The House

CBC News & Politics
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The House Podcast

Making sense of the political decisions that affect your life. Every Saturday, host Catherine Cullen takes you to Parliament Hill — and across Canada — for in-depth coverage and analysis of the week’s major political news.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

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

    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 SinghCraig Sauvé, NDP candidateLouis-Philippe Sauvé, Bloc Québécois candidatePhilippe J. Fournier, founder, 338canada.comSoraya Martinez Ferrada, tourism minister, Liberal campaign committee co-chairMatthias Lüttenberg and Tjorven Bellmann, German ambassadors-designate

    50 min

  2. 31 AUG

    Did the Liberals have a ‘Seinfeld’ summer?

    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 adviserGarry Keller, vice president at StrategyCorp and former Conservative adviserJohn Vailliant, author of Fire Weather: The Making of a BeastCBC’s Kristen Everson

    50 min

  3. 24 AUG

    Will closing supervised drug use sites make your neighbourhood safer?

    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 McGregorJuanita Lawson, CEO, NorWest Community Health CentresPatrick Brown, Mayor of BramptonJane Philpott, former federal health minister, author, Health for All: A Doctor's Prescription for a Healthier Canada

    50 min

  4. 17 AUG

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

    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 AssociationAmie Parnes, senior political correspondent, The HillRob Russo, correspondent, The EconomistDavid R. Samson, evolutionary anthropologist, author, Our Tribal Future: How to channel our human instinct into a force for good

    49 min

  5. 10 AUG

    Preparation for an evacuation, and a puzzling bot barrage

    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-generalCraig Silverman, reporter, ProPublicaBenjamin Perrin, author, Indictment: The Criminal Justice System on Trial

    50 min

  6. 3 AUG

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

    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 CanadaMatthew Schmidt, associate professor, University of New HavenRoméo Dallaire, retired lieutenant-general, author, The Peace: A Warrior's Journey

    49 min

  7. 27 JUL

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

    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, UBCDavid Paterson, Ontario Representative in Washington, D.C.James Rajotte, Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United StatesGregor Craigie, author, Our Crumbling Foundation: How We Solve Canada's Housing Crisis

    49 min

  8. 20 JUL

    Is the Trudeau circus in need of a Carney?

    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 journalistCatherine Lévesque, National PostManitoba Premier Wab KinewMatthew Morris, author, Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging

    48 min
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Making sense of the political decisions that affect your life. Every Saturday, host Catherine Cullen takes you to Parliament Hill — and across Canada — for in-depth coverage and analysis of the week’s major political news.

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