The House

Prime Minister Mark Carney is gearing up for a critical G7 meeting with leaders of the world’s most powerful democracies on his home turf in Alberta — but the renewed conflict between Iran and Israel could shake up the agenda. Catherine Cullen sits down with Anita Anand for her first interview as foreign affairs minister to discuss the airstrikes, the upcoming meeting and how close Canada is to reaching a deal with the United States.

Plus, Jason Stanley, an American facism expert who’s moving to Canada over concerns about the Trump administration, joins The House to argue why he thinks the U.S. is no longer a democracy — and how world leaders should treat the U.S. president. Then, former G7 sherpa Senator Peter Boehm pulls back the curtain on what Trump is like in world meetings.

After that, former Conservative leader and officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Erin O’Toole comments on Mark Carney’s plans for military spending. Finally, as a number of Conservatives have applauded the Carney government’s moves, writer Paul Wells and Globe and Mail columnist Shannon Proudfoot discuss: Is Mark Carney a C(c)onservative?

This episode features the voices of:

• Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Jason Stanley, author of Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future
• Peter Boehm, Canadian senator and former G7 sherpa
• Erin O’Toole, former Conservative leader
• Shannon Proudfoot, columnist for The Globe and Mail
• Paul Wells, author and podcaster

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced Canada will increase defence spending to 2% of GDP, meeting our NATO commitment 5 years earlier than expected. After a decade of nudging, foreign allies are celebrating the military investment. But where exactly will the extra $9.3 billion come from? Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault analyze the strategy behind the sudden funding increase, the government’s capacity to move quickly, and what might end up getting left behind.

Correction: At the 25:45 mark in this episode, Catherine Cullen says the government has to spend money on programs such as the Canada Pension Plan. The CPP is in fact funded not by the government but by employers and employees who pay into it.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberals unveiled several new pieces of legislation to boost Canada’s economy and strengthen its security. Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland joins the show to explain the government’s plan to scrap federal interprovincial trade barriers — and if it will really be that easy to create ‘one Canadian economy.’

Plus, after Carney met with Canada’s premiers to chart out major national projects, Yiota Kokkinos, a former director general at Natural Resources Canada and Andrew Leach, an energy economist discuss which projects should be prioritized.

Then, David Reevely, an Ottawa correspondent for The Logic, breaks down concerns over the Liberal government’s proposed legislation that would give federal authorities sweeping new border security powers.

After that, young Canadian jobseekers Riley Locke and Mel Purchase tell The House why it’s hard for young people to find jobs these days. Then, Ilona Dougherty, co-creator of the Youth & Innovation Project at the University of Waterloo, explains why and what it means for Canada’s economy. Finally, Minister of Jobs Patty Hajdu explains what the government is doing to respond.

Finally, former cabinet minister and first Canadian in space Marc Garneau died this week after a brief illness. The House delves into the archives to replay part of his last interview with the program, recorded on location last year in the Canadian Space and Aviation Museum.

This episode features the voices of:

• Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
• Yiota Kokkinos, former director general of Natural Resources Canada
• Andrew Leach, energy economist at the University of Alberta
• David Reevely, Ottawa correspondent for The Logic
• Riley Locke, young jobseeker
• Mel Purchase, young jobseeker
• Ilona Dougherty, co-creator and managing director of the Youth & Innovation Project at the University of Waterloo
• Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs
• Marc Garneau, former cabinet minister and first Canadian in space

It was a love-in at the First Ministers’ meeting in Saskatoon this week, with the premiers and territorial leaders saying “it felt like Christmas” as they discussed national infrastructure projects – as a group – for the first time in years. But despite all the good vibes, the meeting ended without a clear project list. So what’s next? How much will actually get built, and how long will this unity among the first ministers last? Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault parse out the possible nation-building presents to come.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberal is government is planning to speed up approvals for resource projects deemed to be in the national interest — but there are already concerns over the environment and Indigenous treaty rights. Host Catherine Cullen talks to the Alberta Chambers of Commerce CEO and two First Nations chiefs about Carney’s plan and who’s at risk of getting left behind.

Then, provincial and territorial premiers gear up up for a key meeting with Carney in Saskatoon. Can this meeting reset the federal-provincial relationship? Two legislature reporters from Ontario and Alberta weigh in.

