Claim OwnershipPower & Politics
Subscribed: 11,541Played: 671,457
Subscribe
Copyright © CBC 2026
Description
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.'
451 Episodes
Reverse
Is there a coalition forming between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre? Our panellists certainly wouldn't go that far. But Carlene Variyan, Rachael Segal and Laura Stone are here to break down signs that the parties are working together to avoid further parliamentary gridlock and the potential of a spring election. Then, a reflection on how Canada's leaders came together in response to the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and the leaders of every party in the House of Commons came together to lay flowers at a memorial in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on Friday, before attending an evening vigil in the community. NDP interim Leader Don Davies, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and the region's provincial MLA Larry Neufeld join Power & Politics to reflect ahead of the vigil. Plus, the RCMP reveal more information about the weapons used in Tuesday's mass shooting.
The prime minister and the leaders of all of Canada's major federal parties are expected to travel to Tumbler Ridge, B.C., to attend a vigil in the community on Friday. As the RCMP identifies all eight of the victims murdered in the shooting, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald joins Power & Politics for an update on the ongoing investigation. The MP for Tumbler Ridge, Conservative Bob Zimmer, describes how relatives and community members are coping with the tragedy. Then, Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks introduced the resolution to stop U.S. President Donald Trump's 35 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods that passed with the support of six Republicans on Wednesday night. Meeks says he believes Trump is 'starting to receive' the message that Americans oppose those tariffs.
At a news conference on Wednesday, the commanding officer for the RCMP in B.C. said five of the eight victims killed in a mass shooting in the community of Tumbler Ridge were students aged 12 and 13, and a sixth was an educator. CBC's Ian Hanomansing reports the latest from Tumbler Ridge. B.C. deputy premier and Attorney General Niki Sharma describes how the province is responding. The provincial MLA that represents Tumbler Ridge, Larry Neufeld, explains why he says English words don't exist to describe the grief. Then, Colchester Country, N.S., Mayor Christine Blair uses her community's experience from the 2020 shooting that killed 22 people to advise Tumbler Ridge: 'It will be surreal and it will be surreal for a while.'
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump about a bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit early Tuesday, and explained it was paid for in full by Canada and that the Americans already have an ownership stake. But later on Tuesday, the White House still called the arrangement 'unacceptable' and said Trump had the right to amend a permit that could stop the bridge from opening. Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar, who represents the district where the bridge lands in Detroit, responds. Plus, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin explains why her government scrapped the EV mandate in favour of what she calls an 'all-encompassing,' 'more durable' and 'pragmatic' policy.
Sources tell CBC's Kate McKenna that the government and Opposition are working behind the scenes on potential deals that could end a parliamentary gridlock and avoid a second federal election in 12 months. Liberal MP and justice committee chair James Maloney tells Power & Politics that the cancellation of one of the committee's meetings is a sign that a 'solution' is coming on legislation that's been stuck there. Plus, Sebastien Lai, son of pro-democracy former Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, tells Power & Politics China has imprisoned his father's body but hasn't 'imprisoned his spirit,' as Beijing hands down a 20-year sentence to the 78-year-old under China's internationally scrutinized national security law.
1Former prime minister Stephen Harper is back in the spotlight this week as he celebrates 20 years since winning his first election — and he's got a stark warning about U.S. threats to Canada's economy. Power & Politics reflects on Harper's legacy with a panel of former colleagues and observers: those who worked with him, for him or wrote about him.
The Liberals' new auto strategy ditches the EV mandate and downgrades ambitions for emissions savings, while still pouring billions into encouraging an electric transition. Zain Velji, Laura D'Angelo and Rachael Segal evaluate the plan, and discuss whether former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper is besting the current Conservative leader with his U.S. messaging.
The day after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Liberals' new auto strategy, automaker Stellantis announced it was selling its 49 per cent stake in Canada’s first large-scale battery manufacturing facility in Windsor, Ont., for just $100 US. CBC's Peter Armstrong breaks down the move and looks at contradictory signals in Canada's new jobs numbers. Plus, our political insiders discuss former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper's advice for how Canada should tackle the U.S.
Prime Minister Mark Carney's new auto strategy ditches the Trudeau-era electric vehicle mandate in favour of stronger emissions standards, revives EV purchase incentives with a $2.3-billion program and sets aside $3 billion of the Liberals' Strategic Response Fund for the sector as it faces U.S. tariffs. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly defends restrictions for rebates on non-Canadian EVs, acknowledging that only one electric vehicle is currently made in Canada. Plus, the Power Panel discusses former prime minister Stephen Harper's imperatives for Canada on U.S. relations.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio invited 50 countries to a critical minerals meeting in Washington to pitch a new 'preferential trade zone' that would introduce a fair pricing agreement for allies. While the EU, Japan and Mexico signed on to critical mineral action plans with the U.S., Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada needs more information on the initiative. Plus, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president Brian Kingston reacts to news that the Liberals will announce a new auto strategy and the end of the electric vehicle mandate on Thursday, according to a CBC News source.
