The House

They’re working late, because they want your attention. The Liberals and Conservatives are locked in a political battle for the attention and support of Canada’s youth, with the government looking to win back support of a key demographic that helped launch them to power in 2015. The House digs into the issue, hearing from some MPs trying to shakeup their communication style, and some strategists on whether it will work.

First, though, the federal minister for international development sits down with host Catherine Cullen to talk about the government’s position on Palestinian statehood and the status of Canadian aid in Gaza.

Also — we’ll speak with the head of a government think tank that put out a report listing dozens of potential crises that could change life as we know it.

And then, we’ll hear about a Supreme Court case that could have implications for the way that third party groups — non-political parties — are able to advertise in future elections.

Finally: The head of an organization who supports victims of domestic abuse discusses the concept of coercive control, and Canadian legislators’ efforts to fight it.

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Canada’s spies have been busy this year. There have been accusations of foreign interference, industrial espionage — and of course the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil. And don’t forget a few looming issues, like whether Canadians can trust TikTok with their data. David Vigneault, the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, sits down in a rare interview to talk through it all.

Then, CBC has found itself in the news a few times this year, amid declining revenues, job losses and a pledge by the Conservatives to defund at least part of the Crown corporation. Host Catherine Cullen talks with CBC head Catherine Tait about the president and CEO’s plans to shepherd the public broadcaster through a turbulent time in the media world.

Plus — two journalists talk about their new books chronicling the prime minister.

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Conservatives this week hammered the government on drug decriminalization, but Liberals countered with another hot-button issue: abortion. The House digs into both of those issues, hearing from an addictions doctor about what the heated political rhetoric means for people on the ground, and then weighing whether the Liberals’ claims on reproductive rights have any substance.

Then, we’ll sit down with Canada’s top diplomat in Moscow for her first interview since taking on that role. She says Canada-Russia relations might never have been worse — we ask what it’s like dealing with Putin’s regime.

Plus, Canada Post is losing money — a lot of it. Two experts sit down to talk through the options for saving, selling or changing the postal service.

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A dramatic development in a shocking case: police on Friday arrested three men in connection with the killing of the pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We’ll break down what led to the arrest and what we know so far. The public safety minister also joins the program to discuss the situation, as well as the foreign interference inquiry’s first report.

Then, two of Ottawa’s keenest Hill-watchers break down a wild week in the House of Commons, which featured more than its fair share of theatrics.

Politicians were fighting over B.C. drug decriminalization policy, which the province is looking to partially roll back. The co-founder of an anti-overdose advocacy group, and a Richmond, B.C. city councillor, both discuss that proposal.

Finally, Pierre Poilievre suggested this week that he’d use the notwithstanding clause to pass some criminal justice reforms if he’s elected prime minister. The House takes an in-depth look at what that could mean.

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There’s a lot of garbage talk happening in the nation’s capital, as representatives from 176 countries try to hammer out a global deal on plastic pollution — one of the planet’s most significant and growing environmental issues. We speak with some of the participants at the conference — from officials, to advocates, to industry members — about the stakes of the negotiations and the odds of success.

But first: The federal government, Ontario government and Honda came to a major agreement this week that will see billions of dollars worth of investment poured into new EV manufacturing facilities in this country. The minister responsible talks about why it’s worth taxpayer dollars, then Honda’s head in Canada discusses the road ahead for electric vehicles — and the jobs that come with them.

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It may sound boring, it might be confusing, but the federal government’s new capital gains tax change could just become a major political sticking point. The House hears from tax experts and others about what the change could accomplish and whether everyday Canadians might be affected. 

Then, the federal budget unveiled this week failed to meet the moment when it comes to a new disability benefit, an advocate tells The House. A Liberal official also joins the program to respond.

Plus — six years and tens of billions of dollars later, the Trans Mountain expansion is about to begin operation. In a special report, The House investigates how communities along the mega-project’s route feel now that oil is finally set to flow.

Finally: The lifetime ban handed out to Raptors player Jontay Porter is raising questions about legal gambling’s influence on the integrity of sport. An MP who pushed for the legalization of single event sports betting weighs in, and an expert urges more regulation.

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Everyone agrees that Canada has a housing crisis, but coming to consensus — and executing on — solutions is not quite so easy. Alberta looked to put up a wall between the federal government and municipalities this week, and Premier Danielle Smith joins The House to talk about why. Then, the federal housing minister responds.

The public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections also had some big-name witnesses this week — not least the prime minister. Canada’s former top spy sits down to walk through what we learned.

Plus — some of the top movers and shakers from the Canadian political right gathered in Ottawa for a conference this week. Two journalists break down what they focused on, and what it could mean for a future Conservative government.

