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The National's Rosemary Barton tackles the week's big political stories with Canada's leading political journalists, including Chantal Hébert and Andrew Coyne. A podcast that helps you understand the why behind the moves and decisions of your elected officials.

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    • May 16, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 19m AVG DURATION
    • 309 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from CBC News At Issue

    Has Trump made conspiracy theories mainstream? | Analysis from Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2026 28:21


    CBC's 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. In this episode, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry dig into the long history of conspiracy theories in American politics, and ask whether Trump has helped push them into the mainstream.Find and follow Two Blocks from the White House wherever you get your podcasts, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/2BFTWHxAtIssue0526

    How is Mark Carney balancing energy ambitions and climate concerns?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 23:12


    The Liberals announce their plans to double Canada's electricity grid by 2050 and build on changes to project approvals with progress on pipeline and an industrial price on carbon - but is the caucus behind him? Plus, the UCP government says it will appeal a court decision to quash a separatist petition. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Is U.S. Voting set to change forever? | Analysis from Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2026 28:20


    CBC's 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's episode of Two Blocks from the White House looks at how a new Supreme Court ruling is reshaping U.S. voting districts. Last week, the court neutralized a key part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, ruling that a congressional map in Louisiana gave too much consideration to race when drawing voting districts. Following the decision, many states have begun redrawing their electoral maps, with some changes expected to influence future election results. CBC Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry unpack what this means for U.S. politics.Find and follow Two Blocks from the White House wherever you get your podcasts, or here: https://link.mgln.ai/2BFTWHxAtIssue0526

    Will a pipeline push soothe separatist sentiment?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2026 21:43


    Will Carney's move to speed up natural resource project approvals — including pipelines — soothe separatist sentiment in Alberta? Plus, reports Honda might abandon its EV battery plant plans and the growing push for a youth social media ban in Canada. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    The costs of Carney's spending plans

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2026 23:42


    What Mark Carney's spending goals outlined in the spring economic update mean for the deficit. Conservatives battle Liberal efforts to move committees behind closed doors. And how will Carney's new sovereign wealth fund help Canadians? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Carney fires back at Trump's trade demands

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 24:10


    Ottawa responds to the Trump administration demands for trade concessions, including lifting the U.S. liquor ban. Mark Carney and Pierre Poilivre release dueling social media videos. And the Liberals move to control House committees with their newly-secured majority. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    How will Carney flex his majority power

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 21:48


    Prime Minister Mark Carney returns to the House of Commons with his newly-minted majority government. The Conservatives try to chart a new path forward with Pierre Poilievre as leader. And, could Canada really join the EU? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Carney's expanding Liberal tent

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 23:09


    As former Conservative MP Marliyn Gladu's move to the Liberals further widens the views within caucus, could it impact upcoming byelections? What does another defection mean for Pierre Poilievre's leadership? And, will Mark Carney address concerns around the independence of Senators? Rosemary Barton hosts Andrew Coyne, Althia Raj and Rob Shaw.

    Carney juggles risk and reward with China trade push

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2026 23:11


    Mark Carney juggles risk and reward as the Liberals chase closer China trade ties despite blowback over his human rights comments. Pierre Poilievre's push to derail Alto's high-speed train plan. Plus, Avi Lewis's uphill battle to convince Canadians they still need the NDP. Rosemary Barton hosts Andrew Coyne, Althia Raj and Aaron Wherry.

    What hitting NATO's spending target means for Carney and Canada

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2026 23:15


    The benefits, and challenges, of Canada finally meeting its two per cent NATO spending target. The uphill political battle facing the next NDP Leader. And, the growing provincial divide over how judges are appointed in Canada. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Pierre Poilievre goes on Joe Rogan's podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2026 21:43


    Will Pierre Poilievre's Joe Rogan's podcast appearance help him politically, and what will it do for Canada? How Mark Carney has reshaped the Liberals, one year into his leadership. And Avi Lewis emerges as the NDP frontrunner. Catherine Cullen hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Why are so many MPs crossing to Carney's team?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2026 23:16


    A fourth member of parliament ditches their party to join Mark Carney's Liberals. The Conservatives push the government to step up deportations of Iranian Revolutionary Guard members. And Pierre Poilievre takes his speaking tour to the U.S.Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Althia Raj and Aaron Wherry.

