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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
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Poilievre calls Trudeau’s drug policies ‘wacko’

5/3/2024
At Issue this week: Pierre Poilievre gets booted from the House of Commons after calling Trudeau and his support for B.C.’s drug decriminalization “wacko” and hints he’ll use the notwithstanding clause to get tough on crime if he becomes prime minister. Plus, are the government’s climate policies working? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:23:15

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Was the Liberal budget a bust with Canadians?

4/26/2024
At Issue this week: Early polling suggests the Liberals didn’t get the bump from the budget the party was hoping for. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre makes a pit stop with controversial protesters. Plus, Honda’s big investment in its Canadian manufacturing. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:25:15

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Federal budget buy-in and blowback

4/19/2024
At Issue this week: The Liberals work to sell their multi-billion dollar spending plan and capital gains tax hike. Pierre Poilievre tells Radio-Canada what he thinks of the federal budget. And another province pushes back on the carbon tax. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:22:28

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At Issue reacts to 2024 federal budget

4/17/2024
The 2024 federal budget included nearly $53 billion in new spending and a tax hike on the richest Canadians, but can the government get the buy-in from provinces and territories it needs to live up to some big promises? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:11:13

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Trudeau’s testimony on foreign interference

4/12/2024
At Issue this week: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the foreign interference inquiry that he didn’t see all the available intelligence briefings — should Canadians be concerned? Will the government’s budget announcements be enough to sway young voters. Plus, Alberta moves to block municipalities from making deals with Ottawa. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Althia Raj and Kelly Cryderman

Duration:00:26:47

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Big money housing promises, with strings attached

4/5/2024
At Issue this week: Several premiers said the federal government is overreaching by offering to work directly with municipalities on housing. Former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole says foreign interference was a factor in the party’s 2021 election loss. Plus, three NDP MPs announce plans to leave politics. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Duration:00:22:40

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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