The House

Democracy is a conversation, and we're here for it. Every Saturday, Catherine Cullen makes politics make sense, taking you to Parliament Hill and across Canada for in-depth interviews, documentaries, and analysis of the week’s news — from across the political spectrum.

The Liberals are planning to make Christmas shopping a little less expensive this year — they announced a tax holiday starting mid-December on top of rebate cheques set to roll out in the spring. Who comes out on top from this decision? CBC’s chief political correspondent joins The House to break down the politics behind the move. Then, a former Bank of Canada governor explains the economic consequences of the proposal and whether it will affect Canada’s inflation rate.

Plus, The House travels to Halifax, where international security officials are meeting each other at an important conference, and speaks to a Republican senator about what Donald Trump means for the war in Ukraine and Canada’s border security. A Google executive also comes on the show for an exclusive interview about the risks and rewards of AI development as several countries race to become the dominant power in evolving the technology.

Finally, a Canadian civil servant who was falsely accused of terrorism in the Indian media joins the program with his lawyer to share his story and discuss how foreign governments are working to sow doubt in Canada’s institutions.

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President-elect Donald Trump is assembling his inner circle and making some cabinet nominations that are sending shockwaves around the world. As officials here prepare for tough talks on trade and border security – what could those picks mean for Canada? Two journalists in Washington and Ottawa to weigh in. Then, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew joins the program to talk U.S. trade, tariffs and the border.

Plus, Palestinian Canadians who are trying to bring family members from Gaza into Canada explain why they’re frustrated – and losing hope – over a special visa program. An immigration and refugee lawyer also details what she sees as the program’s main problems.

Finally, former B.C. premier John Horgan died this week at the age of 65. A former colleague shares memories of his leadership and kindness.

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Donald Trump’s decisive election win has Canadian officials wondering what comes next for the two countries. He’s promised mass deportations, a global tariff and an end to the war in Ukraine — all of which have implications for Canada. So what are the next steps? The House hears from a variety of Canadians who could be affected by a second Trump administration. Then, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland joins the program to discuss the federal government’s approach to Trump’s incoming presidency.

Plus, after an election campaign rife with claims that Donald Trump is a fascist and voters expressing concern about the state of American democracy, two authors discuss whether the United States can withstand another Trump presidency and if any instability could have an impact on Canadian politics.

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It’s an election abroad — with serious impacts for Canada. Millions of Americans will be casting their ballots on Tuesday, sending either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris to the White House. Is one candidate better for Canada than the other? The House talks to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s former top aide to get his insights on what a Trump or Harris presidency will mean for our country. Then, a couple from Pennsylvania who are voting for Trump and Harris share how they get along despite their political differences.

Plus, a former immigration minister discusses why he thinks Trump’s promise of mass deportation of migrants should be taken ‘very, very seriously’ and how such a move could affect the Canadian border.

And finally, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to cut the GST on new homes sold for under $1 million dollars — a promise that he says he’ll keep by cutting other key housing programs. Two housing experts join The House and weigh in on whether this is the right way to tackle Canada’s ongoing housing crisis.

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That long-awaited Liberal caucus meeting where a group of MPs asked Trudeau to step down as party leader came — and went. In less than 24 hours after hearing their concerns, Trudeau told reporters that he would continue as Liberal leader. So… Now what? And where does this leave the Liberal Party? The House goes behind closed doors and breaks down the tense caucus meeting, then two political strategists talk about what comes next.

Plus, as the federal government announces a steep cut to immigration over the next three years, minister Marc Miller sits down with The House to explain the major policy change and what message he says it sends to prospective newcomers who want to enter Canada.

And finally, after a slate of back-to-back-to-back provincial elections in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, CBC reporters in all three provinces join The House to discuss what federal parties can learn from the results as a national campaign looms.

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On Monday, RCMP officials dropped bombshell allegations that Indian government agents are working with mobsters to target Sikhs separatists in Canada — followed quickly by both countries expelling diplomats. The House visits a Sikh temple where a Khalistani activist was gunned down to hear how the community is reacting to this week’s developments. Then the assistant RCMP commissioner explains why the Mounties decided to suddenly go public and responds to India’s fierce denials.

