
Power & Politics: Election Daily
Power and Politics is your daily guide to Canadian politics and the latest on the election campaign trail. David Cochrane follows the leaders as they make their case for votes, checks in with the country’s best political journalists and analysts, and guides Canadians through the quickly-evolving drama of politics in election time.
Latest episodes

Mar 26, 2025 • 59min
Trump shakes the campaign with 25% auto tariffs
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president Brian Kingston provides instant reaction to the U.S. president's announcement of 25 per cent tariffs on vehicle imports beginning April 2. Party leaders react, and Kingston and the Power Panel tackle confusion about how the White House says the tariffs will apply in North America. Plus, the latest on how Liberal Leader Mark Carney's green funds at Brookfield avoided some taxes by registering in Bermuda.

Mar 25, 2025 • 60min
CSIS says India meddling supported Poilievre's leadership: reports
A new Globe and Mail report on alleged Indian meddling supporting Pierre Poilievre's Conservative leadership bid has Poilievre battling more questions about his refusal to get security clearance. The Globe and Mail's Robert Fife expands on what his source with top-secret clearance revealed to him about CSIS' allegations. Plus, the Power Panel and former CSIS executive manager Dan Stanton break down Poilievre's defence — and his opponents' attacks — over refusing clearance.

Mar 24, 2025 • 1h 3min
Carney and Poilievre pitch competing tax cuts
The Liberals and Conservatives are making two separate proposals to cut the tax rate for the lowest income bracket in the first two days of the campaign. The Power Panel debates whether either cut can fit into an uncertain fiscal picture — or between other commitments that could cost tens of billions of dollars. Plus, TheWrit.ca's Éric Grenier breaks down where the polls are at the start of the election, and CBC reporters bring you the latest from every stop on the campaign trail.

Mar 21, 2025 • 1h 20min
Can premiers sway the federal election?
Rob Tinline, the British High Commissioner to Canada, discusses the evolving Canada-UK relationship amid U.S. trade tensions, highlighting the need for mutual support and sovereignty. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, reflects on the outcomes of the First Minister's meeting, where political strategies around the impending federal election were a focal point. The conversation delves into critical economic strategies to boost GDP and streamline trade, addressing the significant impact of international dynamics on Canadian politics.

Mar 20, 2025 • 57min
Carney will ask to call federal election Sunday: sources
CBC's Rosemary Barton and Radio-Canada's Louis Blouin report that — according to sources — Prime Minister Mark Carney will ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament Sunday, and Canadians will vote in a federal election on either April 28 or May 5. The Toronto Star's Robert Benzie discusses his report that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Premier Doug Ford to ask for his help in the upcoming election, but Ford said he was too busy. Plus, former Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick explains how a caretaker government can and can't respond to additional U.S. tariffs if they're implemented on April 2.

Mar 19, 2025 • 51min
Trump steps into Canada's election: 'I'd rather deal with a liberal'
Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, and Jason Johnston, a dedicated canola farmer, share their insights on pressing political and economic issues. Joly addresses President Trump's unexpected comments favoring Canadian liberals, exploring implications for U.S.-Canada relations and election dynamics. Meanwhile, Johnston discusses the harsh realities of Chinese tariffs impacting his business and farming sector. Their conversation dives into the broader context of trade tensions and Canada’s strategic moves amidst international challenges.

Mar 18, 2025 • 49min
Liberal polling numbers soar to levels not seen in years
CBC’s Poll Tracker shows the Liberal Party in majority territory for the first time in years. Two pollsters join Power & Politics to explain what’s happening: CEO and founder of Abacus Data, David Coletto, and executive vice-president of the Eastern Canada team for Leger, Sébastien Dallaire. ‘Millions’ more Canadians are now open to voting Liberal under Mark Carney, says Coletto. Plus, the Conservatives accuse Carney of ‘hiding’ his assets from Canadians. We ask a blind trust expert whether Carney is falling short of meeting conflict of interest rules.

Mar 17, 2025 • 55min
Poilievre doubles down on carbon tax attacks
With the consumer carbon tax set to be lifted in April, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre promised Monday that he'd also remove the industrial carbon price on heavy emitters. Liberal Innovation Minister Anita Anand and Agriculture Minister Kody Blois defend the policy, and the Power Panel discusses whether Poilievre needs to pivot. Plus, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew reacts to police identifying the second set of remains found in a landfill search as Marcedes Myran.

Mar 14, 2025 • 1h 8min
Carney takes power. Will Canadians see it as change?
Mark Carney is now the prime minister of Canada. Two ministers who also served under Justin Trudeau — Justice Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Defence Minister Bill Blair — discuss the Carney government's new direction despite having only three new faces in cabinet. Plus, as the Trump administration continues to speak about Canada joining the U.S., Blair reveals that Carney has asked him to look at alternatives to Canada's purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets from a U.S. contractor.

Mar 13, 2025 • 47min
Carney slashing cabinet, removing longtime ministers: sources
CBC's Rosemary Barton and Radio-Canada's Louis Blouin report the latest on who prime minister-designate Mark Carney is keeping and kicking from cabinet in his new government on Friday, with sources saying cabinet could drop from 37 to fewer than 20 members after the swearing-in. Plus, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Ontario Premier Doug Ford meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington.
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