Something fishy in the fisheries
Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Ocean Canada's Josh Laughren about the state of Newfoundland's cod fishery, and the government's decision to open it back up to fishing after a more-than 30 year moratorium.
TikTok’s last ditch effort to keep operating in Canada
It's one of the most popular social networks in the world and it's fighting for survival in both Canada and the U.S. But it appears TikTok Canada will not go down without a fight, even it means spending millions in advertisements or pulling the plug on big name sponsorships. It's all in response to the federal government's recent decision to...
Carney, Trump and TACOs
As Donald Trump rachets up the pressure on Mark Carney, a majority of Canadians are still approving of the job the prime minister is doing. And one of the things that might be helping him the most is Canadians’ own lack of trust that the U.S. president is acting in good faith.
David Suzuki on Carney, climate, and pipeline 'madness'
After more than four decades of activism and advocacy, David Suzuki is one of the most renowned and respected voices in the environmental movement. So when he says it's too late to stop climate change, people take notice. And that's now exactly what he's saying. He's delivering this message as Prime Minister Mark Carney's government focuses on fast-tracking major projects...
We have no idea what our federal leaders stand for anymore
We’ve lost sight of where Prime Minister Mark Carney is pointing his elbows as U.S. President Donald Trump keeps smacking Canada with more economic threats. Brian talks this week about Carney’s erratic political shapeshifting with Conservative adviser Ginny Roth and veteran Liberal adviser Warren Kinsella, and asks: Is our new prime minister emerging as a progressive, a conservative, or someone...
What Trump’s new tariff threats could mean for Canada
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote letters to over two dozen trading partners last week, threatening a fresh set of tariffs. Canada was among them and is now facing the possibility of 35% tariffs on all Canadian goods that don’t comply with CUSMA, the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, if a deal isn’t reached by August 1st. Where do our negotiations with the Trump...
Canadian soldiers charged in anti-government militia plot
On July 8, Quebec RCMP arrested four men connected to the Canadian Armed Forces. They are accused of trying to create an extremist militia and planning to forcibly take a plot of land north of Quebec City. Two of the four men are active members of the military, three have been charged with terrorism facilitation. The case adds to the...
Superman vs the Avengers
David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke provide insights on the latest in Canadian politics.
Politics! Carney calls for big cuts, army members' terrorism charges
To kick off the week, we tackle a few big stories in two realms of Canadian politics: the military, and the federal public service. First, the Ottawa Citizen's David Pugliese tells us about the investigation into a Facebook group where military members of one regiment regularly share misogynistic, racist and derogatory content. He also shares his thoughts on another story...
How will the massive spending cuts being proposed by Ottawa impact you?
The civil service in Ottawa is bracing for layoffs. It comes after Finance Minister Francois-Phillippe Champagne was tasked with finding $25-billion dollars in savings to offset the biggest increase in defense spending in a generation.
Exclusive: Pierre Poilievre talks trade, Alberta byelection
Once again, U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to slap more tariffs on Canada — and Pierre Poilievre has thoughts. The Conservative leader speaks with Catherine Cullen in his first national English interview with CBC since becoming party leader to discuss how he’d tackle the Canada-U.S. trade war differently and why he thinks he deserves a second shot at holding...
Why the Calgary Stampede is this summer’s biggest political event
The 113th Calgary Stampede is in full swing. But the 10-day festival wouldn’t be complete without the biggest names in Canadian politics and business walking the grounds in cowboy cosplay. Politicians are flipping pancakes, corporate parties are packed, and with Prime Minister Mark Carney pledging to make Canada an energy superpower, oil patch optimism is on full display. But tensions...
Examining political extremism in Canada in the wake of the alleged anti-government militia plot in Quebec
Shocking news this week out of Quebec where charges have been laid in an alleged plot involving a militia to take over a portion of Quebec City. Dozens of combat-like weapons were seized and it's alleged the group was running a recruitment strategy through Instagram. Investigators allege among the four men charged are two, active Canadian Armed Forces members but...
Who can save the NDP?
After the New Democrats suffered a stinging rebuke in the last federal election, there are many questions surrounding where the party goes from here — and who could lead it. On this week’s episode of The Numbers, we discuss the troubled state of the NDP and a new poll that suggests few Canadians know much about any of the potential...
