Canada's 'complicated dance' with China, and surviving Trump 2.0

$Canada calls for a ceasefire: After weeks of debate and political fighting, Canada has made a major vote in favour of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. The House digs into Canada’s position on the Israel-Hamas war, as well as the situation in Ukraine, in an interview with Defence Minister Bill Blair. We’ll also hear from a CBC reporter who had the chance to sit down with the head of Canada’s spy agency, which has had a challenging year. Plus — the issue of a complex and concerning scam that has seen homeowners pay out thousands of dollars over the years, and is now getting some attention from the Ontario government. Two Hill journalists will also talk about the fracas over House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus and the question of whether he should resign — and what it all means about the state of politics right now. Finally, The House will take a look at the issue of rising food bank usage and the question of whether government aid can solve the problem. This episode features in$

How Parliament actually works: Parliament can be confusing. Here to help is The House’s guided tour of Parliament, where you’ll hear politicians of all stripes answering some questions about how the place actually works. Five Carleton political science students joined host Catherine Cullen to wander the halls and learn about everything from Question Period to committees, from the people who live in that world every day. by The House

49 min listen

Heartbreak and hope: Our special coverage of the toxic drug crisis: This week, The House brings you the most compelling interviews from this fall’s coverage of the toxic drug crisis: from recovering drug users, to mothers who’ve lost children to opioid overdoses, to law enforcement trying to keep up as politicians struggle for solutions. by The House

50 min listen

2023 was a wild one in politics. How much do you remember?: As another very busy and consequential year in Canadian politics wraps up, test how much you remember with our year-end quiz. This year, host Catherine Cullen will gather a crack team of political wonks to see how they fare. Murad Hemmadi of The Logic is back to defend his title of champion from last year, but he faces stiff competition from Shannon Proudfoot of The Globe and Mail and the National Post’s Christopher Nardi. by The House

42 min listen

Free birth control? A look at pharmacare's future: The Liberals and NDP are in intense negotiations over the shape of a pharmacare deal. At stake? The possibility of free birth control, diabetes medications or other drugs for Canadians. The House looks at what the policy could mean. But first, we break down Donald Trump’s comments about NATO, and what it could mean for the alliance. Then, too little government spending? Apparently, there’s an app for that. A reporter who has led the way on uncovering the story of ArriveCAN joins the program to break it all down. And it’s been 10 years since the Liberal Senators became just the Senate Liberals. That shift kickstarted Senate reform — but the chamber may be in store for yet more transformation. Plus — two MPs come together to talk about how they can co-operate across the aisle on cancer policy. This episode features the voices of:  < by The House

52 min listen

Emergencies Act pushback, Tucker Carlson in Alberta, and farewell to Ed Broadbent: If you thought you’d heard the end of convoy politics, think again. The federal government’s argument that it was justified in using the Emergencies Act to dispel the convoy protests in early 2022 was dealt a blow this week. We speak with the former attorney general who helped invoke the act — and find out why he’s now leaving politics. Then, two journalists dissect the politics of Tucker Carlson’s controversial tour of Alberta, where he sat down with Premier Danielle Smith. We’ll also take a look at the government’s decision to cap study permits for international students — and the waves that will make in both the education community and provincial economies. Plus — Ed Broadbent’s death has sparked some reflection over the NDP’s past, present and future. Two party strategists sit down to discuss where the party goes from here. This episode features the voices of: - David Lametti, Liberal MP and fo by The House

54 min listen

Danielle Smith’s gender policies and the PM’s decrepit old house: Sweeping new rules on gender-related medical procedures, sex-ed and more have landed Alberta in the spotlight again this week. Two journalists break down the politics of Premier Danielle Smith’s controversial move. Then, the federal government announced a three-year delay on the expansion of medical assistance in dying to those suffering solely from a mental illness. The House hears from someone who is deeply affected by the decision, and from politicians on both sides of the issue. And — the prime minister’s traditional residence at 24 Sussex is in disrepair. But the organization responsible for maintaining the house says there’s been some progress — asbestos abated, mould removed and rodents evicted. But, as the CBC’s Jennifer Chevalier reports, there is no real plan for what comes next. Plus — B.C.'s public health officer releases her assessment of the province's prescribed safer supply program. The province’s mini by The House

49 min listen