Power and Politics

As the Canadian steel industry reels from U.S. tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his own near-worldwide tariffs to defend it, promising that all countries but the U.S. and Mexico will face 50 per cent steel tariffs on imports beyond set quotas — and another 25 per cent if any of it was made in China. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly tells Power & Politics that her government 'needed to act' to protect Canada's steel production capacity, and that she's aware of concerns over price increases. Plus, Canadian Steel Producers Association president Catherine Cobden says the measures are 'not complete relief, but some relief' from the 'devastating situation' U.S. tariffs have created.

When asked about the possibility of a deal with the U.S. that removes all tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney said there isn't much evidence of the U.S. making agreements without them. A member of the Prime Minister's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations, former Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil, says that the question may be 'how big' and broad the tariffs on Canadian goods will be, and that Carney will negotiate a deal 'Canadians can live with.' Plus, Canadian Chamber of Commerce executive vice-president Matthew Holmes discusses what the prospect of continued tariffs means for Canadian businesses.

U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening Russia with 100 per cent tariffs if it doesn't strike a deal to end the war in Ukraine in 50 days, and says he's concluded Russian President Vladimir Putin's talk about peace on their 'nice' phone calls 'doesn't mean anything.' Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer argues Trump has shifted 'close to 180 degrees' on the war after being 'embarrassed' by Putin. Plus, Bonnie Critchley, an Independent candidate in the riding of Battle River-Crowfoot, argues constituents are being 'used' so that Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre can return to the House of Commons.

Chief U.S. negotiator for the original NAFTA agreement, Carla A. Hills, says the president's threat of 35 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods on Aug. 1 is 'like shooting your sibling in the heart.' Prime Minister's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations member Arlene Dickinson argues the threat isn't a surprise, and that there's likely to be some level of tariffs even if a deal is reached. Plus, our political insiders discuss whether it's time to panic, or if the U.S. president's repeated reversals and the White House's clarification that CUSMA-compliant goods will still be exempt takes the sting out of the threat.

The NDP will choose a new leader in March in a contest with a $100,000 entry fee, sources tell CBC News and Radio-Canada. The Power Panel breaks down the questions about the NDP's identity that need to be solved if it hopes to recover from a severely reduced caucus in the last election. Plus, Ontario Minister of Economic Development Vic Fedeli says the province is 'all in' on electric vehicle subsidies despite the U.S. reversal on nearly all tax incentives for buying EVs.

As columnists for the Toronto Sun and National Post report on rumblings of discontent with Pierre Poilievre's leadership among Conservative supporters at the Calgary Stampede, the Power Panel discusses whether support for Poilievre is fading following this year's federal election loss. Plus, former assistant parliamentary budget officer Sahir Khan looks at how deep the Liberal government's cuts to the public service could go.

The RCMP says active-duty members of the Canadian Armed Forces are among four people charged in an alleged plot to seize land near Quebec City and create an 'anti-government militia,' with three people charged with facilitating terrorist activity. Insight Threat Intelligence president Jessica Davis says the weapons seized amount to 'by far' the largest cache we've seen from an alleged extremist group in Canada, and puts the allegations in context with a changing landscape of ideologically motivated extremism in the country. Plus, Public Service Alliance of Canada national president Sharon DeSousa responds to the finance minister's call for cabinet to find 'ambitious savings' in government spending over the next four years, warning it will mean jobs cuts and diminished services.

Prime Minister Mark Carney told the Calgary Herald on Monday that Ottawa's list of fast-tracked projects will likely include an oil pipeline to the coast of British Columbia. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith responds, and breaks down why Ontario and Alberta have signed a memorandum to work together on developing new pipelines and railways for oil and critical minerals. Plus, Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland confronts doubts about whether removing internal trade barriers can actually boost Canada's economy.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada Yuliya Kovaliv says Russia is increasingly attacking civilians after it targeted Kyiv overnight with waves of drones and missiles in its largest aerial assault since the full-scale invasion. Kovaliv responds to concerns about Ukraine's decision to pull out of an anti-landmine treaty. Plus, economist Don Drummond breaks down his shadow 'fiscal update' with the C.D. Howe institute, explaining why he believes new defence spending promises could balloon the deficit to over $90 billion.

Auto sector executives met with Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss the impact of U.S. tariffs on Wednesday, but also advocate for the cancellation of the electric vehicle mandate. Canada's former chief NAFTA negotiator John Weekes evaluates the state of talks with the U.S. after a suspension over the weekend, arguing the president 'likes to show that he's humiliating the countries he's negotiating with.' Plus, former U.S. State Department negotiator Aaron David Miller breaks down the remaining obstacles to a ceasefire in Gaza.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra tells Power & Politics that stopping the digital services tax returned Canada to the 'front of the line' for U.S. negotiations, and says he has a 'strong belief' Carney can get Parliament to allow concessions on supply management despite a new law that aims to prevent exactly that. Plus, Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault accuses Alberta Premier Danielle Smith of being both a 'pyromaniac' and 'firefighter' for separatism, both claiming to be putting out the sentiment and adding fuel.

