

At Issue
CBC
Cut through the spin with Canada’s top political journalists. Host Rosemary Barton and columnists Althia Raj, Chantal Hébert and Andrew Coyne break down the week’s biggest political stories shaping the country. Brought to you by CBC News: The National. New episodes drop every Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 31, 2025 • 25min
Canada-U.S. trade negotiations go off the rails
Althia Raj, a savvy political reporter, joins seasoned commentator Chantal Hébert and political writer Jason Markusoff for an insightful discussion. They dive deep into the recent turmoil in Canada-U.S. trade negotiations, sparked by a controversial anti-tariff ad that upset Trump. The trio analyzes the economic fallout for Canadian sectors like auto and steel, debates the implications of the federal budget, and unpacks the contentious use of the notwithstanding clause in Alberta's labor issues, raising critical questions about political strategy and rights.

Oct 24, 2025 • 24min
Carney hints at ‘sacrifices’ in the next budget
This time, Andrew Coyne, a sharp columnist known for dissecting Canadian politics, joins Chantal Hébert, a seasoned political analyst, and Althia Raj, a keen observer of party dynamics. They dive into Prime Minister Mark Carney’s stark warnings about 'sacrifices' in the looming budget. The discussion explores how public acceptance of austerity hinges on competent execution. Plus, the panel assesses Pierre Poilievre’s controversial comments and Canada's warming trade ties with India, weighing the balance between profit and national security.

9 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 22min
Cracks in Canada’s united front on tariffs?
Chantal Hébert, a seasoned political commentator, Andrew Coyne, a prominent columnist, and Althia Raj, a political reporter, dive into Canada's tariff turmoil. They explore how provincial interests clash and the federal government's need for better communication. Coyne warns against trading regional interests and emphasizes long-term investment strategies. They also discuss Liberal bail reforms, with concerns about civil liberties and resource limitations. Lastly, Coyne critiques Pierre Poilievre's accusations against the RCMP, highlighting the risk to public trust in justice institutions.

Oct 8, 2025 • 8min
Carney meets Trump in Washington – again
At Issue special edition: Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with U.S. President Donald Trump to try and reach a deal on tariffs. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Oct 3, 2025 • 23min
Alberta pushes for a West-Coast pipeline
Chantal Hébert, a veteran political columnist with expertise in federal-provincial politics, joins Althia Raj, a political commentator focusing on party dynamics. They dive into Alberta's controversial west-coast pipeline proposal, discussing its political implications and potential conflicts with British Columbia. The conversation shifts to the NDP leadership race, exploring candidates' visions for revitalization and the party's identity struggles. Additionally, they analyze the Liberal government's strategy in establishing new agencies and the impact of leadership management styles.

Sep 26, 2025 • 24min
Liberal plan to save Canada Post sparks backlash
Chantal Hébert, a seasoned political commentator, and Althia Raj, a sharp political reporter, dive into the turmoil surrounding Canada Post as workers strike following risky delivery policy changes. They discuss the government’s struggle to prop up Canada Post amidst financial woes and the backlash from unions. The duo also reflects on the implications of leaked gun buyback remarks by the public safety minister, exploring political risks and the consequences of such controversies within party dynamics.

Sep 19, 2025 • 23min
What does Carney need from Mexico?
At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney goes to Mexico to try and shore up a new trade partnership. Chrystia Freeland and David Lametti leave the Liberal team. And the federal government asks the Supreme Court to limit how provinces use the notwithstanding clause. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Sep 16, 2025 • 11min
Pierre Poilievre returns to the House
At Issue special edition: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre returns to the House of Commons after winning his Alberta by-election, facing off with Prime Minister Mark Carney for the first time in Parliament. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Sep 12, 2025 • 23min
Carney’s infrastructure fast track
At Issue this week: What the first projects on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approval fast track signal about the government’s direction. MPs prepare to return to Parliament , but have the dynamics shifted? And Conservatives target the Temporary Foreign Workers program. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Jul 18, 2025 • 31min
David Suzuki warns Carney, too, is ‘trapped by the system’ (via Front Burner)
Mark Carney’s Canada-first political plan still puts the Earth last, argues David Suzuki, and that’s “moral and economic madness.” After more than four decades of activism and advocacy, Suzuki is one of the most renowned and respected voices in the environmental movement. So when he says it's too late to stop climate change, people take notice. And that's now exactly what he's saying.He's delivering this message as Prime Minister Mark Carney's government focuses on fast-tracking major projects it deems to be of national interest, which could include a new pipeline for fossil fuels from Alberta. Suzuki says that, despite his understanding of the climate crisis, Carney — like all of us — is trapped by the economic and political systems we've created. And for Suzuki, our only hope for survival is to scrap those systems entirely.In this special episode from our colleagues at Front Burner, David Suzuki joins Jayme Poisson for a wide-ranging discussion from what a world of irreversible climate change looks like, to what he describes as the "madness" of continued investment in fossil fuels, to the lessons environmentalists of the future can take from the past.Front Burner is CBC’s daily news podcast that takes listeners deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. To stay up-to-date on the day’s biggest stories, find Front Burner wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/fb-ai


