The House

By CBC

Politics these days can seem like one big shouting match. Catherine Cullen cuts through the noise. Every Saturday she makes politics make sense, taking you to Parliament Hill and across Canada for

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4.5

2020 ratings

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FAQs about The House:

How many episodes does The House have?

The podcast currently has 557 episodes available.

The House episodes:

March 02, 2024How Brian Mulroney’s years in power — and countless phone calls — changed Canada
Brian Mulroney will leave a legacy as one of Canada’s most consequential prime ministers, who in a time of great global change also transformed Canadian politics. The House digs deep on Mulroney’s legacy, hearing from a former prime minister, senior Conservatives and politicians from across the political spectrum.

Then, two national security experts explain what we learned from digging through hundreds of pages of documents surrounding the firing of two scientists from a major infectious diseases lab in Canada.

Plus — an analysis of the government’s new legislation meant to help protect Canadians from harmful content online.

This episode features the voices of:

Joe Clark, former prime minister
Erin O’Toole, former Conservative leader
John Baird, former Conservative minister
Dan Stanton, former CSIS official
Wesley Wark, professor, national security expert
Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, executive director, Canadian Civil Liberties Association
Justice Minister Arif Virani
Johannes Bahrke, spokesperson, European Commission
Michael McKell, Republican state senator for Utah
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57min
February 24, 2024Death threats, intimidation and assault — all this for baby eels?
It sounds surprising, but baby eels, or elvers, have become big business in Canada. And along with the profits have come poachers — and some serious threats. The House digs into why the government is convinced they need to shut the whole thing down.

But first: It’s been two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war is still going, but has Canada’s attention wavered? Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada discusses that question and more.

Plus — the federal international development minister weighs in on the question of how best to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza, as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.

This episode features the voices of:

Yulia Kovaliv, Ukrainian ambassador to Canada
Ahmed Hussen, minister of international development
Matt Delong, commercial elver fisher
Rick Perkins, Conservative MP
Michael McDonald, Mi’kmaw lawyer
Mike Kelloway, Liberal MP
...more
51min
February 17, 2024Free birth control? A look at pharmacare's future
The Liberals and NDP are in intense negotiations over the shape of a pharmacare deal. At stake? The possibility of free birth control, diabetes medications or other drugs for Canadians. The House looks at what the policy could mean.

But first, we break down Donald Trump’s comments about NATO, and what it could mean for the alliance.

Then, too little government spending? Apparently, there’s an app for that. A reporter who has led the way on uncovering the story of ArriveCAN joins the program to break it all down.

And it’s been 10 years since the Liberal Senators became just the Senate Liberals. That shift kickstarted Senate reform — but the chamber may be in store for yet more transformation.

Plus — two MPs come together to talk about how they can co-operate across the aisle on cancer policy.

This episode features the voices of:

Defence Minister Bill Blair
Navdeep Singh, pharmacy owner
Marc-André Gagnon, associate professor, Carleton University
Bill Curry, Globe and Mail
Dan Albas, Conservative MP
Peter Schiefke, Liberal MP
...more
52min
February 10, 2024 Must fix: auto theft, online harms and health care
A car was stolen in Canada every five minutes in 2022. Some Canadians are unlucky enough to have it happen to them multiple times — the federal justice minister, for instance. It’s a growing problem, and this week The House takes a look at how the Liberals and Conservatives are vying to present the best solution.
Then, a year after a major national summit on health care, has the state of the system improved? The head of one of Canada’s most important health associations says there’s still a lot of work to do.
Plus — potential legislation on online harms has long been in the works, and there are certainly plenty of issues to tackle. Two experts break down the dizzying array of digital problems that require attention.
This episode features the voices of:
- Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc
- Joël-Denis Bellavance, LaPresse
- Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press
- Dr. Kathleen Ross, president, Canadian Medical Association
- Health Minister Mark Holland
- Emily Laidlaw, associate professor, University of Calgary
- Matt Hatfield, executive director, OpenMedia
...more
49min
February 03, 2024 Danielle Smith’s gender policies and the PM’s decrepit old house
Sweeping new rules on gender-related medical procedures, sex-ed and more have landed Alberta in the spotlight again this week. Two journalists break down the politics of Premier Danielle Smith’s controversial move.
Then, the federal government announced a three-year delay on the expansion of medical assistance in dying to those suffering solely from a mental illness. The House hears from someone who is deeply affected by the decision, and from politicians on both sides of the issue.
And — the prime minister’s traditional residence at 24 Sussex is in disrepair. But the organization responsible for maintaining the house says there’s been some progress — asbestos abated, mould removed and rodents evicted. But, as the CBC’s Jennifer Chevalier reports, there is no real plan for what comes next.
Plus — B.C.'s public health officer releases her assessment of the province's prescribed safer supply program. The province’s minister of mental health and addictions joins the program to discuss.
This episode features the voices of:
- Graham Thomson, freelance columnist
- Tonda MacCharles, parliamentary bureau chief, Toronto Star
- Ed Fast, Conservative MP
- Arif Virani, federal justice minister
- The CBC’s Jennifer Chevalier
- Jennifer Whiteside, B.C. mental health and addictions minister
...more
49min
January 27, 2024 Emergencies Act pushback, Tucker Carlson in Alberta, and farewell to Ed Broadbent
If you thought you’d heard the end of convoy politics, think again. The federal government’s argument that it was justified in using the Emergencies Act to dispel the convoy protests in early 2022 was dealt a blow this week. We speak with the former attorney general who helped invoke the act — and find out why he’s now leaving politics.
Then, two journalists dissect the politics of Tucker Carlson’s controversial tour of Alberta, where he sat down with Premier Danielle Smith.
We’ll also take a look at the government’s decision to cap study permits for international students — and the waves that will make in both the education community and provincial economies.
Plus — Ed Broadbent’s death has sparked some reflection over the NDP’s past, present and future. Two party strategists sit down to discuss where the party goes from here.
This episode features the voices of:
- David Lametti, Liberal MP and former minister of justice
- The CBC’s Jason Markusoff
- Shannon Proudfoot, Globe and Mail
- Alain Roy, vice-president, Colleges and Institutes of Canada
- Theo Argitis, Compass Rose Group
- Mike McKinnon, senior consultant, Enterprise Canada
- Melanie Richer, senior consultant, Earnscliffe Strategies
...more
54min
January 20, 2024 Canada's 'complicated dance' with China, and surviving Trump 2.0
Canada’s relationship with China has been tense for years. Can it be salvaged? And while diplomats are hard at work on that question, another major challenge looms: a potential second Trump term. The House tackles both those issues this week.
Then, freezing cold temperatures have sparked a renewed conversation on how Canada will keep the lights on in the future. We take an in-depth look at what role nuclear energy might play.
Plus — Canada’s political conversation is squarely focused on immigration and housing. Two journalists break down the political implications of this week’s developments.
This episode features:
- Jennifer May, Canada’s ambassador to China
- Rob Goodman, political science professor and author
- Laura Dawson, Executive Director, Future Borders Coalition
- The CBC’s Emma Godmere
- Stephanie Levitz, Toronto Star
- Laura Osman, The Canadian Press
...more
54min
January 13, 2024 Gaza immigration program sparks hope — and concern
A lot of questions surround the new special immigration program for some people stuck in Gaza: Why is Canada demanding such personal details? And can Canada actually get anyone out of the warzone, even if they’re approved to come here? The House will ask the immigration minister for answers. Plus, we’ll also dive deep into the issue of delays around family reunification programs.
Small businesses are anxiously facing a deadline to repay some pandemic-era loans — and some are wishing that the federal government will show more compassion. Two business owners — and then the minister responsible — sit down to discuss.
Finally, a bid by Florida to start bulk imports of Canadian prescription drugs has been described as a “raid” on this country’s drug supply. We’ll investigate how serious the threat is and what might happen next.
This episode includes the voices of:
- Marc Miller, federal immigration minister
- Angela O’Brien and Sara Anne Mailhot, small business owners
- The CBC’s Craig Desson
- Rechie Valdez, federal minister of small business
- Larry Levitt, health policy expert
...more
51min
January 06, 2024 Heartbreak and hope: Our special coverage of the toxic drug crisis
This week, The House brings you the most compelling interviews from this fall’s coverage of the toxic drug crisis: from recovering drug users, to mothers who’ve lost children to opioid overdoses, to law enforcement trying to keep up as politicians struggle for solutions.
...more
51min
December 30, 2023 How Parliament actually works
Parliament can be confusing. Here to help is The House’s guided tour of Parliament, where you’ll hear politicians of all stripes answering some questions about how the place actually works.
Five Carleton political science students joined host Catherine Cullen to wander the halls and learn about everything from Question Period to committees, from the people who live in that world every day.
...more
49min

FAQs about The House:

How many episodes does The House have?

The podcast currently has 557 episodes available.