Power & Politics: Election Daily

The French-language federal debate is moving from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, to limit the overlap with a Montreal Canadiens game that could decide whether the team makes the NHL playoffs. The Power Panel discusses whether a debate about Canadians' future should have been moved for hockey, and analyzes the strategy behind the NDP and Bloc calling for the move. Plus, the White House says that U.S. President Donald Trump still wants Canada to become the 51st state. 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising to use the notwithstanding clause to ensure multiple-murderers die in jail, which would make him the first prime minister to invoke the clause to override Charter rights. The Power Panel debates whether the proposal is tough on crime or legally and politically dangerous. Plus, Liberal Leader Mark Carney apologizes after Liberal operatives planted 'stop the steal' buttons at a conservative conference. 

Today we bring you a bonus episode from our friends at House Party, a pop-up election podcast answering one big, burning question every week. This week: The West wants out, Quebec wants in, and Canadian unity turned into a campaign issue this week after former Reform Party and opposition leader Preston Manning claimed increasing numbers of Westerners — particularly Albertans — may see secession as the only option if the Liberals win. Yet in Quebec, Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet took the opposite tack, downplaying separatist sentiment and arguing Canada needs to be united in its response to Donald Trump’s tariffs. So is separatism really a ballot box issue this time around? Catherine Cullen in Ottawa, Jason Markusoff in Calgary and Daniel Thibeault in Montreal try to unite their three solitudes with an answer. Find more episodes of House Party here: https://link.mgln.ai/hpxpowerandpolitics 

It's week 3 of our special Saturday podcast where our political insiders break down what the biggest federal election stories actually mean for the campaign.This week, former Justin Trudeau adviser Laura D'Angelo, former Harper government staffer Michael Solberg and former Alberta NDP strategist Zain Velji talk about a battle between what the polls suggest, and what the pictures on the campaign trail show. While all major polls point to a Liberal lead, the Conservatives have been drawing huge crowds at rallies -- and leader Pierre Poilievre sparred with a journalist about that.Meanwhile, Liberal leader Mark Carney held his own rally in the Conservative heartland of Alberta. And the NDP's Jagmeet Singh and the Green Party's Jonathan Pedneault admitted that their parties won't be forming government, but they do still have a pitch for your vote.Plus: another round of under-the-radar election stories you won't hear on our TV program.

Canada-U.S. relations council member and former Quebec premier Jean Charest discusses where negotiations with the U.S. stand, after Prime Minister Mark Carney emerged from today's council meeting saying he'd leave instructions to help the 'next government' prepare for talks with the U.S. President Donald Trump in early May. Plus, Unifor president Lana Payne discusses how much U.S. tariffs and retaliatory tariffs factored into the halt in production at an Ontario GM plant that's laying off hundreds of workers. 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Liberal Leader Mark Carney have both descended on the province with the most seats, making duelling pitches for housing and crackdowns on crime. Liberal candidate Bill Blair defends his party's proposal for raising bail standards. Plus, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate foreign relations committee, Jeanne Shaheen, discusses bipartisan efforts to assert lawmakers' control over tariffs, and why she believes tariffs are 'driving some of our longtime allies into China's arms.'

Katie Simpson, CBC's U.S. correspondent, and Amanda Alvaro, a former Liberal strategist, dive into Trump's recent trade announcements, including a surprising pause on tariffs affecting many nations but not Canada. They unpack the confusion caused by contradicting statements from U.S. officials. The discussion also highlights the Green Party's stance against binary choices in politics and critiques proposals for fossil fuel development while pushing for meaningful climate action. Listeners gain insights into the delicate balance of current political and economic strategies.

Kate Harrison, a Conservative political analyst, dives into the party's strategies and the challenges it faces. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper shares insights on the current landscape, notably endorsing Pierre Poilievre amid sharp political attacks. Francoise Boivin, a former NDP MP, offers commentary on the NDP's hurdles under Jagmeet Singh. The discussion uncovers the dynamics of voter sentiment, the impact of tax reform messaging, and the economic fallout from U.S. tariffs. It’s an engaging look at the shifting power in Canadian politics.

Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics, unpacks the dire economic consequences of Trump's tariffs, predicting looming recession risks. Rob Russo shares insights on how these trade tensions are shaping the political narratives in Canada. Jordan Leichnitz analyzes the evolving Canadian landscape and how party leaders adapt their strategies in response to economic turmoil. Rachel Siegel discusses the political fallout related to resource management, highlighting the competition between Conservatives and NDP amidst rising public concern over tariffs.

It's week 2 of our new Saturday podcast where our political insiders break down what the biggest federal election stories actually mean for the campaign.This week, former Justin Trudeau adviser Laura D'Angelo, former Harper government staffer Michael Solberg and former Alberta NDP strategist Zain Velji talk 'Liberation Day' tariffs that liberated the world from a LOT of wealth. Next, they analyze NDP leader Jagmeet Singh's change in messaging about running for the Prime Minister's seat -- and whether he should really be setting his sights on keeping party status. Plus, another round of under-the-radar election stories you won't hear on our TV program.