At Issue by CBC

05.03.2024

Poilievre calls Trudeau’s drug policies ‘wacko’

At Issue this week: Pierre Poilievre gets booted from the House of Commons after calling Trudeau and his support for B.C.’s drug decriminalization “wacko” and hints he’ll use the notwithstanding clause to get tough on crime if he becomes prime...

04.26.2024

Was the Liberal budget a bust with Canadians?

At Issue this week: Early polling suggests the Liberals didn’t get the bump from the budget the party was hoping for. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre makes a pit stop with controversial protesters. Plus, Honda’s big investment in its Canadian...

04.19.2024

Federal budget buy-in and blowback

At Issue this week: The Liberals work to sell their multi-billion dollar spending plan and capital gains tax hike. Pierre Poilievre tells Radio-Canada what he thinks of the federal budget. And another province pushes back on the carbon tax. Rosemary Barton...

04.17.2024

At Issue reacts to 2024 federal budget

The 2024 federal budget included nearly $53 billion in new spending and a tax hike on the richest Canadians, but can the government get the buy-in from provinces and territories it needs to live up to some big promises? Rosemary Barton...

04.12.2024

Trudeau’s testimony on foreign interference

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the foreign interference inquiry that he didn’t see all the available intelligence briefings — should Canadians be concerned? Will the government’s budget announcements be enough to sway young voters. Plus, Alberta...

04.05.2024

Big money housing promises, with strings attached

At Issue this week: Several premiers said the federal government is overreaching by offering to work directly with municipalities on housing. Former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole says foreign interference was a factor in the party’s 2021 election loss. Plus, three...

03.29.2024

Trudeau’s pre-budget charm offensive

At Issue this week: The Liberal government goes on a pre-budget charm offensive with a new tone and messaging about ‘fairness.’ Several premiers appear before committees to criticize the upcoming carbon tax hike. Plus, testimony begins in Canada’s foreign interference...

03.22.2024

Poilievre’s efforts to axe the carbon tax

At Issue this week: The Conservatives table a no-confidence vote over the carbon tax. The NDP’s controversial motion on the Middle East. Plus, is it too late for the Liberal government to fix its procurement problems? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal...

03.15.2024

Premiers push Trudeau to pause carbon tax hike

At Issue this week: Multiple premiers are calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pause a carbon tax increase planned for April 1. ArriveCan contractors answer questions from MPs about their contract and the app’s cost. Plus, is Canada considering...

03.07.2024

Saskatchewan refuses to pay the carbon tax

At Issue this week: Saskatchewan is holding back its share of the carbon tax, so how will the federal government ensure other provinces pay up? The Conservatives want more transparency surrounding the Winnipeg lab leaks that got two Chinese scientists...

02.29.2024

Brian Mulroney’s legacy

At Issue this week: Remembering Brian Mulroney, who served as prime minister during a tumultuous era but left office deeply unpopular after his death at 84. Rosemary Barton hosts Andrew Coyne, Tonda MacCharles and Rob Russo.

02.22.2024

Personal attacks over online harms bill

At Issue this week: The federal Liberals are set to announce a bill to make the internet safer for kids, something the Opposition says limits free speech. Quebec asks for $1 billion to handle the growing costs of asylum seekers....

02.15.2024

AG report blasts ArriveCan app failures

At Issue this week: Canada’s auditor general finds “glaring disregard” for the rules in how the Liberal government commissioned the ArriveCan app during the pandemic. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the government will build roads. And a Liberal MP rips...

02.08.2024

Poilievre weighs in on puberty blockers

At Issue this week: The debate over Alberta’s gender policies lands on Parliament Hill, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre saying he doesn’t support trans kids taking puberty blockers. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh threatens to pull out of a deal with...

02.01.2024

Alberta’s gender-identity policies

At Issue this week: Alberta introduces new policies restricting access to gender-affirming care for minors and requiring parental consent for pronoun and name changes at school. The Liberals consider a carbon-tax rebrand. Plus, the Conservative party’s record-setting year of fundraising....

01.25.2024

Testing the limitations of the Emergencies Act

At Issue this week: A federal judge ruled the government’s use of the Emergencies Act was unreasonable and infringed on Charter Rights, so what are the consequences for the Liberals? Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will have to rally his caucus...

01.18.2024

What should Canada do about the influx of asylum seekers?

