The House

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is catching heat for what she said to Americans about Canada's federal election. In a resurfaced March interview with right-wing media outlet Breitbart, Smith suggested the U.S. pause tariffs to avoid hurting Canadian Conservatives’ electoral chances. She also said Pierre Poilievre is the best leader for Canada because he’s more “in sync” with U.S. President Donald Trump. Today on House Party, journalists Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault dig into the differences between Poilievre and Trump, their style, their policies — and why the Conservative candidate needs to straddle a wide swath of beliefs across the political right, if he wants to be elected Prime Minister.

We’ve waited a long time for this. On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election — thrusting the parties into what is certain to be a dynamic, historic campaign. For starters, let’s get with you up to speed with a starter guide to campaign 2025, courtesy of CBC’s chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton.Then, Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer joins the show to discuss his party’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats and his party’s promise to cut the industrial carbon tax.Next, host Catherine Cullen stops by the NDP campaign headquarters in Ottawa to check in with Anne McGrath — senior adviser to leader Jagmeet Singh — about the party’s outlook heading into the campaign.Plus, the director of the Media Ecosystem Observatory explains what worries him about the information voters are getting online this election — and how you can make sure you don’t get duped.Finally, as political polls go into overdrive, two analysts dissect how seat projections and party popularity numbers actually work.This episode features the voices of:Rosemary Barton, CBC’s chief political correspondentAndrew Scheer, Conservative House leaderAnne McGrath, senior advisor to NDP Leader Jagmeet SinghAengus Bridgman, director of the Media Ecosystem ObservatoryPhilippe Fournier, editor-in-chief of 338CanadaÉric Grenier, author and publisher of thewrit.ca

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was sworn in Friday, and by Sunday night was on a plane to meet the leaders of France & the U.K.. It was a stark contrast to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre & NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who both stayed closer to home, unveiling platform promises in smaller cities across Canada.  With an election call imminent, which strategy was smarter? And what did Carney’s overseas trip accomplish? Catherine Cullen, Daniel Thibeault and Jason Markusoff pick apart the election strategy behind the visit.

It’s official: Canada has a new prime minister. Former central banker Mark Carney has been sworn in as Canada’s new leader and will immediately take on the challenge of U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariffs. To do so, he’s got a new, slimmed-down cabinet. Housing Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith joins the show to discuss the new crew, and Carney’s move to scrap the consumer carbon tax. Then, a panel of party strategists digs deeper into Carney’s road ahead.Plus, Carney could be Canada’s shortest-serving prime minister ever, depending on how the next election unfolds. Historian J.D.M. Stewart lays out how long Carney needs to hold on before he crosses the “Tupper line” and looks back at what other short-timers have accomplished in office.Finally, in a Canadian exclusive interview, Catherine Cullen talks to U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy about Trump’s attacks on Canadian sovereignty and why the British response has comparatively muted.This episode features the voices of:Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of HousingMarci Surkes, Liberal strategistShakir Chambers, Conservative strategistGeorge Soule, NDP strategistJ.D.M. Stewart, historian and author of Being Prime MinisterDavid Lammy, U.K. Foreign Secretary

Mark Carney won the Liberal leadership as polls for the party were surging. But will the momentum last? Or will voters revisit feelings of being fed-up with the decade-old government? On this episode of the election weekly House Party, Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault dig into the differences between Mark Carney and outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau, and whether the change is enough to win an election.

Canada’s trade battle with the United States is officially underway. But since it kicked off on Tuesday, there have been near-constant twists and turns as U.S. President Donald Trump switches up his motives, his tariffs and his exemptions for Canadian trade. So how big a hit is Canada’s economy taking in this fight? Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand joins the program to discuss the federal government’s response and her work dismantling interprovincial trade barriers. Then, business owners share how they’re adjusting to the shifting economic climate. Plus the cross-border — and cross-party — married couple on how these tense times are playing out in their household.Also, the Liberals will crown their new leader this Sunday after a six-week sprint. But with Trump’s tariffs looming large, what does the road look like for the winner? Two political watchers lay out what to keep an eye on as the leadership contest concludes and Canada’s next prime minister takes office.Finally, CBC’s defence correspondent returns from Latvia, where Canadians were taking part in a military exercise. He describes what the mood is like in the small Baltic state and what’s keeping military commanders up at night.  This episode features the voices of:Anita Anand, Minister of Internal TradeBill Butcher, Port City Brewing CompanyMaggie Ori, Frankor HydraulicsMelissa & Conrad MuhlyShannon Proudfoot, columnist for The Globe and MailPaul Wells, author and podcasterMurray Brewster, CBC’s defence correspondent

