While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Chantal Hébert.
For the third time in a month a Conservative jumps ship, with two of them joining the Liberals. Will there be more? The Liberals need at least one more to form a majority. All this is happening while the government struggles to pass new legislation. Ottawa starts to close down for the holidays and Good Talk assesses where things stand...
A week ago the talk was all about pipelines. Remember those days? Things have changed a lot in a mere seven days. It's been quite the week, especially in Quebec, where there are lessons for politicians across the country. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson join the virtual discussion table again for some Good Talk.
Twelve hundred people were on their feet in Calgary yesterday applauding Mark Carney and Danielle Smith for the deal they signed that could lead to a new pipeline to move Alberta oil to markets. But there was a cost too ...Carney lost a minister, and the BC government and indigenous groups are more than a little bit upset. What happens...
Another week where there's lots to talk about with Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson. The US is playing hardball through its ambassador to Canada over which jet fighter we "must" buy, while Sweden sends its King and Queen to push its option. And then there's the pipeline story -- could a deal between Ottawa and Alberta be close on that...
The numbers certainly conclude that if all opposition MPs vote against the budget then the government will fall. But will that happen and will it happen next week? All that on the heels of the budget and the latest major projects list? That and this question -- Is Mark Carney still green? All this with Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson...
Budgets, especially minority government budgets, always bring a degree of parliamentary drama. But this week, a Conservative member added to the excitement by crossing the floor to join the Liberals. But at the end of the day, does it make a difference? That and a lot more with Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson joining Good Talk for their weekly commentary.
As if there isn't enough going on with trade talks broken down with the U.S., new trade possibilities with China, and a crucial budget set for Tuesday, Canadians could be facing an election within a week. And then there's the case of "Profanity Pete" the US Ambassador to Canada. Let's get some analysis with Bruce Anderson and Chantal Hebert as...
Donald Trump has terminated the trade talks with Canada after Ontario ads running in the U.S. use Ronald Reagan's voice condemning tariffs. Is this serious or just Trump bluster? Meanwhile, the Carney government's first budget is now just days away, and the PM says Canadians will need to make sacrifices. And, Pierre Poilievre has another bad week. All this and...
There are going to be a lot of special programs done in the next few weeks, leading up to the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Quebec Referendum. A night that those of us who witnessed it will never forget. Tension and emotion ruled the evening. Chantal, Bruce and I were all in different roles watching the story unfold, and this...
When Donald Trump and Mark Carney met in the White House for the first time a few months ago, the meeting looked, and was, tense. Not so this latest time. Smiles, laughs and lots of almost boyish banter. What was that all about? Has anything really changed? Could a deal be in the offing, or was it all for the...
Everyone knew this was coming, but now we are here. It's the great pipeline battle playing out between Ottawa and Alberta, and between Alberta and BC. What's at stake? Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson are here to discuss this and what it means for Mark Carney, the upcoming budget, and the future of the country. And, Donald Trump's "war within"...
The U.S. Ambassador to Canada was in Banff yesterday for what turned out to be a tense conversation with former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson. The ambassador, a seasoned American politician, and Robertson, no stranger to Canada-U.S. relations, went at it over some of the things that have been said between the two countries this year. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson...
Keir Starmer with help from the royals sucked up to Donald Trump this week in a big way. Does that work? Is there something for Canada to learn? Plus, you never want to lose a senior cabinet minister, unless. Unless you think you are better off without that person. What is the case with Chrystia Freeland? And, Jimmy Kimmel. There's...
Five projects, two in BC, one in Saskatchewan, one in Ontario and one in Quebec headline Mark Carney's initial nation building push. Surprisingly perhaps, the list got a big thumbs up from Alberta's premier. Just a few days before Parliament returns what does that say about how the government will fare when the action begins in the House of Commons...
Recent polls suggest Canadians are now more concerned about basic economic issues than they are about the Carney-Trump talks. Housing, affordability, inflation and government spending top the list. All this in the run up to an expected October budget, but also at a time when hugely expensive "nation building projects" are on the table. How do you square cuts and...
