Podcast
The House
Hosted by CBC · EN
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 in-depth interviews, documentaries and analysis of the week’s news — from across the political spectrum. Because democracy is a conversation, and we’re here for it.
28episodes
Episodes
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Is Canada losing too much of its farmland?
6d ago00:50:13Tap to summarizeThe House’s summer season focus on food security continues with a deep dive into the pressures on farmland — and the people who grow our food. Guest host Janyce McGregor speaks to the Stevens family, who turned down millions from developers to protect their farm for a thousand years. Tyler McCann of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute details where and how this land is being lost, while Ontario’s agriculture minister Trevor Jones explains the Ford government’s move to join other provinces’ ban on foreign ownership of farmland. Then, former farmer-turned-Saskatchewan-trade-minister Warren Kaeding reflects on the difficult decisions farmers make when it's time to pass on the family farm, and Farm Credit Canada’s Justine Hendricks outlines how the crown corporation is responding to the spike in land prices with more creative financing.And, Janyce McGregor speaks to three people who’ve experienced mental health challenges due to the extreme stress of managing precarious finances, unpredictable weather patterns and rural isolation. Stewart Skinner, Lesley Kelley and Gerry Friesen lay out what’s needed to help farmers manage the weight of the responsibility to feed the nation in turbulent times. This episode features the voices of:Charles Stevens, owner Wilmot OrchardsCourtney Stevens, cafe and social media manager for Wilmot OrchardsIan Parker, general manager of Wilmot OrchardsTyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy InstituteTrevor Jones, Ontario Minister of AgricultureWarren Kaeding, Saskatchewan Minister of Trade and Export DevelopmentJustine Hendricks, CEO of Farm Credit CanadaStewart Skinner, Ontario farmerGerry Friesen, author of The Recovering FarmerLesley Kelley, co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation
Transcribe →Alberta's pipeline: Slick politics or crude compromise?
2w ago00:47:14Tap to summarizeAlberta has formally proposed a pipeline to the southwest coast of British Columbia, in partnership with the federal government and a private company. The Globe and Mail’s Stephanie Levitz and CBC’s Anis Heydari join guest host Kate McKenna to discuss pipeline politics, the CUSMA deadline that came and went, and (of course!) Canada joining the Eurovision Song Contest. Plus, as the political barbecue season gets underway, The House’s Jennifer Chevalier kicks off The House’s summer series on food security with a documentary exploring the high cost of beef. A rancher explains why despite good cattle prices now it’s hard to have confidence in the future, a chef wonders why interprovincial trade barriers make it so hard to buy local meat, and a meat packer shows us around his abattoir and explains why he’s tapping into a government program that would help him ship meat to Canada’s north. This episode features the voices of:Stephanie Levitz, senior reporter with The Globe and Mail's Ottawa bureauAnis Heydari, CBC News business reporterKevin Grier, beef & cattle market analystBrenda Rosadiuk, cattle rancher at Rosadiuk RanchesTyler Fulton, president of the Canadian Cattle AssociationCalvin Vaags, CEO of True North FoodsLewis Robinson, owner of La Petite Primerose restaurantSarah Berger Richardson, food law professor at the University of OttawaMichael Coteau, Liberal MP & chair of the House of Commons agriculture committeeEric Patenaude, owner of Henderson’s Meats and Abattoir
Transcribe →Love It or List It, 24 Sussex
3w ago00:49:12Tap to summarizeIt's a week that embodied Carney's "build, baby, build" mantra. We started with the federal government announcing it will push to have three northern projects fast-tracked under the Building Canada Act, and ended with a new plan to refurbish 24 Sussex Drive — the prime minister's official residence. But could this derelict building be too politically radioactive to fix? Hill watchers Tonda MacCharles and Stuart Thomson break down whether Carney's plans for 24 Sussex will trigger a thorny political fight, and Canada is today on major projects.Plus, former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman tells The House what signals she will be looking for as the CUSMA negotiations continue and what she’s hearing from her contacts in the United States.And, the "unparliamentary" stories you've never heard about the House of Commons. From fist fights to sneaking a salmon into Question Period, author Charlie Feldman joins Catherine Cullen on Parliament Hill to explain the crazy, spicy history he details in his new book — and why he believes it's important to include in the story of Canada's democracy. This episode features the voices of:Tonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto StarStuart Thomson, parliamentary bureau chief for the National PostKirsten Hillman, Canada's former ambassador to the United StatesCharlie Feldman, author of Unparliamentary
