Power & Politics

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. 

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.