Four months and a day since the election and the summer ends with signs that the Carney government is moving on some of its major agenda promises. Or is it? That's the line item for Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson on this our final summer special before our new season begins next week.
The statistics are pretty impressive ..Canadians are staying home or at least they are staying away from the U.S. in this summer of 2025. THis doesn't look like a one off, it could become generational. The deadline for a new trade deal between Canada and the U.S. is one week from today, what are the chances? Chantal Hebert and Bruce...
The rush to get to nation-building projects has seen at least two governments, Ottawa and Queen's Park in Ontario, push for legislation that will speed the process along. That has caused some concern by those who feel the push may be too fast. Chantal Hebert and Rob Russo are here to talk about that and much more.
The upcoming G7 in Alberta will host some of the world's top leaders. The agenda has been carefully planned. But will all those plans be derailed because of Israel's attack on Iran and the chaos that may have on the world? Plus, the new Carney government is making a lot of commitments and they all add up, but where's the...
Nothing usually ends well when you get into a relationship with Donald Trump. Just ask Elon Musk. But none of that is getting in the way of secret or private talks between Trump and Mark Carney. So what's going on and just what is possible dealing with a guy who doesn't even believe in the deals he himself signs. Rob...
The royal visit, the throne speech and the first question period are over. Performative arts mostly. Now the real work of building the so-called "new Canada" begins. What's the plan, and how will they get there? It starts with a first minister's conference this weekend. Chantal and Rob have their thoughts on that.
Ten weeks ago today Mark Carney became the country's 24th prime minister. Many Canadians really didn't know that much about him at the time. In those ten weeks we've seen a lot in terms of how he works, what he decides and who helps him achieve his goals. What have we learned about him that we didn't know the day...
It's only been a few days since the election but already some signs of discontent on Parliament Hill. Conservatives sure, that's expected. But some Liberals who thought they should be in cabinet aren't, and they aren't happy either. Is this all meaningless inside the Ottawa bubble stuff or is it something Mark Carney should watch out for? That and a...
Lots to discuss after a week where Mark Carney sits down with Donald Trump in the White House, Pierre Poilievre fights to hold on to his leadership, and a new prime minister tries to build a cabinet that can deliver on the promises that won an election. But we start with a new Pope, and what that could mean. Chantal...
If you thought Monday would answer everything, think again. It's left a lot of questions: How will Carney deal with Trump? Will Poilievre hang on to his job after losing his seat, the election, and perhaps even his house? What will happen to the NDP? There are lots of questions for Chantal Hebert and Rob Russo on this week's Good...
The final Good Talk before Monday's election decision. Millions of Canadians are about to decide, if they haven't already in advance polls, just which party and which leader they want to form a government. It's a significant decision, and the challenges facing Canada on multiple fronts will not be easy to manage. Chantal Hebert and Rob Russo bring us the...
Four leaders, one moderator, two hours of debate. In a five week campaign did those two hours change the shape of Canada's election race? That's the question for Chantal Hebert and Rob Russo on this week's Good Talk. Plus, how did the debate organizers allow a fringe advocacy group disguised as reporters to take over the post-debate platform?
We've passed the halfway point of the campaign with the television debates just around the corner. And you have to wonder when the Conservatives, or at least some of them, start to question the validity of the polls, that there's trouble in the Tory ranks. Both Rob Russo and Chantal Hebert have been travelling this week, one on the west...
As the week ends thousands of Canadians are out of work because of the Donald Trump tariffs. Thousands more could be soon. But that's not all as grocery prices and a lot more will soon start going up as well. The trade war is on. The question now is how will it impact the federal election campaign as it approaches...
It was bad enough last week when Doug Ford told Pierre Poilievre he didn't have time to campaign for him. But now Ford's top strategist says Poilievre is heading for defeat unless he changes his campaign. And he has the polls to back that up. On the face of it the Conservative leader has big crowds, but behind the scenes...
