Abortion, drug decriminalization dominate the political discussion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Death threats, intimidation and assault — all this for baby eels?: It sounds surprising, but baby eels, or elvers, have become big business in Canada. And along with the profits have come poachers — and some serious threats. The House digs into why the government is convinced they need to shut the whole thing down. But first: It’s been two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war is still going, but has Canada’s attention wavered? Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada discusses that question and more. Plus — the federal international development minister weighs in on the question of how best to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza, as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. This episode features the voices of:  <ul><li>Yulia Kovaliv, Ukrainian ambassador to Canada </li><li>Ahmed Hussen, minister of international development </li><li>Matt Delong, commercial elver fisher</li><li> by The House

50 min listen

Must fix: auto theft, online harms and health care: A car was stolen in Canada every five minutes in 2022. Some Canadians are unlucky enough to have it happen to them multiple times — the federal justice minister, for instance. It’s a growing problem, and this week The House takes a look at how the Liberals and Conservatives are vying to present the best solution. Then, a year after a major national summit on health care, has the state of the system improved? The head of one of Canada’s most important health associations says there’s still a lot of work to do. Plus — potential legislation on online harms has long been in the works, and there are certainly plenty of issues to tackle. Two experts break down the dizzying array of digital problems that require attention. This episode features the voices of: - Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc - Joël-Denis Bellavance, LaPresse - Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press - Dr. Kathleen Ross, president, Canadian Medical Association - Heal by The House

48 min listen