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At Issue

Cut through the spin with Canada’s top political journalists. Host Rosemary Barton and columnists Althia Raj, Chantal Hébert and Andrew Coyne break down the week’s biggest political stories shaping the country. Brought to you by CBC News: The National. New episodes drop every Friday.

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Episodes

Will there be fallout from the budget vote?

The Liberals get their budget passed, but will there be fallout from the vote? Alberta’s push for a pipeline and exemptions to B.C.’s oil tanker ban. And U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra says restarting trade talks ‘won’t be easy.’ Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Nov 21, 202523 min

Can Carney make Canada an energy superpower?

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveils the next round of nation-building projects he says will transform Canada’s economy. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tries to move past party struggles. And François Legault’s fight with Quebec doctors. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Nov 14, 202524 min

Is Pierre Poilievre’s leadership in trouble?

Questions surface about Pierre Poilievre’s leadership after one Conservative MP crosses the floor and another resigns. Prime Minister Mark Carney looks for the votes to support his federal budget. And Canada’s plan to slash immigration levels. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Nov 07, 202524 min

Carney’s 1st budget

At Issue special edition: Prime Minister Mark Carney unveils a budget meant to kickstart the Canadian economy. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Nov 05, 20259 min

Canada-U.S. trade negotiations go off the rails

Canada-U.S. trade negotiations go off the rails after an anti-tariff ad angers Trump. Parties accuse each other of trying to force an election over the budget. And was Alberta justified in using the notwithstanding clause to get teachers back to work? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Althia Raj and Jason Markusoff.

Oct 31, 202525 min

Carney hints at ‘sacrifices’ in the next budget

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney drops hints that ‘sacrifices’ are coming in the upcoming federal budget. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tries to clarify his Trudeau jail time comments. Plus, Canada’s warming relations with India. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Oct 24, 202524 min

Cracks in Canada’s united front on tariffs?

At Issue this week: How will the federal government keep a united front as tariff turmoil pits premiers against each other? The Liberals move on bail reform. And Pierre Poilievre accuses the RCMP of protecting Justin Trudeau from criminal charges. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Oct 17, 202522 min

Carney meets Trump in Washington – again

At Issue special edition: Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with U.S. President Donald Trump to try and reach a deal on tariffs. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Oct 08, 20258 min

Alberta pushes for a West-Coast pipeline

At Issue this week: Danielle Smith announces her province's proposal for a west-coast pipeline despite pushback from British Columbia. More candidates enter the race for NDP Leadership and share their vision for the party's revival. And the Liberals announce another office and CEO to oversee major government policies.. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Oct 03, 202523 min

Liberal plan to save Canada Post sparks backlash

At Issue this week: Canada Post workers go back on strike after the Liberals unveil a plan to save it from its ‘existential crisis.’ The Conservatives call for the public safety minister to be fired over leaked gun buyback comments. And Prime Minister Mark Carney tries to find more trade allies. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Sep 26, 202524 min

What does Carney need from Mexico?

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney goes to Mexico to try and shore up a new trade partnership. Chrystia Freeland and David Lametti leave the Liberal team. And the federal government asks the Supreme Court to limit how provinces use the notwithstanding clause. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Sep 19, 202523 min

Pierre Poilievre returns to the House

At Issue special edition: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre returns to the House of Commons after winning his Alberta by-election, facing off with Prime Minister Mark Carney for the first time in Parliament. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Sep 16, 202511 min

Carney’s infrastructure fast track

At Issue this week: What the first projects on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approval fast track signal about the government’s direction. MPs prepare to return to Parliament , but have the dynamics shifted? And Conservatives target the Temporary Foreign Workers program. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Sep 12, 202523 min

David Suzuki warns Carney, too, is ‘trapped by the system’ (via Front Burner)

Mark Carney’s Canada-first political plan still puts the Earth last, argues David Suzuki, and that’s “moral and economic madness.” After more than four decades of activism and advocacy, Suzuki is one of the most renowned and respected voices in the environmental movement. So when he says it's too late to stop climate change, people take notice. And that's now exactly what he's saying. He's delivering this message as Prime Minister Mark Carney's government focuses on fast-tracking major projects ...

Jul 18, 202531 min

Carney bulldozes his nation-building bill through Parliament

The podcast explores Prime Minister Mark Carney's legislative agenda, particularly his contentious nation-building bill (C5), raising concerns about its speed, vagueness, and potential to bypass parliamentary oversight. It also examines Canada's evolving foreign policy, including the G7 outcomes, new relationships with India, and defense spending commitments, framed by Carney's "CEO of Canada" approach. Finally, the discussion assesses Pierre Poilievre's declining poll numbers, his attempts to redefine his political image, and the challenges he faces heading into the summer.

Jun 20, 202522 min

What Carney’s G7 invite list says about his priorities

At Issue this week: Minister Mark Carney invites Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the G7 summit. Canada gets a defence spending boost. And how close are we to a trade deal with the U.S.? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Jun 13, 202522 min

Carney and Trump hold private tariff talks

At Issue this week: Sources tell CBC/Radio-Canada that Carney and Trump have shared private calls and texts about tariffs. Premiers pitch their infrastructure projects to the prime minister. And does a new border security bill go too far? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

Jun 06, 202524 min

Canada caught in Trump tariff uncertainty

At Issue this week: How will another week of back-and-forth on tariffs from the U.S. change Canada’s negotiating position? The changing dynamics in the House under a new government. Plus, the prime minister looks to sell his plans to the premiers. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.

May 30, 202523 min
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