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The House

CBC

Politics these days can seem like one big shouting match. Catherine Cullen cuts through the noise. Every Saturday she 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. Because democracy is a conversation, and we’re here for it.

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31 episodes
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Avg 50 min
English

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Saturday · 50 min
Will the B.C. election gamble be the most 'ill-advised' ever?
American officials are alleging Canadian electoral interference in the U.S. midterms, what’s behind the latest missives from the Trump administration? And as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith asks separatists in her party to accept their loss or leave, will they listen? The National Post’s Stuart Thomson and Tonda MacCharles of the Toronto Star discuss.  Then, as British Columbia heads to the polls after Premier David Eby’s snap election call, Catherine Cullen sits down wit
October 17 · 48 min
Alberta and Canada: Make up or shake up?
In the last days of Alberta’s referendum campaign, Catherine Cullen talks to the Alberta NDP leader and the head of a pro-separatist third-party advertiser about their plans to get out the vote on Monday – and the pitfalls of thinking that the referendum outcome is in the bag. Then, foreign interference has been a top concern in the lead up to the referendum. Canada’s Foreign Influence Commissioner Anton Boegman explains why he’s reached out to dozens of individuals and groups in Alberta.
October 10 · 49 min
Why some Alberta MPs are 'nervous' about the referendum vote
With only days left until Albertans vote on whether they want a referendum to separate from Canada, concerns are swirling around the vote itself and broader questions about possible American foreign interference. Catherine Cullen sits down with three Alberta MPs, Liberal Corey Hogan, Conservative Dane Lloyd and the NDP’s Heather McPherson to talk about those concerns. Also, the federal government has withdrawn sponsorship of a European disinformation conference — and pulled p
October 3 · 51 min
Is Carney ready for another separatist showdown in Quebec?
On Monday, Quebecers will head to the polls for a pivotal election that could see a sovereigntist party running the province. Catherine Cullen brings you up to speed on all the key players with The Writ’s Éric Grenier. Then, the House Party crew — Radio-Canada’s Daniel Thibeault and CBC’s Jason Markusoff — discuss how big a challenge Carney could face with a sovereigntist premier, and whether his pipeline push will tamp down the other separatist flames in Alberta. Plus, the g
September 26 · 49 min
Is Carney gambling Canada's environment for the economy?
This week, the Liberals introduced their new “Building Canada Strong Act," which is generating controversy over its proposed changes to environmental reviews and workers' ability to strike. Environmental Defence’s Julia Levin explains her worries that the plan will “steamroll” nature and communities, while Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon argues the bill will respect labour rights and environmental concerns, while getting the country building faster. Plus, heads turned whe
September 19 · 48 min
What exactly is Mark Carney pitching with the EU?
This week’s show begins with breaking news: U.S. President Donald Trump says there’s a new deal with Denmark and Greenland. Rob Huebert, director of the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies and fellow at the CDA Institute, discusses what it could mean for Canada. And, as the prime minister works to boost Canada's international profile, he's pitching what could be his biggest move yet: A 'unique alliance' with the European Union, but not full membership. Thomas
September 12 · 49 min
Why separatists still think they can win Alberta's referendum
The prime minister's inner circle is gathering in Banff, Alta. to discuss their plans for the upcoming sitting of Parliament — where U.S. President Donald Trump's trade actions will loom large. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne joins The House to discuss whether Canada should retaliate again, and what to expect from Carney's investment summit next week. Plus, Albertans are one month away from deciding whether they actually want to pursue a referendum on separating
September 5 · 51 min
A view of Lake Ontario from 'Lake America'
As the trade war heats up and the Trump administration continues to lob insults at Canada, Catherine Cullen travels across the border to a village built around an American 1812 battle site to talk to Sackets Harbor Mayor Alex Morgia, as well as the owner of the Lake Ontario Gift Shop and a marketer for the Thousand Islands International Tourism Council about what the escalating conflict means to them.  Then, The House travels to Ogdensburg, NY to hear what voters in the
August 29 · 48 min
Canada's chief negotiator reveals why U.S. talks failed
In an exclusive interview with The House and her first since talks collapsed, Canada’s chief trade negotiator to the U.S. Janice Charette sits down with host Catherine Cullen to lift the curtain on last week’s abrupt end to the talks and what it will take for both sides to return to the table.  Then, Vermont Senator Peter Welch discusses his latest legislative attempt to walk back tariffs on Canada and how the nearing U.S. midterms may help or hamper efforts to resolve a
August 22 · 50 min
U.S. talks collapse, trade war escalates
