The House

It was a speech heard around the world. In front of global leaders, Prime Minister Mark Carney laid bare Canada's new foreign policy vision: Middle powers need to team up — or they'll be on the menu for hegemons like Russia, China and the United States.

Two former diplomats — American Ambassador Tom Shannon, who at one point held the third-highest rank in the U.S. foreign service, and Canadian Senator Peter Boehm, who has served as a G7 sherpa — discuss the significance of the Carney doctrine and whether Canada will pay a price for standing up to Donald Trump. 

Then, former Republican Senator Jeff Flake talks to The House about what it will take for some members of his party to stand up to Trump and whether Carney’s speech is resonating in the United States. Plus, Germany's ambassador to Canada Tjorven Bellmann explains what her country thinks about Carney's call to action.

There's also a question of what actions Carney will take to match his words. Catherine Cullen asks International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu what the government plans to do next and how its trade diversification efforts are going.

Finally, after turning heads in Davos, Prime Minister Carney gave a second, Canadian-focused speech at the cabinet retreat in Quebec City — which has furrowed some brows at home. CBC’s Aaron Wherry lays out the domestic reverberations of Carney’s two speeches.

This episode features the voices of:

• Tom Shannon, former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.
• Peter Boehm, Canadian senator and former G7 sherpa
• Jeff Flake, former Republican senator for Arizona
• Tjorven Bellmann, Germany's ambassador to Canada
• Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade
• Aaron Wherry, senior writer for CBC Politics

Prime Minister Mark Carney's trade deal with China has sent a jolt through Canada and beyond. In exchange for allowing more Chinese-made electric vehicles to enter the Canadian market, Beijing has agreed to lower duties on some agricultural and seafood products. 

Catherine Cullen first speaks with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew about what the deal means for his province; then former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole discusses the risks of a closer relationship with China; and Business Council of Canada CEO Goldy Hyder discusses the PM’s possible calculus behind the deal.

Plus, Carney is not the first prime minister to try to improve Canada’s relationship with China. From Trudeau Sr. to Trudeau Jr., Jia Wang of the University of Alberta’s China Institute and former ambassador Guy Saint-Jacques chart the highs and lows of bilateral relations and tensions; then Politico’s Phelim Kine breaks down the Trump administration’s reaction to Carney calling China a “more predictable partner” than the U.S. 

Also: François Legault is stepping down as premier of Quebec mere months ahead of a provincial election that polls suggest could be won by the separatist Parti Québécois. Philip Authier of the Montreal Gazette and Daniel Thibeault, Ottawa bureau chief for Radio-Canada, discuss whether Legault's decision throws a wrench in the PQ's plans for a referendum.

This episode features the voices of:

• Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba
• Erin O'Toole, former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
• Goldy Hyder, CEO of the Business Council of Canada
• Jia Wang, senior fellow at the China Institute at the University of Calgary
• Guy Saint-Jacques, former Canadian ambassador to China
• Phelim Kine, Washington-based China correspondent for POLITICO
• Philip Authier, National Assembly reporter for the Montreal Gazette
• Daniel Thibeault, parliamentary bureau chief for Radio-Canada and host of Les Coulisses du Pouvoir

We're less than two weeks into 2026, and Canada is starting the year staring down sudden new threats to its economy — and its security. After a surprise operation to establish a foothold in oil-rich Venezuela, U.S. President Donald Trump is now emphasizing his aspirations for Greenland.

Host Catherine Cullen speaks with two national security veterans — Jody Thomas, former national security adviser to the prime minister, and Retired Gen. Wayne Eyre, former chief of defence staff — about their concerns for Canada’s sovereignty and security in this new chapter of the Trump era.

Plus, The same day the U.S. launched its military operation in Venezuela, the wife of one of Trump's top advisers warned on social media that "the U.S. doesn't need anything from Canada. Free trade is over." How true is that, ahead of critical trade negotiations? House producer Jennifer Chevalier speaks to former officials and trade experts to understand the rocky road ahead.

Finally, why did it take Chrystia Freeland days to announce her resignation as an MP, after news broke she’d be advising the Ukrainian government? And does her exit from the Hill finally set the stage for a slew of anticipated byelections? Political insiders Marci Surkes and Kate Harrison weigh in on the state of play.