Transcribe →Canada's fentanyl czar pushes back on U.S. claims
4w ago00:49:29Tap to summarizeOpioid overdose deaths are dropping in Canada, but there is still a long way to go. Canada’s Fentanyl Czar Kevin Brosseau is fresh back from meeting officials in Washington, he tells The House what worries him most about this public health crisis and why the increasingly small quantity of opioids crossing the border is still an irritant for the Americans. Plus, a special parliamentary committee says Ottawa should 'indefinitely exclude' people whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness from applying for medical assistance in dying — an idea that three Canadian senators vigorously oppose. Kristopher Wells, a member of the Progressive Senate Group, explains why he disagrees with the recommendation. Then we hear from BC Conservative MP Tamara Jansen on why MAID expansion should be stopped. And, if at first you don't succeed with your privacy bill: try, try again. The Liberals' third attempt at updating its privacy laws was tabled earlier this week, which includes a 'right to request deletion' and rules on personal data collection. House producer Derek Vanderwyk explains what's inside this key piece of legislation, then BlackBerry co-founder Jim Balsillie discusses whether it strikes the right balance on upholding Canadians' privacy without stymieing innovation.This episode features the voices of:Kevin Brosseau, Canada's fentanyl czarKristopher Wells, Canadian senatorTamara Jensen, Conservative MPDr. Francois Marquis, deepfake victimDr. Marla Shapiro, deepfake victimTamir Israel, Director of the Privacy, Surveillance & Technology Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties AssociationTeresa Scassa, Canada Research Chair in Information Law and Policy at the University of OttawaTaylor Owen, Beaverbrook Chair in Ethics, Media and Communications at McGill UniversityJim Balsillie, co-founder of BlackBerry
Transcribe →Canada vs. Social Media
Jun 1300:48:46Tap to summarizeThe federal government has unveiled the newest iteration of its online harms bill — legislation that proposes to ban children under 16 from having social media accounts, as well as putting new regulations on social media platforms and AI chatbots. When should Canadians expect to see changes? Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller joins The House to explain.Plus, the Gordie Howe bridge between Windsor, Ont and Detroit, Michigan was supposed to open this week, until American officials wanted a few more details sorted out. Is it just another pawn in the CUSMA negotiations? Should Canada make concessions to get the bridge open? Political Strategists Marci Surkes and Kate Harrison talk about the latest drama with the United States. And, before the iconic chamber of the Supreme Court of Canada closes for over a decade of renovations, The House sits down with Chief Justice Richard Wagner to talk about the court, politicization of the justice system and the impact of AI on Canada’s courtrooms. This episode features the voices of:Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture MinisterMarci Surkes, former senior advisor to Justin Trudeau and chief strategy officer at Compass RoseKate Harrison, Conservative strategist and vice chair at Summa StrategiesRichard Wagner, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Transcribe →Is Carney's strategy truly 'AI For All'?
Jun 600:49:01Tap to summarizeAfter a long wait, Canada's AI strategy has arrived — a document that encourages people to learn and adopt the technology in the hopes of creating 250,000 new jobs. Host Catherine Cullen speaks with AI experts and skeptics Jake Hirsch-Allen, Kristen Thomasen and Hamish van der Ven about what it means for employment, children’s safety and the environment. Then, Minister of AI Evan Solomon joins the program to explain why Canadians need to understand this technology despite their low trust in it.Plus, there seemed to be a little bit of movement in trade negotiations with the United States this week – despite more trolling from President Trump about Canada becoming the 51st state. Lisa Raitt is on the advisory committee on Canada-U.S. economic relations and tells The House what progress has been made as the July 1st deadline inches closer. And, in a wide ranging exit interview at Rideau Hall, outgoing Governor General Mary Simon tells Catherine Cullen why she wasn’t sure she would be able to finish her five years in the role and reflects on how Canada is doing on reconciliation and national unity. This episode features the voices of:Sumaiya Ahmed, librarian at the Toronto Public LibraryPrachi Salvi, director and marketing consultantJake Hirsch-Allen, director of partnerships at The DaisHamish van der Ven, associate professor at the University of British ColumbiaKristen Thomasen, chair in Law, Robotics, and Society at the University of WindsorEvan Solomon, Minister of AILisa Raitt, member of the Advisory Committee on Canada–U.S. Economic RelationsMary Simon, Governor General of Canada
Transcribe →Canada's making it rain on defence. Who gets the money?
