Conservatives this week hammered the government on drug decriminalization, but Liberals countered with another hot-button issue: abortion. The House digs into both of those issues, hearing from an addictions doctor about what the heated political rhetoric means for people on the ground, and then weighing whether the Liberals’ claims on reproductive rights have any substance.

Then, we’ll sit down with Canada’s top diplomat in Moscow for her first interview since taking on that role. She says Canada-Russia relations might never have been worse — we ask what it’s like dealing with Putin’s regime.

Plus, Canada Post is losing money — a lot of it. Two experts sit down to talk through the options for saving, selling or changing the postal service.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Dr. Vincent Lam, addictions doctor and author
• Shachi Kurl, president, Angus Reid Institute
• Sarah Taylor, ambassador to Russia
• Ian Lee, associate professor, Carleton University 
• Marvin Ryder, associate professor, McMaster University

A dramatic development in a shocking case: police on Friday arrested three men in connection with the killing of the pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We’ll break down what led to the arrest and what we know so far. The public safety minister also joins the program to discuss the situation, as well as the foreign interference inquiry’s first report.

Then, two of Ottawa’s keenest Hill-watchers break down a wild week in the House of Commons, which featured more than its fair share of theatrics.

Politicians were fighting over B.C. drug decriminalization policy, which the province is looking to partially roll back. The co-founder of an anti-overdose advocacy group, and a Richmond, B.C. city councillor, both discuss that proposal.

Finally, Pierre Poilievre suggested this week that he’d use the notwithstanding clause to pass some criminal justice reforms if he’s elected prime minister. The House takes an in-depth look at what that could mean.

This episode features the voices of: 

• The CBC’s Evan Dyer
• Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc
• Shannon Proudfoot, Globe and Mail
• Christopher Nardi, The National Post 
• Leslie McBain, co-founder, Moms Stop the Harm
• Alexa Loo, city councillor, Richmond
• Sujit Choudhry, constitutional lawyer, Haki Chambers
• Lindsay Board, partner, Daniel Brown Law 
• Geoffrey Sigalet, associate professor, UBC Okanagan

There’s a lot of garbage talk happening in the nation’s capital, as representatives from 176 countries try to hammer out a global deal on plastic pollution — one of the planet’s most significant and growing environmental issues. We speak with some of the participants at the conference — from officials, to advocates, to industry members — about the stakes of the negotiations and the odds of success.

But first: The federal government, Ontario government and Honda came to a major agreement this week that will see billions of dollars worth of investment poured into new EV manufacturing facilities in this country. The minister responsible talks about why it’s worth taxpayer dollars, then Honda’s head in Canada discusses the road ahead for electric vehicles — and the jobs that come with them.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne
• Jean Marc Leclerc, president and CEO, Honda Canada
• Rufino Varea, Scientist Coalition for an Effective Plastic Treaty
• Marian Ledesma, Greenpeace Philippines campaigner 
• Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk, president of Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada
• Allen Langdon, CEO, Circular Materials
• Eli Browne, director of corporate sustainability, Sobeys; 
• Inger Andersen, head of the UN Environment Programme

It may sound boring, it might be confusing, but the federal government’s new capital gains tax change could just become a major political sticking point. The House hears from tax experts and others about what the change could accomplish and whether everyday Canadians might be affected. 

Then, the federal budget unveiled this week failed to meet the moment when it comes to a new disability benefit, an advocate tells The House. A Liberal official also joins the program to respond.

Plus — six years and tens of billions of dollars later, the Trans Mountain expansion is about to begin operation. In a special report, The House investigates how communities along the mega-project’s route feel now that oil is finally set to flow.

Finally: The lifetime ban handed out to Raptors player Jontay Porter is raising questions about legal gambling’s influence on the integrity of sport. An MP who pushed for the legalization of single event sports betting weighs in, and an expert urges more regulation.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Allison Christians, professor, McGill University
• Barry Schwartz, executive vice president, Baskin Wealth Management 
• Edward Faruzel, executive director, KW AccessAbility
• Sameer Zuberi, parliamentary secretary to the minister of diversity, inclusion and persons with disabilities
• The CBC’s Allison Dempster
• Conservative MP Kevin Waugh
• Jeremy Luke, president and CEO, Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport 

Everyone agrees that Canada has a housing crisis, but coming to consensus — and executing on — solutions is not quite so easy. Alberta looked to put up a wall between the federal government and municipalities this week, and Premier Danielle Smith joins The House to talk about why. Then, the federal housing minister responds.

