The House

What a quip about a bathtub tells us about Canadian politics right now

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 06:10:00 EDT

Heckling’s pretty common during House of Commons debates. But with tensions running high as the Liberals fight to keep the government afloat, one stray quip can set off a barrage of accusations and criticism. The House sits down with two Hill watchers to discuss Conservative MP Garnett Genuis’ allegedly homophobic comment and what it tells us about civility in Parliament.

Then, as the Middle East remains on the brink of all-out war, Canada’s national defence minister tells The House how the government has been preparing over the summer to possibly evacuate tens of thousands of people with Canadian connections stuck in Lebanon.

Plus — Chinese dissidents living in Canada share their stories of alleged harassment and intimidation by Beijing. Canada’s former ambassador to China listens in and tells us what steps should be taken to protect free speech and assembly rights for all students across Canadian campuses.

This episode features the voices of:

Shannon Proudfoot, writer for The Globe and Mail’s Ottawa bureau
Paul Wells, author and podcaster
Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
Craig Desson, CBC News
Guy Saint-Jacques, former Canadian ambassador to China

Political flexing. That’s wassup.

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 06:10:00 EDT

The House. Is. Back! And everyone’s flexing their muscles.

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet joins the show to talk about how his party might use its strength to get what they want from the government.

Plus, after NDP leader Jagmeet Singh had a standoff with protesters who’d hurled insults at him, MPs talk about just how much harassment they’ve faced in politics.

Then we’ll hear from a panel of political strategists about whose flex was best over an upcoming attempt to bring the government down.

Finally, the second phase of the foreign interference inquiry kicked off on Monday. CBC’s Marina von Stackleberg will bring us up to speed.

This episode features the voices of:

Yves-François Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Québécois

Lori Idlout, NDP MP

Gord Johns, NDP MP

Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal MP

Yasir Naqvi, Liberal MP

Kate Harrison, Conservative strategist

Vandana Kattar, Liberal strategist

George Soule, former NDP communications director

Marina von Stackleberg, CBC News

No, No, No…everything is fine! The Liberal caucus gears up in B.C.

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 06:10:00 EDT

Liberal MPs met this week in Nanaimo, B.C., quick to tell reporters they’ve got full confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The House is on the ground, taking the temperature, talking to Liberals about how they think they can turn their fortunes — even as one of Trudeau’s own MPs says people are “tired of his face.”

We also hear from Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer about how his party hopes to force a non-confidence motion to bring down the government as soon as possible.

Then, we head up Vancouver Island to Campbell River, which is likely to become a battleground between the Conservatives and the NDP. The CBC’s Emma Godmere speaks with voters there about the issues that matter most to them.

Finally, with British Columbians going to the polls next month, Premier David Eby said he’d scrap the carbon tax if Ottawa removes the requirement to have it. The Toronto Star’s Tonda MacCharles, and the National Post’s Stuart Thomson break down what to expect ahead of Parliament resuming on Monday.

This episode features the voices of:

John McKay, Liberal MP for Scarborough—Guildwood
Francis Drouin, Liberal MP for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell
Hedy Fry, Liberal MP for Vancouver Centre
Andrew Scheer, Conservative House leader
CBC’s Emma Godmere
Tonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto Star.
Stuart Thomson, Parliamentary bureau chief for the National Post

It’s not me, it’s you: the Liberal-NDP breakup

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 06:10:00 EDT

Sometimes, it just doesn’t work out. The NDP’s decision to end its deal with the Liberals — which for two years brought stability to the minority government — has raised the spectre of a snap federal election. The House sits down with one of the NDP architects of the deal to find out why the party chose to back out now, and what comes next.

Then, months after a Toronto byelection loss that rocked the governing Liberals, another test is on the way later this month in a Montreal race. We travel to LaSalle-Émard-Verdun to find out how the campaign — with national implications — is playing out on the ground.

Also, a Liberal minister and national campaign committee co-chair sits down with Catherine Cullen to talk through her party’s plan to regain their mojo and win — they hope — a fourth term.