Plus, CBC’s top political hosts sit down together to discuss a secret plot by some Liberal MPs who want to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign as party leader.

Then, The House meets up with former cabinet minister and astronaut Marc Garneau at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum to chat about his long career, Trudeau’s leadership and the growing rift with India.

And finally, as British Columbians prepare to go to the polls on Saturday in an NDP-Conservative showdown, The House dives into the riding of Richmond-Centre to speak with candidates and find out what issues are motivating voters.

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It’s almost part of Canadian lore that as a nation, across the political spectrum, we recognize the value of immigration. Now, as provinces demand Ottawa curb the number of newcomers, is that consensus breaking down? The House visits an Ottawa shelter to hear how they’re doing their best to keep up with demand as more newcomers turn to them for help. 

A pollster then details Canadians’ changing attitudes toward immigration. Then, host Catherine Cullen runs through key moments in nine years of Liberal policy decisions.

Plus, a research chair on the politics of immigration discusses the growing tensions between the federal government and provinces over asylum seekers.

And finally, two politics reporters explain why the House of Commons has been stuck going in circles over a debate concerning parliamentary privilege and documents related to a now-defunct green technology fund.

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The Bloc Québécois is ramping up pressure on the Liberal government to meet its demands over more money for seniors – or face an election. But that would cost a lot. Like, billions. The House sits down with Daniel Thibeault, host of Radio-Canada’s politics program Les Coulisses du Pouvoir to understand whether the Bloc is angling for an election. 

Then, as the world prepares to mark one year since Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel, The House has the highlights of an emergency debate in the House of Commons about the crisis. Then, two Middle East experts discuss what can be done to prevent a wider war from breaking out.

Plus, fish harvesters in Newfoundland’s northern peninsula say politics is getting in the way of them making a living. The House hears the fishermen’s frustrations, then asks Liberal and Conservative MPs about concerns over the lifting of the decades-old cod moratorium.

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Heckling’s pretty common during House of Commons debates. But with tensions running high as the Liberals fight to keep the government afloat, one stray quip can set off a barrage of accusations and criticism. The House sits down with two Hill watchers to discuss Conservative MP Garnett Genuis’ allegedly homophobic comment and what it tells us about civility in Parliament.

Then, as the Middle East remains on the brink of all-out war, Canada’s national defence minister tellsThe Househow the government has been preparing over the summer to possibly evacuate tens of thousands of people with Canadian connections stuck in Lebanon.

Plus — Chinese dissidents living in Canada share their stories of alleged harassment and intimidation by Beijing. Canada’s former ambassador to China listens in and tells us what steps should be taken to protect free speech and assembly rights for all students across Canadian campuses.

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The House. Is. Back! And everyone’s flexing their muscles. 

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet joins the show to talk about how his party might use its strength to get what they want from the government.

Plus, after NDP leader Jagmeet Singh had a standoff with protesters who’d hurled insults at him, MPs talk about just how much harassment they’ve faced in politics. 

Then we’ll hear from a panel of political strategists about whose flex was best over an upcoming attempt to bring the government down.  

Finally, the second phase of the foreign interference inquiry kicked off on Monday. CBC’s Marina von Stackleberg will bring us up to speed. 

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Yves-François Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Québécois

Lori Idlout, NDP MP

Gord Johns, NDP MP

Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal MP 

Yasir Naqvi, Liberal MP

Kate Harrison, Conservative strategist

Vandana Kattar, Liberal strategist

George Soule, former NDP communications director

Marina von Stackleberg, CBC News

Liberal MPs met this week in Nanaimo, B.C., quick to tell reporters they’ve got full confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The House is on the ground, taking the temperature, talking to Liberals about how they think they can turn their fortunes — even as one of Trudeau’s own MPs says people are “tired of his face.”

We also hear from Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer about how his party hopes to force a non-confidence motion to bring down the government as soon as possible.

Then, we head up Vancouver Island to Campbell River, which is likely to become a battleground between the Conservatives and the NDP. The CBC’s Emma Godmere speaks with voters there about the issues that matter most to them.