The public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections also had some big-name witnesses this week — not least the prime minister. Canada’s former top spy sits down to walk through what we learned.

Plus — some of the top movers and shakers from the Canadian political right gathered in Ottawa for a conference this week. Two journalists break down what they focused on, and what it could mean for a future Conservative government.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith 
• Housing Minister Sean Fraser 
• Richard Fadden, former NSIA, former head of CSIS
• Campbell Clark, The Globe and Mail 
• Jen Gerson, The Line

We’ve already had a few glimpses at the next federal budget, thanks to a flurry of announcements this week and last. The finance minister joins The House to talk about those pledges and what more to expect.

Then, it’s clear that Pierre Poilievre hates the carbon tax. But if the Conservatives gain power, what will they do instead? Two experts sit down to discuss.

And — 75 years after the founding of NATO, is the alliance ready for a second Trump term? The House speaks to representatives from some of Canada’s most important allies.

Plus — the CBC’s expert foreign interference inquiry watcher walks us through what exactly happened in the hearing room this week.

This episode features the voices of:

• Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland
• Michael Bernstein, executive director, Clean Prosperity
• Nicholas Rivers, associate professor, University of Ottawa
• U.S. Ambassador David Cohen
• U.K. High Commissioner Susannah Goshko
• The CBC’s Janyce McGregor

The federal government has promised to plant two billion trees by 2031 as part of the fight against climate change. But it’s not quite going to plan. This special edition of The House digs into the real-world challenges of planting so many trees — and whether the promise can live up to the hype.

Host Catherine Cullen visits a seed orchard to speak with Kerry McLaven, CEO of the Forest Gene Conservation Association, about how many seeds will be needed — and why it’s so hard to get them. Then, The House travels to Somerville Nurseries, where manager Brent Forbes shows us his extensive operation, and Rob Keen of the Canadian Tree Nursery Association underscores the need for a long-term approach to tree planting. Plus, Doug Hevenor of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority explains the challenges around finding land and Susan Antler talks about why she turned some of her farmland into forest. Kerdo Deer shows us how one Indigenous community is using funding from the 2 Billion Trees program to expand operations and apply Indigenous knowledge to its work. Akaash Maharaj of Nature Canada and forestry expert Christian Messier from the Université du Quebec à Montreal take a critical look at whether the program is working as intended. Finally, we ask Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson if planting two billion trees is just a slogan — or a real stab at climate salvation?

It’s certainly feeling the heat. The Liberal government’s landmark climate policy, the carbon tax, has long been the target of the opposition Conservatives’ ire. But the Conservatives have allies, now — provincial premiers chief among them. The House hears from former premiers Jason Kenney and Kathleen Wynne about what’s gone wrong with the policy and how best to move forward.

Then, we’ll also investigate an alternative energy source that is making waves in Newfoundland.

And two keen-eyed journalists will break down a very busy week back on the Hill, featuring everything from tension over the Israel-Hamas war to scaling back the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada.

Plus — two political history experts will break down Brian Mulroney’s legacy, ahead of his state funeral Saturday.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Jason Kenney, former Alberta premier 
• Kathleen Wynne, former Ontario premier 
• The CBC’s Kenny Sharpe
• Christopher Nardi, The National Post
• Shannon Proudfoot, Globe and Mail
• Daniel Béland, professor, McGill University
• Raymond Blake, professor, University of Regina

Let’s face it: politics doesn’t have a great reputation. It can be frustrating — especially when it feels like you don’t really know what’s going on. On this special edition of The House, host Catherine Cullen takes you inside the halls of Parliament Hill to better understand how the place actually works. She’s joined by five Carleton University students who pitch their burning questions to members of Parliament, including Lori Idlout, Gerard Deltell, John McKay, Peter Julian, Ali Ehsassi, and more.

The federal government changed course on funding for a key agency helping Palestinians in Gaza, saying the humanitarian crisis there was increasingly dire. Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, talks about that decision.

Then, we break down how ready Canada is for both military operations and natural disasters. The answer? The armed forces are struggling, and there’s more work to do when it comes to things like wildfires.

We’ll also take a look at why the government announced it’s going to keep a close eye on foreign investments in the video game industry — with foreign interference in mind.

Plus — British political activist Lady Phyll sits down to discuss anti-gay laws across the globe and what the Commonwealth should be doing about them.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations
• The CBC’s Murray Brewster
• Rebecca Alty, mayor of Yellowknife
• Victoria Salinas, deputy administrator, FEMA
• Ryan Black, lawyer
• Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, Secretary of the Commonwealth Equality Network