The House

Canada's 'technical recession'

Former Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page joins us with a reality check on the state of the Canadian economy, and how uncertainty is starting to shape the narrative ahead of this fall's election campaign. Then, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall brings us an update on the fires burning across the northern part of his province.
Finance Minister Joe Oliver looks over his notes before addressing the Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday July 7, 2015. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Why is Canada's Finance Minister reluctant to use the word 'recession' when evidence seems to suggest he should? Former Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page gives us a reality check on the state of the economy and cuts through the numbers to get to the politics behind it all.

As more than 110 fires rage in Saskatchewan, causing over 13,000 people to leave their homes, Premier Brad Wall joins us to discuss the latest fire fighting efforts.

The British Columbia government has bet big on the liquefied natural gas industry. So big, it's willing to recall the legislature in the middle of summer to debate the deal that could become the blueprint for future LNG agreements. We discuss the multi-billion dollar questions surrounding the future of LNG in BC with Finance Minister Mike De Jong and NDP leader John Horgan.

Then, in the latest instalment of our Battleground Watch, the CBC's poll analyst Eric Grenier breaks down the numbers and highlights the most interesting races in BC. 

Finally, Tasha Kheiriddin, columnist for the National Post and iPolitics, and Terry Milewski, senior political correspondent at CBC News, discuss the impact of the uncertainty surrounding the Canadian economy on the pre-election season.