The House

4.5 (21)
Politics
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.

3d ago

If Republicans lose the midterms, could Trump blame Canada?

American voters head to the polls on Tuesday for pivotal midterm elections — and Canadian tariffs have become a key issue in battleground states. But is the spotlight good for Canada? Guest host J.P. Tasker speaks to former American diplomat Scotty Greenwood, former Trump advisor John Bolton, former Democratic state senator Emily Cain, Republican political strategist Dennis Lennox, Bloomberg reporter Josh Wingrove and Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin about how big a role Canada is playing in these races, and the risk of Trump's wrath if he loses. Plus, EU and Canadian officials meet in Montreal to begin negotiating a new alliance, how important is this new relationship? Historian and former Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff is now based in Vienna. He talks about why this new chapter between Canada and the EU is about sovereignty and survival. And, after 17 years, former broadcaster, diplomat and senator Pamela Wallin is leaving the Red Chamber. She joins The House to discuss her departure, the Trump administration and how Mark Carney is handling the American president. This episode features the voices of: Scotty Greenwood, founder of Ottawa Street Strategy and former U.S. diplomatJohn Bolton, former national security advisor to U.S. President Donald TrumpDennis Lennox, Republican strategistEmily Cain, senior advisor at Third Way Strategy and former Maine state senatorJosh Wingrove, senior White House reporter with Bloomberg NewsLawrence Martin, columnist for The Globe and MailMichael Ignatieff, historian and former Liberal leaderPamela Wallin, former Canadian senator
Oct 24

Will the B.C. election gamble be the most 'ill-advised' ever?

American officials are alleging Canadian electoral interference in the U.S. midterms, what’s behind the latest missives from the Trump administration? And as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith asks separatists in her party to accept their loss or leave, will they listen? The National Post’s Stuart Thomson and Tonda MacCharles of the Toronto Star discuss. Then, as British Columbia heads to the polls after Premier David Eby’s snap election call, Catherine Cullen sits down with Shachi Kurl, President of the Angus Reid Institute, to hear why Eby’s gamble on calling an election two years early may backfire. With the key battleground of Surrey facing more violent extortion threats since the last election, The House visits NDP candidate Jinny Sims and Conservative candidate Trevor Halford and hear their parties’ plans for public safety. Plus, two-term Green Party city councillor Pete Fry took down incumbent Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim in last week’s municipal election. Catherine Cullen meets Fry out on the streets of Vancouver to talk about the major challenges the city faces and what he’s learned from his mother, long-term Liberal MP Hedy Fry. This episode features the voices of: • Tonda MacCharles, The Toronto Star • Stuart Thomson, The National Post • Shachi Kurl, President of the Angus Reid Institute • Jinny Sims, B.C. NDP candidate • Trevor Halford, B.C. Conservative candidate • Pete Fry, Vancouver mayor elect
Oct 17

Alberta and Canada: Make up or shake up?

In the last days of Alberta’s referendum campaign, Catherine Cullen talks to the Alberta NDP leader and the head of a pro-separatist third-party advertiser about their plans to get out the vote on Monday – and the pitfalls of thinking that the referendum outcome is in the bag. Then, foreign interference has been a top concern in the lead up to the referendum. Canada’s Foreign Influence Commissioner Anton Boegman explains why he’s reached out to dozens of individuals and groups in Alberta. Then, in the run up to two deeply divisive votes — Alberta’s referendum and the U.S. midterms — Catherine Cullen talks to Daniel Cox, author of a new book about why political tensions are increasing a gender divide and what that means for some young people's dating lives. Then, she asks Andrew Parkin, executive director of the Environics Institute, whether the same divisions are being seen in Canada. Plus, we check in with Melissa and Conrad Muhly, a Canadian-American couple living in Pennsylvania and who hold very different political views, about the tension Trump has created in their household. This episode features the voices of: • Naheed Nenshi, Alberta NDP Leader • Cory Morgan, founder of the pro-separatist third-party advertiser Pathway to Independence • Anton Boegman, Foreign Influence Commissioner • Daniel Cox, author of Generation Uncoupled • Andrew Parkin, Executive Director, Environics Institute for Survey Research • Melissa and Conrad Muhly
Oct 10