From pancakes to cowboy hats - why the Calgary Stampede is one of the most important political events in Canada
The Calgary Stampede is known as the greatest outdoor show on earth. It's a must attend event for most Calgarians, but more importantly for Canadian politicians. It's an event that can make or break someone - from what they're wearing to how they flip pancakes. Host Mark Day speaks to CityNews reporter Sean Amato in Alberta about why the Stampede...
Cowboy Cosplay & Climate Burnout
Curse of Politics was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail. David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke provide insights on the latest in Canadian politics. Thank you for joining us on #CurseOfPolitics. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher...
How a few rich dairy farmers are sabotaging Canada’s big, beautiful trading future
For a moment it seemed all Canadians understood that, facing President Donald Trump’s tariff war, we had to make our economy as resilient and competitive as possible. As Martha Hall Findlay discusses with Brian, there was finally talk of ending Ottawa’s war on oil and gas, building infrastructure and boosting productivity. The government even yanked the aggravating digital services tax...
Canada’s emergency room crisis is worse than we thought
Ever since the pandemic, emergency room closures have become more common in Canada, especially in rural communities. This can leave people in dangerous situations that can require them to drive an hour or more to access emergency medical care. When time is of the essence, emergency room closures can be deadly.
Canada’s long hot trade summer, explained
Canada-U.S. trade once again became the hottest topic in town after Donald Trump said he was walking away from the negotiating table over the federal government’s digital services tax. Just a few days later, Prime Minister Mark Carney rescinded the tax. Was that a smart move? Two trade experts join The House, guest hosted by CBC’s trade reporter Janyce McGregor...
‘Everything is negotiable at all times’: a Trump trade update, with Eric Miller
Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Eric Miller, a trade consultant leading Rideau Potomac Strategy Group, about the latest developments in trade talks between Donald Trump and Mark Carney.
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee: Defending Canada At Home And Abroad
Greetings, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! These days, the security and stability of the world order seems, well, neither secure nor stable. With old and new conflicts abound, we have a really special guest today: Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Why Community-Led Growth Is Key to Canada’s Economic Future
Canadians are living through uncertain times. Our country faces interconnected challenges including a new geopolitical world order, economic headwinds, climate change, technological disruptions, shifting demographics and deepening inequality.
Politics! Carney so far, Poilievre’s second chance
Prime Minister Mark Carney made big promises to transform the Canadian economy, fast track national building projects and secure a trade deal with U.S. He also set Canada Day this year as a deadline for some key goals. How has he done so far and what are we learning about what he’s willing to do to make things happen? Plus...
Making sense of Carney’s tactics in the U.S.-Canada trade talks
Prime Minister Mark Carney set a deadline of July 21 to reach an economic and security deal with the United States after last month’s G7 summit. But negotiations were derailed last week when U.S. President Donald Trump called off talks, blaming Canada’s digital services tax, which was set to come into effect on June 30. Two days later, Carney rescinded...
Did Carney capitulate? Are we still "Canada Strong"?
The whiplash news cycle around the Trump trade war continues and if you can't keep up, you're not alone. Last Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said all trade talks with Canada were off because of a new "digital services tax" that was supposed to come into effect on Monday, targeting companies like Netflix. Late Sunday night, the federal government announced...
Is AI making us dumb?
School is out for summer but this year some educators are wondering how much their students really learned. A KPMG survey found that over half of Canadians over 18 years-old now use generative AI to complete their school work. Professors and students are concerned that growing reliance on tools like ChatGPT and Gemini could be weakening critical thinking skills. And...
Ministry of Podcasts: Episode 1
Stephen Carter, as Minister of Podcasts gathers Zain Velji and Corey Hogan to convene the Ministry of Podcasts for the first time. Zain grills the Member from Calgary Confederation on everything from what really goes on in the House, to what the inflight entertainment options are on "the people plane". Get ready to hear about Parliament like you never have...
What does it mean to be Canadian nowadays?
On this Canada Day, we’re reflecting on our national identity – but dependent on who you ask, you’ll get a different answer. Being Canadian comes with a complex mix of opinion, taking into account politics, history and geography. Are we still considered the polite neighbours to the north? Are we more united as a country since our sovereignty has been...
