
At Issue
CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand
Cut through the spin with Canada’s top political journalists. Host Rosemary Barton and columnists Althia Raj, Chantal Hébert and Andrew Coyne break down the week’s biggest political stories shaping the country. Brought to you by CBC News: The National. New episodes drop every Friday.
Location:
Canada, ON
Genres:
News & Politics Podcasts
Networks:
CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand
Description:
Cut through the spin with Canada’s top political journalists. Host Rosemary Barton and columnists Althia Raj, Chantal Hébert and Andrew Coyne break down the week’s biggest political stories shaping the country. Brought to you by CBC News: The National. New episodes drop every Friday.
Language:
English
Episodes
Can Carney’s auto strategy save the industry from Trump?
2/6/2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney drops Canada’s EV mandate as part of a plan to strengthen the auto sector in the face of U.S. trade threats. Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives strike a new collaborative tone. And Stephen Harper's calls for unity. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:23:45
Separatist cracks at first ministers meeting
1/30/2026
The prime minister and premiers grapple with growing separatist sentiment while trying to pull together for U.S. trade talks. Poilievre makes his case to keep his job after a string of defeats. And Carney swings back at U.S. criticism of his Davos speech. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:22:29
Trump’s threats and Carney’s pushback | Analysis from Washington
1/24/2026
CBC’s new weekly podcast, Two Blocks from the White House, takes a clear-eyed look at what’s happening in the U.S. right now and what it means for Canadians. This week Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry digest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s striking remarks at the World Economic Forum, talk about the President’s latest moves on Greenland, and explore what this moment could reveal about where Canada-U.S. relations are headed.
Find and follow Two Blocks from the White House wherever you get your podcasts, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/2BFTWHxAtIssue
Duration:00:26:48
Can Carney deliver on his Davos speech?
1/23/2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney outlines a new era of global politics in an address to the World Economic Forum, but can he deliver on his vision? And Ontario Premier Doug Ford fires back at the Canada-China EV deal. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:23:06
Could ‘America First’ mean Canada’s next? Analysis from CBC Washington
1/17/2026
There’s a new CBC podcast we think you’ll enjoy. Two Blocks from the White House takes a clear-eyed look at what’s happening in the U.S. right now and examines how it stands to impact Canadians. In the first episode, reporters from CBC’s Washington bureau dig into America’s increasingly aggressive global posture. Has President Donald Trump’s promise of “America First” evolved into something closer to American imperialism? And what are the consequences for Canada?
For more unscripted, smart analysis from journalists with a foot in both countries and a press pass to the White House, find and follow Two Blocks from the White House wherever you get your podcasts, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/2BFTWHxAtIssue
Duration:00:28:56
Does Carney’s China reset trip come with risks?
1/16/2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney goes to China to try and reset the relationship. Quebec Premier François Legault resigns after plummeting polls and mounting pressure. Plus, how concerned should Canada be about Trump’s Greenland ambitions? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:22:18
Your 2026 Canadian politics primer
1/2/2026
CBC chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton asks The National’s At Issue panel to look ahead to 2026 and what might be the biggest stories in Canadian politics. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:23:13
Canada’s biggest political moments in 2025
12/19/2025
CBC chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton asks The National’s At Issue panel to look back on a jam-packed year politically. From an election, to tariffs, to pipelines, the At Issue panel breaks it all down in a special Holiday At Issue. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:23:26
What Carney’s Liberal accomplished this sitting
12/12/2025
How much did Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals actually accomplish this sitting? What ambassador Hillman’s resignation means for U.S. trade negotiations. And cabinet ministers quietly get sweeping new powers in Parliament. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:22:41
What if Trump blows up the CUSMA trade deal?
12/5/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump dials up trade uncertainty, suggesting he could pull out of CUSMA/USMCA early. Mark Miller returns to cabinet and quickly rubs Quebec’s premier the wrong way with his French language comments. Plus, B.C. Conservatives boot leader John Rustad. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:22:02
Carney’s Alberta pipeline partnership
11/28/2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith forge a partnership for a new pipeline out of Alberta, but it quickly sparked a resignation and pushback from B.C. And, more support from the federal government to help industries being battered by U.S. tariffs. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne, Althia Raj and Jason Markusoff.
Duration:00:24:42
Will there be fallout from the budget vote?
11/21/2025
The Liberals get their budget passed, but will there be fallout from the vote? Alberta’s push for a pipeline and exemptions to B.C.’s oil tanker ban. And U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra says restarting trade talks ‘won’t be easy.’ Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:22:59
Can Carney make Canada an energy superpower?
11/14/2025
At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveils the next round of nation-building projects he says will transform Canada’s economy. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tries to move past party struggles. And François Legault’s fight with Quebec doctors. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:24:19
Is Pierre Poilievre’s leadership in trouble?
11/7/2025
Questions surface about Pierre Poilievre’s leadership after one Conservative MP crosses the floor and another resigns. Prime Minister Mark Carney looks for the votes to support his federal budget. And Canada’s plan to slash immigration levels. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:23:56
Carney’s 1st budget
11/5/2025
At Issue special edition: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveils a budget meant to kickstart the Canadian economy. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:08:39
Canada-U.S. trade negotiations go off the rails
10/31/2025
Canada-U.S. trade negotiations go off the rails after an anti-tariff ad angers Trump. Parties accuse each other of trying to force an election over the budget. And was Alberta justified in using the notwithstanding clause to get teachers back to work? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Althia Raj and Jason Markusoff.
Duration:00:24:30
Carney hints at ‘sacrifices’ in the next budget
10/24/2025
At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney drops hints that ‘sacrifices’ are coming in the upcoming federal budget. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tries to clarify his Trudeau jail time comments. Plus, Canada’s warming relations with India. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:23:35
Cracks in Canada’s united front on tariffs?
10/17/2025
At Issue this week: How will the federal government keep a united front as tariff turmoil pits premiers against each other? The Liberals move on bail reform. And Pierre Poilievre accuses the RCMP of protecting Justin Trudeau from criminal charges. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:22:00
Carney meets Trump in Washington – again
10/8/2025
At Issue special edition: Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with U.S. President Donald Trump to try and reach a deal on tariffs. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:08:23
Alberta pushes for a West-Coast pipeline
10/3/2025
At Issue this week: Danielle Smith announces her province's proposal for a west-coast pipeline despite pushback from British Columbia. More candidates enter the race for NDP Leadership and share their vision for the party's revival. And the Liberals announce another office and CEO to oversee major government policies.. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Duration:00:23:02