Finally, with British Columbians going to the polls next month, Premier David Eby said he’d scrap the carbon tax if Ottawa removes the requirement to have it. The Toronto Star’s Tonda MacCharles, and the National Post’s Stuart Thomson break down what to expect ahead of Parliament resuming on Monday.

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Sometimes, it just doesn’t work out. The NDP’s decision to end its deal with the Liberals — which for two years brought stability to the minority government — has raised the spectre of a snap federal election. The House sits down with one of the NDP architects of the deal to find out why the party chose to back out now, and what comes next.

Then, months after a Toronto byelection loss that rocked the governing Liberals, another test is on the way later this month in a Montreal race. We travel to LaSalle-Émard-Verdun to find out how the campaign — with national implications — is playing out on the ground.

Also, a Liberal minister and national campaign committee co-chair sits down with Catherine Cullen to talk through her party’s plan to regain their mojo and win — they hope — a fourth term.

Plus — Germany has embraced a novel diplomatic arrangement: two ambassadors for the price of one. A married couple who will rotate in and out of the posting in Ottawa explain what’s behind the arrangement.

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A show about nothing: that’s at least how some are cheekily describing the Liberals’ last few months. Host Catherine Cullen sits down with a panel of former top political advisers to discuss what moves the Liberals have left to make, with two weeks to go until Parliament returns and two more byelections arrive.

Plus — we revisit our conversation with Pulitzer Prize finalist John Valliant about his book Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast, and why our brains struggle to accept the reality of climate change.

And for too many Canadians, justice delayed is justice denied. It’s not just annoying — delays in the system are causing some cases to be thrown out. The House returns to a documentary digging deep into the issue.

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Ontario’s premier says “the worst thing” that can happen to a neighbourhood is a supervised drug consumption site. He’s closing nearly half the centers in the province — and wants to ban new ones. We talk to one centre about what this means for drug users and a mayor who wishes the premier had gone further.

Also — a rail work stoppage that threatened the Canadian economy is … almost resolved? Some trains are rolling, but there’s still risk. The House digs into the political forces at play in the complex case.

Finally, the last instalment of our Book Smart Summer Series is here. Jane Philpott sits down with Catherine Cullen to talk about her book Health for All: A Doctor's Prescription for a Healthier Canada and how she thinks primary care in this country can be fixed.

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How quickly things change. The 2024 campaign was supposed to be a rematch of the 2020 race, but in a matter of a few weeks, the lagging Democrats have ditched U.S. President Joe Biden as the candidate, crowned Harris — and surged in the polls. Now, they’re set to meet in Chicago for their national convention, with the aim of keeping their momentum going. Guest host Katie Simpson sits down with a Democratic insider to talk about the role governors will play in the new campaign, before two journalists break down what the convention might hold.

Plus — author David R. Samson talks about his book, Our Tribal Future, digging deep into the origins of the “us versus them” mentality, how it pervades our politics today and how humanity may be able to inoculate itself against it.

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The Canadian government is blaring the alarm for citizens in Lebanon, with the Middle East teetering on the brink of a wider war. The House sits down with two experts to talk about what needs to be done to bring Canadians to safety.

Then, an expert on social media and disinformation helps dig into a peculiar bot campaign that promoted a Pierre Poilievre rally. What’s behind the bot barrage?

Plus — Benjamin Perrin, author of Indictment: The Criminal Justice System on Trial, sits down to talk about his change of heart from an advocate of tough on crime policies to calling for the abolition of traditional prison abolition and sweeping criminal justice reforms.

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There’s been a lot of talk about a new Cold War — and this week the world was surprised by an old Cold War throwback: a major prisoner swap between the Western countries and Russia. But why did Putin agree to such a thing, and what does it mean for the war in Ukraine? Two military experts join guest host Murray Brewster to discuss.

Plus: Roméo Dallaire has spent three decades since the Rwandan Genocide on a journey towards inner peace — and he has some ideas about peace between nations as well. He sits down with The House as part of our Book Smart Series series to talk about his new book, The Peace: A Warrior's Journey.