One Deal To Rule Them All
David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke provide insights on the latest in Canadian politics.
Iran’s ‘mafia’ regime won’t be giving up that easily
Make no mistake: the blows that Israel and America delivered to the Islamic tyrants in Tehran were in many ways crippling. As Kaveh Shahrooz, an Iranian-born Mideast analyst and human rights activist, tells Brian this week, the devastating targeted assassinations of nuclear scientists and military leaders indicate Israel has infiltrated the regime at its highest level. Its nuclear program is...
The benchmark of housing affordability has changed in Canada
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has said it is no longer possible to return Canada to 2004 levels of housing affordability. We cannot build enough new housing supply to hit that target. So it’s changing its benchmark.
Are Canadians experiencing social burnout?
Statistics Canada just wrapped a 30 year study where they examined how Canadians spent their time and with whom. It found that in 2022, only 19% of working-age people saw their friends on a regular basis, marking a drop from almost 48% in 1986. And considering the pandemic is long-gone, what's sustaining this change in the way Canadians interact with...
Trump's cut off Canada-U.S. trade talks. Now what?
It was all going well — until it wasn’t. On Friday afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was ending all trade discussions with Canada and blamed the federal government’s digital services tax, set to take effect June 30. So what now? Former deputy prime minister John Manley joins The House to discuss what Ottawa can do next. After that...
Paul Wells and Shannon Proudfoot: Reaction to Carney in Ottawa
Greetings, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! We’re going to have fun with two incisive observers of Canadian politics in Ottawa: Paul Wells and Shannon Proudfoot!
A military spending spree, with David Perry
Prime Minister Mark Carney has signed Canada up for a new defence spending target worth tens of billions of extra cash per year. David Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute joins The Hot Room to talk us through what we might spend it on, obstacles to getting the new gear, and Carney's promised new defence procurement agency.
Carney bulldozes his nation-building bill through Parliament
At Issue this week: The Liberal government pushes to expedite Prime Minister Mark Carney’s contentious major projects bill, despite objections from Indigenous communities. Canada commits to a new relationship with India. And Pierre Poilievre starts a podcast. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Canada’s energy minister on pipelines, Bill C-5 controversy
Canada’s energy and natural resources minister Tim Hodgson is in charge of an extremely important file for the federal government. That’s because Prime Minister Carney campaigned on getting big energy and resources projects done, boosting Canada’s economy and extracting us from our close relationship with the U.S. The stakes are pretty high for Minister Hodgson, who is new to politics...
The totally unregulated rise of agentic AI
On WONK this week, host Amanda Lang talks to Valérie Pisano, the head of MILA — Quebec AI Institute, about the risks of agentic AI and why it should be a public good Within five years, ‘agentic AI’ could make 40 percent of today’s skills irrelevant. Valérie Pisano is the president and CEO of Mila — Quebec AI Institute, founded...
"F**k the losers"
David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke provide insights on the latest in Canadian politics.
How Canada fits into the high-stakes NATO summit
This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney has been in Europe for a series of meetings that are focused on strengthening ties. On Monday, he was in Brussels, Belgium, to sign a new defence partnership with the European Union. Mr. Carney then went to The Hague, in The Netherlands, to attend the NATO summit. Between the war in Ukraine and U.S...
In an uncertain world, Canada overhauls its approach to defence
From the EU to NATO, the Prime Minister is focused on two defence fronts this week. A new partnership with the European Union could overhaul our approach to military purchases at a time the Carney government is looking to end our reliance on the US. At the same time Canada and other NATO countries are facing pressure from the US...
How Canada got on the wrong side in the war against Iran
As the Islamic Republic’s missiles rain down on the Jewish state, and with massive U.S. attacks against Iran’s nuclear sites ratcheting up the war, Brian talks to two Canadians living under fire as they frantically duck in and out of bomb shelters. Postmedia columnist Adam Zivo has been stuck in Israel, unable to get out, while former Canadian ambassador to...
The Numbers: Trouble or relief for Danielle Smith?
The Alberta New Democrats held their two seats in Edmonton and the United Conservatives won their seat in the rural south of the province. Naheed Nenshi now has a seat in the legislature and Danielle Smith has kept the separatists at bay. But there are some conflicting signals in the results. Are there reasons for Smith to be concerned over...