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.

3 hr ago

What exactly is Mark Carney pitching with the EU?

This week’s show begins with breaking news: U.S. President Donald Trump says there’s a new deal with Denmark and Greenland. Rob Huebert, director of the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies and fellow at the CDA Institute, discusses what it could mean for Canada. And, as the prime minister works to boost Canada's international profile, he's pitching what could be his biggest move yet: A 'unique alliance' with the European Union, but not full membership. Thomas Byrne, Ireland's minister of state for European affairs and defence and Arash Saeidi, a member of European Parliament representing France, share their expectations and concerns about this potential partnership. Then Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's ambassador-designate to the European Union, explains why Canada is interested in the idea and what it could mean in terms of tax dollars and immigration policies. Plus, top AI companies are sounding the alarm about existential risks after a researcher at Anthropic claimed there is a more than 10 per cent chance AI could kill all humans. At Canada's largest AI and technology conference, host Catherine Cullen moderates a panel with AI Minister Evan Solomon, Germany's federal minister for digital transformation and government modernization Karsten Wildberger, Cohere's CEO Aidan Gomez and Aleph Alpha's co-founder Samuel Weinbach about whether they share these concerns and what middle powers like Canada and Germany can do about the issue. Finally, Gomez and Bell CEO Mirko Bibic sit down for a separate panel on Canada's data centre development, why a greater buildout is needed and their response to Canadians' concerns about their environmental and local impacts. Finally, Murad Hemmadi, an AI reporter for The Logic, breaks down both discussions and what they tell us about the current state of Canadian AI. This episode features the voices of: Rob Huebert, director of the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies and fellow at the CDA InstituteThomas Byrne, Ireland's minister of state for European affairs and defenceJonathan Wilkinson, Canada's ambassador-designate to the European UnionArash Saeidi, member of European Parliament representing FranceEvan Solomon, Minister of AIKarsten Wildberger, Germany's federal minister for digital transformation and government modernizationAidan Gomez, CEO of CohereSamuel Weinbach, co-founder of Aleph AlphaMirko Bibic, CEO of Bell Canada
12 Sept

Why separatists still think they can win Alberta's referendum

The prime minister's inner circle is gathering in Banff, Alta. to discuss their plans for the upcoming sitting of Parliament — where U.S. President Donald Trump's trade actions will loom large. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne joins The House to discuss whether Canada should retaliate again, and what to expect from Carney's investment summit next week. Plus, Albertans are one month away from deciding whether they actually want to pursue a referendum on separating from Canada, and campaigns on both sides of the debate are in full force. Host Catherine Cullen follows federalist campaigner Stephen Carter as he gives out lawn signs and tries to persuade people in Calgary’s Confederation Park to choose Canada. Then The House travels to Red Deer to meet separatist leader Keith Wilson and his supporters to hear why they're voting to trigger a formal referendum on leaving Canada. Plus, top Alberta pollster Janet Brown explains why voter turnout could be the key factor in this pivotal referendum. This episode features the voices of: François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of FinanceStephen Carter, Alberta federalist and member of Alberta's VoiceKeith Wilson, Alberta separatist and leader of Let Alberta DecideJanet Brown, founder of Janet Brown Opinion Research
5 Sept

A view of Lake Ontario from 'Lake America'

As the trade war heats up and the Trump administration continues to lob insults at Canada, Catherine Cullen travels across the border to a village built around an American 1812 battle site to talk to Sackets Harbor Mayor Alex Morgia, as well as the owner of the Lake Ontario Gift Shop and a marketer for the Thousand Islands International Tourism Council about what the escalating conflict means to them. Then, The House travels to Ogdensburg, NY to hear what voters in the solidly Republican county think about Canada these days. Finally, Cullen talks to the Republican state assemblyman for the area, Scott Gray, about the volley of insults from the Trump administration and what they mean for the future of the Can-Am relationship. And, Prime Minister Mark Carney scored a hat trick of byelection wins this week, and by wide margins to boot. But six more are coming. The National Post's Christopher Nardi and The Economist's Rob Russo discuss what the wins say about the popularity of the Liberals and Conservatives, and if the momentum will change as the trade war continues. This episode features the voices of: Alex Morgia, mayor of Sackets HarborAmanda Miller, owner of the Lake Ontario Gift ShopCorey Fram, director of the Thousand Islands Regional Tourism Development CorporationAnthony Adamcyzk, executive Director of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port AuthorityScott Gray, New York State Assemblyman for the 116th DistrictChristopher Nardi, parliamentary reporter for the National PostRob Russo, Ottawa bureau chief for the Economist
29 Aug