Finally, The House delves into what we know about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s plan to get the federal government back into the business of building homes with housing experts Mike Moffat and Steve Pomeroy, then Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow weighs in on whether the Liberal goal of building a half a million homes a year is realistic.

This episode features the voices of:

• Shauna Feth, president and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce
• Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in Alberta
• Chief Gary Quisess of Neskantaga First Nation
• Robert Benzie, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief for the Toronto Star
• Ryan Jespersen, host of Real Talk
• Mike Moffat, founding director of the University of Ottawa's "Missing Middle Initiative"
• Steve Pomeroy, housing research policy consultant
• Olivia Chow, mayor of Toronto

King Charles spent a whirlwind 24 hours in Ottawa at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney, capped off by his delivery of the Speech from the Throne. It was the first time a sovereign had delivered the throne speech in nearly 5 decades, and many saw this as a chance for the King to affirm Canada’s sovereignty and independence, in the face of 51st-state threats from Donald Trump. But could one speech possibly deliver on that hope? And what did the King’s visit actually accomplish? Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault wade through the pomp and circumstance for some answers of substance.

There’s an air of excitement in Ottawa as it prepares for King Charles III to arrive and deliver the speech from the throne, which lays out the Liberal government’s plan and priorities. His visit is also widely seen as pushback against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to turn Canada into the 51st state. 

But according to the new U.S. ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, that saga is over and Canada should move on. He sits with Catherine Cullent to discuss that and the next steps in the Canada-U.S. relationship.

Plus, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Canada of emboldening Hamas, a Middle East expert joins The House to talk about if there’s been a shift in Canadian-Israeli relations. 

Then, a constitutional expert, a royal watcher, an Indigenous leader and members of Quebec’s sovereignty parties talk about what message King Charles’ speech will send to Trump — or whether the whole thing ultimately means nothing to the U.S. president.

Finally, the parliamentary bureau chief of the National Post and the Ottawa bureau chief of La Presse explain what to look for in the government’s to-do list.

This episode features the voices of:

• Pete Hoekstra, U.S. ambassador to Canada
• Thomas Juneau, University of Ottawa political science professor
• Patricia Treble, royal watcher
• Philippe Lagassé, Carleton University political science professor
• Perry Bellegarde, former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations
• Pascal Bérubé, Parti Québécois MNA
• Catherine Gentilcore, Parti Québécois MNA
• Ruba Ghazal, Québec solidaire MNA
• Stuart Thomson, National Post parliamentary bureau chief
• Joel-Denis Bellavance, La Presse Ottawa bureau chief

Mark Carney won the Canadian election on a promise to deal with Donald Trump – to quash his tariffs and threats about the 51st state. But with big domestic issues rearing their heads, from a looming Canada Post strike to threats of an Alberta succession referendum and growing demands from premiers – should Trump still top the PM’s to-do list? Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault debate what issues Carney should tackle first.

Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his new cabinet this week, but he won’t be unveiling a budget this year — a move that drew plenty of criticism from his opponents. Newly appointed Industry Minister Melanie Joly joins The House to discuss the decision and weighs in on the new government’s other economic priorities. Then, two Hill watchers offer their takes on whether Carney’s cabinet picks deliver on his promise for change.

Plus, weeks after the election, dramatic recounts are still underway in a handful of ridings, and those results could shake up the House of Commons even further. An elections expert explains what’s happening and whether the flip-flopping risks undermining confidence in elections.

Finally, measles cases are rising in some parts of the country and provinces are under fire for not doing enough to keep the public better informed. Two doctors talk to Catherine Cullen about what can happen when politics and a deadly disease collide.

This episode features the voices of:

• Melanie Joly, Minister of Industry
• Shannon Proudfoot, writer for The Globe and Mail’s Ottawa bureau
• Paul Wells, author and podcaster
• Holly Ann Garnett, associate professor of the Royal Military College of Canada
• Dr. James Talbot, former Chief Medical Officer of Health for Alberta
• Dr. Kumanan Wilson, Chief Scientific Officer of Bruyère Health Research Institute

When Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his cabinet Tuesday morning, many political watchers were looking for evidence of change. And while a handful of high-profile MPs stayed put, there are 24 new names at the cabinet table, 13 of whom are also new to Parliament. The mantra from the PM is “fresh perspectives”. But is it the right team to deliver on Carney’s big promises? Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault dive into who’s in and who’s out, and why it matters.