The election will be called this weekend and the country's voters will be determining Canada's future. There could be as many as six main leaders but the main context will be between Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre. Are they ready for the five or six weeks ahead? Chantal Hebert and Rob Russo are here for some Good Talk on that.
Day One of the Carney administration reveals a much smaller cabinet, almost half the size of previous ones of late. But is this all about optics or does it really mean a slimmer, more accountable and effective "war" cabinet for the fight ahead? Chantal and Rob tackle that question along with the latest rumblings about what's really happening in the...
In two days, LIberals will have a new leader, and the country will know who their next Prime Minister will be. It's a huge decision and the consequences for the party and the country are significant. Chantal and Rob set the scene on that, plus where we are in the trade war with a guy who changes his mind almost...
So much for Britain's PM Keir Starmer. Given the chance to stand up for Canada with Donald Trump by his side, Starmer instead left Canada, his Commonwealth ally, twisting in the wind. How bad does that look? Does it even matter? Chantal Hebert and Rob Russo have their say on that, plus Mark Carney's latest issue and the Ontario election...
Blaming the media is a common tactic when you feel your competition is getting better coverage than you are. Is that why some Conservatives are saying Mark Carney is getting a free pass from the media in his campaign for the Liberal leadership? Is it true or are Conservatives just showing they are nervous about the gains being made against...
While Canada is being beaten up, and its sovereignty questioned, both by Donald Trump, what are our friends and allies saying? Anything? Why the silence? And what does it say about our situation that Trump clearly likes Russia more than Canada? This, plus how worried are the Conservatives as the Liberals seem to get back in the political game? Chantal...
The polls suggest it, the Liberals think it, and the Conservatives look like they're trying to reposition because of it. Have two things: the tariff dispute and Trump's ramblings, changed the country's political landscape? That's the main focus for today's Good Talk with Chantal Hebert and Rob Russo. We'll also talk about the new push for dropping interprovincial trade barriers...
Le Grand Orange is poised to hammer Canada with tariffs tomorrow, or so he says. Chantal and Rob put the Trump promise into perspective including what Canada is ready to do about it. Mark Carney is the front runner in the race to replace Justin Trudeau and he finally dropped his plans to abandon the carbon tax today -- why...
The candidates are racking up endorsements but one thing seems clear. Most cabinet ministers are endorsing an outsider not an insider. How damaging is this for Chrystia Freeland? That and a lot more on this week's Good Talk with Chantal Hebert, and sitting in for the rest of the leadership race, the Economist's Canadian correspondent Rob Russo.
By this weekend the Liberal leadership race will likely be all set. Carney is in already, Freeland should be in by Sunday. What are the impressions so far? Who's up, who's down? And is the idea of a carbon tax election still likely or is that all but gone now? And what about Donald Trump and the faltering attempt at...
Liberals are gathering at the gate, with some poised to enter the race for the leadership. Meanwhile, most eyes are focused on Donald Trump and his threat of tariffs and annexation. Where's this leading? Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson set things up for what is likely to be a fascinating few days ahead.
We can finally stop asking "Will he or Won't he?" because he did. He called it quits and now the race is on to see who leads the Liberals to either possible extinction or surprise recovery. No small task, yet no trouble finding names who seem like they want to give it a go. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson join...
Late reaction to the shuffle, the Singh threat, and Poilievre's request.
I don't know whether in those dying moments of April 1912 they actually shuffled the deck chairs on the Titanic, but it sure looks like they are doing just that on the ship Trudeau as wave after wave batters the hull. Can a pre-Christmas cabinet shuffle save the government or is it just another delay to the inevitable? Bruce and...
Could Ottawa get any wilder? Apparently not. A finance minister quits hours before the fall economic statement. A prime minister is considering his future with most of his remaining caucus considering theirs. Bruce and Chantal have their says on what all this means and where its heading.
