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.
25episodes
Episodes
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Canada's fentanyl czar pushes back on U.S. claims
5d 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
2w ago00:48:46Tap 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'?
3w ago00:49:01Tap 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?
4w ago00:50:15Tap 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
Transcribe →What Ottawa's economic update means for your wallet
May 200:52:29Tap to summarizeThis week, the Carney government released its first spring economic update — which painted a better-than-expected picture of Canada's finances despite a long U.S. trade war and instability in the Middle East.The question on many Canadians' minds is: How does this update help them? Host Catherine Cullen visits an Ottawa grocery store to hear from owner Eli Njaim and his customers about the rising cost of food. Then, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne explains what the government's latest spending plan does to alleviate the affordability crisis.Also in the update is a new "national savings and investment account” that will help grow wealth for future generations of Canadians. The Conservatives are calling it a “Sovereign Debt Fund.” Bloomberg News’ Laura Dhillon Kane and Mark Rendell of The Globe and Mail break down what the new fund is — and if it will work. And, bestselling historian and fascism expert Timothy Snyder joins The House to discuss how Canada is navigating the Trump presidency, the risks of American influence in Alberta’s sovereigntist circles, and the health of Canadian democracy. This episode features the voices of:Eli Njaim, owner of Mid-East Food CentreFrançois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of FinanceLaura Dhillon Kane, Ottawa bureau chief for Bloomberg NewsMark Rendell, economics reporter for the Globe and MailTimothy Snyder, historian and bestselling author
Transcribe →Bonus: How is Canada weathering economic uncertainty?
Apr 2800:59:53Tap to summarizeAs Prime Minister Mark Carney fleshes out his vision for how Canada might weather economic uncertainty with the government’s spring economic update, co-hosts Catherine Cullen and John Northcott speak to politicians, experts and voters from the centre of this week’s action on Parliament Hill.
Transcribe →What exactly is Canada's U.S. trade strategy?
Apr 2500:50:16Tap to summarizeIn a week where trade irritants were on full display between Canada and the United States, Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a new crew he wants to advise him on Canada's economic relationship with America. Former Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole and former Liberal minister and Canadian UK High Commissioner Ralph Goodale have been drafted to that lineup and join The House to talk about how this team of rivals is going to work. Plus, Carney's announcement came days after he posted a ten-minute video on YouTube declaring Canada's economic ties to the U.S. a "weakness" that must be corrected. Since that post, the prime minister gained half a million views and tens of thousands of subscribers. Former advertising advisor to Stephen Harper, Dennis Matthews and former digital strategist for Justin Trudeau, Dave Sommer unpack Carney’s media strategy and discuss whether Canadians will continue to like and subscribe, or click away. And, at a live panel organized by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Catherine Cullen sits down with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson and the chair of the Council of the Federation PEI Premier Rob Lantz to talk about working with Prime Minister Mark Carney, interprovincial trade, and what all of Canada’s provinces and territories can agree on. This episode features the voices of:Erin O’Toole, former leader of the Conservative Party of CanadaRalph Goodale, former Liberal cabinet minister and Canadian High Commissioner to the United KingdomDennis Matthews, president of Creative Currency and former advertising advisor to prime minister Stephen HarperDave Sommer, senior vice-president of marketing and communications for UHN Foundation, former deputy director of communications for prime minister Justin TrudeauDoug Ford, Premier of OntarioSusan Holt, Premier of New BrunswickRob Lantz, Premier of Prince Edward IslandR.J. Simpson, Premier of Northwest Territories
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