How Brian Mulroney’s years in power — and countless phone calls — changed Canada

Politicians are misbehaving. Meet their new ref: The federal government’s decision last week to carve out oil for home heating from the carbon tax has spurred cries for additional exemptions. Saskatchewan has even threatened to stop collecting the tax on home heating altogether. New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs sits down to talk about his province’s perspective on the fuel charge, as well as Alberta’s proposal to withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan. House Speaker Greg Fergus talks with host Catherine Cullen about his bid to bring decorum to a Commons that is divided and easily disrupted. Then, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Ya’ara Saks discusses the federal government’s response to the toxic drug crisis. Plus — former tech executive Jim Balsillie on how to regulate artificial intelligence and the need to keep an eye on the immediate challenges of technology. by The House

49 min listen

Alberta and Ottawa: It’s complicated: It’s rarely an easy ride with the Alberta-Ottawa relationship, and this rollercoaster week was no different. Starting with Alberta playing the sovereignty act card for the first time, then hugging it out over a big announcement … it may result soon in more fireworks over the emissions cap. The House breaks down what it all means for the federation. Then, a man who once advised former prime minister Stephen Harper on his approach to criminal justice talks about his about-face on the toxic drug crisis. Plus, the former head of this country’s spy agency breaks down the significance of a U.S. indictment alleging India is linked to multiple assassination plots — including three targets in Canada. This episode features interviews with: - Randy Boissonnault, Employment minister and Liberal MP - Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star Ottawa bureau chief - Stuart Thomson, National Post Ottawa bureau chief - Benjamin Perrin, author and former Conservative advise by The House

51 min listen

'Asinine' red tape is still stalling home building: We don’t have to tell you that Canada is still mired in a housing affordability crisis. But will newly announced government measures make a dent? The House hears from someone trying to make affordable housing work in Ontario, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow weighs in on what she wants to see from the feds. The fiscal update this week also gave us a look at the state of Canada’s books, and the ballooning deficit. Two people who know the issue inside and out talk about what the new number means. The House also travels to the U.S. border to find out how the CBSA is fighting back against the importation of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals — with the help of some canine companions. This episode features interviews with: - Bruce Davis, development consultant - Olivia Chow, mayor of Toronto - Lenny Zhou, Vancouver city councillor - Robert Asselin, economist, Business Council of Canada - Kevin Page, economist, Institute of Fiscal Studi by The House

49 min listen

Is this climate policy worth the political heat?: With one carve-out of the carbon tax already in the books and another waiting in the wings, can the federal government hold to its red line and stop further undermining of its landmark climate policy? The House looks at how the debate has developed over the week and hears from experts Chris Ragan and Jessica Green on the merits of the policy. Then, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault defends his government’s approach. Also, MPs of all political stripes open up about how the toxic drug crisis — which has affected countless Canadians — has touched their lives. Plus, War Museum historian Tim Cook and Rachel Collishaw of the Social Studies Educators Network of Canada talk about remembering our past in an age of disinformation. by The House

50 min listen

Canada is an illegal fentanyl exporter. Wait, what?: It’s true. Fentanyl is not only killing Canadians — organized crime gangs are making it here and selling it abroad, the RCMP says. A senior RCMP official responsible for fighting organized crime talks about efforts to disrupt the deadly supply chain. The House also checks in on the Halifax Security Forum, an annual gathering of some of the top minds in foreign policy and defence to see how they’re trying to navigate what some are calling a global “polycrisis,” as well as issues around Russia and Taiwan. Plus, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is picking his words carefully when it comes to the war between Israel and Hamas. Why did he change his tone somewhat this week — and what does it mean for his government? This episode features interviews with: - Mathieu Bertrand, RCMP chief superintendent of Serious and Organized Crime and Border Integrity - Comfort Ero, CEO, International Crisis Group - Evgenia Kara-Murza, Russian democratic a by The House

50 min listen

Cap or no cap: The division over Canada’s latest climate policy: The federal government hopes it will put Canada on track to meeting its climate targets. Some provinces say it’s needlessly harmful. The House digs into Canada’s new proposed oil and gas emissions cap to find out what government, environmentalists and industry have to say. Then, we’ll analyze the Poilievre housing video that has re-energized the national conversation around housing — two experts on political communication will weigh in. And finally, the author of two books on the toxic drug crisis in the United States will join the program to talk about what’s going on south of the border, and what Canada can learn from the U.S. This episode features interviews with: - Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of energy and natural resources - Dale Beugin, executive vice president, Canadian Climate Institute - Tristan Goodman, president and CEO of the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada - Dave Sommer, vice president, by The House

50 min listen

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 by The House

49 min listen

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

Canada's 'complicated dance' with China, and surviving Trump 2.0: Canada’s relationship with China has been tense for years. Can it be salvaged? And while diplomats are hard at work on that question, another major challenge looms: a potential second Trump term. The House tackles both those issues this week. Then, freezing cold temperatures have sparked a renewed conversation on how Canada will keep the lights on in the future. We take an in-depth look at what role nuclear energy might play. Plus — Canada’s political conversation is squarely focused on immigration and housing. Two journalists break down the political implications of this week’s developments. This episode features: - Jennifer May, Canada’s ambassador to China - Rob Goodman, political science professor and author - Laura Dawson, Executive Director, Future Borders Coalition - The CBC’s Emma Godmere - Stephanie Levitz, Toronto Star - Laura Osman, The Canadian Press by The House

53 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

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

Gaza immigration program sparks hope — and concern: A lot of questions surround the new special immigration program for some people stuck in Gaza: Why is Canada demanding such personal details? And can Canada actually get anyone out of the warzone, even if they’re approved to come here? The House will ask the immigration minister for answers. Plus, we’ll also dive deep into the issue of delays around family reunification programs. Small businesses are anxiously facing a deadline to repay some pandemic-era loans — and some are wishing that the federal government will show more compassion. Two business owners — and then the minister responsible — sit down to discuss. Finally, a bid by Florida to start bulk imports of Canadian prescription drugs has been described as a “raid” on this country’s drug supply. We’ll investigate how serious the threat is and what might happen next. This episode includes the voices of: - Marc Miller, federal immigration minister - Angela O’Brien and Sara A by The House

50 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

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