The federal Liberals are facing the possibility of losing a third MP as Nate Erskine-Smith announces his renewed bid for Ontario Liberal leadership, but they're also gaining a byelection candidate from the province as Ontario NDP deputy leader Doly Begum says she's running for the Liberals in the federal seat Bill Blair vacated. The Power Panel reacts to the federal NDP's accusations of betrayal of her values and damage to democracy. But first, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew makes his pitch for how environmental protection can coincide with his push for an expansion of the Port of Churchill and interest in shipping fossil fuels, as the province puts money behind a study for a new national marine conservation area.
An overwhelming majority of Conservative delegates voted to keep Pierre Poilievre as the leader of their party, but pollsters David Coletto and Shachi Kurl break down why Poilievre's impressions with other potential voters will be a significant obstacle to reversing his fortunes from the last election. Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman tells Power & Politics about the new path for co-operation her party sees in the House of Commons. Plus, CBC's J.P. Tasker breaks down the policies the party adopted at last weekend's convention.
In the end, it wasn't even close. After delegates' votes were counted late on Friday night at the Conservative convention in Calgary, Pierre Poilievre won his leadership review with the backing of 87.4 per cent. Join CBC's Rosemary Barton and David Cochrane for a special episode of Power & Politics live from the convention floor, where they'll talk to our political insiders and big names from the party's past about whether the biggest Conservative challenge still lies ahead.
Join Power & Politics on the floor of the Conservative convention in Calgary, just hours before delegates vote on whether Pierre Poilievre should remain the party's leader. Conservative campaign manager Steve Outhouse discusses the path from from the leadership vote to the next federal election, but refuses to predict whether the convention will stabilize Conservative caucus after two defections to the Liberals. Then, our panel of political insiders and CBC's Rosemary Barton discuss how much support Poilievre needs to silence doubts about his future, and whether a greater challenge lies ahead with Poilievre's appeal to voters outside his base.
As Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Canada's premiers in Ottawa, the U.S. State Department confirmed it had met with a group of Alberta separatists — leading B.C. Premier David Eby to accuse the separatists of 'treason' and the group to defend the talks as a 'feasibility study.' Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he sees the meetings within the context of U.S. threats against Greenland and attacks on the prime minister, arguing 'there's a lot being thrown at us to try to destabilize us' before talks to renew the CUSMA trade deal this year. Then, Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson explains how the premiers and Carney discussed Arctic security following the U.S. demands for Greenland.
After meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Ottawa, B.C. Premier David Eby says 'there wasn't any substantial new information from Alberta, and B.C.'s position hasn't changed' on a new oil pipeline. But he still called the talks 'borderline friendly.' Then, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says that the pipeline 'has to happen for our country,' and discusses what he needs to hear from Carney on the U.S.-Canada relationship when the premiers meet on Thursday.
After U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Prime Minister Mark Carney of 'aggressively' reversing comments from his World Economic Forum speech in a Monday call with President Donald Trump, Carney offers a virtually opposite account of the conversation. Carney says he told Trump: 'I meant what I said in Davos.' Former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton responds to the idea that recent U.S. threats are a negotiating tactic for CUSMA, calling the idea of Trump having an overarching strategy 'an oxymoron.' Plus, This Hour Has 22 Minutes star Mark Critch explains how Greenlanders reacted when he visited in character as Trump and asked to buy their country.
Prime Minister Mark Carney framed five years and an estimated $11-12 billion in GST rebate hikes as a 'bridge' to help Canadians in the near-term, as they wait for his policies to transform the broader Canadian economy to pay off. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne defends the spend, and Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer explains why his party won't 'stand in the way' of the measure — but lays out the limitations on his party's broader pledge for co-operation. Then, Minneapolis Coun. Aurin Chowdhury calls the second killing by federal agents in her city in a month a 'public execution.'
CBC’s new weekly podcast, Two Blocks from the White House, takes a clear-eyed look at what’s happening in the U.S. right now and what it means for Canadians. This week Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry digest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s striking remarks at the World Economic Forum, talk about the President’s latest moves on Greenland, and explore what this moment could reveal about where Canada-U.S. relations are headed. Find and follow Two Blocks from the White House wherever you get your podcasts, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/2BFTWHxPnP
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
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"