'Twas the evening before the Liberal holiday party, when all through the House… Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. And then, a Christmas surprise that sent the Conservatives awry: Markham—Unionville MP Michael Ma announced he was crossing the floor to join Prime Minister Mark Carney. His move brings the Liberal government within one seat of a majority...
In this episode of "It's Political," the Toronto Star's Ottawa bureau reporter Ryan Tumilty and deputy bureau chief Alex Ballingall join host Althia to discuss the year in Canadian politics and what to look ahead to in 2026. What to make of Prime Minister Mark Carney's first year in office and how long can his minority government survive?
Kapelos, Herle, Lilley, a story from me about changing times, and a singing Bob Rae. Truly, this year our stocking runneth over
At Issue this week: How much did Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals actually accomplish this sitting? What ambassador Hillman’s resignation means for U.S. trade negotiations. And cabinet ministers quietly get sweeping new powers in Parliament.
Parliament may be heading into winter break, but a wave of ambassadorial openings in Washington, London and Brussels could upend the fragile political math for Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority government. Nick and Mickey also track Steven Guilbeault’s decision to break with Liberal policy — while sticking around as a Liberal MP; the Conservatives’ recent momentum; and interview U.S. Ambassador...
Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dig into the Conservatives' pipeline motion, the Liberal response, and why Ottawa is spending its time debating make-believe infrastructure. What's the real strategy behind a motion about a pipeline that doesn't exist? How should the Liberals handle a fight built entirely on hypotheticals? And is Manitoba ready for the unique brand of chaos that follows...
After months of caucus departures, expulsions and internal party turmoil, John Rustad finally resigned as leader of the B.C. Conservatives last week. Could that shake-up in the Conservative Party have reverberations that’ll go far beyond the provincial political scene in Victoria? This week on The Numbers, we discuss what just happened in British Columbia and whether we might see any...
As Premier François Legault plunges in the polls, he’s panic-legislating: turbo-charging secularism laws, unveiling a “made-in-Quebec” constitution, and reigniting old identity battles that haven’t burned this hot in decades.
Starting today, Australian youth under the age of 16 will no longer be able to log onto Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and other social media sites due to a new law passed through their parliament.
David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke provide insights on the latest in Canadian politics.
Listen to the premier of B.C., or the CBC, or the Association of First Nations and you’d think that Indigenous groups on the West Coast are determined to stop a new oil pipeline from Alberta. As MP Ellis Ross, former chief councillor of the Haisla Nation near Kitimat, tells Brian, a lot of First Nations are open to the opportunity...
Today, we bring you a wrap on U.S. politics. We begin with two scandals plaguing U.S. defense secretary Pete Hegseth, from allegations of war crimes to a scathing report accusing him of mishandling classified military intelligence. And we cover the fallout from President Donald Trump’s tirade against Somali immigrants, including a surge of ICE raids in Minneapolis. Plus, the politics...
After a long, cringe-laden ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., we finally had confirmation of the 12 groups that will comprise the 23rd FIFA World Cup. And get this, Canada could potentially host Italy to open their 2026 campaign in Toronto. How did Canada get here? How will they fare against the world’s best? And will this World...
Canadians got to see their 2026 World Cup opponents during the group draw this week in Washington — and Prime Minister Mark Carney got to see U.S. President Donald Trump in-person once again as trade talks remain frozen. Did their meeting give any indication of progress? Parliament Hill Watchers Stephanie Levitz and Joël-Denis Bellavance dig into the rendezvous and other...
At Issue this week: U.S. President Donald Trump dials up trade uncertainty, suggesting he could pull out of CUSMA/USMCA early. Mark Miller returns to cabinet and quickly rubs Quebec’s premier the wrong way with his french language comments. Plus, B.C. Conservatives boot leader John Rustad.
In 2015, as governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney’s ‘Tragedy of the Horizons’ speech made waves in the global climate community. It was seen as a landmark call for the financial sector to recognize the costs of climate breakdown. But fast forward 10 years and a fierce debate is swirling around whether Carney is living up to that...
The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail, PSAC, and the Port of Vancouver. Alright, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites. The Honourable Susan Holt, Premier of New Brunswick, the one and only remaining Liberal Premier in Canada, has graciously made time for us today. I don’t...
Mark Carney battles pipeline fallout and adds a new face to his Cabinet, while Parliament gears up for a sprint to the end of the year. Then, Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson joins Nick and Mickey to discuss grand strategy in the Arctic and how selling jeans prepared him for politics.
The U.S. Supreme Court is soon expected to rule on the legality of President Donald Trump's sweeping worldwide tariffs. The court will rule on whether his use of a 1970s national security law violates the U.S. constitution, which clearly states that only Congress has the authority to implement taxes — of which tariffs are a type. But regardless of which...
Host Noor Azrieh unpacks this deal with The Hub’s Falice Chin. Plus, a mini cabinet shuffle. And reporter Sam Konnert takes us behind the velvet rope of the Hill’s E-list “exclusive” event. Host: Noor Azrieh
Canada has strict consumption regulations for cannabis products, although government-owned weed shops decorate plazas across the country. That gap between retail shops versus consumption spaces has hospitality and business experts alike urging Ottawa to take advantage of a tourism goldmine.
