Power & Politics

Prime Minister Mark Carney and the leaders of every party in the House of Commons came together to lay flowers at a memorial in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on Friday, before attending an evening vigil in the community. NDP interim Leader Don Davies, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and the region's provincial MLA Larry Neufeld join Power & Politics to reflect ahead of the vigil. Plus, the RCMP reveal more information about the weapons used in Tuesday's mass shooting.

The prime minister and the leaders of all of Canada's major federal parties are expected to travel to Tumbler Ridge, B.C., to attend a vigil in the community on Friday. As the RCMP identifies all eight of the victims murdered in the shooting, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald joins Power & Politics for an update on the ongoing investigation. The MP for Tumbler Ridge, Conservative Bob Zimmer, describes how relatives and community members are coping with the tragedy. Then, Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks introduced the resolution to stop U.S. President Donald Trump's 35 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods that passed with the support of six Republicans on Wednesday night. Meeks says he believes Trump is 'starting to receive' the message that Americans oppose those tariffs.

At a news conference on Wednesday, the commanding officer for the RCMP in B.C. said five of the eight victims killed in a mass shooting in the community of Tumbler Ridge were students aged 12 and 13, and a sixth was an educator. CBC's Ian Hanomansing reports the latest from Tumbler Ridge. B.C. deputy premier and Attorney General Niki Sharma describes how the province is responding. The provincial MLA that represents Tumbler Ridge, Larry Neufeld, explains why he says English words don't exist to describe the grief. Then, Colchester Country, N.S., Mayor Christine Blair uses her community's experience from the 2020 shooting that killed 22 people to advise Tumbler Ridge: 'It will be surreal and it will be surreal for a while.'

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump about a bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit early Tuesday, and explained it was paid for in full by Canada and that the Americans already have an ownership stake. But later on Tuesday, the White House still called the arrangement 'unacceptable' and said Trump had the right to amend a permit that could stop the bridge from opening. Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar, who represents the district where the bridge lands in Detroit, responds. Plus, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin explains why her government scrapped the EV mandate in favour of what she calls an 'all-encompassing,' 'more durable' and 'pragmatic' policy.

Sources tell CBC's Kate McKenna that the government and Opposition are working behind the scenes on potential deals that could end a parliamentary gridlock and avoid a second federal election in 12 months. Liberal MP and justice committee chair James Maloney tells Power & Politics that the cancellation of one of the committee's meetings is a sign that a 'solution' is coming on legislation that's been stuck there. Plus, Sebastien Lai, son of pro-democracy former Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, tells Power & Politics China has imprisoned his father's body but hasn't 'imprisoned his spirit,' as Beijing hands down a 20-year sentence to the 78-year-old under China's internationally scrutinized national security law. 

Former prime minister Stephen Harper is back in the spotlight this week as he celebrates 20 years since winning his first election — and he's got a stark warning about U.S. threats to Canada's economy. Power & Politics reflects on Harper's legacy with a panel of former colleagues and observers: those who worked with him, for him or wrote about him.

The Liberals' new auto strategy ditches the EV mandate and downgrades ambitions for emissions savings, while still pouring billions into encouraging an electric transition. Zain Velji, Laura D'Angelo and Rachael Segal evaluate the plan, and discuss whether former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper is besting the current Conservative leader with his U.S. messaging.

The day after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Liberals' new auto strategy, automaker Stellantis announced it was selling its 49 per cent stake in Canada’s first large-scale battery manufacturing facility in Windsor, Ont., for just $100 US. CBC's Peter Armstrong breaks down the move and looks at contradictory signals in Canada's new jobs numbers. Plus, our political insiders discuss former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper's advice for how Canada should tackle the U.S. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney's new auto strategy ditches the Trudeau-era electric vehicle mandate in favour of stronger emissions standards, revives EV purchase incentives with a $2.3-billion program and sets aside $3 billion of the Liberals' Strategic Response Fund for the sector as it faces U.S. tariffs. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly defends restrictions for rebates on non-Canadian EVs, acknowledging that only one electric vehicle is currently made in Canada. Plus, the Power Panel discusses former prime minister Stephen Harper's imperatives for Canada on U.S. relations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio invited 50 countries to a critical minerals meeting in Washington to pitch a new 'preferential trade zone' that would introduce a fair pricing agreement for allies. While the EU, Japan and Mexico signed on to critical mineral action plans with the U.S., Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada needs more information on the initiative. Plus, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president Brian Kingston reacts to news that the Liberals will announce a new auto strategy and the end of the electric vehicle mandate on Thursday, according to a CBC News source.