Power and Politics

Power and Politics' panel of political insiders — Greg MacEachern, Melanie Richer and Fred DeLorey — on Canadian political stories to watch in 2026.

Host David Cochrane and Power Panelists Laura D'Angelo, Tim Powers, Jordan Leichnitz and Charelle Evelyn count down the top five political newsmakers of 2025.

Host David Cochrane and the Reporter Roundtable panel reflect on events of 2025 from the federal election to Trump's trade war.

For a year that changed just about everything we know about the Canadian political landscape, Power & Politics is upgrading the final Weekly Wrap podcast of 2025 to our Yearly Wrap. Zain Velji, Carlene Variyan and Rachael Segal break down Mark Carney's rise to prime minister, the Conservative reversal of fortunes and whether Carney has lived up to his big promises both at home and south of the border.

The NDP released an internal review of the election campaign that wiped out more than two-thirds of its caucus on Friday, which avoids casting blame on the party by saying it 'ran a technically solid campaign in a brutal environment.' CBC's David Thurton takes us through the report. Plus, International Rescue Committee CEO David Miliband lays out the worsening humanitarian emergencies driving an annual report the group calls New World Disorder.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Congress on Wednesday that the review of the North American trade deal 'depends on' resolving a list of issues with Mexico and Canada, including Canada's barriers to dairy, provincial boycotts of U.S. alcohol, the Online Streaming Act and the Online News Act. Future Borders Coalition executive director Laura Dawson frames it as positive that the U.S. is signalling it wants to improve — not abandon — the deal. Plus, responding to Prime Minister Mark Carney's doubts that Canada can secure U.S. tariff relief before a CUSMA review, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says that it's 'incumbent on us' to ask again to re-engage.

CBC's Rosemary Barton debriefs on her one-on-one interview with Prime Minister Mark Carney, where Carney didn't answer when asked if there's an active recruitment campaign to take MPs from other parties. Then, CBC's Cathy Senay reports that Pablo Rodriguez will announce his resignation as leader of the Quebec Liberal Party on Thursday, with sources telling Radio-Canada that Rodriguez felt he'd become too great a distraction after weeks of controversies and party turmoil. Former Quebec deputy premier Michelle Courchesne and former Harper government adviser Rudy Husny discuss what this means for the chances that Quebec could be headed for a third sovereignty referendum.

Prime Minister Mark Carney tells Radio-Canada that he's making a major change to a 'pragmatic' climate policy, but that the policies Canada currently has in place will not be enough to meet its 2030 and 2035 climate goals. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin tells Power & Politics that the climate goals are still possible — despite some experts and former cabinet colleague Steven Guilbeault saying that the policies Carney removed have put 2030 out of reach. Plus, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly argues that a $70-billion mining merger is a 'net benefit' for Canada.

When reporters asked Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson about the potential of more MPs crossing the floor to the Liberals on Monday, Hodgson hinted that he's getting 'lots of inquiries.' Former Liberal campaign co-chair David Herle and former Conservative chief of staff David McLaughlin break down whether Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's response to the crossings will be enough to shore up his caucus — and his future as leader. Plus, the Power Panel weighs in on new comments from Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who says the next direct U.S. engagement on trade likely won't be until the review of the North American free trade agreement.

The Weekly Wrap panel looks back on how a Conservative plan to fracture the Liberals over pipeline support was quickly overshadowed by another defection from Conservative caucus — putting the Liberals just one seat away from a majority. With Rachael Segal, Ginny Roth and Zain Velji.

Two Conservative MPs defected to the Liberals and a third announced his resignation in the months leading up to Pierre Poilievre's leadership review in January. Ontario Conservative MP Adam Chambers tells Power & Politics that 'many people' still support Poilievre after the second floor-crossing. But interim NDP Leader Don Davies tells host David Cochrane that 'if I were Mr. Poilievre, I'd be deeply concerned.'

Ontario Conservative MP Michael Ma announced Thursday evening that he was crossing the floor to the Liberals, bringing the government within one seat of the 172-vote threshold for a majority in the House of Commons. Power & Politics breaks the news live on the program and gets instant reaction from the bureau chiefs of the Globe and Mail, Canadian Press and La Presse. Plus, despite no official resumption of Canada's trade talks, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tells Power & Politics that 'what we're trying to do now is sectoral deals' with the U.S. and that 'discussions are ongoing.'

There's no official word yet on who will be replacing Kirsten Hillman once she leaves her post as Canada's ambassador to the U.S. in January, but whoever picks up that file will soon be heading into CUSMA negotiations. Power & Politics hears from former ambassador Frank Mckenna. The Power Panel weighs in.

Liberal MP Corey Hogan weighs in on the breaking news that Canada's Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman is stepping down. Plus, Liberal MPs reject an attempt to put their caucus in an uncomfortable position, as Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre tries to wedge the Liberals on their pipeline support. The Power Panel breaks down the vote.

