The House

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 SafetySupt. Marc Cochlin, CEO of Alberta Law Enforcement Response TeamsMarci Surkes, former policy director for Prime Minister Justin TrudeauGarry Keller, former chief of staff to Rona AmbroseJacques Poitras, provincial affairs reporter for CBC New BrunswickPekka Kallioniemi, Finnish disinformation scholar and author of “Vatnik Soup”

We’ve been waiting weeks for this, and even now — we’re still not exactly sure what to expect. But today, we may finally see U.S. President Donald Trump level punishing tariffs on Canada. The White House has told reporters tariffs are happening this weekend, and Trump himself has said there’s nothing Canada can do to avoid them. One of CBC’s foreign correspondents in Washington joins the program to unpack the details from the White House. We then hear from a Canada-U.S. expert about what’s in store for both countries, and small businesses from both sides of the border share how they’re bracing for impact.Plus, the final report from the public inquiry into foreign interference says there are no traitors in Parliament, but there are still concerns about threats to Canada’s democracy. A national security expert sifts through the findings and an NDP MP details the questions she is left with.Finally, some Liberal leadership candidates are trotting out policy proposals while others are dropping out or being disqualified altogether. Two Hill watchers explain the latest in the contest.This episode features the voices of:Katie Simpson, CBC NewsLaura Dawson, Executive Director of the Canada-U.S. Future Borders CoalitionMaggie Ori, Frankor HydraulicsBill Butcher, Port City Brewing CompanyWesley Wark, senior fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation Jenny Kwan, NDP MP for Vancouver EastStuart Thomson, Parliamentary bureau chief for the National PostStephanie Levitz, senior politics reporter for The Globe and Mail

Time's up for anyone mulling a bid to lead the Liberal Party. With the deadline to enter behind them, candidates have just a few days left to sign up new members, and a little over a month to drum up support. One of the frontrunners joins The House in studio: former finance minister Chrystia Freeland sits down with host Catherine Cullen to make her case for running the countryThen: Ontario Premier Doug Ford has confirmed he’ll call a snap election next week and send Ontarians to the polls at the end of February. The Toronto Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief discusses whether voters will reward Ford, or if they’ll be turned off by the timing.After that, we take a close look at an ongoing economic headache that doesn't involve Donald Trump: trade between provinces. Premiers hope that breaking through interprovincial barriers can in fact better protect against Trump's tariffs. But experts and former officials say getting rid of those barriers is a tall order — and there hasn’t been much success in the past.Finally, as several Liberal leadership candidates distance themselves from the carbon tax, and as Donald Trump continues to threaten Canada's economy, do the Conservatives need to shift their campaign focus? Two strategists weigh in on how their party is reacting to recent events.This episode features the voices of:Chrystia Freeland, Liberal leadership candidateRobert Benzie, Queen’s Park bureau chief for the Toronto StarPhilippe Couillard, former Quebec premierPerrin Beatty, former federal cabinet ministerCarlo Dade, director of trade infrastructure at the Canada West FoundationChad Rogers, Conservative strategistFred DeLorey, Conservative strategist

Donald Trump is headed back to the White House on Monday, meaning his tariff threats could become a reality and wreak havoc on the Canadian economy. So what’s Canada’s opening move if Trump charges forward? Host Catherine Cullen checks in with premiers at their important meeting in Ottawa this week to strategize a response, but not everyone is on the same page. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. joins the show to discuss the federal government’s plan, and an economics professor explains which provinces are the most at risk.Next, an author and staff writer for The Atlantic explains why, of all the policies Trump has flirted with over the years, the incoming president is so wedded to the idea of tariffs and how Canada should prepare itself for a possible trade war.Finally, as more candidates step up or step back from the Liberal leadership race, two Parliament Hill watchers break down the contest so far and the questions the candidates will need to address.This episode features the voices of:Ranj Pillai, Premier of YukonScott Moe, Premier of SaskatchewanWab Kinew, Premier of ManitobaKirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the United States.Trevor Tombe, economics professor at the University of CalgaryDavid Frum, staff writer with The AtlanticTonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto StarChristopher Nardi, parliamentary reporter for the National Post

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he will step down from his job once the Liberals find someone to replace him. Now, the leadership race is on, with all sorts of politicians in the Liberal caucus and beyond feeling out whether they’ve got a shot to succeed Trudeau.The backdrop to all of this is U.S. president-elect Donald Trump claiming he’ll use economic force to absorb Canada as a new American state. On today’s episode, a top leadership contender discusses why she’s considering a leadership bid.Then, a White House correspondent for the New York Times explains why China and Russia are watching the brewing fight between Canada and the United States and shares his thoughts on how Canadian officials can respond to Trump’s ongoing threats.Finally, Trudeau’s planned resignation will cap off a long tenure that transformed Canada on several fronts. How big were those transformations? Catherine Cullen speaks to experts and analysts from several areas about Trudeau’s legacy and whether his policies will outlast his time in office.This episode features the voices of:Christy Clark, former B.C. premierDavid E. Sanger, New York Times correspondent and author of New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion, and America's Struggle to Defend the WestPaul McCarthy, President of the Cannabis Council of CanadaPerry Bellegarde, former national chief of the Assembly of First NationsLisa Young, political science professor at the University of CalgarySahir Khan, vice-president of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy at the University of OttawaCatherine Abreu, director of the International Climate Politics HubThomas Juneau, former analyst at the Department of National DefenceMireille Paquet, director of the Institute for Research on Migration and Society at Concordia UniversityNicole Myers, criminologist at Queen’s University

