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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

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

Trudeau’s pre-budget charm offensive

3/29/2024
At Issue this week: The Liberal government goes on a pre-budget charm offensive with a new tone and messaging about ‘fairness.’ Several premiers appear before committees to criticize the upcoming carbon tax hike. Plus, testimony begins in Canada’s foreign interference inquiry. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Aaron Wherry.

Duration:00:22:41

Poilievre’s efforts to axe the carbon tax

3/22/2024
At Issue this week: The Conservatives table a no-confidence vote over the carbon tax. The NDP’s controversial motion on the Middle East. Plus, is it too late for the Liberal government to fix its procurement problems? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:23:57

Premiers push Trudeau to pause carbon tax hike

3/15/2024
At Issue this week: Multiple premiers are calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pause a carbon tax increase planned for April 1. ArriveCan contractors answer questions from MPs about their contract and the app’s cost. Plus, is Canada considering a TikTok ban? Ian Hanomansing hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:21:28

Saskatchewan refuses to pay the carbon tax

3/7/2024
At Issue this week: Saskatchewan is holding back its share of the carbon tax, so how will the federal government ensure other provinces pay up? The Conservatives want more transparency surrounding the Winnipeg lab leaks that got two Chinese scientists fired. Plus, does the pharmacare legislation live up to the promises? Rosemary Barton hosts Andrew Coyne, Althia Raj and Kelly Cryderman.

Duration:00:23:36

Brian Mulroney’s legacy

2/29/2024
At Issue this week: Remembering Brian Mulroney, who served as prime minister during a tumultuous era but left office deeply unpopular after his death at 84. Rosemary Barton hosts Andrew Coyne, Tonda MacCharles and Rob Russo.

Duration:00:10:22

Personal attacks over online harms bill

2/22/2024
At Issue this week: The federal Liberals are set to announce a bill to make the internet safer for kids, something the Opposition says limits free speech. Quebec asks for $1 billion to handle the growing costs of asylum seekers. Plus, the head of the firm at the centre of the ArriveCan affair summoned to Parliament. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:23:45

AG report blasts ArriveCan app failures

2/15/2024
At Issue this week: Canada’s auditor general finds “glaring disregard” for the rules in how the Liberal government commissioned the ArriveCan app during the pandemic. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the government will build roads. And a Liberal MP rips his government’s approach to the conflict in the Gaza Strip in a private call. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:23:58

Poilievre weighs in on puberty blockers

2/8/2024
At Issue this week: The debate over Alberta’s gender policies lands on Parliament Hill, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre saying he doesn’t support trans kids taking puberty blockers. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh threatens to pull out of a deal with the Liberals over pharmacare. Plus, Bell Media blames its recent layoffs on the government. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:23:33

Alberta’s gender-identity policies

2/1/2024
At Issue this week: Alberta introduces new policies restricting access to gender-affirming care for minors and requiring parental consent for pronoun and name changes at school. The Liberals consider a carbon-tax rebrand. Plus, the Conservative party’s record-setting year of fundraising. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:23:21

Testing the limitations of the Emergencies Act

1/25/2024
At Issue this week: A federal judge ruled the government’s use of the Emergencies Act was unreasonable and infringed on Charter Rights, so what are the consequences for the Liberals? Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will have to rally his caucus after an MP called for a leadership review, then walked it back. Plus, adapting Canada-U.S. relations ahead of the presidential election. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:22:27

What should Canada do about the influx of asylum seekers?

1/18/2024
At Issue this week: Quebec’s premier asks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to slow the influx of asylum seekers, saying his province is at a “breaking point.” Extreme cold strains Alberta’s power grid, and the province blames Ottawa’s focus on green energy. Plus, Rachel Notley steps down as leader of the Alberta NDP. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne, Althia Raj and Jason Markusoff.

Duration:00:25:42

Ed Broadbent’s legacy

1/11/2024
At Issue this week: The legacy of former NDP leader Ed Broadbent, who died at 87. New documents show the federal government was warned two years ago that high immigration levels could affect housing costs. Plus, Saskatchewan’s carbon tax showdown. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:23:57

Who’s Canada’s most honest politician? (+ more of your questions)

12/28/2023
The At Issue panel answers questions from across the country about the state of Canadian politics as we wrap up 2023. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:27:01

The political highs and lows of 2023

12/21/2023
The At Issue panel breaks down the biggest political stories of the year, from affordability to allegations of foreign interference — all while wars fuelled global instability and division. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:23:29

Tensions over Canada’s Gaza ceasefire shift

12/14/2023
At Issue this week: Tensions emerge in the Liberal caucus over the government's decision to vote in favour of a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Plus, a look at the state of parliament as MPs prepare to head back to their ridings for the holidays. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:23:08

Will provinces support Canada’s emissions cap?

12/7/2023
At Issue this week: The federal government unveiled its framework to cap oil and gas emissions without lowering production, but will the provinces buy in? Plus, Speaker Greg Fergus says he won’t resign despite concerns of partisanship. And Pierre Poilievre’s plan to delay Parliament over the carbon tax. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:23:12

Google and the government’s $100M news deal

11/30/2023
The federal government and Google reached a deal for the tech giant to pay $100 million each year to Canadian news outlets, so how significant is the deal and will Meta follow suit? Plus, what message is Alberta sending by using the Sovereignty Act over federal energy regulations? And the fallout after an MP asked a cabinet minister not to speak French. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne, Althia Raj and Kelly Cryderman

Duration:00:24:21

Conservatives vote against Ukraine free-trade deal

11/23/2023
Federal Conservatives voted against a free-trade deal with Ukraine this week because it mentions carbon pricing, a requirement for joining the EU. What does the stance say about the party’s support for Ukraine? Plus, what does a confirmed report the U.S. stopped an assassination attempt by the Indian government mean for tensions between Canada and India? And, how is the premier handling Quebec’s public worker strike? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:24:39

Canada's gloomy fall economic statement

11/21/2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled a trimmed-down economic update aimed at avoiding a recession -- but it predicts this country's economic growth will slow to a crawl. Is it enough to help struggling Canadians? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:09:17

Trudeau’s call for ‘maximum restraint’ from Israel

11/16/2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been called out by members of the Israeli government for saying Israel needs to exercise 'maximum restraint’ in Gaza. Plus, with the Liberals falling in the polls, how should they respond? And is universal pharmacare in jeopardy? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:24:12