Canada is experiencing a record-breaking wildfire season, and this week the blazes forced evacuations of Yellowknife and parts of Kelowna, among other communities. Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal talks about the particular challenges people in northern and remote communities face when it comes to wildfires. The House also explores the effect Meta’s block of news on Facebook and Instagram in Canada is having on the local news industry. Two journalists explain why the Conservatives have jumped ahead in the polls and what the Liberals might do about it at a cabinet retreat next week. Plus — Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin takes the CBC’s Jennifer Chevalier on a tour of her Quebec riding to talk military history, sovereignty — and hot air balloons.

Thousands flee as record wildfire season continues

Making sense of the political decisions that affect your life. Every Saturday, host Catherine Cullen takes you to Parliament Hill — and across Canada — for in-depth coverage and analysis of the week’s major political news.

News

Politics

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 DyerPublic Safety Minister Dominic LeBlancShannon Proudfoot, Globe and MailChristopher Nardi, The National Post Leslie McBain, co-founder, Moms Stop the HarmAlexa Loo, city councillor, RichmondSujit Choudhry, constitutional lawyer, Haki ChambersLindsay Board, partner, Daniel Brown Law Geoffrey Sigalet, associate professor, UBC Okanagan

Alleged hit squad arrested, and chaos in the House

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 ChampagneJean Marc Leclerc, president and CEO, Honda CanadaRufino Varea, Scientist Coalition for an Effective Plastic TreatyMarian Ledesma, Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk, president of Inuit Circumpolar Council CanadaAllen Langdon, CEO, Circular MaterialsEli Browne, director of corporate sustainability, Sobeys; Inger Andersen, head of the UN Environment Programme

Trash talking: High-stakes UN plastics negotiations unfold in Ottawa

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 UniversityBarry Schwartz, executive vice president, Baskin Wealth Management Edward Faruzel, executive director, KW AccessAbilitySameer Zuberi, parliamentary secretary to the minister of diversity, inclusion and persons with disabilitiesThe CBC’s Allison DempsterConservative MP Kevin WaughJeremy Luke, president and CEO, Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport 

A new tax on the rich, a long awaited pipeline, and a crisis in sports betting

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 CSISCampbell Clark, The Globe and Mail Jen Gerson, The Line

Get off my lawn! The fed-prov home building battle

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 FreelandMichael Bernstein, executive director, Clean ProsperityNicholas Rivers, associate professor, University of OttawaU.S. Ambassador David CohenU.K. High Commissioner Susannah GoshkoThe CBC’s Janyce McGregor

Thousands flee as record wildfire season continues

Download our free app to listen on your phone