Canada's chief negotiator reveals why U.S. talks failed

In an exclusive interview with The House and her first since talks collapsed, Canada’s chief trade negotiator to the U.S. Janice Charette sits down with host Catherine Cullen to lift the curtain on last week’s abrupt end to the talks and what it will take for both sides to return to the table. Then, Vermont Senator Peter Welch discusses his latest legislative attempt to walk back tariffs on Canada and how the nearing U.S. midterms may help or hamper efforts to resolve an escalating trade war. Plus, author Paul Wells and the Globe and Mail’s Shannon Proudfoot review Canada's planned counterattack, what's at stake for Prime Minister Mark Carney and Quebec's pivotal provincial election. And, they're an unlikely duo, but longtime political rivals and former premiers Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney are setting aside their adversarial history to join forces at a high-stakes political moment. The two new co-chairs of a Canadian Chamber of Commerce pro-unity campaign discuss making their economic case for an Alberta that remains in Canada, and the challenges involved with reaching an electorate they previously led. This episode features the voices of: Janice Charette, Canada's chief negotiator to the United StatesPeter Welch, U.S. Senator for VermontPaul Wells, author and podcasterShannon Proudfoot, feature writer for The Globe and MailRachel Notley, former premier of AlbertaJason Kenney, former premier of Alberta
22 Aug

U.S. talks collapse, trade war escalates

Fifty per cent U.S. tariffs on billions of dollars of Canadian goods have now taken effect and Prime Minister Mark Carney is vowing dollar-for-dollar retaliation after trade talks collapsed late Friday night. CBC’s Peter Armstrong lays out what we know about the breakdown at the table. Then, two former federal cabinet ministers, Canada-U.S. advisory committee member Lisa Raitt and Carney’s former chief of staff Marco Mendicino, discuss what another trade war escalation could mean for Canada’s economy and the future of free trade. Plus, the Prairies are known as Canada's breadbasket. But could Canada boost its global agri-food exports to become the world's breadbasket? Guest host Leisha Grebinski travels to Coleville, Sask. to speak with lentil and grain farmer Dean Roberts about the technological, infrastructure and labour barriers he faces in getting more of his crops to global markets. Evan Shout — president and CEO of financial consulting firm Maverick Ag — explains how often he hears Roberts' concerns among other farmers he coaches and why Canada's agriculture industry needs a bigger seat at the federal decision-making table. Then, Evan Fraser, executive director of the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph and Jennifer Clapp, a professor and Canada Research Chair in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo, discuss whether boosting exports is the right goal for Canada, or if it should focus on food security at home. This episode features the voices of: Lisa Raitt, former Conservative cabinet minister and member of the Advisory Committee on Canada–U.S. Economic RelationsMarco Mendicino, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Mark Carney and senior counsel at CasselsDean Roberts, owner of Oakdale Farms and chair of SaskOilseedsEvan Shout, president and CEO of Maverick AgEvan Fraser, executive director of the Arrell Food Institute at the University of GuelphJennifer Clapp, professor and Canada Research Chair in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo
15 Aug

