The House

Since Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his major projects goals, Alberta has been crystal clear — it wants a new pipeline to the west coast. Now, the province is planning to submit a formal application to Canada’s Major Projects Office, but B.C. won’t play ball. The House checks in with B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix to get the west coast perspective, as well as Alex Pourbaix, Cenovus Energy’s board chair, who is co-leading the advisory group assisting the Alberta government on its pipeline pitch. Plus, as the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, Palestinians in Canada are calling on Ottawa to bring their family members to safety through an emergency temporary immigration program. CBC’s Raffy Boudjikanian shares the story of Eman Alatbash, who worries about her sister’s fate in Gaza and the rest of her family stuck in Cairo. Next, in the two years since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza, incidents of antisemitism have risen dramatically around the world. What has to happen to stop it? Human rights lawyer and former justice minister Irwin Cotler joins Catherine Cullen to talk about the rise of antisemitism in Canada and how to address it. Then, a new report from an RBC research team suggests Canada’s farming workforce is drying up. Author Lisa Ashton joins the show to discuss what the federal government needs to do to shore up Canada’s farms. Finally, On his first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation as prime minister, Mark Carney spoke in detail about a piece of art he’s recently had installed on Parliament Hill. Catherine Cullen speaks with artist Luke Parnell, who created A Brief History of Northwest Coast Design back in 2007, about the prime minister’s reflections on his work and the road ahead for reconciliation. This episode features the voices of:

Canada Post is on strike for the second time in less than a year, after the government authorized significant changes like ending home delivery across the country and closing some post offices. The Crown corporation is on track to lose $1.5 billion this year and the minister in charge of the file said it was “effectively insolvent.” So: what’s the future for Canada Post? And as the federal government tightens its belt ahead of next month’s federal budget, what does Prime Minister Mark Carney’s tough stance on Canada Post signal about what services he'll keep or cut? Co-hosts and political nerds Catherine Cullen, Daniel Thibeault and Jason Markusoff are here to talk about it all.

World leaders gathered at the United Nations HQ this week in New York to discuss a wide-ranging set of issues — and Canada made headlines by announcing it now recognizes the state of Palestine. Ambassador Bob Rae joins The House to talk about the federal government’s decision, Trump’s change of heart over Ukraine and what to make of the U.S. president’s hour-long, combative address to the world. Plus, Canada and Greenland already had plenty in common before facing threats of annexation from the White House — but all that attention could make for a timely reason to strengthen a key relationship. CBC's Emma Godmere travels to Greenland’s capital of Nuuk to hear from residents about being in the international spotlight and pursuing stronger ties with Canada. Her reporting was made possible by the R. James Travers Foreign Corresponding Fellowship. Then, two Hill watchers discuss how Prime Minister Mark Carney is managing the fallout from the leaked audio recording of his public safety minister appearing to undermine the Liberals’ long-promised gun buyback program. Finally, as a group of federal and provincial privacy commissioners raise alarms over how much information TikTok collects from Canadian users, Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute, explains why these concerns matter and how Canada should manage the social media powerhouse. This episode features the voices of:

The U.S. Ambassador to Canada says he’s disappointed in what he calls the “anti-American” sentiment of the elbows up campaign. So this week on House Party, we’re asking: are those hurt feelings getting in the way of Prime Minister Mark Carney being able to strike a trade deal with President Donald Trump? Was the ambassador warning Canada’s politicians to stand down? And what does the business community — to whom Ambassador Pete Hoekstra was speaking — make of the ambassador’s message? Co-hosts and political nerds Catherine Cullen, Daniel Thibeault and Jason Markusoff talk about all of that… and whether there’s a good alternative to U.S. bourbon for your party cocktails.