Plus — Germany has embraced a novel diplomatic arrangement: two ambassadors for the price of one. A married couple who will rotate in and out of the posting in Ottawa explain what’s behind the arrangement.

This episode features the voices of:

Anne McGrath, principal secretary to Jagmeet Singh
Craig Sauvé, NDP candidate
Louis-Philippe Sauvé, Bloc Québécois candidate
Philippe J. Fournier, founder, 338canada.com
Soraya Martinez Ferrada, tourism minister, Liberal campaign committee co-chair
Matthias Lüttenberg and Tjorven Bellmann, German ambassadors-designate

Did the Liberals have a ‘Seinfeld’ summer?

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 06:10:00 EDT

A show about nothing: that’s at least how some are cheekily describing the Liberals’ last few months. Host Catherine Cullen sits down with a panel of former top political advisers to discuss what moves the Liberals have left to make, with two weeks to go until Parliament returns and two more byelections arrive.

Plus — we revisit our conversation with Pulitzer Prize finalist John Valliant about his book Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast, and why our brains struggle to accept the reality of climate change.

And for too many Canadians, justice delayed is justice denied. It’s not just annoying — delays in the system are causing some cases to be thrown out. The House returns to a documentary digging deep into the issue.

This episode features the voices of:

Marci Surkes, chief strategy officer at Compass Rose and former Liberal adviser
Garry Keller, vice president at StrategyCorp and former Conservative adviser
John Vailliant, author of Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast
CBC’s Kristen Everson

Will closing supervised drug use sites make your neighbourhood safer?

Sat, 24 Aug 2024 06:10:00 EDT

Ontario’s premier says “the worst thing” that can happen to a neighbourhood is a supervised drug consumption site. He’s closing nearly half the centers in the province — and wants to ban new ones. We talk to one centre about what this means for drug users and a mayor who wishes the premier had gone further.

Also — a rail work stoppage that threatened the Canadian economy is … almost resolved? Some trains are rolling, but there’s still risk. The House digs into the political forces at play in the complex case.

Finally, the last instalment of our Book Smart Summer Series is here. Jane Philpott sits down with Catherine Cullen to talk about her book Health for All: A Doctor's Prescription for a Healthier Canada and how she thinks primary care in this country can be fixed.

This episode features the voices of:

CBC’s Janyce McGregor
Juanita Lawson, CEO, NorWest Community Health Centres
Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton
Jane Philpott, former federal health minister, author, Health for All: A Doctor's Prescription for a Healthier Canada

Is U.S. politics melting down or just heating up?

Sat, 17 Aug 2024 06:10:00 EDT

How quickly things change. The 2024 campaign was supposed to be a rematch of the 2020 race, but in a matter of a few weeks, the lagging Democrats have ditched U.S. President Joe Biden as the candidate, crowned Harris — and surged in the polls. Now, they’re set to meet in Chicago for their national convention, with the aim of keeping their momentum going. Guest host Katie Simpson sits down with a Democratic insider to talk about the role governors will play in the new campaign, before two journalists break down what the convention might hold.

Plus — author David R. Samson talks about his book, Our Tribal Future, digging deep into the origins of the “us versus them” mentality, how it pervades our politics today and how humanity may be able to inoculate itself against it.

This episode features the voices of:

Ofirah Yheskel, director of external affairs, Democratic Governors Association
Amie Parnes, senior political correspondent, The Hill
Rob Russo, correspondent, The Economist
David R. Samson, evolutionary anthropologist, author, Our Tribal Future: How to channel our human instinct into a force for good

Preparation for an evacuation, and a puzzling bot barrage

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 06:10:00 EDT

The Canadian government is blaring the alarm for citizens in Lebanon, with the Middle East teetering on the brink of a wider war. The House sits down with two experts to talk about what needs to be done to bring Canadians to safety.

Then, an expert on social media and disinformation helps dig into a peculiar bot campaign that promoted a Pierre Poilievre rally. What’s behind the bot barrage?

Plus — Benjamin Perrin, author of Indictment: The Criminal Justice System on Trial, sits down to talk about his change of heart from an advocate of tough on crime policies to calling for the abolition of traditional prison abolition and sweeping criminal justice reforms.