U.S. President Donald Trump posted to social media that he's ending 'all discussions on trade with Canada' effective immediately, saying the U.S. has 'all the cards.' Is it a negotiation tactic or are all bets off for a deal by the 30-day deadline discussed at the G7? Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says the federal government is 'pushing' for tariffs to be removed. Plus, former premier of Quebec Jean Charest joins Power & Politics after a meeting of the Prime Minister's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations.

The Liberal major projects bill received royal assent and became Canadian law on Thursday, after the Senate rejected amendments aiming to further ensure environmental protection and Indigenous consultation and passed the legislation. Sen. Paula Simons says some senators felt 'intense political pressure' to pass the bill on a truncated timeline. Plus, former NATO assistant secretary general for defence investment Wendy Gilmour breaks down how Canada could need to change to meet the new NATO defence spending target of five per cent of GDP.

Weeks after announcing a plan to reach NATO's two per cent of GDP defence spending target, Prime Minister Mark Carney committed Canada to reaching the alliance's new goal of five per cent by 2035 at the NATO summit in the Netherlands. Former vice-chief of the defence staff Guy Thibault breaks down what it would take to get there. Plus, Maine Gov. Janet Mills makes the case that more Canadians should visit her state, arguing their avoidance of the U.S. isn't hurting the president but 'their friends here in Maine.'

U.S. President Donald Trump accused both Iran and Israel of violating a fragile ceasefire early Tuesday — saying 'they don't know what the f--k they're doing' and demanding Israel recall planes — but later said the ceasefire was in effect. Canada's Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan discusses how the military ensured the safety of Canadian personnel when Iran targeted a U.S. military base in Qatar, and the feasibility of Canada reaching a five per cent of GDP NATO defence spending target. Plus, former U.S. ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute analyzes what's at stake for the alliance as its summit in the Netherlands gets underway.

Former Canadian diplomats posted in Israel and Iran break down the U.S. president's announcement that Iran and Israel have 'fully agreed' to a ceasefire beginning overnight Monday, including why Iran would accept the end of the conflict hours after retaliatory strikes targeting a U.S. military base in Qatar. Plus, retired vice-admiral Mark Norman evaluates how much the security pact that Canada and the European Union signed Monday can bolster Canada's defence industry, and the message it sends to Washington about Canada's push to be less reliant on the U.S.

Front Burner is a daily news podcast that takes you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Last week, the team spent a few days in Three Hills, Alberta, a small town northeast of Calgary. They attended an event about Alberta independence, and spoke to a wide array of people about separation from Canada, and the possibility of an upcoming referendum on the issue. CBC Calgary's Jason Markusoff also came along.People in Three Hills will be voting in a provincial byelection this Monday, where a separatist party – the Alberta Republican Party – is running a candidate. So in a way, separatism is already on the ballot.More episodes of Front Burner are available here: https://link.mgln.ai/1wndLS

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

Both halves of Bill C-5 passed in the House of Commons before it rose for the summer on Friday, but Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith broke with the party to vote against measures to enable the fast-tracking of major projects. Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman tells Power & Politics why her party supported the legislation, and says 'no one group has a veto' to projects despite many Indigenous communities' objections to the bill and B.C.'s objection to a bitumen pipeline.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly discusses the prime minister's intention to raise — or lower — tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum at the end of the leaders' 30-day deadline for a trade and security deal, and lays out her government's new plan to support the steel industry by putting a quota on some foreign imports. Plus, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada is pushing for 'maximum restraint' as the U.S. considers whether it will enter the Israel-Iran war, and details measures to help Canadians leave the region.

Parliamentary secretary to the prime minister Kody Blois defends his party's effort to rush its bill on projects of 'national interest' through the House of Commons this week, despite mounting concerns from Indigenous leaders, environmental groups and other Liberals. Then, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler explains his objections to both Bill C-5 and an Ontario bill that allows the province to suspend municipal and provincial laws to speed up projects, and why he says it will be a 'long, hot summer' if the federal bill passes.

The G7 summit in Alberta ended without a joint statement on the war in Ukraine, with a senior Canadian government source saying the U.S. resisted pointed language that it feared could jeopardize negotiations with Russia. Plus, in an exclusive interview with the NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte says the alliance 'simply cannot, going forward, defend ourselves' with two per cent of GDP defence spending. He says he's 'fairly confident' Canada and its allies can reach five per cent.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he and U.S. President Donald Trump 'agreed to pursue negotiations toward a deal within the coming 30 days' following meetings at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta. Canada's U.S. Ambassador Kirsten Hillman discusses the 'acceleration' officials agreed to in the meetings. Plus, Everett Eissenstat, Trump's representative at the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Que., contrasts the ongoing summit with the issues that led to Trump's dramatic withdrawal from the final communique in 2018.

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

Former Canadian head of mission in Iran Dennis Horak and former Canadian ambassador to Israel Jon Allen discuss why Israel decided to strike at the heart of Iran's nuclear program despite the risk of regional escalation, and evaluate whether Iran has the capacity for greater retaliation after initial volleys of dozens of missiles. Plus, our political insiders weigh in on what Prime Minister Mark Carney can accomplish when he's face to face with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in Alberta next week.

