Power & Politics

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

U.S. President Donald Trump expanded on his decision to cut off trade talks with Canada on Friday, accusing an Ontario ad of being a bid to 'illegally influence the United States Supreme Court.' Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations member Jean Charest and former Canadian ambassadors to the U.S. Frank McKenna and Derek Burney weigh in on Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to say Canada 'stands ready' to return to negotiations, instead of making a policy concession as he did to end Trump's last hiatus. 

CBC's Ashley Burke joins Power & Politics with breaking news that Ottawa is firing back at Stellantis and General Motors by limiting the number of tariff-free vehicles the automakers can import to sell in Canada. Unifor national president Lana Payne and Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association President Flavio Volpe react. Plus, Justice Minister Sean Fraser explains why he believes the bail reform bill he introduced today can survive a constitutional challenge despite some lawyers arguing it's destined to be struck down.

Radio-Canada's Laurence Martin explains what she heard from five Conservative caucus members who feel Pierre Poilievre is not projecting an image befitting a prime minister following his comments last week that RCMP leadership is 'despicable.' Then, Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman defends Poilievre's denial that he suggested former prime minister Justin Trudeau should go to jail, despite Poilievre saying last week that Trudeau 'would have been criminally charged' if the RCMP didn't cover up for him.

Auditor General Karen Hogan digs into a new report where her office called the Canada Revenue Agency 167 times, with analysts waiting an average of 50 minutes to get an answer to a question — and receiving accurate information only 17 per cent of the time, when asking general questions about individual taxes. CRA Secretary of State Wayne Long responds, saying, 'We're going to do better.' Plus, CBC's Peter Armstrong explains how food prices pulled Canadian inflation up to 2.4 per cent in new price data for September. 

After visiting India and China in a bid to thaw relations last week, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand defends against concerns that the Carney government is brushing past the nations' aggression and interference, arguing that Canada needs 'to be pragmatic about our economic needs.' Plus, CBC's J.P. Tasker looks at new polling that suggests Canadian consensus on immigration is crumbling, and former immigration minister Jason Kenney argues that 'perhaps the single biggest failure' of former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government was turning that consensus 'upside down.'

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

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced Friday that the Liberals are budgeting $617.7 million over five years to fulfill the campaign promise of 1,000 more Canada Border Services Agency officers. Anandasangaree says the increased staff will help stop illicit goods like fentanyl from crossing the border, but says he still rejects 'the notion that fentanyl is a problem going north to south.' Plus, Power & Politics' party insiders discuss the potential political risks around Pierre Poilievre's controversial comments about RCMP leadership. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Liberals will introduce a new crime bill next week, which will enable consecutive sentences for repeat and violent offenders and put the 'reverse onus' on people accused of certain major crimes to prove they should be released on bail. Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Rachel Bendayan responds to concerns about making bail too difficult to receive, saying she hears stories from Canadians that 'they don't feel safe' and arguing that 'we need to get serious on crime in this country.' Then, Conservative justice critic Larry Brock makes the Opposition's case that the reforms won't have a meaningful impact on crime in Canada. 

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly threatened legal action over automaker Stellantis's plan to move production of the Jeep Compass to the U.S. on Wednesday, saying that Stellantis agreed to maintain its 'full Canadian footprint, including Brampton' when accepting financial supports from Ottawa. Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president Flavio Volpe argues Ottawa should withhold billions in subsidies for Stellantis's Windsor, Ont., battery plant unless the company resumes vehicle production at its Brampton Assembly, saying 'we shouldn't let them off the hook — Donald Trump isn't the only bully around.' Plus, Newfoundland and Labrador premier-designate Tony Wakeham responds to concerns about his approach to the province's tentative hydroelectric deal with Quebec.