This episode features the voices of:

Jon Allen, former Canadian ambassador to Israel
Denis Thompson, retired major-general
Craig Silverman, reporter, ProPublica
Benjamin Perrin, author, Indictment: The Criminal Justice System on Trial

War and peace: Why Putin agreed to the swap, and Dallaire’s quest to end conflict

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 06:10:00 EDT

There’s been a lot of talk about a new Cold War — and this week the world was surprised by an old Cold War throwback: a major prisoner swap between the Western countries and Russia. But why did Putin agree to such a thing, and what does it mean for the war in Ukraine? Two military experts join guest host Murray Brewster to discuss.

Plus: Roméo Dallaire has spent three decades since the Rwandan Genocide on a journey towards inner peace — and he has some ideas about peace between nations as well. He sits down with The House as part of our Book Smart Series series to talk about his new book, The Peace: A Warrior's Journey.

This episode features the voices of:

Sean Maloney, professor, Royal Military College of Canada
Matthew Schmidt, associate professor, University of New Haven
Roméo Dallaire, retired lieutenant-general, author, The Peace: A Warrior's Journey

Jasper falls victim to wildfire. Can the next one be stopped?

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 06:10:00 EDT

Yet another devastating wildfire has caused significant damage, this time at one of Canada’s iconic sites: Jasper, Alberta. The House speaks to a wildfire expert to dig into how the fire reached the town — and what can be done to stop the next devastating blaze.

Plus — we look into Kamala Harris’s astonishing ascent to become the likely Democratic nominee, and two provincial representatives talk about what the dramatic developments in the U.S. presidential campaign could mean for Canada.

And: Author Gregor Craigie talks about his book, Our Crumbling Foundation: How We Solve Canada's Housing Crisis, his timely survey of worldwide solutions to the housing crisis that might work here at home.

This episode features the voices of:

Mathieu Bourbonnais, assistant professor, UBC
David Paterson, Ontario Representative in Washington, D.C.
James Rajotte, Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States
Gregor Craigie, author, Our Crumbling Foundation: How We Solve Canada's Housing Crisis

Is the Trudeau circus in need of a Carney?

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 06:10:00 EDT

What a week, on both sides of the border. In Canada, cabinet minister Seamus O’Regan’s departure necessitated a mini shuffle. With the prime minister expected to head off to vacation soon, will the summer provide a bit of a pause — or are there more moves to come from the beleaguered government? Two keen Hill watchers join The House to discuss.

Also — premiers gathered in Halifax this year for their annual meeting. They weren’t too happy with the government. Host Catherine Cullen talks with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew about provincial gripes with Ottawa, as well as Canada’s approach to a potential second Trump term.

Finally — author Matthew Morris sits down for an in-depth look at his book Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging, discussing how his own Black identity was formed and how education should be reformed to ensure the success of Black students.

This episode features the voices of:

Paul Wells, author and journalist
Catherine Lévesque, National Post
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew
Matthew Morris, author, Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging

Biden, Trudeau and a pivotal military meeting

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 06:10:00 EDT

The fate of Joe Biden's presidency loomed large over this week’s NATO meeting, but Justin Trudeau had some big news of his own — agreeing to a major increase in military spending. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. joins The House to talk about the summit, the spending and this country’s response to the American political drama.

Then, a dive into the recent slew of high-profile instances of crumbling infrastructure — from water mains to public pools — and how governments might go about fixing them.

Plus — for our Book Smart Summer series, author Wendy Wong talks about far-reaching data collection and its implications for our privacy, our relationships and our very humanity.

This episode features the voices of:

Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman
Matt Gurney, The Line
Frances Bula, freelance urban issues reporter
Mary Rowe, president and CEO, Canadian Urban Institute
Wendy Wong, author, We, The Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age

Trudeau's troubles

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 06:10:00 EDT

Almost two weeks since the Liberals’ shocking loss in a Toronto byelection, the prime minister is still trying to pick up the pieces, amid calls for — at the very least — a national caucus meeting. Two veteran journalists break down how the PMO has responded and where Trudeau might go from here.

