Power & Politics

Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada Yuliya Kovaliv says Russia is increasingly attacking civilians after it targeted Kyiv overnight with waves of drones and missiles in its largest aerial assault since the full-scale invasion. Kovaliv responds to concerns about Ukraine's decision to pull out of an anti-landmine treaty. Plus, economist Don Drummond breaks down his shadow 'fiscal update' with the C.D. Howe institute, explaining why he believes new defence spending promises could balloon the deficit to over $90 billion. 

Auto sector executives met with Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss the impact of U.S. tariffs on Wednesday, but also advocate for the cancellation of the electric vehicle mandate. Canada's former chief NAFTA negotiator John Weekes evaluates the state of talks with the U.S. after a suspension over the weekend, arguing the president 'likes to show that he's humiliating the countries he's negotiating with.' Plus, former U.S. State Department negotiator Aaron David Miller breaks down the remaining obstacles to a ceasefire in Gaza.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra tells Power & Politics that stopping the digital services tax returned Canada to the 'front of the line' for U.S. negotiations, and says he has a 'strong belief' Carney can get Parliament to allow concessions on supply management despite a new law that aims to prevent exactly that. Plus, Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault accuses Alberta Premier Danielle Smith of being both a 'pyromaniac' and 'firefighter' for separatism, both claiming to be putting out the sentiment and adding fuel. 

U.S. President Donald Trump posted to social media that he's ending 'all discussions on trade with Canada' effective immediately, saying the U.S. has 'all the cards.' Is it a negotiation tactic or are all bets off for a deal by the 30-day deadline discussed at the G7? Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says the federal government is 'pushing' for tariffs to be removed. Plus, former premier of Quebec Jean Charest joins Power & Politics after a meeting of the Prime Minister's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations. 

The Liberal major projects bill received royal assent and became Canadian law on Thursday, after the Senate rejected amendments aiming to further ensure environmental protection and Indigenous consultation and passed the legislation. Sen. Paula Simons says some senators felt 'intense political pressure' to pass the bill on a truncated timeline. Plus, former NATO assistant secretary general for defence investment Wendy Gilmour breaks down how Canada could need to change to meet the new NATO defence spending target of five per cent of GDP. 

Weeks after announcing a plan to reach NATO's two per cent of GDP defence spending target, Prime Minister Mark Carney committed Canada to reaching the alliance's new goal of five per cent by 2035 at the NATO summit in the Netherlands. Former vice-chief of the defence staff Guy Thibault breaks down what it would take to get there. Plus, Maine Gov. Janet Mills makes the case that more Canadians should visit her state, arguing their avoidance of the U.S. isn't hurting the president but 'their friends here in Maine.'

U.S. President Donald Trump accused both Iran and Israel of violating a fragile ceasefire early Tuesday — saying 'they don't know what the f--k they're doing' and demanding Israel recall planes — but later said the ceasefire was in effect. Canada's Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan discusses how the military ensured the safety of Canadian personnel when Iran targeted a U.S. military base in Qatar, and the feasibility of Canada reaching a five per cent of GDP NATO defence spending target. Plus, former U.S. ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute analyzes what's at stake for the alliance as its summit in the Netherlands gets underway.

Former Canadian diplomats posted in Israel and Iran break down the U.S. president's announcement that Iran and Israel have 'fully agreed' to a ceasefire beginning overnight Monday, including why Iran would accept the end of the conflict hours after retaliatory strikes targeting a U.S. military base in Qatar. Plus, retired vice-admiral Mark Norman evaluates how much the security pact that Canada and the European Union signed Monday can bolster Canada's defence industry, and the message it sends to Washington about Canada's push to be less reliant on the U.S. 

Front Burner is a daily news podcast that takes you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Last week, the team spent a few days in Three Hills, Alberta, a small town northeast of Calgary. They attended an event about Alberta independence, and spoke to a wide array of people about separation from Canada, and the possibility of an upcoming referendum on the issue. CBC Calgary’s Jason Markusoff also came along.People in Three Hills will be voting in a provincial byelection this Monday, where a separatist party – the Alberta Republican Party – is running a candidate. So in a way, separatism is already on the ballot.More episodes of Front Burner are available here: https://link.mgln.ai/1wndLS

The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D’Angelo, Michael Solberg and Zain Velji.