This episode features the voices of:

• Jody Thomas, former national security adviser to Justin Trudeau
• Retired general Wayne Eyre, formerly Canada's chief of the defence staff
• Fen Osler Hampson, co-chair of Expert Group of Canada-U.S. Relations
• Laura Dawson, executive director of the Future Borders Coalition
• RJ Johnston, director of energy and natural resources policy at the University of Calgary
• Kate Kalutkiewicz, former U.S. trade negotiator
• Marci Surkes, former senior advisor to Justin Trudeau and chief strategy officer at Compass Rose
• Kate Harrison, Conservative strategist and vice chair at Summa Strategies

This week, The House revisits an in-depth documentary from the summer, as NATO’s secretary general has warned Russia could launch an attack on the alliance within the next five years. Talk to NATO’s two newest members, Finland and Sweden, and they’ll tell you preparation involves a lot more than just boosting military spending. 

As Canada seeks to strengthen ties with both countries, what can we learn from our newest NATO allies about preparing for the worst? Supported by the R. James Travers Foreign Corresponding Fellowship, CBC's Emma Godmere travelled to the two Nordic countries to visit bomb shelters, the Russian border and military training grounds north of the Arctic Circle to see and hear how Finns and Swedes are steeling themselves for whatever the future may bring.

This episode features the voices of: 

• Elina Valtonen, Finland’s minister of foreign affairs
• Viktoria Hjort Malmer, defence policy director at Sweden’s Ministry of Defence
• Janne Kuusela, director general, defence policy department at Finland’s Ministry of Defence
• Antti Virta, deputy commander, Southeast Finland Border Guard District
• Samuel Siljanen, head of operations, Southeast Finland Border Guard District
• Lt.-Col. Mikael Dalin, Swedish Army
• Lt.-Col. Jukka Vuorisalmi, Finnish Army
• Nina Järvenkylä, Helsinki City Rescue Department
• Harri Mikkola, programme director for Finnish foreign policy, northern European security and NATO at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs
• Niklas Granholm, deputy director of studies, Swedish Defence Research Agency
• Sara Myrdal, director of international affairs, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
• and residents of Lappeenranta, Rovaniemi, and Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden

This week on The House: Three Parliament Hill watchers square off against each other to see who can remember the most from a very eventful and consequential year in Canadian politics.

After eight years in Washington, Canada's U.S. ambassador Kirsten Hillman is coming home. Over that time, she has seen Canada's relationship with the United States transform, for better and for worse. As she prepares to step down from her ambassadorship, she explains in an extended interview with host Catherine Cullen how she’s built critical connections in the U.S. capital — and whether she believes there’s a limit to what Trump can do.

Plus, author and former presidential speechwriter David Frum believes the American empire is in decline. He reflects on what Canadian democracy can learn from this moment and why he believes a stronger sense of national pride is critical for Canada’s future.

This episode features the voices of:

• Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the United States
• David Frum, staff writer with The Atlantic

'Twas the evening before the Liberal holiday party, when all through the House… Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. And then, a Christmas surprise that sent the Conservatives awry: Markham—Unionville MP Michael Ma announced he was crossing the floor to join Prime Minister Mark Carney. 

His move brings the Liberal government within one seat of a majority. Are the Conservatives sweating this? Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman joins The House to discuss whether Pierre Poilievre's leadership is under threat.

Then, as some provinces flirt with giving the private sector a greater role in health care, will the federal government push back? Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel joins host Catherine Cullen to discuss — and weighs in on the impact the “Make America Healthy Again” movement is having in this country.

Plus, the Liberals introduced yet another tough-on-crime bill — this time aimed at stronger penalties for crimes against women and children. Lawyer and University of Ottawa visiting professor Kate Kehoe digs into whether the proposed law will actually make women safer.

Finally, from possible pipelines to potential referendums, there’s a lot stirring in the federation lately. The House checks in with former premiers Jason Kenney and Andrew Furey to get their take on the state of our nation.

This episode features the voices of:

• Melissa Lantsman, deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
• Dr. Mundeesh Kaur, a foreign trained physician from India
• Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health
• Kate Kehoe, lawyer and University of Ottawa visiting professor
• Jason Kenney, former premier of Alberta
• Andrew Furey, former premier of Newfoundland & Labrador.