This week, Donald Trump enjoyed a second state visit to the United Kingdom and was feted by King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle — a move some Brits saw as the United Kingdom sucking up to the U.S. president. Canadian podcaster and author Stephen Marche and former Mexican politician Agustín Barrios Gómez discuss whether their countries should suck up or stand up to Donald Trump. Plus, this week has seen high-profile Liberals from the Trudeau era announce their departure from Parliament Hill to take on diplomatic roles, including Chrystia Freeland and David Lametti — and there’s rumours of more on the way. Catherine Cullen sits down with Lametti Then, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson talks about major projects, oil pipelines, and whether Canada — in the midst of this push to build big — can meet its upcoming emissions reduction targets. Finally, political strategists Mitch Heimpel and Carlene Variyan go into sportscaster mode to review the tape from the first-ever Mark Carney/Pierre Poilievre question period faceoff in the House of Commons this week. This episode features the voices of:

Parliament is back. And so is House Party. As Prime Minister Mark Carney faces off against newly re-elected Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre while grappling with the trade war, the rising cost of living, the housing crisis, the climate crisis, a budget that ain’t gonna be pretty, two overseas wars, a possible national unity crisis or two… need we go on? Sure, because co-hosts and political nerds Catherine Cullen, Daniel Thibeault and Jason Markusoff have got the party started and are here to talk about how Mark Carney is handling it all.

Ahead of MPs returning to the House of Commons, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre joins The House for a sit-down interview in studio to discuss the federal government’s major projects list, his views on climate change and his worries about his family’s security in a time of growing political violence. Then, Catherine Cullen talks to Dan Myerson, CEO of the Foran copper mine in Saskatchewan that made the top tier of Carney’s projects list, and Martin Imbleau, the CEO of Alto, the high-speed rail project connecting Toronto to Quebec City that still has work to do before moving up to the A-list. Plus, Tonda MacCharles of the Toronto Star and Stuart Thomson of the National Post evaluate whether Carney can walk the political tightrope and keep provinces and territories happy. Finally, former federal environment minister Catherine McKenna discusses her new memoir, Run Like A Girl, and explains how she coped with sexist attacks and the increasingly toxic nature of political life in Canada. This episode features the voices of: Run Like A Girl

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced billions of dollars in funding and a new Buy Canadian policy to help Canadians fight back against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Does that mean we’re in it for the long haul with this trade war? Industry Minister Mélanie Joly joins The House to answer that question and more about whether Canada is straying away from international free trade. Then, as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre demands the federal government axe the temporary foreign worker program, Catherine Cullen speaks to industry leaders and an immigration lawyer about the impact this proposal could have. Plus, the Public Health Agency of Canada is shaving roughly 10 per cent of its employees as it continues to shrink in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Globe and Mail health columnist André Picard explains what those cuts will mean for Canada’s ability to counter vaccine misinformation as skepticism rises in Canada and the United States. Finally, some of Canada’s NATO allies have been preparing their citizens for war or natural disasters for decades. Alex Wilner, director of Carleton University’s Infrastructure Protection and International Security program and Eva Cohen of Civil Protection Youth Canada join the show to discuss whether Canada too should ask ordinary citizens to be ready to help in the event of everything from weather-related emergencies to terror attacks. This episode features the voices of:

NATO’s secretary general has warned Russia could launch an attack on the alliance within the next five years. Talk to NATO’s two newest members, Finland and Sweden, and they’ll tell you preparation involves a lot more than just boosting military spending. As Canada seeks to strengthen ties with both countries, what can we learn from our newest NATO allies about preparing for the worst? Supported by the R. James Travers Foreign Corresponding Fellowship, CBC's Emma Godmere travelled to the two Nordic countries to visit bomb shelters, the Russian border and military training grounds north of the Arctic Circle to see and hear how Finns and Swedes are steeling themselves for whatever the future may bring. This episode features the voices of:

Pierre Poilievre is returning to the House of Commons after winning an Alberta byelection this week — and he’s already laid out his priorities for the fall, including tackling crime, increasing affordability and making Canada self-reliant. But despite these goals, the Conservative Party of Canada has lost the last four federal elections — and some party insiders worry it may be difficult to ever win again. Political reporter Kate McKenna covers the Conservative Party for CBC News, and in this special episode of The House, she hears from party insiders who offer their frank analysis of how to move forward if they want to return to government. This episode features the voices of:

What did the Trump-Putin summit achieve — and what comes next for Ukraine? CBC senior defence reporter Murray Brewster helms this security-focused episode of The House, featuring a debrief with former U.S. diplomat Michael Carpenter on what came out of the sit-down between the U.S. and Russian presidents late Friday in Alaska. Then, two Canadian experts — a former NATO assistant secretary general and a former naval commander — dive deep into whether Canada can realistically reduce its dependence on U.S. military equipment and support. Also: as global leaders watch closely for what could happen next in Ukraine, Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan discusses what possible role Canada could have in any ceasefire — and whether armed forces have the bench strength for a prolonged engagement. Finally, Canadian researcher and author Alicia Wanless joins The House to explain why she believes the world’s democracies should look to the past — the far past — as governments continue to fight against disinformation. This episode features the voices of:

Canada has just five years to meet its 2030 climate target: a 40 per cent reduction in emissions below 2005 levels. CBC’s David Thurton covers climate change and the environment for the Parliamentary Bureau, and this week guest hosts a special edition of The House to take stock of why climate experts fear the 2030 goal will not be met. In an age of weakening interest in climate change as other crises take centre stage — is there even the political will to get it done? This episode features the voices of:

A new nuclear reactor. A natural gas pipeline extension. Thousands of offshore wind turbines. Atlantic provinces have ambitious ideas to generate and transmit more energy across Canada, all under one banner. As Prime Minister Mark Carney renews his call for nation-building projects to strengthen the Canadian economy, will this network of ideas, the Eastern Energy Partnership, make the cut? And how realistic – and expensive – are these plans? CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick Jacques Poitras speaks to New Brunswick's premier and the federal minister in charge of the Atlantic, Sean Fraser, as well as First Nations leaders, experts and stakeholders about what it could mean for power in eastern Canada for generations to come. This episode features the voices of:

If you want to stay up to date this summer on everything going on in the world, The House is recommending As It Happens. Meet people at the centre of the day’s most hard-hitting, hilarious, and heartbreaking stories – powerful leaders, proud eccentrics, and ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. And plenty of puns too. In this episode: One day after the UK makes a similar statement, Ottawa announces plans to recognize Palestinian statehood in September. We'll reach Canada's former Ambassador to the United Nations. The head of the Stephen Lewis Foundation tells us what a new million-dollar donation will mean for organizations whose capacity to help was suddenly slashed when the Trump Administration cut billions in USAID funding. A Maui resident tells us he and his neighbours were lucky to avoid any major damage after living through a tsunami warning last night. But that doesn't mean they should be any less prepared next time. A St. John's fire chief tells us about the fires that destroyed two historic fishing stages last night and how it felt to watch them burn, helpless to stop the flames. Canada's 18-year-old swimming sensation Summer McIntosh is chasing five individual golds this week at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Her mother, a former Olympic swimmer herself, tells us what it's like to watch her daughter lean all the way in. A man in Argentina was shocked, outraged and then really, really embarrassed after a Google Street View camera captured him in his yard – fully naked with his bottom on full display. As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that imagines he'll be happy when the whole incident is in the rearview. You can find As It Happens wherever you get your podcasts: https://app.magellan.ai/listen_links/cqSNA1

Over the past 10 years, the Senate has witnessed extraordinary change — namely a radical overhaul to do away with formal partisanship. The driver behind that? Former prime minister Justin Trudeau. But now that he’s gone, will those changes stick? In a special documentary edition of The House, guest host J.P. Tasker carves out some frank and revealing conversations with Senators Andrew Cardozo, Marc Gold, Leo Housakos, Paul Prosper, Paula Simons and Pamela Wallin about their place of work. Professor and author Jonathan Malloy also weighs in on representation in the Senate and whether reform is realistic, while Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon explains the new government’s strategy when it comes to dealing with the chamber of sober second thought. This episode features the voices of:

Prime Minister Mark Carney met with First Nations leaders this week to get their support for his nation-building plans — but some right-holders left with more questions than answers or outright blasted the meeting. Host Catherine Cullen checks in with Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand and Regional Chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations Terry Teegee on the sidelines of the summit in Gatineau, Que. Then, ahead of next week’s premiers’ meeting in Huntsville, Ont., Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe explains why he believes a deal with Trump on tariffs is likely, but he doesn’t think “elbows up” is the right way to get there. Plus, as federal data shows inequality is widening and the federal government is going big on military spending and national projects, two economists offer their views on the most pressing priorities for Canadians and whether Ottawa’s spending matches their needs. Finally, two Hill watchers weigh in on the uphill path Carney faces on trade and energy projects, as well as the Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's shift in tone. This episode features the voices of:

Once again, U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to slap more tariffs on Canada — and Pierre Poilievre has thoughts. The Conservative leader speaks with Catherine Cullen in his first national English interview with CBC since becoming party leader to discuss how he’d tackle the Canada-U.S. trade war differently and why he thinks he deserves a second shot at holding a seat in the House of Commons. Then, national security expert Wesley Wark explains why Trump’s latest move should elicit a bigger response from north of the border. Plus, the new head of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, tells The House her priorities for the new role in a “volatile and uncertain” time. Finally, as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s chief of staff and the new Clerk of the Privy Council officially take the reins of the federal government, Janice Charette, a former clerk who assisted with the Carney transition, and Ian Brodie, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, lift the curtain on the high-pressure roles and examine the challenges of executing the prime minister’s ambitious agenda. This episode features the voices of:

Canada-U.S. trade once again became the hottest topic in town after Donald Trump said he was walking away from the negotiating table over the federal government’s digital services tax. Just a few days later, Prime Minister Mark Carney rescinded the tax. Was that a smart move? Two trade experts join The House, guest hosted by CBC’s trade reporter Janyce McGregor, to discuss the retreat and the looming July 21 deadline for a deal. Plus, The House talks to cheesemakers at a festival in Kingston, Ont. about concerns Trump’s tariff threat will spell the end of Canada’s protection of its dairy industry. Then, a Saskatchewan cattle rancher explains why she’s frustrated over a recently passed bill that protects that supply management system from Canada-U.S. trade talks. Next, as Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. remains uncertain, it needs other allies more than ever. In his first broadcast interview since being named to cabinet, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu explains why making up for lost trade with the U.S. is hard to do. Finally, trade policy and negotiations used to be dominated by economic data, legal rules and a ton of fine print — until Donald Trump flipped the table. Dimitry Grozoubinkski, an Australian trade consultant, discusses his book, Why Politicians Lie About Trade, and how to spot the misformation to be able to make sense of (and even poke fun at?) the current state of trade debates. This episode features the voices of:

It was all going well — until it wasn’t. On Friday afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was ending all trade discussions with Canada and blamed the federal government’s digital services tax, set to take effect June 30. So what now? Former deputy prime minister John Manley joins The House to discuss what Ottawa can do next. After that, as federal parties hit the summer barbecue circuit and prepare for the fall session of Parliament, Liberal strategist Marci Surkes, Conservative strategist Kate Harrison and NDP strategist George Soule reflect on what’s changed for their parties and look at the political road ahead. Plus, some disabled Canadians will be able to receive up to $200 a month from the new Canada Disability Benefit — but not everyone qualifies. B.C. resident Shauna Milne explains how she tries to make ends meet. Then Heather McCain, Executive Director of Live Educate Transform Society, weighs in on how Ottawa can make it easier to apply for the benefit. Finally, Catherine Cullen asks politicians about the best political advice they’ve ever received and hears a wide range of tips and tricks. For starters: don’t eat the free cookies. This episode features the voices of:

The House of Commons has risen for summer break, but political leaders won’t be poolside for very long. For this season's final episode of House Party, Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault sort through the to-do lists of the major parties – from PM Mark Carney’s deadline to get a U.S.-Canada trade deal done, to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s task of getting himself elected.