    How Carney's navigating the Iran war response

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2026 22:15


    Prime Minister Mark Carney rides the line between keeping Canada back from the Iran war and supporting the U.S. mission, but won't 'categorically' rule out involvement. Pierre Poilievre tours Europe. And, what's behind the Liberals' growing lead in polls? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Does Carney's India trip put trade over security?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026 23:39


    Prime Minister Mark Carney goes to India to strengthen trade, but concerns about transnational repression follow him. Polievre lays out how he would deal with Trump. And, a meeting with OpenAI leaves federal ministers ‘disappointed.' Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Poilievre's shrinking caucus

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 22:59


    Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux walks back his decision to leave politics, but decides to join the other team. The NDP gets closer to choosing its next leader. And Dominic LeBlanc goes on a trade mission to Mexico. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Political response to the B.C. mass shooting

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026 22:41


    Canada's political leaders put aside their differences in the wake of the Tumbler Ridge tragedy. Carney tries to clear up Trump's misconceptions about the Gordie Howe Bridge. And, a Conservative MP refuses to take a pay raise. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Can Carney's auto strategy save the industry from Trump?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2026 23:45


    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.

    Separatist cracks at first ministers meeting

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2026 22:29


    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.

    Trump's threats and Carney's pushback | Analysis from Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2026 26:48


    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

    Can Carney deliver on his Davos speech?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2026 23:06


    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.

    Could ‘America First' mean Canada's next? Analysis from CBC Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2026 28:56


    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

    Does Carney's China reset trip come with risks?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2026 22:18


    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.

    Your 2026 Canadian politics primer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2026 23:13


    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.

    Canada's biggest political moments in 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2025 23:26


    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.

    What Carney's Liberal accomplished this sitting

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025 22:41


    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.

    What if Trump blows up the CUSMA trade deal?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2025 22:02


    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.

    Carney's Alberta pipeline partnership

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2025 24:42


    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.

    Will there be fallout from the budget vote?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2025 22:59


    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.

    Can Carney make Canada an energy superpower?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2025 24:19


    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.

    Is Pierre Poilievre's leadership in trouble?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2025 23:56


    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.

    Carney's 1st budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2025 8:39


    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.

    Canada-U.S. trade negotiations go off the rails

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2025 24:30


    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.

    Carney hints at ‘sacrifices' in the next budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2025 23:35


    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.

    Cracks in Canada's united front on tariffs?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2025 22:00


    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.

    Carney meets Trump in Washington – again

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 8:23


    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.

    Alberta pushes for a West-Coast pipeline

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 23:02


    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.

    Liberal plan to save Canada Post sparks backlash

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 23:35


    At Issue this week: Canada Post workers go back on strike after the Liberals unveil a plan to save it from its ‘existential crisis.' The Conservatives call for the public safety minister to be fired over leaked gun buyback comments. And Prime Minister Mark Carney tries to find more trade allies. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    What does Carney need from Mexico?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 23:04


    At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney goes to Mexico to try and shore up a new trade partnership. Chrystia Freeland and David Lametti leave the Liberal team. And the federal government asks the Supreme Court to limit how provinces use the notwithstanding clause. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Pierre Poilievre returns to the House

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 11:11


    At Issue special edition: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre returns to the House of Commons after winning his Alberta by-election, facing off with Prime Minister Mark Carney for the first time in Parliament. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    Carney's infrastructure fast track

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 22:48


    At Issue this week: What the first projects on Prime Minister Mark Carney's approval fast track signal about the government's direction. MPs prepare to return to Parliament , but have the dynamics shifted? And Conservatives target the Temporary Foreign Workers program. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

    David Suzuki warns Carney, too, is ‘trapped by the system' (via Front Burner)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 30:56


    Mark Carney's Canada-first political plan still puts the Earth last, argues David Suzuki, and that's “moral and economic madness.” After more than four decades of activism and advocacy, Suzuki is one of the most renowned and respected voices in the environmental movement. So when he says it's too late to stop climate change, people take notice. And that's now exactly what he's saying.He's delivering this message as Prime Minister Mark Carney's government focuses on fast-tracking major projects it deems to be of national interest, which could include a new pipeline for fossil fuels from Alberta. Suzuki says that, despite his understanding of the climate crisis, Carney — like all of us — is trapped by the economic and political systems we've created. And for Suzuki, our only hope for survival is to scrap those systems entirely.In this special episode from our colleagues at Front Burner, David Suzuki joins Jayme Poisson for a wide-ranging discussion from what a world of irreversible climate change looks like, to what he describes as the "madness" of continued investment in fossil fuels, to the lessons environmentalists of the future can take from the past.Front Burner is CBC's daily news podcast that takes listeners deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. To stay up-to-date on the day's biggest stories, find Front Burner wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/fb-ai

    Carney bulldozes his nation-building bill through Parliament

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025 22:19


    At Issue this week: The Liberal government pushes to expedite Prime Minister Mark Carney's contentious major projects bill, despite objections from Indigenous communities. Canada commits to a new relationship with India. And Pierre Poilievre starts a podcast. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

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