The House

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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.

1 DAY AGO

Ho-ho-holy s--t… what’s happening in Ottawa?

This week in politics has been so massive, one MP’s stunned response summed it up: “WTF?” In the span of five days, the finance minister resigned; a growing list of Liberal MPs called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to quit; the federal cabinet got shuffled; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh vowed to bring down the government; and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote to the Governor General to ask her to reconvene Parliament. On today’s pod, a longtime Liberal MP calls for Trudeau to go. A minister explains why he thinks Trudeau should stay. Then, two columnists dissect whether Trudeau — and the country — can survive the turmoil. Finally, as Donald Trump and his supporters taunt Canada about becoming the 51st state, Catherine Cullen sits down with the departing American ambassador to Canada to discuss whether Canadians need to loosen up — or whether we deserve a little more respect. This episode features the voices of: Rob Oliphant, Liberal MP for Don Valley WestSteven MacKinnon, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and LabourShannon Proudfoot, columnist for The Globe and MailPaul Wells, author and podcasterDavid Cohen, U.S. ambassador to Canada

54 min
14 DEC

Ontario's power play against Donald Trump

Ontario premier Doug Ford made a splash this week when he suggested his province could withhold energy exports to the United States if president-elect Donald Trump slaps steep tariffs on Canadian goods. Is Ontario gearing up for a trade war with the U.S? Ontario’s energy minister explains how far the province is willing to go on the issue. Then, the CEO of Abacus Data joins the program to discuss his new poll that shows Trump is more popular in Canada than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and what it means for Trudeau’s tariff negotiations with the Trump administration. Plus, with days to go until Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland presents her fall economic update, two economists debate the deficit, which fiscal anchors matter the most and what Canada should do about Trump’s concerns on trade. Finally, the Liberals have tightened rules around the temporary foreign worker program, but why is it so susceptible to abuse? The House does a deep dive into the program to understand the problems and benefits for businesses and workers. This episode features the voices of: Stephen Lecce, Ontario Minister of EnergyDavid Coletto, CEO of Abacus DataArmine Yalnizyan, economist and Atkinson Fellow on the Future of WorkersGoldy Hyder, president of the Business Council of CanadaCatherine Connelly, professor of human resources and management at McMaster UniversityDan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business

53 min
7 DEC

Are we just playing Donald Trump’s game?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling for interparty unity in the face of Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. But it didn’t take long for the Liberal-Conservative divisions to appear. So is it still realistic to talk about Team Canada? Two Ottawa bureau chiefs weigh in on Canada’s attempt to show a united front against the incoming U.S. president. Next, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly joins Catherine Cullen to discuss Canada’s new Arctic foreign policy, the crisis in the Middle East and whether there’s a way to stop Trump’s tariff threat before the president-elect takes office in January. Then, representatives and experts of Canadian universities and colleges explain how the federal government’s dramatic cut in international student visas will affect their institutions, including whether they need to shave programs. Minister of Immigration Marc Miller and Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy also share their thoughts on who’s to blame for the funding crisis facing Canadian post-secondary institutions. This episode features the voices of: Tonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto StarStuart Thomson, parliamentary bureau chief for the National PostMélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign AffairsMeti Basiri, CEO and co-founder of ApplyBoardAlan Shepard, president of Western UniversityPari Johnston, president and CEO of Colleges and Institutes CanadaMarc Miller, Minister of ImmigrationPeter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario Minister of Finance

49 min
30 NOV

A rare look inside Canada's immigration holding centres

First up, Trudeau makes a surprise visit to see Donald Trump the same week the president-elect promised to slam Canada with 25% tariffs on all goods. Then, Canada’s former ambassador to the U.S. discusses whether the threat is real, and what Canada should do about it. Next, it’s a building that very few Canadians ever get to go inside. The Immigration Holding Centre in Toronto detains migrants who are either considered a flight risk, a danger to the public, or can’t be identified. The House gets an exclusive tour of this centre to understand the conditions they face and how their fates are determined. Also, an immigration lawyer shares his concerns with Canada’s deportation process; and a top Canadian border official discusses Canada’s approach to deportation and whether his agency is prepared for Trump’s plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States. This episode features the voices of: Alexander Panetta, CBC Washington correspondentDavid MacNaughton, former Canadian ambassador to the United StatesSajjad Bhatti, acting director of immigration enforcement operations division at the Canada Border Services Agency for the GTAMinley Lloyd, acting assistant director of immigration enforcement operations division at the Canada Border Services Agency for the GTAJared Will, immigration and refugee lawyerAaron McCrorie, vice-president of intelligence and enforcement at the Canada Border Services Agency

