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 P...
Chrystia Freeland makes her case to replace Trudeau
Time's up for anyone mulling a bid to lead the Liberal Party. With the deadline to enter behind them, candidates have just a few days left to sign up new members, and a little over a month to drum up support. One of the frontrunners joins The House in studio: former finance minister Chrystia Freeland sits down with host Catherine Cullen to make her case for running the countryThen: Ontario Premier Doug Ford has confirmed he’ll call a snap election next week and send Ontarians to the polls at the end of February. The Toronto Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief discusses whether voters will reward Ford, or if they’ll be turned off by the timing.After that, we take a close look at an ongoing economic headache that doesn't involve Donald Trump: trade between provinces. Premiers hope that breaking through interprovincial barriers can in fact better protect against Trump's tariffs. But experts and former officials say getting rid of those barriers is a tall order — and there hasn’t been much success in the past.Finally, as several Liberal leadership candidates distance themselves from the carbon tax, and as Donald Trump continues to threaten Canada's economy, do the Conservatives need to shift their campaign focus? Two strategists weigh in on how their party is reacting to recent events.This episode features the voices of:Chrystia Freeland, Liberal leadership candidateRobert Benzie, Queen’s Park bureau chief for the Toronto StarPhilippe Couillard, former Quebec premierPerrin Beatty, former federal cabinet ministerCarlo Dade, director of trade infrastructure at the Canada West FoundationChad Rogers, Conservative strategistFred DeLorey, Conservative strategist
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50:10
If Trump's playing poker, did we just show our cards?
Donald Trump is headed back to the White House on Monday, meaning his tariff threats could become a reality and wreak havoc on the Canadian economy. So what’s Canada’s opening move if Trump charges forward? Host Catherine Cullen checks in with premiers at their important meeting in Ottawa this week to strategize a response, but not everyone is on the same page. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. joins the show to discuss the federal government’s plan, and an economics professor explains which provinces are the most at risk.Next, an author and staff writer for The Atlantic explains why, of all the policies Trump has flirted with over the years, the incoming president is so wedded to the idea of tariffs and how Canada should prepare itself for a possible trade war.Finally, as more candidates step up or step back from the Liberal leadership race, two Parliament Hill watchers break down the contest so far and the questions the candidates will need to address.This episode features the voices of:Ranj Pillai, Premier of YukonScott Moe, Premier of SaskatchewanWab Kinew, Premier of ManitobaKirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the United States.Trevor Tombe, economics professor at the University of CalgaryDavid Frum, staff writer with The AtlanticTonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto StarChristopher Nardi, parliamentary reporter for the National Post
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49:44
How did Justin Trudeau change Canada?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he will step down from his job once the Liberals find someone to replace him. Now, the leadership race is on, with all sorts of politicians in the Liberal caucus and beyond feeling out whether they’ve got a shot to succeed Trudeau.The backdrop to all of this is U.S. president-elect Donald Trump claiming he’ll use economic force to absorb Canada as a new American state. On today’s episode, a top leadership contender discusses why she’s considering a leadership bid.Then, a White House correspondent for the New York Times explains why China and Russia are watching the brewing fight between Canada and the United States and shares his thoughts on how Canadian officials can respond to Trump’s ongoing threats.Finally, Trudeau’s planned resignation will cap off a long tenure that transformed Canada on several fronts. How big were those transformations? Catherine Cullen speaks to experts and analysts from several areas about Trudeau’s legacy and whether his policies will outlast his time in office.This episode features the voices of:Christy Clark, former B.C. premierDavid E. Sanger, New York Times correspondent and author of New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion, and America's Struggle to Defend the WestPaul McCarthy, President of the Cannabis Council of CanadaPerry Bellegarde, former national chief of the Assembly of First NationsLisa Young, political science professor at the University of CalgarySahir Khan, vice-president of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy at the University of OttawaCatherine Abreu, director of the International Climate Politics HubThomas Juneau, former analyst at the Department of National DefenceMireille Paquet, director of the Institute for Research on Migration and Society at Concordia UniversityNicole Myers, criminologist at Queen’s University
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52:06
Doors open, or closed? How immigration is evolving in Canada
This week, The House brings you some of the most compelling interviews from our coverage of immigration issues in Canada — from ministers who’ve overseen major policy changes to experts who say Ottawa’s recent clampdown will shake up the Canadian economy and post-secondary institutions. Plus, rare access to Toronto’s immigration holding centre, where migrants are locked up while waiting to hear if they’ll be deported.This episode features the voices of: Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid InstituteMarc Miller, Minister of ImmigrationJason Kenney, former Conservative immigration ministerDan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent BusinessCatherine Connelly, McMaster University professorMeti Basiri, CEO and co-founder of ApplyBoardPari Johnston, president and CEO of Colleges and Institutes CanadaSajjad Bhatti, Canada Border Services AgencyMinley Lloyd, Canada Border Services Agency
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50:09
Pop quiz! How much do you remember about this wild year in politics?
It ended with a shocking cabinet resignation — but 2024 was packed with plenty more political ups and downs. How many headlines do you remember? Listen along and test your smarts as host Catherine Cullen quizzes three keen Parliament Hill watchers who battle it out in The House's annual showdown, featuring Brian Platt of Bloomberg News, Nojoud Al Mallees of The Canadian Press, J.P. Tasker from CBC’s Parliamentary Bureau — and a very special American media guest.
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.