Power & Politics

Christine Blair, mayor who led Colchester County through the 2020 Portapique tragedy, offers advice on long-term community supports. Larry Neufeld, MLA for Peace River South, speaks about Tumbler Ridge's immediate needs and the community's shock. Ian Hanomansing, CBC anchor and on-the-ground reporter, provides eyewitness context and reporting challenges. They discuss victim details, response actions, trauma care and lessons for sustained recovery.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump about a bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit early Tuesday, and explained it was paid for in full by Canada and that the Americans already have an ownership stake. But later on Tuesday, the White House still called the arrangement 'unacceptable' and said Trump had the right to amend a permit that could stop the bridge from opening. Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar, who represents the district where the bridge lands in Detroit, responds. Plus, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin explains why her government scrapped the EV mandate in favour of what she calls an 'all-encompassing,' 'more durable' and 'pragmatic' policy.

Negotiations are quietly underway to amend stalled legislation and avoid another federal election. Tense talks focus on the Budget Implementation Act, ministerial exemptions and hate-speech versus religious freedom. A justice committee meeting cancellation hints at progress. Family and legal reactions follow a 20-year sentence handed to a prominent Hong Kong media figure, with discussion of diplomatic options.

Former prime minister Stephen Harper is back in the spotlight this week as he celebrates 20 years since winning his first election — and he's got a stark warning about U.S. threats to Canada's economy. Power & Politics reflects on Harper's legacy with a panel of former colleagues and observers: those who worked with him, for him or wrote about him.

Laura D'Angelo, a former Trudeau adviser who advises on Liberal strategy; Rachel Siegel, a former Harper policy director with conservative perspective; Zane Belji, ex-Alberta NDP strategist focused on labour and provincial dynamics. They unpack the government's new auto plan abandoning the EV sales mandate, tradeoffs between climate goals and jobs, reactions from climate groups, and contrasting Conservative U.S. messaging.

Susan Holt, New Brunswick premier focused on public safety and regional development. Peter Armstrong, CBC business reporter who breaks down corporate moves and jobs data. Greg McEachran, former ministerial adviser on national unity and trade. Melanie Richet, former NDP communications director on party dynamics. They discuss a $100 battery-plant stake sale, mixed jobs numbers, exits from social platform X, and Canada–U.S. strategic shifts.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's new auto strategy ditches the Trudeau-era electric vehicle mandate in favour of stronger emissions standards, revives EV purchase incentives with a $2.3-billion program and sets aside $3 billion of the Liberals' Strategic Response Fund for the sector as it faces U.S. tariffs. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly defends restrictions for rebates on non-Canadian EVs, acknowledging that only one electric vehicle is currently made in Canada. Plus, the Power Panel discusses former prime minister Stephen Harper's imperatives for Canada on U.S. relations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio invited 50 countries to a critical minerals meeting in Washington to pitch a new 'preferential trade zone' that would introduce a fair pricing agreement for allies. While the EU, Japan and Mexico signed on to critical mineral action plans with the U.S., Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada needs more information on the initiative. Plus, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president Brian Kingston reacts to news that the Liberals will announce a new auto strategy and the end of the electric vehicle mandate on Thursday, according to a CBC News source.

The federal Liberals are facing the possibility of losing a third MP as Nate Erskine-Smith announces his renewed bid for Ontario Liberal leadership, but they're also gaining a byelection candidate from the province as Ontario NDP deputy leader Doly Begum says she's running for the Liberals in the federal seat Bill Blair vacated. The Power Panel reacts to the federal NDP's accusations of betrayal of her values and damage to democracy. But first, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew makes his pitch for how environmental protection can coincide with his push for an expansion of the Port of Churchill and interest in shipping fossil fuels, as the province puts money behind a study for a new national marine conservation area.

An overwhelming majority of Conservative delegates voted to keep Pierre Poilievre as the leader of their party, but pollsters David Coletto and Shachi Kurl break down why Poilievre's impressions with other potential voters will be a significant obstacle to reversing his fortunes from the last election. Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman tells Power & Politics about the new path for co-operation her party sees in the House of Commons. Plus, CBC's J.P. Tasker breaks down the policies the party adopted at last weekend's convention.