Then — U.S. Ambassador David Cohen sits down with host Catherine Cullen to talk about a few key points in the bilateral relationship, including Canada’s controversial digital services tax and its commitments to military spending. He also touches on the mental acuity of President Joe Biden, a man Cohen has known for decades.

Finally: John Vaillant’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated book, Fire Weather, contemplates the future of a hotter planet. He joins The House to discuss.

This episode features the voices of:

Susan Delacourt, Toronto Star
Christopher Nardi, National Post
U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen
John Vaillant, author, Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast

Michelle Good kicks off our Book Smart Summer

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 06:10:00 EDT

This summer, The House is talking to some of the smartest writers in Canada about some of the most urgent issues of our time. To kick off our Book Smart Summer series, host Catherine Cullen sits down with Cree writer Michelle Good for a conversation in front of a live audience at the Regina Public Library about her book of essays, Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada.

Carbon tax and conspiracy theories: What’s happening in Saskatchewan politics?

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 06:10:00 EDT

Farmers are not feeling the love from Ottawa, these days. Some in Saskatchewan told The House this week about feeling alienated and misunderstood by the federal government or urban Canadians.

We also speak with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe about how he sees the state of the federation and how he’s handled some tricky run-ins with conspiracy theories recently. The NDP opposition leader, Carla Beck, also weighs in on her party’s positions.

Then, two experts in provincial politics join the show to break down the political dynamics that are animating the conversation in Saskatchewan ahead of this fall’s election.

This episode features the voices of:

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe
Sask. NDP Leader Carla Beck
The CBC’s Adam Hunter
Jim Farney, professor, University of Regina

The divide over undocumented migrants in Canada

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 06:10:00 EDT

The world is grappling with a migration issue, and Canada’s immigration minister says we’re not immune. Provinces, meanwhile, are arguing over resources and who’s responsible for asylum seekers. Marc Miller joins The House to talk about what should be done to make the system more fair, and how Canada should approach undocumented people in this country.

Then — Canada’s top soldier is retiring after four decades in the military. He speaks with Catherine Cullen about his experience of service, and how Canada needs to prepare for the challenges of the future.

Finally, it really was another busy week on the Hill. Two keen-eyed journalists join the show to break down the developments in foreign interference and capital gains this week.

This episode features the voices of:

Immigration Minister Marc Miller

Chief of the Defence Staff Wayne Eyre

Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star

Murad Hemmadi, The Logic

Treason on the Hill? Why some are pointing fingers

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 06:10:00 EDT

A stunning report from a cross-party group of parliamentarians alleges that some Canadian politicians are wittingly or unwittingly aiding foreign powers. With the members who wrote the report sworn to secrecy, The House digs into what we know so far — and if we can ever get to the bottom of the allegations.

How Canada’s courts got so damn slow

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:10:00 EDT

For too many Canadians, justice delayed is justice denied. It’s not just annoying — delays in the system are causing some cases to be thrown out. The House digs deep into the issue — and the federal minister responsible sits down to discuss possible solutions.

But first, two keen Hill watchers will help break down the whirlwind of political news that swept the country this week, from a pesky PBO report that muddied the carbon tax debate, to former president Donald Trump’s conviction, to why Nicaragua is suddenly in the minds of politicos.

Plus — two youth activists sit down to talk about why they think it’s time for 16-year-olds to get the vote.

This episode features the voices of:

Shannon Proudfoot, Globe and Mail
Stuart Thomson, National Post
The CBC’s Kristen Everson
Justice Minister Arif Virani
Jayden Paquet Noiseux, Vote16 Canada
Caeden Tipler, Make It 16 New Zealand.

Politicians search for a fountain of youth votes

Sat, 25 May 2024 06:10:00 EDT

They’re working late, because they want your attention. The Liberals and Conservatives are locked in a political battle for the attention and support of Canada’s youth, with the government looking to win back support of a key demographic that helped launch them to power in 2015. The House digs into the issue, hearing from some MPs trying to shakeup their communication style, and some strategists on whether it will work.