May 3000:50:15Tap to summarizeThe House is on the ground at the country’s biggest defence and security show, for an in-depth look at Canada’s plan to spend big on the military. Catherine Cullen meets Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, former Defence Minister Peter MacKay, New Brunswick premier Susan Holt, as well as defence contractors to hear about unmanned fighter jets, AI in warfare, and whether Canada is prepared to tick off Donald Trump with some of its military purchases.Plus, former Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced his resignation from Parliament over concerns about Carney’s climate commitments. Parliament Hill watchers Paul Wells and Shannon Proudfoot discuss whether Guilbeault’s departure will hurt — or possibly help — the Prime Minister.And, in the days before the World Cup begins across North America, president of the Canada Border Services Agency Erin O’Gorman joins The House to discuss Canada’s new entry requirements over Ebola, and whether an increase in spending on the Canada-U.S. border has made it harder to get into the country.This episode features the voices of:Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence ProcurementPeter MacKay, former defence ministerSusan Holt, Premier of New BrunswickPaul Wells, author and podcasterShannon Proudfoot, feature writer for the Globe and MailErin O'Gorman, president of the Canada Border Services Agency
Transcribe →Alberta calls a referendum on holding a referendum
May 2300:50:22Tap to summarizeAlberta Premier Danielle Smith has a plan: Hold a referendum in October to decide whether to push for a legally binding referendum on independence in the future. Confused? Host Catherine Cullen has it covered. Pro-separation lawyer Keith Wilson and federalist champion Thomas Lukaszuk will share their thoughts on Smith's decision. And the godfather of Prairie populism, former Reform Party leader Preston Manning, weighs in on the vote.Plus, environmental groups are concerned about Canada's climate commitments after Carney signed an agreement with Alberta that could usher in a new oil pipeline. Is the Prime Minister simply being pragmatic or has he largely given up the fight against climate change? Current and former climate advisors Michael Bernstein and Simon Donner explain their opposing reactions to Carney's new deal.And, Conservative MP Michael Chong went to Taiwan this week… specifically because Chinese officials warned Canadian parliamentarians not to go. Chong talks to The House about his defiant trip, his hopes of shoring up peace in the region and whether he believes his travel could hurt Canada’s growing economic ties to Beijing.This episode features the voices of:Keith Wilson, pro-separation lawyerThomas Lukaszuk, leader of the Forever Canadian petitionPreston Manning, former leader of the Reform Party of CanadaMichael Bernstein, CEO of Clean ProsperitySimon Donner, climate scientist and professor at the University of British ColumbiaMichael Chong, Conservative MP
Transcribe →Ottawa and Alberta pencil in a pipeline date
May 1600:50:18Tap to summarizeAlberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney have made another stride in their important MOU: A new carbon pricing agreement that is far less than the targets set by Justin Trudeau. Is the deal enough to calm down separatists? Could it anger environmentalists within Carney's team? Ottawa bureau chiefs Tonda MacCharles of the Toronto Star and Stuart Thomson of the National Post lay out the stakes.Plus, the House takes an in-depth look at whether the government should ban social media accounts for kids. We visit a high school to hear how teenagers feel about a ban; Anxious Generation research partner Ravi Iyer lays out what’s at stake if restrictions are not put in place; Meta’s Rachel Curran defends the company’s practices; tech company CEO Steve Borza describes how age verification technology works (or doesn’t); then Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew explains how his province’s social media and AI Chatbot ban for kids could work. This episode features the voices of:Stuart Thomson, parliamentary bureau chief for the National PostTonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto StarRavi Iyer, managing director of the University of Southern California Marshall School’s Neely Center and research partner with the Anxious Generation MovementRachel Curran, head of public policy for Meta CanadaSteve Borza, CEO of Bluink LtdWab Kinew, premier of Manitoba
Transcribe →What the heck is going on in Alberta?
May 900:48:39Tap to summarizeAlberta is experiencing a political earthquake after the provincial NDP claimed they had a video showing a separatist organizer showing people how to use a database that included leaked voter information. The House Party podcast team — Catherine Cullen, Daniel Thibeault and Jason Markusoff — reunite to discuss the fallout and how seriously Carney needs to take the separatist movement.And, in a rare and wide-ranging interview the director of Canada’s spy agency, Dan Rogers, sits down with host Catherine Cullen to talk about foreign interference in Alberta, the presence of the IRGC in Canada, and what the government’s efforts to re-engage with India and China mean for Canadian security. Plus, you've probably heard of Kalshi and Polymarket — online platforms that let users effectively bet on just about anything, even Canadian politics. Now, two Canadian companies have gotten regulatory approval to launch their own prediction markets. Werner Antweiler, an associate professor at UBC and national security expert Wesley Wark join The House to discuss whether these markets could exacerbate gambling concerns and if they pose a risk to Canadians' security.This episode features the voices of:Daniel Thibeault, parliamentary bureau chief for Radio-Canada and host of Les Coulisses du PouvoirJason Markusoff, CBC CalgaryDan Rogers, director of the Canadian Security Intelligence ServiceWerner Antweiler, associate professor at the UBC Sauder School of BusinessWesley Wark, senior fellow at at the Centre for International Governance Innovation
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