Why some Alberta MPs are 'nervous' about the referendum vote

With only days left until Albertans vote on whether they want a referendum to separate from Canada, concerns are swirling around the vote itself and broader questions about possible American foreign interference. Catherine Cullen sits down with three Alberta MPs, Liberal Corey Hogan, Conservative Dane Lloyd and the NDP’s Heather McPherson to talk about those concerns. Also, the federal government has withdrawn sponsorship of a European disinformation conference — and pulled participation in a panel — citing concerns about the “framing” of some conversations. The House speaks to a panelist on the ground about whether pressure from the Trump administration was at play. Plus, the federal government says it will allow provinces to decide whether patients should be allowed to make advanced requests for medical assistance in dying. Catherine Cullen talks to Mark Breslaw, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, about his fears that the framework will be uneven across the country, and then to former Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard about his concerns over how many people now access MAID. This episode features the voices of: • Corey Hogan, Liberal MP • Dane Lloyd, Conservative MP • Heather McPherson, NDP MP • Ben Shultz, The American Sunlight Project • Mark Breslaw • Philippe Couillard, Former Quebec Premier
Oct 3

Is Carney ready for another separatist showdown in Quebec?

On Monday, Quebecers will head to the polls for a pivotal election that could see a sovereigntist party running the province. Catherine Cullen brings you up to speed on all the key players with The Writ’s Éric Grenier. Then, the House Party crew — Radio-Canada’s Daniel Thibeault and CBC’s Jason Markusoff — discuss how big a challenge Carney could face with a sovereigntist premier, and whether his pipeline push will tamp down the other separatist flames in Alberta. Plus, the government has designated Alberta's proposed west coast pipeline — Pacific Link — as a project of "national interest." What does that mean, and how much money will Canadian taxpayers need to pay to move this project forward? Energy Minister Tim Hodgson joins The House to explain what's in store and address concerns about the pipeline harming killer whales. And, Carney is vowing legal action against Stelco's American parent company after it announced it would idle production at a Hamilton steel plant, resulting in up to 500 layoffs. Local Conservative MP Ned Kuruc weighs in on the brewing fight — and LNG Canada's decision to once again use Chinese steel for its expansion project in B.C. This episode features the voices of: Éric Grenier, founder of The WritDaniel Thibeault, host of Radio-Canada’s Les Coulisses du PouvoirJason Markusoff, CBC CalgaryTim Hodgson, Minister of EnergyNed Kuruc, Conservative MP
Sep 26

Is Carney gambling Canada's environment for the economy?

This week, the Liberals introduced their new “Building Canada Strong Act," which is generating controversy over its proposed changes to environmental reviews and workers' ability to strike. Environmental Defence’s Julia Levin explains her worries that the plan will “steamroll” nature and communities, while Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon argues the bill will respect labour rights and environmental concerns, while getting the country building faster. Plus, heads turned when Prime Minister Mark Carney told The New York Times that Canada had prepared for the "extreme tail risk” of U.S. military action. The NYT’s Ottawa bureau chief Matina Stevis-Gridneff and CBC’s senior defence correspondent Murray Brewster discuss whether this is a cause for alarm, or run of the mill. And, B.C. Premier David Eby called a snap election this week, but his main opponents — the B.C. Conservatives — are officially leaderless after months of infighting. Former NDP cabinet minister Nathan Cullen and Conservative strategist Rachael Segal discuss whether Eby could face the voters' wrath, and how big a fight the B.C. Conservatives can mount on short notice. This episode features the voices of: Julia Levin, associate director of national climate for Environmental DefenceSteven MacKinnon, Minister of TransportMatina Stevis-Gridneff, Canada bureau chief for the New York TimesMurray Brewster, senior defence correspondent for CBC NewsNathan Cullen, former BC NDP cabinet minister and vice-president with StrategyCorpRachael Segal, former senior director for BC Liberals and founder of Beyond A Ballot
Sep 19

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
Sep 12

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

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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.

Catherine Cullen

Host

4.5

out of 5

21 Ratings

Democracy

11/10/2024

Banjoq

The last time I checked, there are 9 definitions for Democracy. Most of the 9 state: a Government selected by a majority of the people. The 9th reads as follows: “The principles and policy of the Democratic Party, so called." It seems to me if you are going to have an honest discussion about “Is the US losing its democracy?” you should 1) define the word and 2) Interview people who are not in academia and have written books on eroding US democracy while living in another country. The question arises from the recent campaign for president where the Democratic Party desperately alleged that voting for Trump was a vote against democracy. On its face, an absurd notion. Yet one of the commentators rightfully described “loosing democracy” as policies that undermine Democratic Party policies and programs. Which, by extension, allows the Democratic Party to call anyone opposing their policy as facist and un-democratic. You could do better on this PodCast if you just try harder.
Too Bad

02/25/2015

Bourne Fan

I used to enjoy listening to The House from CBC Radio. It is no longer available in the iTune Store. It will be missed.
feedback from a Canadian living in the US

07/26/2009

warren r

An outstanding overview and analysis of the Canadian political scene. No question period

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.