In the heart of B.C.’s wildfire crisis

As wildfires continue to burn out of control in B.C., guest host Chris Walker follows Conservative MP Dan Albas, whose riding includes the evacuated town of Summerland, as he travels the backroads to Penticton to where many of his constituents have fled. In this documentary, Walker speaks to Albas and neighbouring MP, Helena Konanz, about the emergency response; to volunteers and evacuees about what they have lost; and to B.C. Premier David Eby about climate change and forest management. And, long before the wildfires made working outside difficult, the farmers of the Okanagan Valley were already having a worrying summer, as drought conditions have meant severe water rationing. In the next in our summer series on food security, The House travels to Coldstream, B.C. to meet vegetable farmer Rochelle Zelaney, as well as water scientist and former executive director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board Anna, Warwick Sears, to discuss farming in drought conditions and whether Canada’s food security will suffer. Plus, in just a few days Canadians will find out if Trump will go ahead with imposing a crushing 50 per cent tariff on hundreds of Canadian goods. For B.C.'s lumber industry, that outcome could be fatal. Ashlee Cribb, CEO of Gorman Bros. in West Kelowna, explains the stakes for her company – and the community. This episode features the voices of: Dan Albas, Conservative MP for Okanagan Lake West—South KelownaHelena Konanz, Conservative MP for Similkameen—South Okanagan—West KootenayDavid Eby, Premier of B.C.Doug Holmes, mayor of Summerland, B.C.Rachelle Zelaney, co-owner of Zelaney FarmsAnna Warwick Sears, director of the Okanagan Basin Water BoardAshlee Cribb, CEO of Gorman Bros.
8 Aug

What a viral AI-written speech reveals about Canadian politics

After a provincial politician in New Brunswick made international headlines for delivering a speech containing obvious AI prompts, and as the House of Commons continues to lean on hybrid proceedings and a voting app, it's clear technology is changing politics. But are these changes helping or hurting politicians? The House asks a panel of three past MPs: former interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen, former Liberal cabinet minister Marco Mendicino and former NDP MP and provincial cabinet minister Nathan Cullen. Plus, as the federal government shared plans this week for a new medical countermeasures laboratory meant to improve preparedness for future health emergencies, south of the border, a Republican-led Senate committee held former top U.S. health official Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress for declining to answer questions about COVID-19. Host Catherine Cullen checks in with Mona Nemer, Canada’s chief science advisor since 2017, about this moment in public trust and the path forward for pandemic preparedness. And, more than half of all households in Nunavut are food insecure, according to Statistics Canada. As part of The House’s ongoing summer series on food security, Joseph Murdoch-Flowers, executive director at the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre in Iqaluit, joins the program to talk about the work his group is doing to help and how the federal government could improve its efforts. This episode features the voices of: Candice Bergen, former Conservative Party interim leader and senior strategic advisor at Signal HillMarco Mendicino, former Liberal cabinet minister and senior counsel at CasselsNathan Cullen, former NDP MP and vice-president with StrategyCorpMona Nemer, Chief Science Advisor of CanadaJoseph Murdoch-Flowers, executive director at the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre
1 Aug

Why Canada's in a food processing pickle

Canada is known around the world for high quality crops, but advocates estimate the country is missing out on a $25 billion industry by not processing more of that food at home. As the federal government gears up to invest more in domestic processing, guest host Matt Allen talks to soybean farmer Chris Hundt and pickle farmer Dan Froese about their vegetables being exported, only to be sold back to Canadians at a premium. Then, Matt tours a first-of-its-kind soybean plant in Benmiller, Ontario with New Protein International’s Martin VanderLoo and Graham Markham to talk about their ambition to create high quality protein powder right here in Canada. Finally, Matt Allen sits down with Dragon’s Den’s Arlene Dickinson to discuss whether venture capitalists are afraid of putting their money where their mouth is by investing in Canada’s food industries. Plus, Doug Ford has often praised Prime Minister Mark Carney, but after Ottawa quashed Ford's desired expansion of Toronto's Billy Bishop airport, the Ontario premier's MPPs are publicly questioning a project close to Carney's heart: Alto high-speed rail. Is this just turbulence between the two leaders, or are they at risk of a crash? Hill watchers Marieke Walsh from the Globe and Mail and Politico’s Nick Taylor-Vaisey join The House to discuss. This episode features the voices of: Jamie Schmuck, owner of Forest City CrossfitChris Hundt, soybean farmerMartin VanderLoo, CEO of New Protein InternationalGraham Markham, chief development officer of New Protein InternationalDan Froese, pickle and pepper farmerHenry Voth, employee of Hartung BrothersJamie Froese, pickle and pepper farmerNeil Reimer, district director on the board of the Ontario Processing Vegetable GrowersArlene Dickinson, founder of District Ventures CapitalNick Taylor-Vaisey, Ottawa bureau chief for PoliticoMarieke Walsh, senior reporter with The Globe & Mail

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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.

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.