At Issue

<p>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.</p>

Carney hints at ‘sacrifices’ in the next budget

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney drops hints that ‘sacrifices’ are coming in the upcoming federal budget. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tries to clarify his Trudeau jail time comments. Plus, Canada’s warming relations with India. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

10-24
24:05

Cracks in Canada’s united front on tariffs?

At Issue this week: How will the federal government keep a united front as tariff turmoil pits premiers against each other? The Liberals move on bail reform. And Pierre Poilievre accuses the RCMP of protecting Justin Trudeau from criminal charges. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

10-17
22:30

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.

10-08
08:54

Alberta pushes for a West-Coast pipeline

At Issue this week: Danielle Smith announces her province's proposal for a west-coast pipeline despite pushback from British Columbia. More candidates enter the race for NDP Leadership and share their vision for the party's revival. And the Liberals announce another office and CEO to oversee major government policies.. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

10-03
23:32

Liberal plan to save Canada Post sparks backlash

At Issue this week: Canada Post workers go back on strike after the Liberals unveil a plan to save it from its ‘existential crisis.’ The Conservatives call for the public safety minister to be fired over leaked gun buyback comments. And Prime Minister Mark Carney tries to find more trade allies. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

09-26
24:06

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.

09-19
23:35

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.

09-16
11:39

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.

09-12
23:19

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

07-18
52:05

Carney bulldozes his nation-building bill through Parliament

At Issue this week: The Liberal government pushes to expedite Prime Minister Mark Carney’s contentious major projects bill, despite objections from Indigenous communities. Canada commits to a new relationship with India. And Pierre Poilievre starts a podcast. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

06-20
22:50

What Carney’s G7 invite list says about his priorities

At Issue this week: Minister Mark Carney invites Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the G7 summit. Canada gets a defence spending boost. And how close are we to a trade deal with the U.S.? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

06-13
22:48

Carney and Trump hold private tariff talks

At Issue this week: Sources tell CBC/Radio-Canada that Carney and Trump have shared private calls and texts about tariffs. Premiers pitch their infrastructure projects to the prime minister. And does a new border security bill go too far? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

06-06
24:26

Canada caught in Trump tariff uncertainty

At Issue this week: How will another week of back-and-forth on tariffs from the U.S. change Canada’s negotiating position? The changing dynamics in the House under a new government. Plus, the prime minister looks to sell his plans to the premiers.  Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

05-30
23:26

What the King’s speech says about Carney’s priorities

King Charles delivers a historic speech from the throne in Parliament. The National’s At Issue panel breaks down the message and what it tells Canadians about the federal government's priorities under Prime Minister Mark Carney. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

05-28
09:10

Carney sets up throne speech

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney sets the stage for a throne speech with a mandate letter outlining tasks and priorities for his cabinet. Canada looks beyond the U.S. for allies. And, Liberal MPs will soon decide whether to give themselves the powers to order leadership reviews. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

05-23
23:16

Carney government’s priorities

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney has assembled a new cabinet, but what do his choices say about his priorities? The government comes under fire for delaying its first budget. And, a Quebec riding at the centre of a recount and mail-in ballot fight. Rosemary Barton hosts Althia Raj, Aaron Wherry and Rob Russo

05-16
23:35

Will Carney’s meeting with Trump change anything?

Will Prime Minister Mark Carney’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump change anything with for the Canada-U.S. relationship? Andrew Scheer steps up for the Conservatives as interim Opposition leader in the House. And, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith re-ignites the sovereignty debate. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Althia Raj and Aaron Wherry

05-09
24:25

Carney’s first moves

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new minority government faces multiple challenges, but where should he start? What’s next for the Conservatives and Pierre Poilievre? Plus, can the Green Party find a role on Parliament Hill? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

05-02
22:20

Can Mark Carney unify with a minority?

At Issue: Canada Votes edition | A tight race leaves the Liberals with a minority, the Conservatives with a seatless leader and a country divided. Can Prime Minister Mark Carney build unity in the face of unprecedented threats, and what comes next for the House of Commons? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

04-30
16:21

Party leaders unveil their platforms — finally

At Issue this week: All the major federal parties have finally released their costed platforms, but will they sway voters? What does the path to victory look like for each party on election night? And could some leaders lose their own seats? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

04-25
23:44

Darren Baker

awful soundtrack.

09-09 Reply

Robert James Somerville

journalists are scum

12-25 Reply

nope

Barton is a clown performing in a circus.

09-22 Reply

thinkingoutloud 14

Doug Ford says he needs to make the tough decisions. He should have done so 4 weeks ago, we should never have opened any region in March! If everything had stayed close, we would not be here. I lay all the blame at his feet.

04-02 Reply

Marco Hubrão

“We’re going to rebate and give you your money back” to which my reply is than what is the point of a carbon tax? I was told a carbon tax will make us emit less carbon by raising the prices on things like gas therefore causing people to use less of it to save their money.... Why would I use less if I just get all my money back? Carbon Tax is a feel good policy for idiots who don’t think things through.

04-19 Reply

10-15

Recommend Channels