David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke provide insights on the latest in Canadian politics.
The Trump administration has been lambasted for its proposed peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war given its generosity to Moscow — yet Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he’s willing to build from it. As Matthew Bondy discusses with Brian, Kyiv has few options but to encourage America to step in and end the brutal, nearly four-year war, despite the deal’s...
Alright, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! So, about 8 weeks ago I started in on a book, and I could NOT put it down. What makes “The Coutts Diaries: Power, Politics and Pierre Trudeau” so compelling, is that it is what it says it is ... a written diary of exactly what when on in the backrooms of power...
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed an agreement this week paving a path for an oil pipeline — a move that ended up costing Carney a cabinet minister and key ally in Quebec. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc joins The House to discuss Steven Guilbeault’s resignation and how Canada plans to address the frustrated B.C. government...
Peter Mazereeuw speaks with comedian Mark Critch about Donald Trump, comedy in dark times, Canadian culture, and his new book, Sorry, not sorry: An unapologetic look at what makes Canada worth fighting for.
The federal government signed a memorandum of understanding with Alberta yesterday, pledging support to build a new pipeline and make changes to environmental regulations. Prime Minister Mark Carney celebrated a "big day" for Alberta and Canada, but opposition to the deal was vast, including from environmental groups, B.C's Premier, Coastal First Nations, and even within the Liberal Caucus. After the...
At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith forge a partnership for a new pipeline out of Alberta, but it quickly sparked a resignation and pushback from B.C. And, more support from the federal government to help industries being battered by U.S. tariffs.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have signed an agreement that sets the framework for building a new pipeline, carrying bitumen to the west coast. The deal commits to simultaneously making Canada a “global energy superpower” and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Indigenous co-ownership is a requirement for development, as is consultation with...
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith put pen to paper this past week, signing an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in hopes of strengthening Canada's economy and lessen our dependence on the U.S.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have come up with an energy deal that could reshape the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa. Playbook’s Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric break down what’s really driving their tentative alliance — and whether it marks the dawn of a new era in Canadian politics.
The Canadian consensus on immigration cratered last year. In the fall of 2024, an Environics poll found that for the first time in a quarter century most Canadians felt there was too much immigration. Under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, the country experienced one of the biggest periods of immigration growth in its history, but after the shift in public...
On Thursday Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta’s Danielle Smith are set to announce the outlines of a plan that could set Alberta and B.C. on a collision course. It’s a potential energy deal that would give Alberta special exemptions from federal environmental laws and offer political support for a new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast, among other things...
A recent Leger poll commissioned by OMNI News found that 67% of newcomers believe Canada should admit fewer than 300,000 new immigrants per year, and 4 in 10 say that number should be less than 100,000.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is reportedly set to announce a new agreement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith that could pave the way for a new pipeline to the Pacific coast. The only problem? British Columbia might not be on board. Beyond the implications for the economy and the environment, could choosing between Alberta and B.C. have electoral repercussions for the...
The federal NDP leadership race is officially on. Five candidates want the job, and each of them thinks they know how to rescue a party that’s been drifting into irrelevance. In this special episode, Noor sits down with all five contenders (Tony McQuail, Rob Ashton, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, and Tanille Johnston) for an unfiltered, no-notes conversation about who they...
David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke provide insights on the latest in Canadian politics.
The passing of omnibus Bill 60, also known as the 'Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act' has caused a fury of backlash across the province of Ontario, including tenant and housing advocacy groups. The new bill, which was fast-tracked through the legislature, removes barriers to allow landlords to evict tenants if they're late on rent or if they're not paying their...
Canada’s reputation for politically driven flip-flopping over important military purchases is getting bad, especially given Ottawa’s plans to dramatically beef up our forces. But here we go again: the Liberals, after cancelling the purchase of the F-35 next-generation fighter jet, then reversing years later, are considering cancelling again to spite a U.S. president who will be gone in 2028. Brian...
No Canadian province allows doctors to offer care under both private and public systems – but leaked draft legislation obtained by The Globe and Mail shows Alberta is trying to change that. The province says it’s proposing the change in an effort to reduce surgery wait times and retain health care workers. But experts say it could result in a...
In October, seven OBGYNs at a Kamloops, B.C. hospital signed a letter of resignation. Those seven were the only OBGYNs in the city. We’re used to bad headlines about Canada’s healthcare system. Lack of family doctors, emergency room wait times, delayed procedures, but this was different. Mass resignation threatening an entire branch of treatment for the whole city. The letter...
Back in the dark days of the pandemic MP Mike Lake created a regular ZOOM hangout as an antidote to isolation, bringing together folks from all over the political spectrum. As we emerged from the pandemic, and our politics remained mired in division and polarization, he kept them going. Steve joined a recent Happy Hour, along with folks such as...
As Ukraine faces crucial decisions for the future of its four-year fight to defeat Russia’s full-scale invasion, several nations are gathering in Canada for the Halifax International Security Forum to discuss the importance of democracy — including high-profile critics of the Kremlin.