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We’ve already had a few glimpses at the next federal budget, thanks to a flurry of announcements this week and last. The finance minister joins The House to talk about those pledges and what more to expect.

Then, it’s clear that Pierre Poilievre hates the carbon tax. But if the Conservatives gain power, what will they do instead? Two experts sit down to discuss.

And — 75 years after the founding of NATO, is the alliance ready for a second Trump term? The House speaks to representatives from some of Canada’s most important allies.

Plus — the CBC’s expert foreign interference inquiry watcher walks us through what exactly happened in the hearing room this week.

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The federal government has promised to plant two billion trees by 2031 as part of the fight against climate change. But it’s not quite going to plan. This special edition of The House digs into the real-world challenges of planting so many trees — and whether the promise can live up to the hype.

Host Catherine Cullen visits a seed orchard to speak withKerry McLaven, CEO of the Forest Gene Conservation Association, about how many seeds will be needed — and why it’s so hard to get them. Then, The House travels to Somerville Nurseries, where manager Brent Forbes shows us his extensive operation, and Rob Keen of the Canadian Tree Nursery Association underscores the need for a long-term approach to tree planting. Plus, Doug Hevenor of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority explains the challenges around finding land and Susan Antler talks about why she turned some of her farmland into forest. Kerdo Deer shows us how one Indigenous community is using funding from the 2 Billion Trees program to expand operations and apply Indigenous knowledge to its work. Akaash Maharaj of Nature Canada and forestry expert Christian Messier from the Université du Quebec à Montreal take a critical look at whether the program is working as intended. Finally, we ask Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson if planting two billion trees is just a slogan — or a real stab at climate salvation?

It’s certainly feeling the heat. The Liberal government’s landmark climate policy, the carbon tax, has long been the target of the opposition Conservatives’ ire. But the Conservatives have allies, now — provincial premiers chief among them. The House hears from former premiers Jason Kenney and Kathleen Wynne about what’s gone wrong with the policy and how best to move forward.

Then, we’ll also investigate an alternative energy source that is making waves in Newfoundland.

And two keen-eyed journalists will break down a very busy week back on the Hill, featuring everything from tension over the Israel-Hamas war to scaling back the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada.

Plus — two political history experts will break down Brian Mulroney’s legacy, ahead of his state funeral Saturday.

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Let’s face it: politics doesn’t have a great reputation. It can be frustrating — especially when it feels like you don’t really know what’s going on. On this special edition of The House, host Catherine Cullen takes you inside the halls of Parliament Hill to better understand how the place actually works. She’s joined by five Carleton University students who pitch their burning questions to members of Parliament, including Lori Idlout, Gerard Deltell, John McKay, Peter Julian, Ali Ehsassi, and more.

The federal government changed course on funding for a key agency helping Palestinians in Gaza, saying the humanitarian crisis there was increasingly dire. Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, talks about that decision.

Then, we break down how ready Canada is for both military operations and natural disasters. The answer? The armed forces are struggling, and there’s more work to do when it comes to things like wildfires.

We’ll also take a look at why the government announced it’s going to keep a close eye on foreign investments in the video game industry — with foreign interference in mind.

Plus — British political activist Lady Phyll sits down to discuss anti-gay laws across the globe and what the Commonwealth should be doing about them.

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Brian Mulroney will leave a legacy as one of Canada’s most consequential prime ministers, who in a time of great global change also transformed Canadian politics. The House digs deep on Mulroney’s legacy, hearing from a former prime minister, senior Conservatives and politicians from across the political spectrum.

Then, two national security experts explain what we learned from digging through hundreds of pages of documents surrounding the firing of two scientists from a major infectious diseases lab in Canada.

Plus — an analysis of the government’s new legislation meant to help protect Canadians from harmful content online.

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It sounds surprising, but baby eels, or elvers, have become big business in Canada. And along with the profits have come poachers — and some serious threats. The House digs into why the government is convinced they need to shut the whole thing down.

But first: It’s been two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war is still going, but has Canada’s attention wavered? Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada discusses that question and more.

Plus — the federal international development minister weighs in on the question of how best to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza, as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.

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The Liberals and NDP are in intense negotiations over the shape of a pharmacare deal. At stake? The possibility of free birth control, diabetes medications or other drugs for Canadians. The House looks at what the policy could mean.

But first, we break down Donald Trump’s comments about NATO, and what it could mean for the alliance.

Then, too little government spending? Apparently, there’s an app for that. A reporter who has led the way on uncovering the story of ArriveCAN joins the program to break it all down.

And it’s been 10 years since the Liberal Senators became just the Senate Liberals. That shift kickstarted Senate reform — but the chamber may be in store for yet more transformation.

Plus — two MPs come together to talk about how they can co-operate across the aisle on cancer policy.

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