Power & Politics
CBC
On Power & Politics, host David Cochrane asks decision-makers the questions that matter – and gets answers. Every weekday, we feature hard-hitting interviews with politicians and leaders, check in with CBC’s top political journalists for updates on breaking stories, and take the time to analyze the latest developments with a cast of regular panelists and critical thinkers. Whether you’re getting caught up on Canadian politics daily or weekly, we’ve got an insider’s view of the continuously-unfolding drama.'
Episodes
Mentioned books
20 snips
Mar 28, 2026 • 21min
Weekly Wrap: Carney conquers NATO's 2% target. What now?
Laura D'Angelo, former adviser to Justin Trudeau, offers federal strategy and online harms perspective. Rachel Segal, ex-Harper policy director, breaks down defence spending and accountability. Zane Valji, former Alberta NDP strategist, analyzes federal-provincial energy politics. They debate NATO 2% meaning, what the money actually buys, pipeline negotiations and international student policy impacts.
Mar 27, 2026 • 49min
Will Avi Lewis be the NDP's next leader?
Avi Lewis, filmmaker and activist running for federal NDP leadership, speaks about his campaign momentum and fundraising. He defends principled critiques amid party tensions. He discusses opposing new fossil-fuel development while addressing worker transitions. He outlines plans for rebuilding the party and timing a return to Parliament.
6 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 54min
Canada hits 2% defence spending. Is it actually better prepared?
David McGuinty, federal defence minister focused on meeting NATO targets and military procurement. Niki Sharma, B.C. attorney general advocating social media age limits and AI reporting. They discuss Canada hitting 2% defence spending and plans to climb to 3.5% and 5%. They also cover procurement, industrial investment, possible roles in the Strait of Hormuz, and legal tools for online harms.
Mar 25, 2026 • 50min
Can an Ottawa-Ontario tax break beat the housing slump?
Heather McPherson, MP and leadership contender focused on rebuilding the party through organizing and electability. Robert Flack, Ontario housing minister driving policies to boost construction and affordability. They unpack a temporary HST removal on new homes, debates over cost versus units, caps at $1.5M, and whether the rebate can meaningfully revive stalled housing starts.
Mar 24, 2026 • 58min
Is the Alberta-Ottawa pipeline deal already off track?
Power Panel: Supriya Devedi, Nathan Cullen, Emily Nicola, Kate Harrison — quick-witted political commentators and former officials. Corey Hogan — Parliamentary Secretary on energy, focused on federal-provincial negotiations. They debate missed MOU deadlines, carbon pricing mechanics, carbon capture credits, LNG urgency, permitting risks, and the political fallout from immigration audit findings.
Mar 23, 2026 • 55min
What will investigators look for in the fatal Air Canada collision?
Rob Russo, Canada correspondent for The Economist, offers political context. Brad Levine, former NDP national campaign director, weighs public opinion and policy fallout. Karen Hogan, Auditor General of Canada, discusses oversight gaps in the international student program. David Rohrer, former TSB investigator, explains how investigators will probe air traffic control, crew communications, and safety procedures.
13 snips
Mar 21, 2026 • 25min
Weekly Wrap: How close will Canada get to the Iran war?
Supriya Dwivedi, former Trudeau adviser offering insider foreign policy perspective. Michael Solberg, former Harper staffer with conservative analysis. Zain Velji, ex-Alberta NDP strategist weighing political tradeoffs. They debate Canada’s stance on the Strait of Hormuz, risks of deeper involvement, party and public fallout, and the political optics of international and domestic strategy.
9 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 54min
Trump calls NATO allies 'cowards' over Middle East
Jean Charest, former Quebec premier and Canada–U.S. relations adviser, and Aaron O'Toole, former Conservative leader and defence commentator, join Katie Simpson, CBC foreign correspondent in the Gulf. They discuss strikes and leadership uncertainty in Iran, risks to the Strait of Hormuz and global energy, NATO tensions after Trump’s 'cowards' post, and Canada’s possible naval and trade responses.
Mar 19, 2026 • 60min
Poilievre does Joe Rogan, wishes Trump would 'knock that s--t off'
Pierre Poilievre, federal Conservative leader, on a long-form Rogan-style chat mixing politics and MMA anecdotes. Scott Moe, Saskatchewan premier, on budgets, energy and faster project approvals. Power Panel (former politicians and journalists) breaks down Poilievre’s tone, trade messaging and U.S. reach in short, punchy discussion.
7 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 48min
Iran war throws Canada's economy into the unknown
David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data and pollster tracking voter sentiment. Claire Fenn, senior economist at RBC focused on monetary policy and trade effects. Katie Simpson, CBC foreign correspondent reporting from the Gulf. They discuss Gulf attacks on energy infrastructure, how oil shocks could feed inflation, Bank of Canada rate decisions amid uncertainty, and shifting public support reflected in recent polling.