First, though, the federal minister for international development sits down with host Catherine Cullen to talk about the government’s position on Palestinian statehood and the status of Canadian aid in Gaza.

Also — we’ll speak with the head of a government think tank that put out a report listing dozens of potential crises that could change life as we know it.

And then, we’ll hear about a Supreme Court case that could have implications for the way that third party groups — non-political parties — are able to advertise in future elections.

Finally: The head of an organization who supports victims of domestic abuse discusses the concept of coercive control, and Canadian legislators’ efforts to fight it.

This episode features the voices of:

Ahmed Hussen, minister of international development
Kristel Van der Elst, director general, Policy Horizons Canada
Randy Boissonnault, federal employment minister
Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal MP
Dan Arnold, chief strategy officer, Pollara Strategic Insights
Dennis Matthews, president, Creative Currency
Danica Nelson, personal finance influencer
The CBC’s Christian Paas-Lang
Andrea Silverstone, CEO, Sagesse

Spy chief warns Canadians of TikTok risks

Sat, 18 May 2024 06:10:00 EDT

Canada’s spies have been busy this year. There have been accusations of foreign interference, industrial espionage — and of course the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil. And don’t forget a few looming issues, like whether Canadians can trust TikTok with their data. David Vigneault, the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, sits down in a rare interview to talk through it all.

Then, CBC has found itself in the news a few times this year, amid declining revenues, job losses and a pledge by the Conservatives to defund at least part of the Crown corporation. Host Catherine Cullen talks with CBC head Catherine Tait about the president and CEO’s plans to shepherd the public broadcaster through a turbulent time in the media world.

Plus — two journalists talk about their new books chronicling the prime minister.

This episode features the voices of:

David Vigneault, director of CSIS
Catherine Tait, president and CEO of the CBC
Paul Wells, journalist and author
Stephen Maher, journalist and author

Abortion, drug decriminalization dominate the political discussion

Sat, 11 May 2024 06:10:00 EDT

Conservatives this week hammered the government on drug decriminalization, but Liberals countered with another hot-button issue: abortion. The House digs into both of those issues, hearing from an addictions doctor about what the heated political rhetoric means for people on the ground, and then weighing whether the Liberals’ claims on reproductive rights have any substance.

Then, we’ll sit down with Canada’s top diplomat in Moscow for her first interview since taking on that role. She says Canada-Russia relations might never have been worse — we ask what it’s like dealing with Putin’s regime.

Plus, Canada Post is losing money — a lot of it. Two experts sit down to talk through the options for saving, selling or changing the postal service.

This episode features the voices of:

Dr. Vincent Lam, addictions doctor and author
Shachi Kurl, president, Angus Reid Institute
Sarah Taylor, ambassador to Russia
Ian Lee, associate professor, Carleton University
Marvin Ryder, associate professor, McMaster University

Alleged hit squad arrested, and chaos in the House

Sat, 04 May 2024 06:10:00 EDT

A dramatic development in a shocking case: police on Friday arrested three men in connection with the killing of the pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We’ll break down what led to the arrest and what we know so far. The public safety minister also joins the program to discuss the situation, as well as the foreign interference inquiry’s first report.

Then, two of Ottawa’s keenest Hill-watchers break down a wild week in the House of Commons, which featured more than its fair share of theatrics.

Politicians were fighting over B.C. drug decriminalization policy, which the province is looking to partially roll back. The co-founder of an anti-overdose advocacy group, and a Richmond, B.C. city councillor, both discuss that proposal.

Finally, Pierre Poilievre suggested this week that he’d use the notwithstanding clause to pass some criminal justice reforms if he’s elected prime minister. The House takes an in-depth look at what that could mean.

This episode features the voices of:

The CBC’s Evan Dyer
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc
Shannon Proudfoot, Globe and Mail
Christopher Nardi, The National Post
Leslie McBain, co-founder, Moms Stop the Harm
Alexa Loo, city councillor, Richmond
Sujit Choudhry, constitutional lawyer, Haki Chambers
Lindsay Board, partner, Daniel Brown Law
Geoffrey Sigalet, associate professor, UBC Okanagan

Trash talking: High-stakes UN plastics negotiations unfold in Ottawa

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 06:10:00 EDT

There’s a lot of garbage talk happening in the nation’s capital, as representatives from 176 countries try to hammer out a global deal on plastic pollution — one of the planet’s most significant and growing environmental issues. We speak with some of the participants at the conference — from officials, to advocates, to industry members — about the stakes of the negotiations and the odds of success.