Fifty per cent U.S. tariffs on billions of dollars of Canadian goods have now taken effect and Prime Minister Mark Carney is vowing dollar-for-dollar retaliation after trade talks collapsed late Friday night. CBC’s Peter Armstrong lays out what we know about the breakdown at the table. Then, two former federal cabinet ministers, Canada-U.S. advisory committee member Lisa Raitt and Carney’s former chief of staff Marco Mendicino, discuss what another trade war escalation could mean for Canada’s
August 15 · 48 min
In the heart of B.C.’s wildfire crisis
As wildfires continue to burn out of control in B.C., guest host Chris Walker follows Conservative MP Dan Albas, whose riding includes the evacuated town of Summerland, as he travels the backroads to Penticton to where many of his constituents have fled. In this documentary, Walker speaks to Albas and neighbouring MP, Helena Konanz, about the emergency response; to volunteers and evacuees about what they have lost; and to B.C. Premier David Eby about climate change and forest management.&nbsp
August 8 · 48 min
What a viral AI-written speech reveals about Canadian politics
After a provincial politician in New Brunswick made international headlines for delivering a speech containing obvious AI prompts, and as the House of Commons continues to lean on hybrid proceedings and a voting app, it's clear technology is changing politics. But are these changes helping or hurting politicians? The House asks a panel of three past MPs: former interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen, former Liberal cabinet minister Marco Mendicino and former NDP MP and provincial cabinet
August 1 · 50 min
Why Canada's in a food processing pickle
Canada is known around the world for high quality crops, but advocates estimate the country is missing out on a $25 billion industry by not processing more of that food at home. As the federal government gears up to invest more in domestic processing, guest host Matt Allen talks to soybean farmer Chris Hundt and pickle farmer Dan Froese about their vegetables being exported, only to be sold back to Canadians at a premium.  Then, Matt tours a first-of-its-kind soybean pla
July 25 · 50 min
Trump's 'clearly a bully.' Will Canada hit back?
Prime Minister Mark Carney met with all of Canada’s premiers in Charlottetown on Thursday to discuss how best to respond to Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats. Guest host Mitch Cormier canvasses a room of reporters waiting for the results of the First Ministers Meeting, then speaks with PEI Premier Rob Lantz, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and incoming council of the federation chair, NWT Premier R.J. Simpson about how exactly Canada might respond. And, The House's summer s
July 18 · 50 min
Canadian wildfires rage — and so do U.S. Republicans
Wildfire evacuations can spike with a moment’s notice, but is this country equipped to handle it? Federal Minister of Emergency Management Eleanor Olszewski responds to accusations that Ontario and Ottawa failed some communities hit by fires this week, and attacks from U.S. lawmakers who say Canada isn’t doing enough to stop wildfire smoke. Plus, the prime minister has struck a deal with the Trump administration to open up the Gordie Howe Bridge — at the cost of a toll-sharin
July 11 · 50 min
Is Canada losing too much of its farmland?
The House’s summer season focus on food security continues with a deep dive into the pressures on farmland — and the people who grow our food.  Guest host Janyce McGregor speaks to the Stevens family, who turned down millions from developers to protect their farm for a thousand years. Tyler McCann of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute details where and how this land is being lost, while Ontario’s agriculture minister Trevor Jones explains the Ford government’s move
July 4 · 47 min
Alberta's pipeline: Slick politics or crude compromise?
Alberta has formally proposed a pipeline to the southwest coast of British Columbia, in partnership with the federal government and a private company. The Globe and Mail’s Stephanie Levitz and CBC’s Anis Heydari join guest host Kate McKenna to discuss pipeline politics, the CUSMA deadline that came and went, and (of course!) Canada joining the Eurovision Song Contest.  Plus, as the political barbecue season gets underway, The House’s Jennifer Chevalier kicks off The Hous
June 27 · 49 min
Love It or List It, 24 Sussex
It's a week that embodied Carney's "build, baby, build" mantra. We started with the federal government announcing it will push to have three northern projects fast-tracked under the Building Canada Act, and ended with a new plan to refurbish 24 Sussex Drive — the prime minister's official residence.  But could this derelict building be too politically radioactive to fix? Hill watchers Tonda MacCharles and Stuart Thomson break down whether Carney's plans for 24 Sussex wil
June 20 · 49 min
Canada's fentanyl czar pushes back on U.S. claims
Opioid overdose deaths are dropping in Canada, but there is still a long way to go. Canada’s Fentanyl Czar Kevin Brosseau is fresh back from meeting officials in Washington, he tells The House what worries him most about this public health crisis and why the increasingly small quantity of opioids crossing the border is still an irritant for the Americans.  Plus, a special parliamentary committee says Ottawa should 'indefinitely exclude' people whose sole underlying condi
June 13 · 48 min
Canada vs. Social Media
The federal government has unveiled the newest iteration of its online harms bill — legislation that proposes to ban children under 16 from having social media accounts, as well as putting new regulations on social media platforms and AI chatbots. When should Canadians expect to see changes? Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller joins The House to explain. Plus, the Gordie Howe bridge between Windsor, Ont and Detroit, Michigan was supposed to open this week, unti

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