The House

Ontario’s premier says “the worst thing” that can happen to a neighbourhood is a supervised drug consumption site. He’s closing nearly half the centers in the province — and wants to ban new ones. We talk to one centre about what this means for drug users and a mayor who wishes the premier had gone further.

Also — a rail work stoppage that threatened the Canadian economy is … almost resolved? Some trains are rolling, but there’s still risk. The House digs into the political forces at play in the complex case.

Finally, the last instalment of our Book Smart Summer Series is here. Jane Philpott sits down with Catherine Cullen to talk about her book Health for All: A Doctor's Prescription for a Healthier Canada and how she thinks primary care in this country can be fixed.

This episode features the voices of:

• CBC’s Janyce McGregor
• Juanita Lawson, CEO, NorWest Community Health Centres
• Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton
• Jane Philpott, former federal health minister, author, Health for All: A Doctor's Prescription for a Healthier Canada

How quickly things change. The 2024 campaign was supposed to be a rematch of the 2020 race, but in a matter of a few weeks, the lagging Democrats have ditched U.S. President Joe Biden as the candidate, crowned Harris — and surged in the polls. Now, they’re set to meet in Chicago for their national convention, with the aim of keeping their momentum going. Guest host Katie Simpson sits down with a Democratic insider to talk about the role governors will play in the new campaign, before two journalists break down what the convention might hold.

Plus — author David R. Samson talks about his book, Our Tribal Future, digging deep into the origins of the “us versus them” mentality, how it pervades our politics today and how humanity may be able to inoculate itself against it.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Ofirah Yheskel, director of external affairs, Democratic Governors Association
• Amie Parnes, senior political correspondent, The Hill
• Rob Russo, correspondent, The Economist
• David R. Samson, evolutionary anthropologist, author, Our Tribal Future: How to channel our human instinct into a force for good

The Canadian government is blaring the alarm for citizens in Lebanon, with the Middle East teetering on the brink of a wider war. The House sits down with two experts to talk about what needs to be done to bring Canadians to safety.

Then, an expert on social media and disinformation helps dig into a peculiar bot campaign that promoted a Pierre Poilievre rally. What’s behind the bot barrage?

Plus — Benjamin Perrin, author of Indictment: The Criminal Justice System on Trial, sits down to talk about his change of heart from an advocate of tough on crime policies to calling for the abolition of traditional prison abolition and sweeping criminal justice reforms.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Jon Allen, former Canadian ambassador to Israel 
• Denis Thompson, retired major-general
• Craig Silverman, reporter, ProPublica
• Benjamin Perrin, author, Indictment: The Criminal Justice System on Trial

There’s been a lot of talk about a new Cold War — and this week the world was surprised by an old Cold War throwback: a major prisoner swap between the Western countries and Russia. But why did Putin agree to such a thing, and what does it mean for the war in Ukraine? Two military experts join guest host Murray Brewster to discuss.

Plus: Roméo Dallaire has spent three decades since the Rwandan Genocide on a journey towards inner peace — and he has some ideas about peace between nations as well. He sits down with The House as part of our Book Smart Series series to talk about his new book, The Peace: A Warrior's Journey.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Sean Maloney, professor, Royal Military College of Canada
• Matthew Schmidt, associate professor, University of New Haven
• Roméo Dallaire, retired lieutenant-general, author, The Peace: A Warrior's Journey

Yet another devastating wildfire has caused significant damage, this time at one of Canada’s iconic sites: Jasper, Alberta. The House speaks to a wildfire expert to dig into how the fire reached the town — and what can be done to stop the next devastating blaze.

Plus — we look into Kamala Harris’s astonishing ascent to become the likely Democratic nominee, and two provincial representatives talk about what the dramatic developments in the U.S. presidential campaign could mean for Canada.

And: Author Gregor Craigie talks about his book, Our Crumbling Foundation: How We Solve Canada's Housing Crisis, his timely survey of worldwide solutions to the housing crisis that might work here at home.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Mathieu Bourbonnais, assistant professor, UBC
• David Paterson, Ontario Representative in Washington, D.C.
• James Rajotte, Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States
• Gregor Craigie, author, Our Crumbling Foundation: How We Solve Canada's Housing Crisis

What a week, on both sides of the border. In Canada, cabinet minister Seamus O’Regan’s departure necessitated a mini shuffle. With the prime minister expected to head off to vacation soon, will the summer provide a bit of a pause — or are there more moves to come from the beleaguered government? Two keen Hill watchers join The House to discuss.

Also — premiers gathered in Halifax this year for their annual meeting. They weren’t too happy with the government. Host Catherine Cullen talks with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew about provincial gripes with Ottawa, as well as Canada’s approach to a potential second Trump term.

Finally — author Matthew Morris sits down for an in-depth look at his book Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging, discussing how his own Black identity was formed and how education should be reformed to ensure the success of Black students.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Paul Wells, author and journalist
• Catherine Lévesque, National Post
• Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew
• Matthew Morris, author, Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging

The fate of Joe Biden's presidency loomed large over this week’s NATO meeting, but Justin Trudeau had some big news of his own — agreeing to a major increase in military spending. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. joins The House to talk about the summit, the spending and this country’s response to the American political drama.

Then, a dive into the recent slew of high-profile instances of crumbling infrastructure — from water mains to public pools — and how governments might go about fixing them.

Plus — for our Book Smart Summer series, author Wendy Wong talks about far-reaching data collection and its implications for our privacy, our relationships and our very humanity.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman 
• Matt Gurney, The Line
• Frances Bula, freelance urban issues reporter
• Mary Rowe, president and CEO, Canadian Urban Institute
• Wendy Wong, author, We, The Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age

Almost two weeks since the Liberals’ shocking loss in a Toronto byelection, the prime minister is still trying to pick up the pieces, amid calls for — at the very least — a national caucus meeting. Two veteran journalists break down how the PMO has responded and where Trudeau might go from here.

Then — U.S. Ambassador David Cohen sits down with host Catherine Cullen to talk about a few key points in the bilateral relationship, including Canada’s controversial digital services tax and its commitments to military spending. He also touches on the mental acuity of President Joe Biden, a man Cohen has known for decades.

Finally: John Vaillant’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated book, Fire Weather, contemplates the future of a hotter planet. He joins The House to discuss.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Susan Delacourt, Toronto Star
• Christopher Nardi, National Post
• U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen
• John Vaillant, author, Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast

This summer, The House is talking to some of the smartest writers in Canada about some of the most urgent issues of our time. To kick off our Book Smart Summer series, host Catherine Cullen sits down with Cree writer Michelle Good for a conversation in front of a live audience at the Regina Public Library about her book of essays, Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada.

Farmers are not feeling the love from Ottawa, these days. Some in Saskatchewan told The House this week about feeling alienated and misunderstood by the federal government or urban Canadians.

We also speak with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe about how he sees the state of the federation and how he’s handled some tricky run-ins with conspiracy theories recently. The NDP opposition leader, Carla Beck, also weighs in on her party’s positions.

Then, two experts in provincial politics join the show to break down the political dynamics that are animating the conversation in Saskatchewan ahead of this fall’s election.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe
• Sask. NDP Leader Carla Beck 
• The CBC’s Adam Hunter 
• Jim Farney, professor, University of Regina