The Conservatives are looking to magnify a potential rift in Liberal caucus on Tuesday, with a motion that would force MPs to show their support for a new oil pipeline to B.C. and changes to the North Coast tanker ban. Andrew Scheer tells Power & Politics his party is putting forward the motion because 'Canadians deserve clarity,' and accuses Prime Minister Mark Carney of delivering a different message to Alberta than other parts of the country. Plus, Catherine Abreu explains why she was one of two members who resigned from Canada's Net-Zero Advisory Body last week, saying the Carney government 'at no point' sought its advice on the oil and gas projects it's supporting.

The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Carlene Variyan, Ginny Roth and Zain Velji.

The leaders of all three nations in the North American free trade deal spent more than an hour chatting and laughing in the stands of the FIFA World Cup draw on Friday, before Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum retreated to a 45-minute private meeting without any staff. Prime Minister's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations member Jean Charest warns that Canada can 'expect a lot of posturing' like threats to abandon CUSMA from the U.S., but that patience and focus will preserve the deal. Plus, CBC's Peter Armstrong explains how a revision to Canada's economic data shows that growth has actually been better than previously thought.

The day after denying his party's announcement that they'd removed him as leader and posting on social media that he was 'not going anywhere,' John Rustad resigned his leadership of the B.C. Conservative Party. Trevor Halford, the new interim leader of the party, joins Power & Politics to discuss the path forward from the caucus revolt. Plus, Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu responds to Algoma Steel's layoff of 1,000 workers and explains the extension of federal child-care subsidies in Ontario as fees still remain above $10 a day.

On the first day of hearings on the U.S. review of CUSMA, the free trade deal that exempts most Canadian goods from 35 per cent tariffs, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to either let it expire — the current deal would end in 2036 if not renewed — or pursue a different agreement. Brad Wood, a senior director at the National Foreign Trade Council who's testifying at the hearings, says he'll be telling the top U.S. trade official that keeping the deal is 'critical' for U.S. business. Plus, Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty reacts to the Assembly of First Nations' unanimous call for the withdrawal of her government's pipeline agreement with Alberta.

In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, First Nations chiefs called for the withdrawal of the energy agreement between Ottawa and Alberta at the AFN's special chiefs assembly in Ottawa. B.C. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee and Indian Resource Council president Stephen Buffalo join Power & Politics to respond to Prime Minister Mark Carney's address to the assembly. Plus, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May explains why she says voting for the Liberal budget was a 'mistake' she won't make again.

Prime Minister Mark Carney left Trudeau-era mainstay Marc Miller out of his first cabinet, but turned to the former immigration minister on Monday to replace Steven Guilbeault as minister of Canadian identity and official languages. Miller joins Power & Politics to discuss his return. Plus, Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker reacts to Algoma Steel's confirmation that it served 1,000 layoff notices to workers at its plant in the city.

The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D'Angelo, Rachael Segal and Zain Velji.

It wasn't a victory lap for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith over her MOU with Ottawa that supports an oil pipeline on Friday, as she told the UCP base at their annual meeting that "I hope people today feel a lot more confident that Canada works than they did a couple of days ago" — and was met with a chorus of boos. Plus, Vancouver Liberal MP Taleeb Noormohamed and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Eleanor Olszewski defend against objections to the MOU from First Nations and the B.C. premier, and skepticism coming from some within Alberta that Ottawa is serious about allowing a pipeline to happen.

Former climate minister Steven Guilbeault stepped down from Liberal cabinet just hours after Alberta and Ottawa signed an MOU that supports an oil pipeline on Thursday, saying it would have 'major environmental impacts' and criticizing the lack of consultation with B.C. and Indigenous groups. Power & Politics speaks with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Energy Minister Tim Hodgson on why they're convinced the deal creates a real path forward on a pipeline, then hears from B.C. Premier David Eby on why he thinks the agreement is an 'energy vampire' that distracts from projects that will actually be built.

Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson briefed an uneasy B.C. Liberal caucus on the upcoming Ottawa-Alberta agreement on Wednesday. A government source called it a 'good' discussion — but other sources in the meeting say Hodgson used words like 'naive' and 'ideological' to describe their political and environmental concerns. Plus, the presidents of steel and lumber trade groups discuss whether Ottawa's new suite of supports for their industries will be enough for them to survive U.S. tariffs as trade talks remain frozen.

Description: Speaking to Power & Politics host David Cochrane, sources within Liberal caucus used words including 'angry' to describe their reaction to Prime Minister Mark Carney's coming agreement with Alberta that supports its push for an oil pipeline. B.C. Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson advises his colleagues to take a breath, and says he's 'quite confident' that the MOU will seek the support of B.C. and Indigenous communities. Plus, B.C. Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix argues a deal between Ottawa and Alberta set for this week puts consent for B.C.'s own projects — and Canada's broader economic transformation — at risk.

CBC's Kate McKenna reports that a memorandum of understanding set to be announced by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday will include political support for a pipeline and carve-outs from environmental laws, according to multiple sources. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe relays what he told Carney about why a pipeline to the B.C. coast is necessary. Plus, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says that Canada's agreement to restart talks toward a trade deal with India is happening against the backdrop of a dialogue on security and interference.

The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D'Angelo, Rachael Segal and Zain Velji.

Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer tells Power & Politics he's optimistic about a thawing of the Canada-U.S. relationship after President Donald Trump cut off trade talks over an anti-tariff ad run by Ontario. Plus, Power & Politics asks Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu how Canada secured a $70-billion investment pledge from the U.A.E.

B.C. Premier David Eby tells Power & Politics that 'I almost fell out of my seat' when he learned that Saskatchewan is involved in conversations with Ottawa and Alberta about a pipeline to the B.C. coast — conversations Eby says B.C. was unaware of. Plus, Saab CEO Micael Johansson says it's up to Canada to make a decision on what fighter jets it buys, but makes the case for how Saab's model could enable Canadian sovereignty.

As first reported by the Globe and Mail, a source confirms to CBC's J.P. Tasker that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney are moving closer to reaching a deal on the future of Alberta's energy sector, and that it's likely to include some language about a path forward for a northwest B.C. oil pipeline. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme explains how Canada is working with the U.S. to pursue former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding, who U.S. officials accuse of being one of the world's most powerful drug lords and of murdering a federal witness. Plus, Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson makes the case for Canada to buy Saab's Gripen fighter jets.

Every party in the House of Commons except for the Bloc Québécois contributed to either votes or abstentions that allowed the Liberals to survive Monday's budget vote on a razor-thin margin. Liberal House leader Steven MacKinnon tells Power & Politics he thinks other parties 'secretly liked' large parts of the budget. Then, interim NDP Leader Don Davies says Conservative MPs Andrew Scheer and Scott Reid held back until the end of the budget vote on Monday because they were prepared to 'save this government' and prevent an election if necessary.

The House has passed the Liberal budget in a confidence vote that could have triggered another election — but it succeeded only because four MPs didn't vote, shrinking the number of votes needed for majority support. Follow the drama as it unfolded live on Power & Politics, with Green Party Leader Elizabeth May explaining why she was the only non-Liberal MP to vote in favour of the document. Plus, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham explains what he advocated for as premiers spoke with Prime Minister Mark Carney today.

The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D'Angelo, Rachael Segal and Zain Velji.

The Liberals face a crucial confidence vote on the federal budget on Monday. Just two seats shy of a majority, will the party be able to shore up the support it needs to stave off another election? Power & Politics hears from Conservative MP Adam Chambers. Plus, Power & Politics hears parting words from Canada's ambassador to the UN Bob Rae.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has recommended seven new initiatives to the Major Projects Office in a bid to boost the country's self-sufficiency and jolt the economy — but critics question the benefits of making that list. Power & Politics hears from Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and the Power Panel weighs in. Plus, Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine Smith responds to accusations that his critique of the federal budget indicates 'turmoil' in the Liberal caucus.

In his first news conference since one Conservative MP defected to the Liberals and another said he would resign, a reporter asked leader Pierre Poilievre if the departures say anything about his leadership or if they have prompted him to reflect on his leadership style. The Power Panel dissects Poilievre's answer: 'no.' CBC's Kate McKenna reports on six projects that will be on Prime Minister Mark Carney's second list of major projects on Thursday, according to CBC News sources. Plus, Kaja Kallas, vice-president of the European Commission, tells David Cochrane why she believes the EU must change to reflect a dissolving global order or risk irrelevance.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced new details on Monday about his government's 'Buy Canadian' policy to ensure federal dollars are spent on Canadian suppliers — but in the process, also revealed that the second batch of projects selected for fast tracking through the Major Projects Office will be announced on Thursday. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly explains how her government is trying to strike a balance between supporting businesses with federal dollars and delaying projects with higher costs and longer wait times. Then, after meeting with her fellow premiers, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt discusses her reaction to the budget and what she wants to see on the major projects list.

The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D'Angelo, Rachael Segal and Zain Velji.

The Liberal government breezed past a second potentially fatal vote tied to its budget on Friday, but the outcome of a final vote expected on Nov. 17 remained unclear amid undecided parties and rumours about further resignations or floor-crossings. Parliamentary secretary to the prime minister Kody Blois lays out the Liberals' strategy to keep their government alive. Plus, former Conservative chief of staff David McLaughlin and former Liberal campaign co-chair David Herle discuss how much of a threat the instability in Conservative caucus is to Pierre Poilievre's leadership.

Host David Cochrane breaks the news live on Power & Politics that Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux will resign, with Jeneroux saying he made the decision to focus on his family following the speculation surrounding the Conservative Party over the last 48 hours. The Power Panel and CBC's Rosemary Barton have immediate analysis on whether the loss of two MPs in a week is a growing threat to Pierre Poilievre's leadership. Plus, Defence Minister David McGuinty squares how close the budget's $82 billion for his file will get Canada to the 3.5 per cent of GDP NATO spending target set for 2035.

Newly minted Liberal Chris d'Entremont says there are other Conservatives who 'are in the same boat' and could also cross the floor, sending rumours swirling about who could be considering the jump. A fellow Nova Scotian — Justice Minister Sean Fraser — discusses why d'Entremont joined the Liberals, and Conservative housing critic Scott Aitchison dismisses talk of further defections.