark Carney's address to the assembly. Plus, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May explains why she says voting for the Liberal budget was a 'mistake' she won't make again.
Prime Minister Mark Carney left Trudeau-era mainstay Marc Miller out of his first cabinet, but turned to the former immigration minister on Monday to replace Steven Guilbeault as minister of Canadian identity and official languages. Miller joins Power & Politics to discuss his return. Plus, Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker reacts to Algoma Steel's confirmation that it served 1,000 layoff notices to workers at its plant in the city.
The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D'Angelo, Rachael Segal and Zain Velji.
It wasn't a victory lap for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith over her MOU with Ottawa that supports an oil pipeline on Friday, as she told the UCP base at their annual meeting that "I hope people today feel a lot more confident that Canada works than they did a couple of days ago" — and was met with a chorus of boos. Plus, Vancouver Liberal MP Taleeb Noormohamed and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Eleanor Olszewski defend against objections to the MOU from First Nations and the B.C. premier, and skepticism coming from some within Alberta that Ottawa is serious about allowing a pipeline to happen.
Former climate minister Steven Guilbeault stepped down from Liberal cabinet just hours after Alberta and Ottawa signed an MOU that supports an oil pipeline on Thursday, saying it would have 'major environmental impacts' and criticizing the lack of consultation with B.C. and Indigenous groups. Power & Politics speaks with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Energy Minister Tim Hodgson on why they're convinced the deal creates a real path forward on a pipeline, then hears from B.C. Premier David Eby on why he thinks the agreement is an 'energy vampire' that distracts from projects that will actually be built.
Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson briefed an uneasy B.C. Liberal caucus on the upcoming Ottawa-Alberta agreement on Wednesday. A government source called it a 'good' discussion — but other sources in the meeting say Hodgson used words like 'naive' and 'ideological' to describe their political and environmental concerns. Plus, the presidents of steel and lumber trade groups discuss whether Ottawa's new suite of supports for their industries will be enough for them to survive U.S. tariffs as trade talks remain frozen.
Description: Speaking to Power & Politics host David Cochrane, sources within Liberal caucus used words including 'angry' to describe their reaction to Prime Minister Mark Carney's coming agreement with Alberta that supports its push for an oil pipeline. B.C. Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson advises his colleagues to take a breath, and says he's 'quite confident' that the MOU will seek the support of B.C. and Indigenous communities. Plus, B.C. Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix argues a deal between Ottawa and Alberta set for this week puts consent for B.C.'s own projects — and Canada's broader economic transformation — at risk.
CBC's Kate McKenna reports that a memorandum of understanding set to be announced by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday will include political support for a pipeline and carve-outs from environmental laws, according to multiple sources. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe relays what he told Carney about why a pipeline to the B.C. coast is necessary. Plus, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says that Canada's agreement to restart talks toward a trade deal with India is happening against the backdrop of a dialogue on security and interference.
The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D'Angelo, Rachael Segal and Zain Velji.
Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer tells Power & Politics he's optimistic about a thawing of the Canada-U.S. relationship after President Donald Trump cut off trade talks over an anti-tariff ad run by Ontario. Plus, Power & Politics asks Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu how Canada secured a $70-billion investment pledge from the U.A.E.
B.C. Premier David Eby tells Power & Politics that 'I almost fell out of my seat' when he learned that Saskatchewan is involved in conversations with Ottawa and Alberta about a pipeline to the B.C. coast — conversations Eby says B.C. was unaware of. Plus, Saab CEO Micael Johansson says it's up to Canada to make a decision on what fighter jets it buys, but makes the case for how Saab's model could enable Canadian sovereignty.
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why would anyone believe anything Scheer says after he was caught buying a van and sending his kids to private school WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS. when you're a thief, lying comes pretty easily.
maybe pp could cut HIS spending by a few million. he spent more last year than all other leaders combined (if im reading that correcty). i dont believe that includes his "special election" eithir. he is in NO position so tell anyone to cut back.
these opposition parties should have to make their own budgets so we can compare apples to apples. its easy to spout hate like she does. the cons have lobbyists in their employ. why do they not lobby for lower grocery prices? could it be that they're whiny little kids that can cry but not Help to make smart decisions??
the conservatives are the ones who have the big food lobbyists on their team. why are They doing Nothing to help bring down prices???
the reason for the concessions will show when CUSMA is negotiated, imo. he can't show his hand to the US or he loses the advantage that his diplomacy has won.
This was the most unprepared embarrassing incoherent presentation by any politician ever.
we'd also like all the parties to act like adults. use the house to talk about pros and cons of the bills. not just to throw school yard jabs at each other and spew cheap slogans.
maybe the US was able to get a deal with other countries because he's not planning on having those countries as part of the US. it must make it a whole lot easier.
Love ❤️ your reporting Katie. you made me smile more than once.
to me, it sounds like the cons would get rid of every single piece of legislature that will save the environment.
when they talk about budgets....I wish someone would mention how many months it took other new governments to come out with a new budget. it's not an overnight endeavor.
they better take a look at their automatic raises. when the country is looking at a possible recession and a "tightening of the belt" then the leaders should have to take cuts as well. The PM should be the ONLY one who is in Canada's home. sell off the speakers' homes as well as the leader of the oppositions home. they are paid enough to buy their own.
sell off ALL properties except where the PM lives. the speaker and the Leader of the Opposition do NOT need a residence on our dime. they are paid well enough to pay their own.
Carney should invite both NDP and PQ into a unity govt and true mandate to govern
Cache, what are we watching? There's nothing here, the media needs to stop wasting air
Tipical Canada always rushing to obey the master.
Don't you think that stressing the new Speaker's colour is just reminding us of the institutional racism that we are trying to get away from?
please advise "points of order" not "point of orders"
really tough to listen to due to the poor production
Canadian government should expel the Iranian regime’s families and former officials. How can liberals talk about human rights and still letting these murderers live in Canada?