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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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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.
1Host David Cochrane and the Reporter Roundtable panel reflect on events of 2025 from the federal election to Trump’s trade war.
For a year that changed just about everything we know about the Canadian political landscape, Power & Politics is upgrading the final Weekly Wrap podcast of 2025 to our Yearly Wrap. Zain Velji, Carlene Variyan and Rachael Segal break down Mark Carney's rise to prime minister, the Conservative reversal of fortunes and whether Carney has lived up to his big promises both at home and south of the border.
The NDP released an internal review of the election campaign that wiped out more than two-thirds of its caucus on Friday, which avoids casting blame on the party by saying it 'ran a technically solid campaign in a brutal environment.' CBC's David Thurton takes us through the report. Plus, International Rescue Committee CEO David Miliband lays out the worsening humanitarian emergencies driving an annual report the group calls New World Disorder.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Congress on Wednesday that the review of the North American trade deal 'depends on' resolving a list of issues with Mexico and Canada, including Canada's barriers to dairy, provincial boycotts of U.S. alcohol, the Online Streaming Act and the Online News Act. Future Borders Coalition executive director Laura Dawson frames it as positive that the U.S. is signalling it wants to improve — not abandon — the deal. Plus, responding to Prime Minister Mark Carney's doubts that Canada can secure U.S. tariff relief before a CUSMA review, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says that it's 'incumbent on us' to ask again to re-engage.
CBC's Rosemary Barton debriefs on her one-on-one interview with Prime Minister Mark Carney, where Carney didn't answer when asked if there's an active recruitment campaign to take MPs from other parties. Then, CBC's Cathy Senay reports that Pablo Rodriguez will announce his resignation as leader of the Quebec Liberal Party on Thursday, with sources telling Radio-Canada that Rodriguez felt he'd become too great a distraction after weeks of controversies and party turmoil. Former Quebec deputy premier Michelle Courchesne and former Harper government adviser Rudy Husny discuss what this means for the chances that Quebec could be headed for a third sovereignty referendum.
Prime Minister Mark Carney tells Radio-Canada that he's making a major change to a 'pragmatic' climate policy, but that the policies Canada currently has in place will not be enough to meet its 2030 and 2035 climate goals. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin tells Power & Politics that the climate goals are still possible — despite some experts and former cabinet colleague Steven Guilbeault saying that the policies Carney removed have put 2030 out of reach. Plus, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly argues that a $70-billion mining merger is a 'net benefit' for Canada.
When reporters asked Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson about the potential of more MPs crossing the floor to the Liberals on Monday, Hodgson hinted that he's getting 'lots of inquiries.' Former Liberal campaign co-chair David Herle and former Conservative chief of staff David McLaughlin break down whether Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's response to the crossings will be enough to shore up his caucus — and his future as leader. Plus, the Power Panel weighs in on new comments from Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who says the next direct U.S. engagement on trade likely won't be until the review of the North American free trade agreement.
The Weekly Wrap panel looks back on how a Conservative plan to fracture the Liberals over pipeline support was quickly overshadowed by another defection from Conservative caucus — putting the Liberals just one seat away from a majority. With Rachael Segal, Ginny Roth and Zain Velji.
Two Conservative MPs defected to the Liberals and a third announced his resignation in the months leading up to Pierre Poilievre's leadership review in January. Ontario Conservative MP Adam Chambers tells Power & Politics that 'many people' still support Poilievre after the second floor-crossing. But interim NDP Leader Don Davies tells host David Cochrane that 'if I were Mr. Poilievre, I'd be deeply concerned.'
Ontario Conservative MP Michael Ma announced Thursday evening that he was crossing the floor to the Liberals, bringing the government within one seat of the 172-vote threshold for a majority in the House of Commons. Power & Politics breaks the news live on the program and gets instant reaction from the bureau chiefs of the Globe and Mail, Canadian Press and La Presse. Plus, despite no official resumption of Canada's trade talks, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tells Power & Politics that 'what we're trying to do now is sectoral deals' with the U.S. and that 'discussions are ongoing.'
There's no official word yet on who will be replacing Kirsten Hillman once she leaves her post as Canada's ambassador to the U.S. in January, but whoever picks up that file will soon be heading into CUSMA negotiations. Power & Politics hears from former ambassador Frank Mckenna. The Power Panel weighs in.
Liberal MP Corey Hogan weighs in on the breaking news that Canada’s Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman is stepping down. Plus, Liberal MPs reject an attempt to put their caucus in an uncomfortable position, as Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre tries to wedge the Liberals on their pipeline support. The Power Panel breaks down the vote.
The Conservatives are looking to magnify a potential rift in Liberal caucus on Tuesday, with a motion that would force MPs to show their support for a new oil pipeline to B.C. and changes to the North Coast tanker ban. Andrew Scheer tells Power & Politics his party is putting forward the motion because 'Canadians deserve clarity,' and accuses Prime Minister Mark Carney of delivering a different message to Alberta than other parts of the country. Plus, Catherine Abreu explains why she was one of two members who resigned from Canada's Net-Zero Advisory Body last week, saying the Carney government 'at no point' sought its advice on the oil and gas projects it's supporting.
The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Carlene Variyan, Ginny Roth and Zain Velji.
The leaders of all three nations in the North American free trade deal spent more than an hour chatting and laughing in the stands of the FIFA World Cup draw on Friday, before Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum retreated to a 45-minute private meeting without any staff. Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations member Jean Charest warns that Canada can 'expect a lot of posturing' like threats to abandon CUSMA from the U.S., but that patience and focus will preserve the deal. Plus, CBC's Peter Armstrong explains how a revision to Canada's economic data shows that growth has actually been better than previously thought.
The day after denying his party's announcement that they'd removed him as leader and posting on social media that he was 'not going anywhere,' John Rustad resigned his leadership of the B.C. Conservative Party. Trevor Halford, the new interim leader of the party, joins Power & Politics to discuss the path forward from the caucus revolt. Plus, Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu responds to Algoma Steel's layoff of 1,000 workers and explains the extension of federal child-care subsidies in Ontario as fees still remain above $10 a day.
On the first day of hearings on the U.S. review of CUSMA, the free trade deal that exempts most Canadian goods from 35 per cent tariffs, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to either let it expire — the current deal would end in 2036 if not renewed — or pursue a different agreement. Brad Wood, a senior director at the National Foreign Trade Council who's testifying at the hearings, says he'll be telling the top U.S. trade official that keeping the deal is 'critical' for U.S. business. Plus, Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty reacts to the Assembly of First Nations' unanimous call for the withdrawal of her government's pipeline agreement with Alberta.
In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, First Nations chiefs called for the withdrawal of the energy agreement between Ottawa and Alberta at the AFN's special chiefs assembly in Ottawa. B.C. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee and Indian Resource Council president Stephen Buffalo join Power & Politics to respond to Prime Minister Mark Carney's address to the assembly. Plus, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May explains why she says voting for the Liberal budget was a 'mistake' she won't make again.
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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"