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On Power & Politics, host David Cochrane asks decision-makers the questions that matter – and gets answers. Every weekday, we feature hard-hitting interviews with politicians and leaders, check in with CBC’s top political journalists for updates on breaking stories, and take the time to analyze the latest developments with a cast of regular panelists and critical thinkers. Whether you’re getting caught up on Canadian politics daily or weekly, we’ve got an insider’s view of the continuously-unfolding drama.'
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On the eve of the Carney government's first federal budget, CBC's Peter Armstrong and Catherine Cullen break down everything we know about what's coming in the document — with one senior Canadian official saying it will include tax changes and tens of billions in cuts. Then, Desjardins Group deputy chief economist Randall Bartlett explains what he'll look for to decide if the sizable deficit the Liberals have signalled will be an investment that pays off.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Prime Minister Mark Carney apologized over an Ontario ad that Trump cites as his reason for halting trade talks, but says he won't restart negotiations. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin deflects questions about whether the Liberals are keeping Canada's 2030 climate target, saying 'we always knew they were ambitious.' Plus, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tells CBC's Rosemary Barton that he'd reverse a Supreme Court ruling striking down mandatory minimum sentences for some child pornography cases.
Multiple sources tell CBC News that the risk of triggering another election has the Conservative and NDP caucuses grappling with whether to vote against the Liberal budget, as it remains unclear where the Liberals will secure the three votes they need. NDP MP Heather McPherson and Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer weigh in on how unlikely it is that their caucuses will lend the Liberals their support, and provide no assurance that an election will be avoided. Plus, Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan says unions in the province are organizing toward a general strike in response to the UCP government's use of the Charter's notwithstanding clause to force teachers back to work.
1Multiple witnesses tell CBC News that U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra lashed out at Ontario trade representative David Paterson at an event in Ottawa on Monday, with one witness saying Hoekstra appeared to be upset about Ontario's U.S. ad and could be heard using the F-word. Former minister of foreign affairs John Manley and former U.S. ambassador to Canada Gordon Giffin react. Plus, CBC's Peter Armstrong breaks down why the Bank of Canada delivered another interest rate cut on Wednesday, and why the Federal Reserve did the same in the U.S.
A senior provincial source says Prime Minister Mark Carney saw Ontario's ad 'well in advance' of when it aired in the U.S., but after U.S. President Donald Trump halted trade talks, Carney called Ontario Premier Doug Ford to ask him to take it down. Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides defends the province's use of the Charter's notwithstanding clause to force striking teachers back to work. Plus, interim NDP Leader Don Davies responds to the Liberal House leader's assertion that they 'don’t have the votes’ to pass next week's federal budget yet.
U.S. President Donald Trump was unable to say when his threat of a 10 per cent increase to tariffs on Canadian goods would become a reality on Monday, but said he wouldn't meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney 'for a long time.' Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu responds, and details a new set of budget announcements aimed at increasing tradespeople and bolstering the economy against U.S. turmoil. Plus, David Frum, who was a speechwriter for former president George W. Bush, evaluates why Trump has had such a strong reaction to the Ontario ad that the president claims is 'fake.'
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.
B.C. Premier David Eby demanded that Ottawa support the province's forestry workers on Tuesday, as the U.S. enacted another 10 per cent tariff on Canada's softwood lumber — taking the total levy to just over 45 per cent. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt tells Power & Politics what she'll be speaking to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly about tonight, as she lays out the impact on her province's economy. Plus, Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi weighs in on how the spat between Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith could hurt his province's hopes for a new oil pipeline.
The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D’Angelo, Michael Solberg and Zain Velji.
Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson said Thursday that Alberta will need to 'attract' B.C.'s support if it wants to execute its proposal for an oil pipeline to the West Coast. B.C. Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix argues that B.C. can't support 'a project that doesn't exist.' Plus, CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant says the postal workers' union is moving to rotating strikes that will let delivery resume because 'our fight is not with the public,' but accuses Ottawa of adding 'poison pills' to its contract negotiations with Canada Post.
As Israel's government voted on ratifying the first phase of a U.S. plan for peace in Gaza on Thursday, senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya said Hamas has received guarantees from the U.S., Arab mediators and Turkey that the war has permanently ended. Israeli ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed says he's hopeful that the war has concluded, 'but with Hamas we can never trust.' Plus, Unifor national president Lana Payne says she's 'extremely worried' about what she saw from the Carney government in Washington this week, saying Canada's push for fast sectoral deals allows U.S. President Donald Trump to 'pit one sector in Canada against another.'
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the conservatives are the ones who have the big food lobbyists on their team. why are They doing Nothing to help bring down prices???
the reason for the concessions will show when CUSMA is negotiated, imo. he can't show his hand to the US or he loses the advantage that his diplomacy has won.
This was the most unprepared embarrassing incoherent presentation by any politician ever.
we'd also like all the parties to act like adults. use the house to talk about pros and cons of the bills. not just to throw school yard jabs at each other and spew cheap slogans.
maybe the US was able to get a deal with other countries because he's not planning on having those countries as part of the US. it must make it a whole lot easier.
Love ❤️ your reporting Katie. you made me smile more than once.
to me, it sounds like the cons would get rid of every single piece of legislature that will save the environment.
when they talk about budgets....I wish someone would mention how many months it took other new governments to come out with a new budget. it's not an overnight endeavor.
they better take a look at their automatic raises. when the country is looking at a possible recession and a "tightening of the belt" then the leaders should have to take cuts as well. The PM should be the ONLY one who is in Canada's home. sell off the speakers' homes as well as the leader of the oppositions home. they are paid enough to buy their own.
sell off ALL properties except where the PM lives. the speaker and the Leader of the Opposition do NOT need a residence on our dime. they are paid well enough to pay their own.
Carney should invite both NDP and PQ into a unity govt and true mandate to govern
Cache, what are we watching? There's nothing here, the media needs to stop wasting air
Tipical Canada always rushing to obey the master.
Don't you think that stressing the new Speaker's colour is just reminding us of the institutional racism that we are trying to get away from?
please advise "points of order" not "point of orders"
really tough to listen to due to the poor production
Canadian government should expel the Iranian regime’s families and former officials. How can liberals talk about human rights and still letting these murderers live in Canada?
production quality is really terrible. sounds as if it was recorded from radio. painful to listen to
really terrible sound quality
quaility sound is terrible.