The House

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POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

7 HR AGO

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
26 OCT

Trudeau won’t go. What now?

That long-awaited Liberal caucus meeting where a group of MPs asked Trudeau to step down as party leader came — and went. In less than 24 hours after hearing their concerns, Trudeau told reporters that he would continue as Liberal leader. So… Now what? And where does this leave the Liberal Party? The House goes behind closed doors and breaks down the tense caucus meeting, then two political strategists talk about what comes next. Plus, as the federal government announces a steep cut to immigration over the next three years, minister Marc Miller sits down with The House to explain the major policy change and what message he says it sends to prospective newcomers who want to enter Canada. And finally, after a slate of back-to-back-to-back provincial elections in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, CBC reporters in all three provinces join The House to discuss what federal parties can learn from the results as a national campaign looms. This episode features the voices of: Vandana Katter, political strategistFred DeLorey, political strategistAlicia Backman-Beharry, an immigration lawyer with Holthe Immigration LawMarc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of CanadaMeera Bains, CBC NewsJacques Poitras, CBC NewsAdam Hunter, CBC News

49 min
19 OCT

Trudeau's showdown with the Indian government — and his own caucus

On Monday, RCMP officials dropped bombshell allegations that Indian government agents are working with mobsters to target Sikhs separatists in Canada — followed quickly by both countries expelling diplomats. The House visits a Sikh temple where a Khalistani activist was gunned down to hear how the community is reacting to this week’s developments. Then the assistant RCMP commissioner explains why the Mounties decided to suddenly go public and responds to India’s fierce denials. Plus, CBC’s top political hosts sit down together to discuss a secret plot by some Liberal MPs who want to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign as party leader. Then, The House meets up with former cabinet minister and astronaut Marc Garneau at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum to chat about his long career, Trudeau’s leadership and the growing rift with India. And finally, as British Columbians prepare to go to the polls on Saturday in an NDP-Conservative showdown, The House dives into the riding of Richmond-Centre to speak with candidates and find out what issues are motivating voters. This episode features the voices of: Gurkeerat Singh, youth leader at the Guru Nanak Sikh GurdwaraBrigitte Gauvin, RCMP Assistant CommissionerDavid Cochrane, host of CBC’s Power and Politics.Rosemary Barton, CBC’s chief political correspondent and host of Rosemary Barton Live.Marc Garneau, former astronaut and cabinet minister.Hon Chan, B.C. Conservative Party candidate for Richmond-Centre.Henry Yao, NDP candidate for Richmond-CentreWendy Yuan, unaffiliated candidate for Richmond-Centre

52 min
12 OCT

Is Canada’s immigration consensus in jeopardy?

It’s almost part of Canadian lore that as a nation, across the political spectrum, we recognize the value of immigration. Now, as provinces demand Ottawa curb the number of newcomers, is that consensus breaking down? The House visits an Ottawa shelter to hear how they’re doing their best to keep up with demand as more newcomers turn to them for help. A pollster then details Canadians’ changing attitudes toward immigration. Then, host Catherine Cullen runs through key moments in nine years of Liberal policy decisions. Plus, a research chair on the politics of immigration discusses the growing tensions between the federal government and provinces over asylum seekers. And finally, two politics reporters explain why the House of Commons has been stuck going in circles over a debate concerning parliamentary privilege and documents related to a now-defunct green technology fund. This episode features the voices of: Ashley Potter, frontline services manager at the Ottawa MissionShachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid InstituteMireille Paquet, Concordia University research chair on the politics of immigrationAaron Wherry, senior writer for CBC PoliticsLaura Osman, politics reporter for The Canadian Press

50 min
5 OCT

Stuck between the Bloc and a hard place

The Bloc Québécois is ramping up pressure on the Liberal government to meet its demands over more money for seniors – or face an election. But that would cost a lot. Like, billions. The House sits down with Daniel Thibeault, host of Radio-Canada’s politics program Les Coulisses du Pouvoir to understand whether the Bloc is angling for an election. Then, as the world prepares to mark one year since Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel, The House has the highlights of an emergency debate in the House of Commons about the crisis. Then, two Middle East experts discuss what can be done to prevent a wider war from breaking out. Plus, fish harvesters in Newfoundland’s northern peninsula say politics is getting in the way of them making a living. The House hears the fishermen’s frustrations, then asks Liberal and Conservative MPs about concerns over the lifting of the decades-old cod moratorium. This episode features the voices of: Daniel Thibeault, host of Radio Canada’s Coulisses de PouvoirThomas Juneau, University of Ottawa professorDennis Horak, Former Canadian head of mission in IranCBC's Caroline Hillier Liberal MP Mike KellowayConservative MP Rick Perkins

50 min
28 SEPT

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

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 bureauPaul Wells, author and podcasterBill Blair, Minister of National DefenceCraig Desson, CBC NewsGuy Saint-Jacques, former Canadian ambassador to China

50 min

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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.