At Issue this week: Quebec’s premier asks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to slow the influx of asylum seekers, saying his province is at a “breaking point.” Extreme cold strains Alberta’s power grid, and the province blames Ottawa’s focus on green...

01.11.2024

Ed Broadbent’s legacy

At Issue this week: The legacy of former NDP leader Ed Broadbent, who died at 87. New documents show the federal government was warned two years ago that high immigration levels could affect housing costs. Plus, Saskatchewan’s carbon tax showdown....

12.28.2023

Who’s Canada’s most honest politician? (+ more of your questions)

The At Issue panel answers questions from across the country about the state of Canadian politics as we wrap up 2023. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

12.21.2023

The political highs and lows of 2023

The At Issue panel breaks down the biggest political stories of the year, from affordability to allegations of foreign interference — all while wars fuelled global instability and division. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

12.14.2023

Tensions over Canada’s Gaza ceasefire shift

At Issue this week: Tensions emerge in the Liberal caucus over the government's decision to vote in favour of a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Plus, a look at the state of parliament as MPs prepare to...

12.07.2023

Will provinces support Canada’s emissions cap?

At Issue this week: The federal government unveiled its framework to cap oil and gas emissions without lowering production, but will the provinces buy in? Plus, Speaker Greg Fergus says he won’t resign despite concerns of partisanship. And Pierre Poilievre’s...

11.30.2023

Google and the government’s $100M news deal

The federal government and Google reached a deal for the tech giant to pay $100 million each year to Canadian news outlets, so how significant is the deal and will Meta follow suit? Plus, what message is Alberta sending by...

11.23.2023

Conservatives vote against Ukraine free-trade deal

Federal Conservatives voted against a free-trade deal with Ukraine this week because it mentions carbon pricing, a requirement for joining the EU. What does the stance say about the party’s support for Ukraine? Plus, what does a confirmed report the...

11.21.2023

Canada's gloomy fall economic statement

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled a trimmed-down economic update aimed at avoiding a recession -- but it predicts this country's economic growth will slow to a crawl. Is it enough to help struggling Canadians? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew...

11.16.2023

Trudeau’s call for ‘maximum restraint’ from Israel

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been called out by members of the Israeli government for saying Israel needs to exercise 'maximum restraint’ in Gaza. Plus, with the Liberals falling in the polls, how should they respond? And is universal pharmacare...

11.09.2023

Is climate change taking a back seat to affordability?

The Conservatives and NDP are pushing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for more breaks from the carbon tax, but an environment commissioner’s report questions if enough is being done to reach Canada’s climate goals. Plus, will an anti-replacement bill help labour...

11.02.2023

Was Trudeau’s carbon tax pause on heating oil a mistake?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is fighting the provinces and the Opposition about the carbon tax after a pause on home heating oil, so was the move a mistake? Plus, with criticism of his leadership getting louder, is it time for...

10.26.2023

Did Trudeau cave to carbon tax pressure?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a three-year pause on the carbon tax on home heating oil, a move aimed at people in Atlantic Canada — but is it really a victory for the opposition? Plus, why is Pierre Poilievre still...

10.19.2023

Alberta’s threat to pull out of the Canada Pension Plan

Prime Minister Trudeau sends an open letter to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith warning of the consequences of pulling out of the Canada Pension Plan. The NDP drops a pharmacare ultimatum on the Liberals. Plus, Quebec’s plan to hike tuition fees...

10.12.2023

Trudeau and Poilievre’s united front on Israel

With the escalating war between Israel and Hamas, how important is it for Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre to maintain a united front? What’s the state of the NDP and its deal with the Liberals? Plus, what an RCMP investigation...

10.05.2023

School pronouns and the ‘parental rights’ fight

Some conservative politicians have taken the division over pronouns in schools to the campaign trail calling it ‘parental rights,’ but what’s the fight really about? Plus, will government action make food more affordable for Canadians? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal...

09.28.2023

Is Trudeau’s apology enough to fix the Nazi controversy damage?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized on behalf of Canada for the House Speaker’s decision to invite a Ukrainian man who fought for Nazi Germany to Parliament. Is it enough to fix the political damage, and how has it impacted Canada’s international reputation? ...

09.27.2023

Is the Speaker’s resignation enough?

Speaker of the House Anthony Rota resigns after he invited a man who fought with a Nazi unit to the House of Commons, but is it enough or does the prime minister need to make an apology, too? Rosemary Barton...