This week, The House brings you some of the most compelling interviews from our coverage of immigration issues in Canada — from ministers who’ve overseen major policy changes to experts who say Ottawa’s recent clampdown will shake up the Canadian economy and post-secondary institutions. Plus, rare access to Toronto’s immigration holding centre, where migrants are locked up while waiting to hear if they’ll be deported.This episode features the voices of: Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid InstituteMarc Miller, Minister of ImmigrationJason Kenney, former Conservative immigration ministerDan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent BusinessCatherine Connelly, McMaster University professorMeti Basiri, CEO and co-founder of ApplyBoardPari Johnston, president and CEO of Colleges and Institutes CanadaSajjad Bhatti, Canada Border Services AgencyMinley Lloyd, Canada Border Services Agency

Dive into a lively quiz that recaps a whirlwind year in Canadian politics! Recall shocking cabinet resignations and big policy shifts like immigration changes. Join experienced commentators as they playfully duke it out on political trivia, from royal portraits to election candidates. Learn how inflation shapes voter sentiment and discover the quirks of parliamentary language. With humor and camaraderie, this engaging showdown keeps political discourse fun while illuminating key events and their impacts!

This week in politics has been so massive, one MP’s stunned response summed it up: “WTF?” In the span of five days, the finance minister resigned; a growing list of Liberal MPs called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to quit; the federal cabinet got shuffled; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh vowed to bring down the government; and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote to the Governor General to ask her to reconvene Parliament.On today’s pod, a longtime Liberal MP calls for Trudeau to go. A minister explains why he thinks Trudeau should stay. Then, two columnists dissect whether Trudeau — and the country — can survive the turmoil. Finally, as Donald Trump and his supporters taunt Canada about becoming the 51st state, Catherine Cullen sits down with the departing American ambassador to Canada to discuss whether Canadians need to loosen up — or whether we deserve a little more respect.This episode features the voices of:Rob Oliphant, Liberal MP for Don Valley WestSteven MacKinnon, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and LabourShannon Proudfoot, columnist for The Globe and MailPaul Wells, author and podcasterDavid Cohen, U.S. ambassador to Canada

Ontario premier Doug Ford made a splash this week when he suggested his province could withhold energy exports to the United States if president-elect Donald Trump slaps steep tariffs on Canadian goods. Is Ontario gearing up for a trade war with the U.S? Ontario’s energy minister explains how far the province is willing to go on the issue.Then, the CEO of Abacus Data joins the program to discuss his new poll that shows Trump is more popular in Canada than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and what it means for Trudeau’s tariff negotiations with the Trump administration.Plus, with days to go until Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland presents her fall economic update, two economists debate the deficit, which fiscal anchors matter the most and what Canada should do about Trump’s concerns on trade.Finally, the Liberals have tightened rules around the temporary foreign worker program, but why is it so susceptible to abuse? The House does a deep dive into the program to understand the problems and benefits for businesses and workers.This episode features the voices of: Stephen Lecce, Ontario Minister of EnergyDavid Coletto, CEO of Abacus DataArmine Yalnizyan, economist and Atkinson Fellow on the Future of WorkersGoldy Hyder, president of the Business Council of CanadaCatherine Connelly, professor of human resources and management at McMaster UniversityDan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling for interparty unity in the face of Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. But it didn’t take long for the Liberal-Conservative divisions to appear. So is it still realistic to talk about Team Canada? Two Ottawa bureau chiefs weigh in on Canada’s attempt to show a united front against the incoming U.S. president.Next, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly joins Catherine Cullen to discuss Canada’s new Arctic foreign policy, the crisis in the Middle East and whether there’s a way to stop Trump’s tariff threat before the president-elect takes office in January.Then, representatives and experts of Canadian universities and colleges explain how the federal government’s dramatic cut in international student visas will affect their institutions, including whether they need to shave programs. Minister of Immigration Marc Miller and Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy also share their thoughts on who’s to blame for the funding crisis facing Canadian post-secondary institutions.This episode features the voices of:Tonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto StarStuart Thomson, parliamentary bureau chief for the National PostMélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign AffairsMeti Basiri, CEO and co-founder of ApplyBoardAlan Shepard, president of Western UniversityPari Johnston, president and CEO of Colleges and Institutes CanadaMarc Miller, Minister of ImmigrationPeter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario Minister of Finance