CBC News | Power & Politics

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.

Former Liberal minister of foreign affairs Lloyd Axworthy tells Power & Politics why he believes Prime Minister Mark Carney and other leaders are 'bootlicking' to get concessions on tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, warning that Canada is 'setting precedents' by backing down on the digital services tax that could enable more extreme Trump demands. 'We need to stop him,' says Axworthy. Plus, Bloc Québécois agriculture critic Yves Perron responds to the U.S. ambassador's 'strong belief' that Carney can get Parliament to allow concessions on supply management.

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 claim that Iran and Israel have 'fully agreed' to a ceasefire beginning overnight Monday, despite a lack of immediate verification from Iranian or Israeli officials. 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.

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.

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.