Trump wants to absorb Canada, says Trudeau

Canada got a temporary reprieve from Donald Trump’s tariffs, but the fight is far from over — and may be more existential than we thought. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau now says the U.S. president’s threat to turn Canada into the 51st state ‘is a real thing.’

Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, joins The House to discuss if Trump is actually a threat to Canadian sovereignty and whether Canada’s new border measures — including a “fentanyl czar” — are enough to appease Trump.

Then, with all the chaos coming out of the United States right now, is there even a playbook for Canadian leaders to follow anymore? How should political parties adjust as Parliament remains prorogued? Two former key staffers weigh in on how politicians can respond to Washington whiplash.

Plus, Trump’s tariff threats are getting Canadians officials to reexamine Canada’s economy, including whether to revive discussions on building a west-east oil pipeline. A CBC provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick explains the history of the failed Energy East pipeline and whether it could be brought back to life.

Finally, world leaders will gather in France next week to discuss taking action on risks associated with AI — including the threat of disinformation. A Finnish scholar stops by the studio to share his experience monitoring and combatting disinformation next door to Russia.

This episode features the voices of:

• David McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety
• Supt. Marc Cochlin, CEO of Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams
• Marci Surkes, former policy director for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
• Garry Keller, former chief of staff to Rona Ambrose
• Jacques Poitras, provincial affairs reporter for CBC New Brunswick
• Pekka Kallioniemi, Finnish disinformation scholar and author of “Vatnik Soup”