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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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Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced Friday that the Liberals are budgeting $617.7 million over five years to fulfill the campaign promise of 1,000 more Canada Border Services Agency officers. Anandasangaree says the increased staff will help stop illicit goods like fentanyl from crossing the border, but says he still rejects 'the notion that fentanyl is a problem going north to south.' Plus, Power & Politics' party insiders discuss the potential political risks around Pierre Poilievre's controversial comments about RCMP leadership.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Liberals will introduce a new crime bill next week, which will enable consecutive sentences for repeat and violent offenders and put the 'reverse onus' on people accused of certain major crimes to prove they should be released on bail. Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Rachel Bendayan responds to concerns about making bail too difficult to receive, saying she hears stories from Canadians that 'they don't feel safe' and arguing that 'we need to get serious on crime in this country.' Then, Conservative justice critic Larry Brock makes the Opposition's case that the reforms won't have a meaningful impact on crime in Canada.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly threatened legal action over automaker Stellantis's plan to move production of the Jeep Compass to the U.S. on Wednesday, saying that Stellantis agreed to maintain its 'full Canadian footprint, including Brampton' when accepting financial supports from Ottawa. Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president Flavio Volpe argues Ottawa should withhold billions in subsidies for Stellantis's Windsor, Ont., battery plant unless the company resumes vehicle production at its Brampton Assembly, saying 'we shouldn't let them off the hook — Donald Trump isn't the only bully around.' Plus, Newfoundland and Labrador premier-designate Tony Wakeham responds to concerns about his approach to the province's tentative hydroelectric deal with Quebec.
B.C. Premier David Eby demanded that Ottawa support the province's forestry workers on Tuesday, as the U.S. enacted another 10 per cent tariff on Canada's softwood lumber — taking the total levy to just over 45 per cent. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt tells Power & Politics what she'll be speaking to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly about tonight, as she lays out the impact on her province's economy. Plus, Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi weighs in on how the spat between Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith could hurt his province's hopes for a new oil pipeline.
The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D’Angelo, Michael Solberg and Zain Velji.
Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson said Thursday that Alberta will need to 'attract' B.C.'s support if it wants to execute its proposal for an oil pipeline to the West Coast. B.C. Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix argues that B.C. can't support 'a project that doesn't exist.' Plus, CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant says the postal workers' union is moving to rotating strikes that will let delivery resume because 'our fight is not with the public,' but accuses Ottawa of adding 'poison pills' to its contract negotiations with Canada Post.
As Israel's government voted on ratifying the first phase of a U.S. plan for peace in Gaza on Thursday, senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya said Hamas has received guarantees from the U.S., Arab mediators and Turkey that the war has permanently ended. Israeli ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed says he's hopeful that the war has concluded, 'but with Hamas we can never trust.' Plus, Unifor national president Lana Payne says she's 'extremely worried' about what she saw from the Carney government in Washington this week, saying Canada's push for fast sectoral deals allows U.S. President Donald Trump to 'pit one sector in Canada against another.'
In comments confirmed by a CBC News source and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Wednesday that Canada must accept that its auto industry will be second to the U.S. and that vehicles will be assembled on the American side of the border — adding that there's nothing Canada can do about it. Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association president Flavio Volpe asks for the prime minister to speak up about whether Ottawa is considering making those concessions. Plus, Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations member Jean Charest argues that the reality of moving the industry to the U.S. is that supply chains would take decades to unravel: 'The world is not that simple.'
Prime Minister Mark Carney emerged from Tuesday's talks with U.S. President Donald Trump without immediate relief from steel tariffs, but Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc says the 'positive' meeting ended with Trump and Carney directing their cabinet members 'to quickly land' deals on steel, aluminum and energy. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Business Council of Canada President Goldy Hyder and the Power Panel discuss whether Trump's positive signals are enough of a result from another Washington trip, and how likely it is that they'll be converted to meaningful relief for Canadians.
Description: As the Canadian delegation arrives in Washington ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's Tuesday meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, three sources tell CBC News and Radio-Canada they're aiming for partial relief from steel tariffs that could create a framework for how other tariffs could also be lowered. Former Canadian ambassador to the United States David MacNaughton warns Canadians to have 'measured expectations' for the meeting, and advises that Canada should still avoid making a 'bad deal quickly.' Plus, Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer makes the case that Carney is already failing his promises for U.S. negotiations.