49 min
23 NOV

A tax holiday, Trump tariffs, and killer robots

The Liberals are planning to make Christmas shopping a little less expensive this year — they announced a tax holiday starting mid-December on top of rebate cheques set to roll out in the spring. Who comes out on top from this decision? CBC’s chief political correspondent joins The House to break down the politics behind the move. Then, a former Bank of Canada governor explains the economic consequences of the proposal and whether it will affect Canada’s inflation rate. Plus, The House travels to Halifax, where international security officials are meeting each other at an important conference, and speaks to a Republican senator about what Donald Trump means for the war in Ukraine and Canada’s border security. A Google executive also comes on the show for an exclusive interview about the risks and rewards of AI development as several countries race to become the dominant power in evolving the technology. Finally, a Canadian civil servant who was falsely accused of terrorism in the Indian media joins the program with his lawyer to share his story and discuss how foreign governments are working to sow doubt in Canada’s institutions. This episode features the voices of: Rosemary Barton, CBC’s chief political correspondentStephen Poloz, former Bank of Canada governorJim Risch, Republican senator from IdahoKent Walker, President of Global Affairs at GoogleSunny Sidhu, a Canadian civil servantJeffrey Kroeker, Sidhu’s lawyer

49 min
16 NOV

Team Canada gets ready for Team Trump

President-elect Donald Trump is assembling his inner circle and making some cabinet nominations that are sending shockwaves around the world. As officials here prepare for tough talks on trade and border security – what could those picks mean for Canada? Two journalists in Washington and Ottawa to weigh in. Then, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew joins the program to talk U.S. trade, tariffs and the border. Plus, Palestinian Canadians who are trying to bring family members from Gaza into Canada explain why they’re frustrated – and losing hope – over a special visa program. An immigration and refugee lawyer also details what she sees as the program’s main problems. Finally, former B.C. premier John Horgan died this week at the age of 65. A former colleague shares memories of his leadership and kindness. This episode features the voices of: Alex Panetta, CBC WashingtonRob Russo, Canadian correspondent for The EconomistWab Kinew, Premier of ManitobaOmar Omar, Palestinian CanadianAhmed Badah, Palestinian CanadianDebbie Rachlis, immigration and refugee lawyerRavi Kahlon, B.C. Minister of Housing

51 min
9 NOV

Keep calm and carry on: How Canada is reacting to the new Trump era

Donald Trump’s decisive election win has Canadian officials wondering what comes next for the two countries. He’s promised mass deportations, a global tariff and an end to the war in Ukraine — all of which have implications for Canada. So what are the next steps? The House hears from a variety of Canadians who could be affected by a second Trump administration. Then, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland joins the program to discuss the federal government’s approach to Trump’s incoming presidency. Plus, after an election campaign rife with claims that Donald Trump is a fascist and voters expressing concern about the state of American democracy, two authors discuss whether the United States can withstand another Trump presidency and if any instability could have an impact on Canadian politics. This episode features the voices of: Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime MinisterRob Goodman, author of Not Here: Why American Democracy Is Eroding and How Canada Can Protect ItselfAlasdair Roberts, author of The Adaptable Country: How Canada Can Survive the Twenty-First Century

52 min
2 NOV

How the U.S. election affects Canada – and some marriages

It’s an election abroad — with serious impacts for Canada. Millions of Americans will be casting their ballots on Tuesday, sending either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris to the White House. Is one candidate better for Canada than the other? The House talks to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former top aide to get his insights on what a Trump or Harris presidency will mean for our country. Then, a couple from Pennsylvania who are voting for Trump and Harris share how they get along despite their political differences. Plus, a former immigration minister discusses why he thinks Trump’s promise of mass deportation of migrants should be taken ‘very, very seriously’ and how such a move could affect the Canadian border. And finally, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to cut the GST on new homes sold for under $1 million dollars — a promise that he says he’ll keep by cutting other key housing programs. Two housing experts join The House and weigh in on whether this is the right way to tackle Canada’s ongoing housing crisis. This episode features the voices of: Gerald Butts, former principal secretary to Justin TrudeauMelissa Muhly, a Harris voterConrad Muhly, a Trump voterJason Kenney, former Conservative immigration ministerCarolyn Whitzman, professor at the University of Toronto’s School of CitiesAndy Yan, director of The City Program at Simon Fraser University

52 min

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New to The House? Start here.

Democracy is a conversation, and we're here for it. Every Saturday, Catherine Cullen 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.

30/11/2022

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2 min

Catherine Cullen

Host

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.