Power & Politics

Host David Cochrane breaks the news live on Power & Politics that Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux will resign, with Jeneroux saying he made the decision to focus on his family following the speculation surrounding the Conservative Party over the last 48 hours. The Power Panel and CBC's Rosemary Barton have immediate analysis on whether the loss of two MPs in a week is a growing threat to Pierre Poilievre's leadership. Plus, Defence Minister David McGuinty squares how close the budget's $82 billion for his file will get Canada to the 3.5 per cent of GDP NATO spending target set for 2035.

Newly minted Liberal Chris d'Entremont says there are other Conservatives who 'are in the same boat' and could also cross the floor, sending rumours swirling about who could be considering the jump. A fellow Nova Scotian — Justice Minister Sean Fraser — discusses why d'Entremont joined the Liberals, and Conservative housing critic Scott Aitchison dismisses talk of further defections. 

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne defends his budget that promises to spend another $141 billion in over five years, to shrink the public service by 40,000 jobs and to enable $1 trillion in total investment. Power & Politics brings you the story of a Conservative MP crossing the floor to the Liberals in response to the budget as it broke on Tuesday, including live reaction from Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman. Plus, the NDP interim leader and Bloc Québécois finance critic weigh in on whether they can support this budget to avoid an election. 

On the eve of the Carney government's first federal budget, CBC's Peter Armstrong and Catherine Cullen break down everything we know about what's coming in the document — with one senior Canadian official saying it will include tax changes and tens of billions in cuts. Then, Desjardins Group deputy chief economist Randall Bartlett explains what he'll look for to decide if the sizable deficit the Liberals have signalled will be an investment that pays off. 

U.S. President Donald Trump said Prime Minister Mark Carney apologized over an Ontario ad that Trump cites as his reason for halting trade talks, but says he won't restart negotiations. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin deflects questions about whether the Liberals are keeping Canada's 2030 climate target, saying 'we always knew they were ambitious.' Plus, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tells CBC's Rosemary Barton that he'd reverse a Supreme Court ruling striking down mandatory minimum sentences for some child pornography cases. 

Multiple sources tell CBC News that the risk of triggering another election has the Conservative and NDP caucuses grappling with whether to vote against the Liberal budget, as it remains unclear where the Liberals will secure the three votes they need. NDP MP Heather McPherson and Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer weigh in on how unlikely it is that their caucuses will lend the Liberals their support, and provide no assurance that an election will be avoided. Plus, Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan says unions in the province are organizing toward a general strike in response to the UCP government's use of the Charter's notwithstanding clause to force teachers back to work.

Multiple witnesses tell CBC News that U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra lashed out at Ontario trade representative David Paterson at an event in Ottawa on Monday, with one witness saying Hoekstra appeared to be upset about Ontario's U.S. ad and could be heard using the F-word. Former minister of foreign affairs John Manley and former U.S. ambassador to Canada Gordon Giffin react. Plus, CBC's Peter Armstrong breaks down why the Bank of Canada delivered another interest rate cut on Wednesday, and why the Federal Reserve did the same in the U.S.

A senior provincial source says Prime Minister Mark Carney saw Ontario's ad 'well in advance' of when it aired in the U.S., but after U.S. President Donald Trump halted trade talks, Carney called Ontario Premier Doug Ford to ask him to take it down. Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides defends the province's use of the Charter's notwithstanding clause to force striking teachers back to work. Plus, interim NDP Leader Don Davies responds to the Liberal House leader's assertion that they 'don’t have the votes’ to pass next week's federal budget yet. 

U.S. President Donald Trump was unable to say when his threat of a 10 per cent increase to tariffs on Canadian goods would become a reality on Monday, but said he wouldn't meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney 'for a long time.' Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu responds, and details a new set of budget announcements aimed at increasing tradespeople and bolstering the economy against U.S. turmoil. Plus, David Frum, who was a speechwriter for former president George W. Bush, evaluates why Trump has had such a strong reaction to the Ontario ad that the president claims is 'fake.'

The Weekly Wrap panel breaks down the biggest moments in Canadian politics this week. With Laura D’Angelo, Michael Solberg and Zain Velji.