CBC News | Power & Politics

Citizens' Services Minister Terry Beech defends spending more than $6 billion on $250 cheques and a two-month GST/HST holiday on some goods, while the Conservative leader dismisses the plan as 'a trick.' Plus, NDP finance critic Don Davies says the GST break doesn't go far enough and the party's support for it in a gridlocked Parliament is 'not a get out of jail card, but a hall pass.'

Alberta MP Randy Boissonnault is stepping away from cabinet to "focus on clearing the allegations made against him," according to a spokesperson for the prime minister. Treasury Board President Anita Anand and the Power Panel react. Plus, Anand warns that continued gridlock in Parliament will stall government funding and leave some departments in financial trouble.

Reaction from the Liberal cabinet and the Assembly of First Nations as a growing number of opposition MPs and Indigenous voices call for Employment Minister Randy Boissonault to quit or be fired. Plus, the impact of long-range missiles and changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine on the war in Ukraine as the war reaches 1000 days.

As the House of Commons enters its sixth week of privilege debate paralysis, government House leader Karina Gould accuses the Conservatives of playing 'dangerous games' with Canadians' rights. Plus, the latest on questions about Employment Minister Randy Boissenault's business dealings and the G20 summit.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tells Power & Politics that — like Ontario's premier — she thinks Canada should pursue a U.S. trade pact without Mexico. Plus, Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc discusses Canada's plan for tackling irregular border crossings since Donald Trump's election win.

Sources say Pierre Poilievre has barred members of the Conservative caucus from advocating for cities that are trying to access the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, frustrating some MPs. A New Brunswick mayor voices his disappointment. Plus, Politico's Ursula Perano discusses whether Senate Republicans will reject president-elect Donald Trump's loyalist cabinet picks.

Experts and the Power Panel discuss U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's cabinet picks — who include Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Elon Musk and Mike Huckabee — and the controversies and investigations that surround them. Plus, Mexico's former CUSMA trade pact negotiator responds to Ontario Premier Doug Ford's suggestion that Mexico be removed from the deal.

Ontario Minister of Economic Development Vic Fedeli explains why the provincial government is suggesting Mexico be removed from the North American free trade agreement over its "backdoor" access for Chinese imports. Plus, the president of Canada's largest union reacts to Ottawa ordering ports back to work and sending disputes to binding arbitration.

Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor responds to Conservative claims of a 'prayer ban' at Remembrance Day ceremonies despite continued prayers today. Plus, Justin Trudeau's former principal secretary Gerry Butts gives advice for Canada's approach to a second Trump presidency.

Experts and the Power Panel discuss what a second Donald Trump presidency will mean for trade, the economy and the border. Plus, Polish Ambassador to Canada Witold Dzielski explains his country's view on the security of Europe with a U.S. president-elect who questions aid to Ukraine.

The Liberals revive a cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations and focus on trade and the border as president-elect Donald Trump threatens mass deportations. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt explains her steps toward expanding abortion access. Plus, the Power Panel debates lessons for Canada from the U.S. election.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly lays out Canada's approach to president-elect Donald Trump's trade and foreign policy threats. Then, strategists and party insiders dissect how Trump captured key swing states, and how Kamala Harris's campaign fell from its polling advantage.

Reporters at candidates' headquarters and in key battleground states reveal the anxieties on the eve of the U.S. presidential election. Canada's ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman lays out the stakes for the relationship. Plus, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault defends his draft of an emissions cap for the oil and gas sector.

U.S. reporters react to Donald Trump suggesting that rifles be trained on Liz Cheney, then trace what the candidates' final pushes will look like with 4 days left until the election. Plus, the Power Panel breaks down the Liberals' offensive against the Conservatives in new ads.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith defends new bills banning minors from getting certain kinds of gender-affirming care and requiring parents to be notified of classroom pronoun changes. Then, Amelia Newbert, founder of a non-profit that supports gender-diverse youth called Skipping Stone, warns of harms from delaying care and counters Smith's claims on the risks of puberty blockers.

Liberal MPs Alexandra Mendès and Ali Ehsassi tell Power & Politics why they want a secret ballot vote on Justin Trudeau's leadership. Ehsassi says the dissent some MPs expressed at caucus last week was "the tip of the iceberg." Plus, Trudeau goes on the offence over the Conservative leader's security clearance, saying he's asked intelligence services to find a way to brief Pierre Poilievre anyway.

Bloc Québécois deputy House leader Christine Normandin says that after her party gave the Liberals five weeks to negotiate a path forward on its demands, it will now negotiate with other parties to topple the government. Plus, the latest on the conclusion of two provincial elections in Canada and the countdown to next Tuesday's election in the U.S.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau already has rejected today's deadline, set by some of his own MPs, to step down as leader. Now, he faces a deadline tomorrow set by the Bloc Québécois, with no prospect of meeting the Bloc's policy demands in time. The Power Panel analyzes the possible consequences. Plus, results finally arrive from the B.C. election as the NDP narrowly hangs on to power.

May 6, 2024 - The federal government has tabled a bill aimed at countering foreign interference, just days after a public inquiry said attempts by other countries to meddle in Canada's last two elections undermined Canadians' trust in democracy. Former CSIS director Ward Elcock brings us his assessment. Plus, two Middle East experts walk us through a potential ceasefire proposal between Hamas and Israel.

May 3, 2024 - Canadian police have arrested members of an alleged hit squad investigators believe was tasked by the government of India with killing prominent Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C. last June. The CBC's Evan Dyer brings us up to speed on everything we know about today's arrests. Plus, the Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference released its first report. We ask Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc about these two major developments.

May 2, 2024 - Canada's greenhouse gas emissions rose in 2022 as the economy rebounded from the pandemic, according to new figures released by the federal government. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault tells Power & Politics that Canada is still on track to meet its 2030 reduction goals — and meeting that goal requires an emissions cap on the oil and gas sector. Plus, B.C. wants to roll back part of its drug decriminalization policy. Power & Politics speaks with Vancouver Police Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Wilson.

April 12, 2024 - Power & Politics speaks to Housing Minister Sean Fraser as the Liberals lay out their full plan to address the housing crisis. Plus, we ask Alberta Premier Danielle Smith why she's threatening to block municipalities from cutting their own deals with Ottawa.

April 11, 2024 - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has introduced legislation that would compel municipalities, schools or agencies looking to make deals with the federal government to first secure provincial approval. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek tells us what this means for her city. Plus, the federal Liberals announce housing affordability measures for first-time buyers. The CEO of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association is here to react.