CBC News | Power & Politics

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, U.S. President Donald Trump confirms steel and aluminum tariffs will double as of Wednesday. The CBC's Katie Simpson's has the latest from Washington.

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.

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.

A group of U.S. senators met Prime Minister Mark Carney and senior officials in Ottawa on Friday, and emerged saying they were optimistic about a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump. Power & Politics brings you reaction from both the U.S. and Canadian delegations, including interviews with North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer and Innovation Minister Mélanie Joly. Plus, Save the Children Canada president Danny Glenwright describes the hunger unfolding in Gaza and explains why Israel's easing of its aid blockade isn't enough to avert humanitarian disaster.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Canada, France and the U.K. in his response to the killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, saying that 'when mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you're on the wrong side of justice.' Israel's Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed responds to the countries' joint warning of sanctions over Israel's expansion of the war in Gaza, telling Power & Politics that 'Israel has the capability of conquering Gaza in half a day.' Plus, NDP interim leader Don Davies addresses a letter from three of the party's seven MPs calling out his selection as leader.

Former Canadian ambassador to Israel Jon Allen and University of Ottawa professor Thomas Juneau discuss how allies will respond to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow to control all of Gaza at the end of the war, after Canada, France and the U.K. made a statement warning Israel to stop its offensive and allow aid into the strip. Allen calls the Israeli military's firing of 'warning shots' in the vicinity of a group of diplomats in the West Bank — which Canada's foreign minister says included four Canadian personnel — 'almost unheard of,' adding that the lack of protection is 'unconscionable.' Plus, CBC's Katie Simpson has the latest on how U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office with baseless claims about targeted killings of white farmers.

Canada Post's Jon Hamilton and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers' Jim Gallant lay out the barriers still preventing a deal as they count down to a strike planned for Friday. As G7 finance ministers arrive in Alberta, six-time representative of the prime minister for the summit Peter Boehm breaks down how the Trump administration's overturning of the global trade order will shake up this week's meetings. Plus, NDP MP Heather McPherson defends interim leader Don Davies after three of the party's seven MPs disputed his appointment.

Ontario's 2025 budget reveals the significant consequences of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war on Canada. The budget includes a $14.6-billion deficit as U.S. tariffs begin to squeeze the province's economy. Power & Politics hears from Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy. Plus, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shuffles her cabinet as separation chatter grows in the province. Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi reacts.

Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon discusses which spending priorities the Liberals will try to pass before the summer despite forgoing a budget this year. Conservative MP Adam Chambers expands on leader Pierre Poilievre's accusations that skipping the budget sends the wrong message to investors, and goes against Prime Minister Mark Carney's assertion that he has a 'plan' for the economy. CBC's Meagan Fitzpatrick reports on the $14.6-billion deficit unveiled in the Ontario budget today. Plus, the Bloc Québécois announces it's challenging the election result in Terrebonne, where it lost by a single vote.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the government's first priority is passing a tax cut for July 1, but signals that the Liberals aren't planning to release a budget this year — just an economic statement in the fall. Plus, Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith explains why he posted on social media that it's 'impossible not to feel disrespected' after being left out of cabinet on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has booted 10 ministers and brought in 24 new faces for his post-election cabinet, arguing that 'Canadians voted for big change, not small change' and vowing to move with 'urgency.' Industry Minister Mélanie Joly defends her shuffle from the foreign affairs file during a trade war with the U.S., revealing that she 'asked for' the shift. Plus, Conservative MP Kyle Seeback makes the case that there's still too many Trudeau-era ministers for this cabinet to represent a new direction for Canada.

Radio-Canada's Louis Blouin reports that there's likely to be a lot of new faces joining cabinet and a number of familiar ones leaving it Tuesday, as Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks to both focus his front bench and differentiate himself from his predecessor. Former Conservative chief of staff David McLaughlin and former Liberal deputy chief of staff Michele Cadario discuss the message Carney needs to send with his ministerial choices. Plus, Asia Pacific Foundation vice-president of research and strategy Vina Nadjibulla dissects why both China and the U.S. were willing to come to a deal that hacks down tariffs despite recent trade war escalations.

Canada's ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman says the prime minister and president 'want to come up with a deal' after their Tuesday meeting, and officials will be 'working to prepare that for them' — including in bilateral talks to take place before the 2026 review of CUSMA. Prime Minister Mark Carney sets a date for naming his new cabinet. Plus, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt explains how premiers are preparing the home front as tariffs have a deepening impact on employment.

May 6, 2024 - The federal government has tabled a bill aimed at countering foreign interference, just days after a public inquiry said attempts by other countries to meddle in Canada's last two elections undermined Canadians' trust in democracy. Former CSIS director Ward Elcock brings us his assessment. Plus, two Middle East experts walk us through a potential ceasefire proposal between Hamas and Israel.

May 3, 2024 - Canadian police have arrested members of an alleged hit squad investigators believe was tasked by the government of India with killing prominent Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C. last June. The CBC's Evan Dyer brings us up to speed on everything we know about today's arrests. Plus, the Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference released its first report. We ask Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc about these two major developments.

May 2, 2024 - Canada's greenhouse gas emissions rose in 2022 as the economy rebounded from the pandemic, according to new figures released by the federal government. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault tells Power & Politics that Canada is still on track to meet its 2030 reduction goals — and meeting that goal requires an emissions cap on the oil and gas sector. Plus, B.C. wants to roll back part of its drug decriminalization policy. Power & Politics speaks with Vancouver Police Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Wilson.

April 12, 2024 - Power & Politics speaks to Housing Minister Sean Fraser as the Liberals lay out their full plan to address the housing crisis. Plus, we ask Alberta Premier Danielle Smith why she's threatening to block municipalities from cutting their own deals with Ottawa.

April 11, 2024 - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has introduced legislation that would compel municipalities, schools or agencies looking to make deals with the federal government to first secure provincial approval. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek tells us what this means for her city. Plus, the federal Liberals announce housing affordability measures for first-time buyers. The CEO of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association is here to react.

April 10, 2024 - Testifying before a public inquiry on foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that intelligence leaks to the media can't be refuted without declassifying secret information. The CBC's Karina Roman, Janyce McGregor and Rosemary Barton join Power & Politics host David Cochrane to break it all down. Plus, we hear from two former CSIS directors.