

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

Dec 24, 2025 • 46min
Political Pulse panel on stories to watch in 2026
Power and Politics' panel of political insiders — Greg MacEachern, Melanie Richer and Fred DeLorey — on Canadian political stories to watch in 2026.

Dec 23, 2025 • 45min
The top five political newsmakers of 2025
Host David Cochrane and Power Panelists Laura D’Angelo, Tim Powers, Jordan Leichnitz and Charelle Evelyn count down the top five political newsmakers of 2025.

Dec 22, 2025 • 46min
Year-End Reporter Roundtable
Host David Cochrane and the Reporter Roundtable panel reflect on events of 2025 from the federal election to Trump’s trade war.

Dec 20, 2025 • 33min
Yearly Wrap: How 2025 turned political fortunes upside down
For a year that changed just about everything we know about the Canadian political landscape, Power & Politics is upgrading the final Weekly Wrap podcast of 2025 to our Yearly Wrap. Zain Velji, Carlene Variyan and Rachael Segal break down Mark Carney's rise to prime minister, the Conservative reversal of fortunes and whether Carney has lived up to his big promises both at home and south of the border.

Dec 20, 2025 • 48min
How an NDP review explains its worst-ever election result
The NDP released an internal review of the election campaign that wiped out more than two-thirds of its caucus on Friday, which avoids casting blame on the party by saying it 'ran a technically solid campaign in a brutal environment.' CBC's David Thurton takes us through the report. Plus, International Rescue Committee CEO David Miliband lays out the worsening humanitarian emergencies driving an annual report the group calls New World Disorder.

Dec 18, 2025 • 56min
Top U.S. trade official lays out demands for CUSMA talks
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Congress on Wednesday that the review of the North American trade deal 'depends on' resolving a list of issues with Mexico and Canada, including Canada's barriers to dairy, provincial boycotts of U.S. alcohol, the Online Streaming Act and the Online News Act. Future Borders Coalition executive director Laura Dawson frames it as positive that the U.S. is signalling it wants to improve — not abandon — the deal. Plus, responding to Prime Minister Mark Carney's doubts that Canada can secure U.S. tariff relief before a CUSMA review, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says that it's 'incumbent on us' to ask again to re-engage.

Dec 17, 2025 • 47min
Carney on floor-crossers: 'MPs are attracted to what we're doing'
CBC's Rosemary Barton debriefs on her one-on-one interview with Prime Minister Mark Carney, where Carney didn't answer when asked if there's an active recruitment campaign to take MPs from other parties. Then, CBC's Cathy Senay reports that Pablo Rodriguez will announce his resignation as leader of the Quebec Liberal Party on Thursday, with sources telling Radio-Canada that Rodriguez felt he'd become too great a distraction after weeks of controversies and party turmoil. Former Quebec deputy premier Michelle Courchesne and former Harper government adviser Rudy Husny discuss what this means for the chances that Quebec could be headed for a third sovereignty referendum.

Dec 16, 2025 • 52min
Carney says Canada won't meet climate targets with current policy
Prime Minister Mark Carney tells Radio-Canada that he's making a major change to a 'pragmatic' climate policy, but that the policies Canada currently has in place will not be enough to meet its 2030 and 2035 climate goals. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin tells Power & Politics that the climate goals are still possible — despite some experts and former cabinet colleague Steven Guilbeault saying that the policies Carney removed have put 2030 out of reach. Plus, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly argues that a $70-billion mining merger is a 'net benefit' for Canada.

Dec 15, 2025 • 52min
Liberals tease more possible floor-crossers
When reporters asked Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson about the potential of more MPs crossing the floor to the Liberals on Monday, Hodgson hinted that he's getting 'lots of inquiries.' Former Liberal campaign co-chair David Herle and former Conservative chief of staff David McLaughlin break down whether Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's response to the crossings will be enough to shore up his caucus — and his future as leader. Plus, the Power Panel weighs in on new comments from Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who says the next direct U.S. engagement on trade likely won't be until the review of the North American free trade agreement.

Dec 15, 2025 • 17min
Weekly Wrap: Will Conservative splinters complete a Liberal majority?
The Weekly Wrap panel looks back on how a Conservative plan to fracture the Liberals over pipeline support was quickly overshadowed by another defection from Conservative caucus — putting the Liberals just one seat away from a majority. With Rachael Segal, Ginny Roth and Zain Velji.