The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D’Angelo, Michael Solberg and Zain Velji.
Prime Minister Mark Carney will return to Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The Pulse Panel discusses whether that's a signal that trade and security negotiations are nearing a conclusion — or just stalling out. Plus, Former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page calls out interim PBO Jason Jacques for his warnings about a 'stupefying' and 'not sustainable' fiscal picture last week, saying the language is 'just wrong' and that Jacques needs to walk back the comments for the good of the office.
After announcing a new agency aimed at speeding up and diversifying defence spending, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr denies that about three-quarters of Canada's defence spending goes to the U.S. because of a lack of Canadian manufacturing capacity, saying that Canada got 'lazy' with procurement by 'doing it a certain way all the time.' Plus, Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative president Marilyn Slett explains why First Nations on B.C.'s north coast won't support Alberta's bitumen pipeline proposal 'now or ever.'
Alberta will develop and submit an application to the federal Major Projects Office for a bitumen pipeline to the northwest coast of British Columbia, Alberta Premier Daniella Smith announced on Wednesday. Smith joins Power & Politics to discuss how far Alberta is willing to take the project before a private proponent must take over, and how its possible for a pipeline to proceed amid objections in B.C. Plus, Minister of Artificial Intelligence Evan Solomon denies that Canada is falling behind on AI as he begins a '30-day sprint' to generate ideas for an updated national strategy, asking: 'How do we stay in front?'
Ten years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report laying out 94 calls to action, is the federal government any further ahead on healing its relationship with Indigenous Peoples? Governor General Mary Simon reflects in a sit-down interview. Plus, Power & Politics asks Crown Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty if she thinks the government's major projects agenda collides with its path to reconciliation.
U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, and following their White House meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to the terms. Former Canadian ambassador to Israel Jon Allen tells Power & Politics how Trump could have pressured Netanyahu to take a deal that provides amnesty for Hamas members who lay down their weapons, and what could motivate Hamas to accept the plan. Plus, NDP MP Heather McPherson makes her case for the party's leadership after launching her bid on Sunday.
DESCRIPTION: The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is in hot water after the leak of secretly recorded audio, where he cast some doubt on his government's gun buyback program. Canada Post workers launched a countrywide strike. The U.S. ambassador to Canada says Washington may need to reassess airport pre-clearance for Canadian travellers.
After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the recognition of a Palestinian state by Canada and several allies sent the message that 'murdering Jews pays off,' Canada's UN Ambassador Bob Rae says he 'couldn't disagree more strongly.' Canada did not take part in the mass walkout of delegates as Netanyahu was speaking. Plus, postal workers are on strike in response to proposed reforms by the federal government. Power & Politics speaks to Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton.
1The Liberals laid out a number of changes to Canada Post on Thursday, including a phasing out door-to-door delivery, reducing the frequency of letter mail and lifting a moratorium on closing rural post offices. Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound justifies the changes as 'the foundation to having Canada Post reach a break-even point' as the Crown corporation loses $10 million a day, saying 'Canadians can be footing the bill forever' unless Ottawa takes action. Plus, in an exclusive broadcast interview, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin tells Power & Politics that U.S. tariffs have created a 'significant urgency' to expand trade with Canada, and that Ireland will be ratifying Canada's trade deal with the EU this year.
Prime Minister Mark Carney defended both the Liberal gun buyback plan and Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree on Wednesday, as Conservatives continued to call for the minister's firing following the leak of an audio recording where he questioned the program's value. Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery joins Power & Politics to voice his own objections to the program, saying his government will not enforce the 'confiscation scheme.' Plus, CBC's Raffy Boudjikanian reports the latest on an RBC employee charged for allegedly accessing Carney's banking information.
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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?
production quality is really terrible. sounds as if it was recorded from radio. painful to listen to
really terrible sound quality
quaility sound is terrible.
one thought - maybe Canadian PPE manufacturers are concerned about a release of information regarding Canadian made products being prioiritized for export to other countries, vs internal Canada supply?