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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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After Prime Minister Mark Carney's second speech on Canada's place in a changing global order this week, former prime minister Brian Mulroney's chief of staff David McLaughlin and former Liberal campaign co-chair David Herle discuss whether Carney is meeting the moment at home — and why Herle says global issues are '100 miles of bad road' for Conservatives. Then, the Power Panel discusses whether Carney's speeches are preparing Canadians for difficult days ahead, or preparing them to go to the ballot box.
1U.S. President Donald Trump took aim at Prime Minister Mark Carney's World Economic Forum address during his own speech in Davos, Switzerland, saying 'Canada lives because of the United States' and that Carney should 'remember that' in his next remarks. Former Canadian ambassador to the UN Bob Rae compares Trump's performance to Marlon Brando's titular character in the Godfather, contrasting what he calls Carney's message of 'hope' with Trump's message of 'pettiness.'
In a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Mark Carney told other nations that competing to appease the world's great powers is 'the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination,' and asserted that the old, semi-fictional world order based on rules is 'not coming back — we should not mourn it.' Senator and former G7 sherpa Peter Boehm and former Canadian deputy permanent representative to the UN Louise Blais discuss Canada's daunting task of finding a new place in the global power structure. Plus, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe explains why the Canada-China meetings he attended in Beijing last week were 'the most positive' he's seen.
U.S. President Donald Trump told NBC on Monday that he's following through with his threat for escalating tariffs on eight European allies if there's no deal for the U.S. to purchase Greenland. Greenland's Minister of Business, Mineral Resources, Justice, Energy and Gender Equality Naaja Nathanielsen calls for continued talks but tells Power & Politics that there's a 'red line' for Greenland: 'We do not want to be bought or sold, and we do not want to be occupied by an ally.' Plus, parliamentary secretary to the prime minister Kody Blois explains why the Carney government believes the deal that lowers tariffs on tens of thousands of Chinese EVs will lead to investment and partnerships in Canada.
There’s a new CBC podcast we think you’ll enjoy. Two Blocks from the White House takes a clear-eyed look at what’s happening in the U.S. right now and examines how it stands to impact Canadians. In the first episode, reporters from CBC’s Washington bureau dig into America’s increasingly aggressive global posture. Has President Donald Trump’s promise of “America First” evolved into something closer to American imperialism? And what are the consequences for Canada?For more unscripted, smart analysis from journalists with a foot in both countries and a press pass to the White House, find and follow Two Blocks from the White House wherever you get your podcasts, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/2BFTWHxPnP
As Prime Minister Mark Carney gets an agreement for tariff relief in Beijing, he's hailing a new path forward with China — but facing concerns it's another step back with the U.S. Zain Velji, Jamie Ellerton and Laura D'Angelo break down whether dropping tariffs on tens of thousands of Chinese EVs is an affordable cost of admission for a Canada-China reset.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is leaving Beijing with an agreement for lower Chinese agricultural tariffs in exchange for a major carve-out from Canada's 100 per cent levy on Chinese EVs — leading Ontario Premier Doug Ford to blast the 'terrible' deal over fears it will 'tick off' the U.S. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Unifor president Lana Payne and Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong join Power & Politics to react.
Canada and China reached an agreement on energy during Prime Minister Mark Carney's first day of talks in Beijing, but Chinese tariffs on agricultural goods like canola remain in place. Will Carney's meeting with President Xi Jinping change that? Michael Kovrig was imprisoned by China for over 1,000 days, but tells Power & Politics why he's in favour of Carney's trip. Plus, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson responds to criticisms about loopholes in his government's Buy Canadian policy as he announces an investment in Toronto's subway trains.
Quebec Premier François Legault announced his resignation on Wednesday, giving his CAQ party just months to find a new leader — and to reverse the separatist Parti Québécois's wide polling lead — ahead of the province's October election. Former Quebec adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper Dimitri Soudas and former Quebec adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Jonathan Kalles discuss whether the resignation of two party leaders in as many months opens up the race, or locks in the province's path to another sovereignty referendum. Plus, Business Council of Canada president Goldy Hyder outlines the opportunities for Canada in China as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to meet President Xi Jinping.
Coastal First Nations in B.C. say their stance on a pipeline from Alberta to B.C. has not changed following a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday. Power & Politics hears from one of those nations and a former Alberta energy minister.