Following a Global News report that says an Indian agent closely surveilled former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and caused the RCMP to put him in police protection, World Sikh Organization legal counsel Balpreet Singh argues Canada's G7 invitation to India's leader tells Sikh Canadians that their 'lives simply don't matter.' Plus, former Canadian ambassador to the UN Louise Blais and former G8 sherpa Sen. Peter Harder weigh in on the invitation, and whether Canada is right to not pursue a joint communique from a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.

CBC's Kate Simpson and Radio-Canada's Louis Blouin explain what sources told them about a document being passed between Ottawa and Washington, which outlines the details for a possible deal. Former defence minister David Pratt reacts to one source who says the document states Canada's willingness to join the U.S. president's proposed 'Golden Dome' security program. Plus, Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Richard Wagner discusses why he believes the rule of law and the legitimacy of courts are under attack around the world.

NBC senior correspondent Jay Gray joins Power & Politics from a confrontation between protesters and National Guard troops deployed by President Donald Trump in Los Angeles, as California's governor accuses Trump of the 'acts of a dictator.' Auditor General Karen Hogan says the estimated cost of Canada's F-35 fighter jet program has gone from $19 billion in 2022 to $27.7 billion in 2024, partly because the Defence Department relied on outdated information. Plus, a former Canadian ambassador to Saudi Arabia and an international affairs expert discuss whether Canada was right to invite controversial international players to the G7 summit next week.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will reach NATO's two per cent of GDP defence spending target this fiscal year — a dramatic acceleration from his previous 2030 timeline. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra tells Power & Politics that the U.S. is 'thankful' for the spending and says it shows 'clear progress' for trade and security talks between the president and prime minister. Then, Canada's top military commander, Gen. Jennie Carignan, argues the increased cash can build capacity in the armed forces despite procurement and staffing limitations.

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

Energy Minister Tim Hodgson defends a new Liberal bill's ability to speed up the approval of projects of 'national interest,' despite critics' concerns about Indigenous consultation and environmental assessment. Plus, Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal — who represents the riding where Canada has accused Indian government agents of involvement with the killing of a Sikh separatist — opposes Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi to the G7 Summit in Alberta.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have been speaking privately in hopes of reaching a trade deal and lifting tariffs, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed Thursday. Radio-Canada's Louis Blouin reports the latest details. Plus, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Mayor Matthew Shoemaker discusses what the damage to the steel industry from 50 per cent U.S. tariffs will mean for his city.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is in 'intensive' talks with the U.S. about the doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs, and is 'preparing reprisals' in case talks fail. President and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association Catherine Cobden tells Power & Politics that the increased tariffs could weaken the steel sector 'in a matter of days.' Plus, Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson says ‘there's still a lot of unity' among premiers despite continued splintering over pipelines since Monday's first ministers' meeting.

The Liberals table their Strong Borders Act they say will protect Canada's sovereignty, strengthen the border and keep Canadians safe. Guest host J.P. Tasker asks Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree what border czar Tom Homan had to say about it. Plus, deputy leader of the Conservative Party Melissa Lantsman joins Power & Politics to discuss a Conservative motion that passed in the House of Commons, urging the government to table an economic update before the summer.

Prime Minister Mark Carney spells out his criteria for what qualifies as a project of 'national interest.' While there are no specific examples coming out of the first ministers' meeting, Carney says it will be a 'living list.' Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy Dominic LeBlanc, and the premiers of Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador join Power & Politics live on set in Saskatoon.

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

Canada's national fire preparedness rating has moved to its highest alert level. Power & Politics speaks to Minister of Emergency Management Eleanor Olszewski as thousands across the prairies have been forced to evacuate their homes. Plus, premiers will meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney next week to decide on some specific nation-building projects that will be fast-tracked for approval. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says it 'will be like The Hunger Games.'  

 A U.S. federal appeals court is pausing a ruling that would block U.S President Donald Trump's broadest tariffs while the White House appeals. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield led one of the two lawsuits that saw the federal trade court declare the tariffs illegal, and says the Trump administration's attacks on judges are 'as low as it gets' and a symptom of repeated losses. Plus, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the competing decisions to block and then maintain the tariffs demonstrate 'how volatile' the situation with the U.S. is.

Prime Minister Mark Carney traded barbs with Leader of the Official Opposition Andrew Scheer in his first question period appearance Wednesday, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was forced to spectate after the loss of his seat last month. CBC's Rosemary Barton and Radio-Canada's Louis Blouin grade Carney's performance. Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman explains her party's strategy while Poilievre is seatless. Plus, Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries president Christyn Cianfarani joins us from the security conference where Defence Minister David McGuinty vowed 'action to rebuild Canada's defence capacity.'

On the day King Charles delivers the Liberal government's speech from the throne, Prime Minister Mark Carney sits down for an exclusive interview with Power & Politics.

MPs elect a new speaker as the House gears up for the opening of the 45th Canadian Parliament. Power & Politics speaks to Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon about what to expect before summer. Plus, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is calling for 'national unity projects' to be discussed at next week's first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon.

The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Zain Velji, Michael Solberg and Amanda Alvaro.