The minister of finance prepares her Monday Economic Statement while rumours fly, again, that Mark Carney is about to join the cabinet. But if that sounds crazy just look at the chaotic Canadian response to Donald Trump's trade threats. It's another Good Talk Friday as Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson settle in with their take on another weird week.
A week after their Mar a Lago dinner what was actually accomplished by the Trudeau-Trump dinner? Is Canada now dancing to the Trump tune or is there a chance for a meaningful all-Canadian approach to dealing with the new President and his agenda? Bruce and Chantal join in for their assessment of the new top line item on the Ottawa...
Donald Trump threatens 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless both countries clean up their border issues and stop dumping migrants and fentanyl into the US. Mexico says Trump has it all wrong while Canada seems to suggest "yes sir, we'll get right at that". What's going on?Chantal and Bruce join to discuss.
A GST holiday, 250 dollar cheques, what's next as the Liberals try to win back Canadians in the months before an election. If it looks desperate, then call it that, is the way some are describing the latest actions of the Trudeau government. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson have their say on yet another week where the Trudeau liberals look...
Donald Trump's win has changed everything so why not change the Canadian election timetable? Thart's Chantal's suggestion this week and it provides a lot of Good Talk with Bruce and me. In fact that suggestion is the basis for the whole hour this week with lots of off ramps into the economy, immigration and Elon Musk.
A lot of people were surprised on Tuesday night but now with days to ponder the Trump victory the real fallout begins. Bruce and Chantal have their thoughts on why Americans delivered the result they did, and then, they deal with how Canada is reacting to the decision and what it means for us.
The US election is Tuesday, and already, the finger-pointing has started about the way the campaign has been run and the way it's been covered. Rob Russo of The Economist subs for Bruce Anderson today, and we get all of this with Rob and Chantal. And don't worry—we won't forget the drama, such as it is, that continues to unfold...
So, did he dodge the coup? Does Justin Trudeau now have a clear path to the next election? After weeks of rumours and coded, secret talk, the plotters had their say in the caucus, and then it seemed everyone moved on. Or have they? Chantal and Bruce are here to chat about all this and more because there's always more!
The clock is ticking on Justin Trudeau as one issue after another is somehow connected to his leadership problems. There are some very serious topics to discuss, from foreign interference to a caucus revolt to a cabinet shuffle, and Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson are here to give us their take on all of them.
In a week when many Canadians were bored silly by the constant barrage of process stories coming out of Parliament, something else was happening. Rumours circulated that the Trudeau government was considering a procedure to shut Parliament down for weeks or even months. It's the P word. What would that mean? Also today on Good Talk, Bruce and Chantal discuss...
We could be only months away from an election in Canada, so is there anything we need to learn from watching the debate over fact-checking in the United States? We've witnessed three debates in the US presidential race over the last few months and fact-checking has been an issue in all three. On today's Good Talk, Chantal and Bruce take...
A fascinating discussion about Justin Trudeau's options makes up the last fifteen minutes of today's Good Talk. But first, it's one thing when the Conservatives slam the CBC, threaten to defund it, and raise money from supporters by making the threat. But now they're suggesting there's a conspiracy between CTV and its parent company Bell, to bad mouth and lie...
A wild week for Jagmeet Singh from a byelection victory to an apparent challenge to Pierre Poilievre to put up the dukes as we used to say. All this in a testy House of Commons where the Conservatives seem to be losing the battle to force a quick election. And how about this? The Bloc Quebecois as the next official...
Monday is a huge day for all political parties in Canada. Parliament returns but two key byelections, one in Manitoba and one in Quebec, could impact everything. Chantal and Bruce are here to try to put everything in that context. That includes Carbon Tax, Air Canada, and Mark Carney.
A quiet political summer in Ottawa turned very different with Jagmeet Singh's decision to "tear up" the deal between the NDP and LIberals. That has led to all sorts of fallout so time to analyze what's what on the national political landscape. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson are here with lots to say on all this.