Canadians got to see their 2026 World Cup opponents during the group draw this week in Washington — and Prime Minister Mark Carney got to see U.S. President Donald Trump in-person once again as trade talks remain frozen. 

Did their meeting give any indication of progress? Parliament Hill Watchers Stephanie Levitz and Joël-Denis Bellavance dig into the rendezvous and other simmering political challenges for the prime minister, like what to do next with his cabinet.

After that, housing experts Mike Moffat and Carolyn Whitzman join The House to discuss whether the Liberals are meeting their election promises after a new report says Carney’s marquee housing initiative won’t amount to many new homes. Plus, Conservative housing critic Scott Aitchison breaks down his party’s point of view on the issue.

Finally, fresh off his time as Canada’s representative to the United Nations, Bob Rae tells Catherine Cullen about his decades-long political career, his views on Trump’s lasting impact and the parallels he sees between this geopolitical moment and George Orwell’s 1984.

This episode features the voices of:

• Stephanie Levitz, senior reporter for the Globe and Mail
• Joël-Denis Bellavance, Ottawa bureau chief for La Presse
• Peter Davoust, Vancouver resident
• Mike Moffat, founding director of the University of Ottawa’s “Missing Middle Initiative”
• Carolyn Whitzman, adjunct professor at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities
• Bob Rae, Canada’s former UN ambassador

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed an agreement this week paving a path for an oil pipeline — a move that ended up costing Carney a cabinet minister and key ally in Quebec. 

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc joins The House to discuss Steven Guilbeault’s resignation and how Canada plans to address the frustrated B.C. government and coastal First Nations. Then, Catherine Cullen asks B.C. Premier David Eby whether he believes this pipeline will really happen without his province’s consent.

Plus, as the dust settles on the Alberta agreement, political strategists Marci Surkes, Erika Barootes and Matthew Dubé discuss the political fallout of the deal and what it means for the fortunes of the Conservatives and the NDP.

Finally, Canada is the latest country to cut back on foreign aid. Recently back from Afghanistan, War Child Canada President Dr. Samantha Nutt describes seeing an “unprecedented” level of global suffering and whether she believes the Liberals are giving up on feminist foreign policy.

This episode features the voices of:

• Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
• Marci Surkes, former senior advisor to Justin Trudeau and chief strategy officer at Compass Rose
• Erika Barootes, Conservative commentator and former principal secretary to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
• Matthew Dubé, former Quebec NDP MP and vice-president of Proof Strategies
• David Eby, Premier of B.C.
• Samantha Nutt, president of War Child Canada

As Ukraine faces crucial decisions for the future of its four-year fight to defeat Russia’s full-scale invasion, several nations are gathering in Canada for the Halifax International Security Forum to discuss the importance of democracy — including high-profile critics of the Kremlin.

One of those dissidents, Vladimir Kara-Murza, was sentenced to 25 years in a Siberian gulag for criticizing Putin’s war on Ukraine. He joins The House to discuss the war in Ukraine, the possibility of a Russian democracy and why he won’t stop advocating for political prisoners who are still behind bars.

Then, former chess grandmaster and Putin-critic Garry Kasparov tells host Catherine Cullen why he’s just as concerned about the prospects for democracy in the United States as in Russia. 

Plus, the King and Queen of Sweden were in Ottawa this week as part of a charm offensive as the Nordic country pitches Canada on its Gripen fighter jet. Meanwhile, the home of the F35 maker, the United States, isn’t pleased that Canada’s been distracted by a new suitor. CBC’s Murray Brewster joins The House to break down the drama.

After that, Vancouver area MP and former environment minister Jonathan Wilkinson weighs in on whether he could support lifting the federal tanker ban to ship more bitumen from B.C.'s coast as Ottawa and Alberta work away at a pipeline agreement.

Finally, Canada’s victims of crime advocate Benjamin Roebuck explains why he believes survivors of sexual violence are being systemically betrayed by the criminal justice system, detailing how allegations are often disbelieved and cases are regularly delayed or dropped.

This episode features the voices of:

• Vladimir Kara-Murza, vice-president of the Free Russia Foundation
• Garry Kasparov, founder and chairman of the Renew Democracy Initiative
• Murray Brewster, CBC News’ senior defence correspondent
• Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal MP for North Vancouver-Capilano
• Benjamin Roebuck, federal ombudsperson for victims of crime