With B.C. Premier David Eby on a trade mission in India and Prime Minister Mark Carney leaving for China to meet with President Xi Jinping this week, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh K. Patnaik tells Power & Politics that 'trust' is returning to his country's relationship with Canada — but still asks 'where's the evidence' behind Canadian officials' accusations of election interference and links to a B.C. murder. Plus, economist Justin Wolfers explains why he believes the Trump administration's criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is a 'brutal form of bullying and intimidation' that risks the U.S. economy and monetary policy for decades to come.
The United States is reshaping the global order around Canada with military intervention in Venezuela, threats to annex a NATO ally and claims of ‘dominance’ over the entire Western Hemisphere. Zain Velji, Jamie Ellerton and Laura D'Angelo discuss how Canada can possibly approach a power that’s fighting both the world — and itself.
Chrystia Freeland has officially resigned her seat in the House of Commons, leaving the minority Liberal government now two seats shy of a majority. Plus, more details emerge about the fatal ICE shooting of a Minneapolis woman this week.
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance says Renee Nicole Good, the woman fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minn., on Wednesday, is 'dead because she tried to ram somebody with her car.' University of Wisconsin associate professor of law and use of force expert John Gross breaks down every stage of the encounter between ICE and Good, saying it's clear from video that 'she never attempted to ram the officer.' Then, Minnesota state Sen. Zaynab Mohamed refutes Vance's claim that Good was part of a radical left-wing network, saying 'the only radical group' is his administration that's 'invading' U.S. cities.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday less than two kilometres from where a police officer murdered George Floyd in 2020. Minneapolis city council member Aurin Chowdhury tells ICE to 'pack your bags and leave,' arguing the Trump administration is using an 'occupation' and false anti-immigrant narrative to distract from economic failures. Then, civil rights lawyer and past president of the Minneapolis NAACP Nekima Levy Armstrong refutes U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that the shooting was self-defence: 'If there were concerns about her trying to drive away, you can shoot a tire — you don't have to shoot a person in the head.'
The White House clarified its ambitions for Greenland on Tuesday, stating that 'acquiring Greenland is a national security priority' for the U.S. and that 'utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option.' Greenland's pro-independence opposition leader Pele Broberg responds by arguing for direct negotiations with the U.S. on Greenland's future. Then, Former Canadian Ambassador to NATO Kerry Buck discusses what a threat from NATO's most powerful member to annex another member's territory could mean for the future of the alliance.
After arresting the president of Venezuela, U.S. President Donald Trump is issuing new threats, warnings and predictions of collapse for Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Greenland and Iran — all while his State Department posts online that 'This is OUR Hemisphere.' Canada's former UN ambassador discusses how Trump and other powerful leaders are trying to 'carve up' the world. Plus, former Colombian vice-president Francisco Santos Calderón reacts to Trump's threat of military action against Colombia.
Power and Politics' panel of political insiders — Greg MacEachern, Melanie Richer and Fred DeLorey — on Canadian political stories to watch in 2026.
Host David Cochrane and Power Panelists Laura D’Angelo, Tim Powers, Jordan Leichnitz and Charelle Evelyn count down the top five political newsmakers of 2025.
Host David Cochrane and the Reporter Roundtable panel reflect on events of 2025 from the federal election to Trump’s trade war.
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imo Rosie is one of the Rudest ppl out there. look at the way she interviews both MC and PP. did she ask pp why, when libs crossed to the cons party why it was OK? scheer stated, at that time, that it takes courage to put your principles first. why is that not brought up??
funny how things change. when ppl crossed from the libs to the cons, Andrew Scheer said it takes courage and principles to cross the floor.
why would anyone believe anything Scheer says after he was caught buying a van and sending his kids to private school WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS. when you're a thief, lying comes pretty easily.
maybe pp could cut HIS spending by a few million. he spent more last year than all other leaders combined (if im reading that correcty). i dont believe that includes his "special election" eithir. he is in NO position so tell anyone to cut back.
these opposition parties should have to make their own budgets so we can compare apples to apples. its easy to spout hate like she does. the cons have lobbyists in their employ. why do they not lobby for lower grocery prices? could it be that they're whiny little kids that can cry but not Help to make smart decisions??
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"