Power & Politics

It's a pivotal time for all three main federal political parties. Greg MacEachern, Mélanie Richer and Fred DeLorey check Canada's political pulse as the Liberals inch closer to a majority government.

We're changing things up on Fridays. To get you the Power & Politics podcast before your weekend starts, each Friday we're making an earlier drop with one of our favourite panels: The Reporter Roundtable, where some of Ottawa's smartest journalists take you behind the Hill's biggest stories. This week, La Presse's Joël-Denis Bellavance, The Economist's Rob Russo and CBC's Aaron Wherry discuss the start of voting in byelections that could complete a Liberal majority, and whether the results could still surprise us all. 

The price of oil surged again following U.S. President Donald Trump's Wednesday night address on the Iran war. Conservative transportation critic Dan Albas explains his party's call to cut taxes on gas for the rest of the year, arguing the over $5-billion price tag can be covered by cutting wasteful spending. Plus, Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association president Flavio Volpe argues that assembling Chinese EVs at the idle Stellantis plant in Brampton, Ont., would be a 'devolution' of the 'whole automotive ecosystem' in the region.

In an annual report on international trade grievances released on Tuesday, the Office of the United States Trade Representative named a number of new Canadian 'barriers,' including Ottawa's 'Buy Canadian' rules, drug pricing, and accusations Canada isn't doing enough to stop goods made with forced labour. Plus, Unifor president Lana Payne reacts to a Bloomberg report that says automaker Stellantis is discussing making Chinese electric vehicles at its idle plant in Brampton, Ont.

Former Ontario NDP leader, Canadian UN ambassador and humanitarian Stephen Lewis died at the age of 88 on Tuesday. Environmentalist David Suzuki tells Power & Politics about the time he spent with his friend less than two days before his death, and about his hope that Lewis's model will endure for Canadian youth: 'That you can stand up for your principals, you don't have to compromise them in order to gain electoral power.' Plus, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin says Ottawa is 'categorically' not lowering emissions requirements for Alberta despite failing to deliver two deals the day before their pipeline MOU's deadline. 

The federal NDP selected Avi Lewis as its new leader on Sunday, drawing immediate criticism from the Alberta and Saskatchewan NDP as they attacked Lewis for past comments and his stance on fossil fuels. Lewis joins Power & Politics to defend his policies and his vision for restoring a caucus reduced to six seats. Plus, Housing Minister Gregor Robertson defends his nationwide progress on housing despite what he calls a 'challenged' Ontario market. 

Canada finally hits NATO's two per cent GDP spending target, but how much does it actually change for the armed forces? Zain Velji, Rachael Segal and Laura D'Angelo debate if this achievement makes Canada safer. 

With the federal NDP's next leader set to be chosen this weekend, Power & Politics hears from front-runner Avi Lewis. Plus, NDPers weigh in on the future of their party after a devastating 2025 election loss.

For the first time since the 1980s, the NATO military alliance confirms that Canada has met its two per cent of GDP target for defence spending. Defence Minister David McGuinty tells Power & Politics how Canada will reach the next target of five per cent spending, and reveals the different ways Canada could offer military support after a ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma calls on Ottawa to legislate age restrictions on social media, saying a full ban on certain ages 'has a lot of benefits.'

Ottawa and Ontario say they're teaming up to temporarily — but completely — remove the HST on new home purchases under $1 million, and give back up to $130,000 on new homes up to $1.5 million. Power & Politics talks to Ontario Housing Minister Robert Flack about how much it can turn around a slumping market. Plus, ahead of the party's leadership convention this weekend, MP and candidate Heather McPherson lays out her vision for reversing the party's 2025 electoral fortunes.

As the Iran war drives global energy shocks, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her province and Ottawa may miss at least one of their MOU's April 1 deadlines aimed at setting the stage for an oil pipeline. Parliamentary secretary to the minister of energy Corey Hogan tells Power & Politics that Ottawa and Alberta are 'ahead of schedule on a few things' and are really working on the 'nuts and bolts' on policies like a carbon price. Plus, the Power Panel reacts to renewed Conservative calls to fire Immigration Minister Lena Diab.

An Air Canada Express runway collision at LaGuardia Airport has killed two pilots and brought to light concerns about air traffic control safety in the U.S. and Canada. Power & Politics has the latest details from New York, and hears from a former investigator with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada on what the ongoing investigation could entail.

Ottawa continues to say it will stay out of any offensive action in the Iran war, but a joint statement with allies says Canada is ready for 'appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage' in the Strait of Hormuz. Zain Velji, Michael Solberg and Supriya Dwivedi debate how much political room there is for Ottawa to get involved in the region. 

U.S. President Donald Trump continued to attack his NATO allies for not sending ships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, posting on Truth Social that they are 'COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!' Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole reacts. Plus, Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations member Jean Charest discusses the next steps toward a CUSMA review after the top U.S. trade official accused Canada of lagging behind Mexico.