The “dumb” tariffs are on. The federal government has responded — but with Prime Minister Trudeau about to step down and a new Liberal leader being crowned on the weekend, a federal election could be mere days later. So what does all this mean for how people will vote and the parties’ campaign strategy? Is Carney becoming the popular anti-tariff choice? Or will Poilievre hold onto his lead in the polls? On this new, weekly election-focused podcast, three veteran political reporters — Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault — take a deep dive into the disruption.

Once again, Canada is staring down the barrel of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on almost all Canadian goods. After a month-long pause, the tariffs are slated to go into effect on March 4 — as Trump continues to claim fentanyl and illegal immigrants are pouring into his country from Canada.In a special episode of The House, host Catherine Cullen walks Washington’s corridors of power with Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman as she tries to save the Canadian economy from Trump’s punishing tariffs. Canada’s new fentanyl czar is also in D.C. for critical meetings, and offers a glimpse into his closed-door conversations with American officials. Plus: the show brings you inside an event designed to woo Capitol Hill staffers as Canadian consuls general discuss how their pleas are resonating with Americans. Then, a Republican congressman and a Democratic senator react to Canada’s diplomatic efforts as the tariff deadline inches ever closer. This episode features the voices of:Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S.Susan Harper, Canada’s consul general based in DallasColin Bird, Canada’s consul general based in DetroitDaniel Issa, California Republican congressmanKevin Brosseau, Canada’s ‘Fentanyl Czar’Amy Klobuchar, Democratic Senator from MinnesotaJonathan Martin, politics bureau chief at PoliticoByron Donalds, Florida Republican congressman

In one corner: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has for years pledged to defund Canada’s public broadcaster. In the other: the current Liberal government, which after months of delay has unveiled their plan for CBC — one that overhauls its mandate but also calls for increased funding. Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge joins The House to discuss her pitch, as host Catherine Cullen asks why it’s arriving in the final weeks of the Trudeau government.Plus, as Liberal leadership contestants gear up for their big debate showdown in Montreal next week, the Conservatives are emphasizing a “Canada First” message as they shake up their pitch to Canadians. Two Parliamentary bureau chiefs weigh in on the political strategies at play.Finally: with the threat of U.S. tariffs still on the horizon, will ripple effects on the economy exacerbate Canada’s housing crisis? The House visits a new development site and speaks to the CEO of Canada’s largest private home building company. Then, the federal housing minister discusses what can be done as the clock winds down on the next tariff deadline.This episode features the voices of:Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian HeritageTonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto StarStuart Thomson, Parliamentary bureau chief for the National PostBrad Carr, CEO of Mattamy Homes CanadaNathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing

World leaders are gathering in Germany this weekend to discuss threats to international security, including Russia’s war on Ukraine. But for some countries — Canada included — the latest threat is coming from U.S. President Donald Trump. CBC’s defence correspondent Murray Brewster guest hosts The House to look at international crises unfolding in real time.We start with Oleksandra Matviichuk — head of the Center for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize — who shares her reaction to Donald Trump’s conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine.Then, as Trump continues to taunt Canada about not being a “viable” country, The House asks: where are our allies? Former NATO representatives, a former British Conservative MP and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former national security advisor discuss whether Canada’s friends will stand up to the U.S. president.Plus, one man definitely knows what it's like to be under Trump’s microscope — and that’s former Illinois Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, who voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He joins the program to share his advice for Canada on tackling Trump.Finally, Canada’s five living former prime ministers have come together to encourage Canadians to rally behind the flag this weekend — but there was a time when the great flag debate was among the most divisive Parliament has seen. House producer Emma Godmere takes a trip back into the archives.This episode features the voices of:Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Centre for Civil LibertiesSveinn Helgason, former strategic communications officer at NATO HeadquartersFabrice Pothier, CEO of Rasmussen GlobalAndrew Percy, former MP and UK trade envoy to CanadaVincent Rigby, former national security and intelligence advisor to Prime Minister Justin TrudeauAdam Kinzinger, former Illinois Republican congressmanEmma Godmere, producer for CBC’s The House