

Power & Politics
CBC
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.'
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 21, 2026 • 59min
Trump warns Carney that 'Canada lives because of' U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump took aim at Prime Minister Mark Carney's World Economic Forum address during his own speech in Davos, Switzerland, saying 'Canada lives because of the United States' and that Carney should 'remember that' in his next remarks. Former Canadian ambassador to the UN Bob Rae compares Trump's performance to Marlon Brando's titular character in the Godfather, contrasting what he calls Carney's message of 'hope' with Trump's message of 'pettiness.'

Jan 20, 2026 • 51min
Carney delivers a eulogy for the old world order
In a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Mark Carney told other nations that competing to appease the world's great powers is 'the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination,' and asserted that the old, semi-fictional world order based on rules is 'not coming back — we should not mourn it.' Senator and former G7 sherpa Peter Boehm and former Canadian deputy permanent representative to the UN Louise Blais discuss Canada's daunting task of finding a new place in the global power structure. Plus, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe explains why the Canada-China meetings he attended in Beijing last week were 'the most positive' he's seen.

Jan 19, 2026 • 48min
Trump vows he'll '100%' impose tariffs on allies over Greenland
U.S. President Donald Trump told NBC on Monday that he's following through with his threat for escalating tariffs on eight European allies if there's no deal for the U.S. to purchase Greenland. Greenland's Minister of Business, Mineral Resources, Justice, Energy and Gender Equality Naaja Nathanielsen calls for continued talks but tells Power & Politics that there's a 'red line' for Greenland: 'We do not want to be bought or sold, and we do not want to be occupied by an ally.' Plus, parliamentary secretary to the prime minister Kody Blois explains why the Carney government believes the deal that lowers tariffs on tens of thousands of Chinese EVs will lead to investment and partnerships in Canada.

Jan 18, 2026 • 29min
Could ‘America First’ mean Canada’s next? Analysis from CBC Washington
There’s a new CBC podcast we think you’ll enjoy. Two Blocks from the White House takes a clear-eyed look at what’s happening in the U.S. right now and examines how it stands to impact Canadians. In the first episode, reporters from CBC’s Washington bureau dig into America’s increasingly aggressive global posture. Has President Donald Trump’s promise of “America First” evolved into something closer to American imperialism? And what are the consequences for Canada?For more unscripted, smart analysis from journalists with a foot in both countries and a press pass to the White House, find and follow Two Blocks from the White House wherever you get your podcasts, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/2BFTWHxPnP

Jan 17, 2026 • 18min
Weekly Wrap: A Canada-China reset, but at what cost?
As Prime Minister Mark Carney gets an agreement for tariff relief in Beijing, he's hailing a new path forward with China — but facing concerns it's another step back with the U.S. Zain Velji, Jamie Ellerton and Laura D'Angelo break down whether dropping tariffs on tens of thousands of Chinese EVs is an affordable cost of admission for a Canada-China reset.

Jan 16, 2026 • 57min
Carney's China EV deal puts another crack in Team Canada
Prime Minister Mark Carney is leaving Beijing with an agreement for lower Chinese agricultural tariffs in exchange for a major carve-out from Canada's 100 per cent levy on Chinese EVs — leading Ontario Premier Doug Ford to blast the 'terrible' deal over fears it will 'tick off' the U.S. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Unifor president Lana Payne and Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong join Power & Politics to react.

Jan 15, 2026 • 47min
Can Carney secure tariff relief in China?
Canada and China reached an agreement on energy during Prime Minister Mark Carney's first day of talks in Beijing, but Chinese tariffs on agricultural goods like canola remain in place. Will Carney's meeting with President Xi Jinping change that? Michael Kovrig was imprisoned by China for over 1,000 days, but tells Power & Politics why he's in favour of Carney's trip. Plus, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson responds to criticisms about loopholes in his government's Buy Canadian policy as he announces an investment in Toronto's subway trains.

Jan 14, 2026 • 52min
Quebec's premier resigns. Is a sovereignty vote coming?
Quebec Premier François Legault announced his resignation on Wednesday, giving his CAQ party just months to find a new leader — and to reverse the separatist Parti Québécois's wide polling lead — ahead of the province's October election. Former Quebec adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper Dimitri Soudas and former Quebec adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Jonathan Kalles discuss whether the resignation of two party leaders in as many months opens up the race, or locks in the province's path to another sovereignty referendum. Plus, Business Council of Canada president Goldy Hyder outlines the opportunities for Canada in China as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to meet President Xi Jinping.

Jan 13, 2026 • 47min
Coastal First Nations remain opposed to B.C. pipeline after Carney meeting
Coastal First Nations in B.C. say their stance on a pipeline from Alberta to B.C. has not changed following a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday. Power & Politics hears from one of those nations and a former Alberta energy minister.

Jan 12, 2026 • 53min
Canada walks diplomatic tightropes with China, India
With B.C. Premier David Eby on a trade mission in India and Prime Minister Mark Carney leaving for China to meet with President Xi Jinping this week, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh K. Patnaik tells Power & Politics that 'trust' is returning to his country's relationship with Canada — but still asks 'where's the evidence' behind Canadian officials' accusations of election interference and links to a B.C. murder. Plus, economist Justin Wolfers explains why he believes the Trump administration's criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is a 'brutal form of bullying and intimidation' that risks the U.S. economy and monetary policy for decades to come.