09.21.2023

What’s next for Canada-India relations?

Allegations over the killing of a pro-Khalistan Canadian activist have heightened tensions between Canada and India, so where does the relationship go from here? Plus, was the Ontario government’s reversal on the Greenbelt land swap too late? Rosemary Barton hosts...

09.14.2023

Is the government doing enough to fix the housing crisis?

With Canadians struggling with the cost of housing, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new funding to build homes and a plan to remove GST on new construction of rental apartments, something the Opposition says is overdue. But are these moves...

09.07.2023

Should the Liberals be worried about Poilievre’s momentum?

The end of summer brought with it a new political narrative, with increasing pressure on the Liberal government to help Canadians through an affordability crisis — something the Conservatives have been successfully leveraging. How concerned should the Liberals be about...

06.22.2023

Will a cabinet shuffle solve the Liberal’s problems?

The House of Commons has adjourned for the summer, but there are rumblings of a cabinet shuffle in the coming weeks. Would a change help the Liberals? Plus, the big takeaways from this week’s federal byelections. Rosemary Barton hosts...

06.15.2023

Who is to blame for Paul Bernardo's transfer?

The opposition is calling for Marco Mendicino's job, after his office failed to inform him of serial killer Paul Bernardo's transfer to a medium-security prison. Will heads roll because of this communication breakdown? Plus, The RCMP are starting their own...

06.08.2023

Is Poilievre’s Liberal budget pushback a strategic pivot?

Does Pierre Poilievre’s pushback on the Liberal budget signal a shift in priorities for the Conservatives? Plus, what more we learned this week about David Johnston’s decision not to call a public inquiry. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne...

06.01.2023

Should David Johnston step down as special rapporteur?

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has passed a motion calling for David Johnston to leave his role probing foreign interference allegations, but Johnston says he’s not done. PLUS, what does the boost in RCMP protection for senior government ministers and public...

05.30.2023

Should Ottawa be worried about Danielle Smith’s win in Alberta?

In her victory speech, newly re-elected Premier Danielle Smith vowed to stand up against federal policies that she says undermined Alberta, including ambitious green energy plans. Should the Trudeau government be worried? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Althia Raj ...

05.25.2023

Could opposition pressure tactics force an interference inquiry?

Will the opposition parties pull their support for the Liberals over their refusal to hold a public inquiry on foreign interference? Plus, Albertans head to the polls on May 29. How will it shape the future of the province and...

05.18.2023

Do Canada's bail reforms go far enough?

The Liberals have tabled new legislation to tighten up the bail system and targeting repeat violent offenders, but will these new measures lead to a safer Canada? PLUS, Quebec politicians are taking a firm stance against a federal promise to...

05.11.2023

Was expelling China’s diplomat the right move?

Canada expelled a Chinese diplomat accused of foreign interference, and China quickly retaliated. What does the move say about the government’s approach to foreign policy? Plus, Alberta calls on the military to help fight wildfires. Is it time to postpone...

05.04.2023

Should Canada expel diplomats accused of interference?

Reports Conservative MP Michael Chong and his family overseas were targeted by China have raised questions about why the diplomat accused of interference wasn’t kicked out of Canada. Plus, how are the Liberals planning to re-energize the party. Chantal Hébert,...

04.27.2023

Trudeau’s pitch for green tech investments

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pitches Canada as a partner for the green technology industry and a reliable source of critical minerals like lithium. Plus, Trudeau has said we will never hit our NATO spending targets, what does that mean for...

04.20.2023

Could the federal public service strike have been avoided?

More than 155,000 federal public service workers go on strike. How has the government responded to the biggest job action in decades, and could it have been avoided? Plus, Pierre Poilievre renews his attacks on the CBC with help from...

04.13.2023

Is Justin Trudeau still the best option to lead the Liberal party?

With more resignations from the Trudeau Foundation how damaging is this story for the Liberals? Plus with the 10 year anniversary of Trudeau winning the Liberal party leadership, Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj look back on his decade...

04.06.2023

What does improving relations between Quebec and the PM mean for the Liberals?

After record investments in the province the At Issue panel looks at the improving relationship between Quebec Premier François Legault and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and what it could mean for the next election. Plus, are polls lowering voter turnout?...

What's At Issue about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

At Issue episodes: