He was poisoned and imprisoned. Why he still fights for Russia's future
As Ukraine faces crucial decisions for the future of its four-year fight to defeat Russia’s full-scale invasion, several nations are gathering in Canada for the Halifax International Security Forum to discuss the importance of democracy — including high-profile critics of the Kremlin.One of those dissidents, Vladimir Kara-Murza, was sentenced to 25 years in a Siberian gulag for criticizing Putin’s war on Ukraine. He joins The House to discuss the war in Ukraine, the possibility of a Russian democracy and why he won’t stop advocating for political prisoners who are still behind bars.Then, former chess grandmaster and Putin-critic Garry Kasparov tells host Catherine Cullen why he’s just as concerned about the prospects for democracy in the United States as in Russia. Plus, the King and Queen of Sweden were in Ottawa this week as part of a charm offensive as the Nordic country pitches Canada on its Gripen fighter jet. Meanwhile, the home of the F35 maker, the United States, isn’t pleased that Canada’s been distracted by a new suitor. CBC’s Murray Brewster joins The House to break down the drama.After that, Vancouver area MP and former environment minister Jonathan Wilkinson weighs in on whether he could support lifting the federal tanker ban to ship more bitumen from B.C.'s coast as Ottawa and Alberta work away at a pipeline agreement.Finally, Canada’s victims of crime advocate Benjamin Roebuck explains why he believes survivors of sexual violence are being systemically betrayed by the criminal justice system, detailing how allegations are often disbelieved and cases are regularly delayed or dropped.This episode features the voices of:Vladimir Kara-Murza, vice-president of the Free Russia FoundationGarry Kasparov, founder and chairman of the Renew Democracy InitiativeMurray Brewster, CBC News’ senior defence correspondentJonathan Wilkinson, Liberal MP for North Vancouver-CapilanoBenjamin Roebuck, federal ombudsperson for victims of crime
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Politicians playing chicken — will it mean another election?
Looming over the Liberals is whether Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget will pass its final vote on Monday in the House of Commons. So far, no other political party has given a sign they will support it. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May discusses whether she’ll change her mind and vote with the Liberals on the budget. Christopher Nardi of the National Post and Tonda MacCharles of the Toronto Star weigh in on where the government can get the last two votes it needs or if we’re heading into another election this year. Mark Carney announced more major projects to spur Canada’s economic growth. Rick Smith of the Canadian Climate Institute tells The House how Canada’s push to expand mining and energy projects is going down at the United Nations climate change conference in Brazil. Plus, as Canada loses its measles elimination status Dr. Natasha Crowcroft, Vice President of the Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch at the Public Health Agency of Canada explains what needs to be done to win it back. And: J.D.M. Stewart, author of The Prime Ministers: Canada’s Leaders and the Nation they Shaped, takes Catherine Cullen on a tour of the monuments erected on Parliament Hill to commemorate Canada’s leaders. Who were they, what were their funny foibles, and will Canada ever see a statue of Stephen Harper or Justin Trudeau? This episode features the voices of: Elizabeth May, Green Party LeaderChristopher Nardi, National Post parliamentary reporterTonda MacCharles, Toronto Star Ottawa bureau chief Rick Smith, President of the Canadian Climate InstituteDr. Natasha Crowcroft, Vice President of the Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch at the Public Health Agency of Canada J.D.M. Stewart, author of The Prime Ministers: Canada’s Leaders and the Nation they Shaped
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Budget week becomes caucus drama for the Conservatives
Budget week on Parliament Hill quickly became a stunning political drama after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre lost two of his MPs in quick succession. One has crossed the floor to join the Liberals and the other says he’ll resign as an MP in the spring. How bad is this for the Official Opposition, and where does Poilievre go from here? Conservative strategist Kate Harrison and Liberal strategist Marci Surkes discuss the impact on Poilievre’s leadership, the mood in caucus and whether more departures could follow.Plus, Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer responds to the caucus commotion and lays out his party’s criticism of the budget; and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne defends his government’s financial plan.And: Business Council of Canada president Goldy Hyder joins Armine Yalnizyan, Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Workers in a debate over whether this budget can spur investment and growth without making cost-of-living concerns worse; and Sahir Khan, co-founder and VP of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy helps tally up a budget scorecard on how the document has landed as a win or loss for Canadians.This episode features the voices of:Kate Harrison, Conservative strategist and vice chair at Summa StrategiesMarci Surkes, former senior advisor to Justin Trudeau and chief strategy officer at Compass RoseSahir Khan, co-founder of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and DemocracyFrançois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of FinanceAndrew Scheer, Conservative House leaderGoldy Hyder, president of the Business Council of CanadaArmine Yalnizyan, Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Workers
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Bonus episode: Here’s what you need to know about the federal budget
This is a big week in politics: Mark Carney’s first federal budget. To catch you up on what you missed from the government’s big unveiling, The House brings you this special bonus episode from today’s live CBC Radio broadcast. Co-hosts Catherine Cullen and Susan Bonner spoke to politicians, business owners, voters and experts to dig into just how pivotal this federal budget may be — and whether it’ll gain enough support from opposition parties to stave off an election.
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Jean Chrétien on Trump’s trade war, Alberta separatism, and his legacy
He may be known as ‘the little guy from Shawinigan,’ but Jean Chrétien’s impact on his hometown has been anything but small. And at 91, the former prime minister seems far from slowing down. In this exclusive documentary, host Catherine Cullen travels to Shawinigan, Que to spend the day with the former prime minister. She learns about how the small city shaped his political career, what he’d say if he was in a room with Donald Trump, and his fiery take on Albertans who want to separate from the rest of Canada.Plus, as the Liberal government prepares to introduce a much-anticipated federal budget, there aren’t many signs opposition MPs will support the critical legislation, raising questions about a snap election. The House Party election podcast team — Catherine Cullen, Daniel Thibeault and Jason Markusoff — reunite to discuss who could support the government and the likelihood of Canada heading into another federal election in 2026.This episode features the voices of:Jean Chrétien, former Liberal prime ministerDaniel Thibeault, parliamentary bureau chief for Radio-Canada and host of Les Coulisses du PouvoirJason Markusoff, CBC Calgary
Politics these days can seem like one big shouting match. Catherine Cullen cuts through the noise. Every Saturday she makes politics make sense, taking you to Parliament Hill and across Canada for in-depth interviews, documentaries and analysis of the week’s news — from across the political spectrum. Because democracy is a conversation, and we’re here for it.