But first: The federal government, Ontario government and Honda came to a major agreement this week that will see billions of dollars worth of investment poured into new EV manufacturing facilities in this country. The minister responsible talks about why it’s worth taxpayer dollars, then Honda’s head in Canada discusses the road ahead for electric vehicles — and the jobs that come with them.

This episode features the voices of:

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne
Jean Marc Leclerc, president and CEO, Honda Canada
Rufino Varea, Scientist Coalition for an Effective Plastic Treaty
Marian Ledesma, Greenpeace Philippines campaigner
Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk, president of Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada
Allen Langdon, CEO, Circular Materials
Eli Browne, director of corporate sustainability, Sobeys;
Inger Andersen, head of the UN Environment Programme

A new tax on the rich, a long awaited pipeline, and a crisis in sports betting

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 06:10:00 EDT

It may sound boring, it might be confusing, but the federal government’s new capital gains tax change could just become a major political sticking point. The House hears from tax experts and others about what the change could accomplish and whether everyday Canadians might be affected.

Then, the federal budget unveiled this week failed to meet the moment when it comes to a new disability benefit, an advocate tells The House. A Liberal official also joins the program to respond.

Plus — six years and tens of billions of dollars later, the Trans Mountain expansion is about to begin operation. In a special report, The House investigates how communities along the mega-project’s route feel now that oil is finally set to flow.

Finally: The lifetime ban handed out to Raptors player Jontay Porter is raising questions about legal gambling’s influence on the integrity of sport. An MP who pushed for the legalization of single event sports betting weighs in, and an expert urges more regulation.

This episode features the voices of:

Allison Christians, professor, McGill University
Barry Schwartz, executive vice president, Baskin Wealth Management
Edward Faruzel, executive director, KW AccessAbility
Sameer Zuberi, parliamentary secretary to the minister of diversity, inclusion and persons with disabilities
The CBC’s Allison Dempster
Conservative MP Kevin Waugh
Jeremy Luke, president and CEO, Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

Get off my lawn! The fed-prov home building battle

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 06:10:00 EDT

Everyone agrees that Canada has a housing crisis, but coming to consensus — and executing on — solutions is not quite so easy. Alberta looked to put up a wall between the federal government and municipalities this week, and Premier Danielle Smith joins The House to talk about why. Then, the federal housing minister responds.

The public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections also had some big-name witnesses this week — not least the prime minister. Canada’s former top spy sits down to walk through what we learned.

Plus — some of the top movers and shakers from the Canadian political right gathered in Ottawa for a conference this week. Two journalists break down what they focused on, and what it could mean for a future Conservative government.

This episode features the voices of:

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
Housing Minister Sean Fraser
Richard Fadden, former NSIA, former head of CSIS
Campbell Clark, The Globe and Mail
Jen Gerson, The Line

Trudeau's pre-budget extravaganza, and what a post-axe-the-tax Canada might look like

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 06:10:00 EDT

We’ve already had a few glimpses at the next federal budget, thanks to a flurry of announcements this week and last. The finance minister joins The House to talk about those pledges and what more to expect.

Then, it’s clear that Pierre Poilievre hates the carbon tax. But if the Conservatives gain power, what will they do instead? Two experts sit down to discuss.

And — 75 years after the founding of NATO, is the alliance ready for a second Trump term? The House speaks to representatives from some of Canada’s most important allies.

Plus — the CBC’s expert foreign interference inquiry watcher walks us through what exactly happened in the hearing room this week.

This episode features the voices of:

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland
Michael Bernstein, executive director, Clean Prosperity
Nicholas Rivers, associate professor, University of Ottawa
U.S. Ambassador David Cohen
U.K. High Commissioner Susannah Goshko
The CBC’s Janyce McGregor