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Yet another devastating wildfire has caused significant damage, this time at one of Canada’s iconic sites: Jasper, Alberta. The House speaks to a wildfire expert to dig into how the fire reached the town — and what can be done to stop the next devastating blaze.

Plus — we look into Kamala Harris’s astonishing ascent to become the likely Democratic nominee, and two provincial representatives talk about what the dramatic developments in the U.S. presidential campaign could mean for Canada.

And: Author Gregor Craigie talks about his book, Our Crumbling Foundation: How We Solve Canada's Housing Crisis, his timely survey of worldwide solutions to the housing crisis that might work here at home.

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What a week, on both sides of the border. In Canada, cabinet minister Seamus O’Regan’s departure necessitated a mini shuffle. With the prime minister expected to head off to vacation soon, will the summer provide a bit of a pause — or are there more moves to come from the beleaguered government? Two keen Hill watchers join The House to discuss.

Also — premiers gathered in Halifax this year for their annual meeting. They weren’t too happy with the government. Host Catherine Cullen talks with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew about provincial gripes with Ottawa, as well as Canada’s approach to a potential second Trump term.

Finally — author Matthew Morris sits down for an in-depth look at his book Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging, discussing how his own Black identity was formed and how education should be reformed to ensure the success of Black students.

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The fate of Joe Biden's presidency loomed large over this week’s NATO meeting, but Justin Trudeau had some big news of his own — agreeing to a major increase in military spending. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. joins The House to talk about the summit, the spending and this country’s response to the American political drama.

Then, a dive into the recent slew of high-profile instances of crumbling infrastructure — from water mains to public pools — and how governments might go about fixing them.

Plus — for our Book Smart Summer series, author Wendy Wong talks about far-reaching data collection and its implications for our privacy, our relationships and our very humanity.

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Almost two weeks since the Liberals’ shocking loss in a Toronto byelection, the prime minister is still trying to pick up the pieces, amid calls for — at the very least — a national caucus meeting. Two veteran journalists break down how the PMO has responded and where Trudeau might go from here.

Then — U.S. Ambassador David Cohen sits down with host Catherine Cullen to talk about a few key points in the bilateral relationship, including Canada’s controversial digital services tax and its commitments to military spending. He also touches on the mental acuity of President Joe Biden, a man Cohen has known for decades.

Finally: John Vaillant’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated book, Fire Weather, contemplates the future of a hotter planet. He joins The House to discuss.

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This summer, The House is talking to some of the smartest writers in Canada about some of the most urgent issues of our time. To kick off our Book Smart Summer series, host Catherine Cullen sits down with Cree writer Michelle Good for a conversation in front of a live audience at the Regina Public Library about her book of essays, Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada.

Farmers are not feeling the love from Ottawa, these days. Some in Saskatchewan told The House this week about feeling alienated and misunderstood by the federal government or urban Canadians.

We also speak with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe about how he sees the state of the federation and how he’s handled some tricky run-ins with conspiracy theories recently. The NDP opposition leader, Carla Beck, also weighs in on her party’s positions.

Then, two experts in provincial politics join the show to break down the political dynamics that are animating the conversation in Saskatchewan ahead of this fall’s election.

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The world is grappling with a migration issue, and Canada’s immigration minister says we’re not immune. Provinces, meanwhile, are arguing over resources and who’s responsible for asylum seekers. Marc Miller joins The House to talk about what should be done to make the system more fair, and how Canada should approach undocumented people in this country.

Then — Canada’s top soldier is retiring after four decades in the military. He speaks with Catherine Cullen about his experience of service, and how Canada needs to prepare for the challenges of the future.

Finally, it really was another busy week on the Hill. Two keen-eyed journalists join the show to break down the developments in foreign interference and capital gains this week.

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Immigration Minister Marc Miller

Chief of the Defence Staff Wayne Eyre

Tonda MacCharles, Toronto Star 

Murad Hemmadi, The Logic

A stunning report from a cross-party group of parliamentarians alleges that some Canadian politicians are wittingly or unwittingly aiding foreign powers. With the members who wrote the report sworn to secrecy, The House digs into what we know so far — and if we can ever get to the bottom of the allegations.