Power and Politics

CBC Radio

Every weekday afternoon, Power & Politics host Vassy Kapelos guides Canadians through the country's political news, with a regular cast of political panellists and the continuously unfolding drama of the Canadian political scene.

  • 1 hour 47 seconds
    Global markets tank. The auto sector reels. Canada retaliates

    Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards defends the U.S. president's near-worldwide tariff regime following trillions of dollars in stock market losses, and Democratic Sen. Chris Coons explains why he believes it's 'simple stupidity' — noting the tariffs on uninhabited islands. Plus, the presidents of Unifor, the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association and the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association discuss immediate auto sector layoffs and Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement of 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on American vehicles. 

    3 April 2025, 11:10 pm
  • 54 minutes 55 seconds
    Trump's newest tariffs skip Canada, but old ones still apply

    Canada is not on U.S. President Donald Trump's list of countries subject to 10 per cent ‘baseline’ tariffs, but Trump says a separate 25 per cent levy on all foreign-made autos will hit at midnight on April 2. Power & Politics digs into Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs, with insights from Jean Charest, former Quebec premier and member of the Prime Minister's Canada-U.S. Council and Chuck Todd, American political analyst and former host of Meet the Press. And we have the latest from Washington with the CBC's Katie Simpson. 

    2 April 2025, 4:10 am
  • 59 minutes 22 seconds
    Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs to be 'effective immediately'

    The White House says that U.S. President Donald Trump's new array of tariffs will take effect immediately after he announces them on his promised 'Liberation Day' Wednesday. Despite disagreement with Trump's approach, Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio explains why he opposes his fellow Democrats' 'anti-tariff absolutism' and believes they should play a role in protecting American manufacturing. Plus, with the consumer carbon tax officially gone today, the Power Panel debates its impact on the campaign. 

    1 April 2025, 4:10 am
  • 56 minutes 54 seconds
    Carney stands by candidate after China bounty controversy

    Liberal Leader Mark Carney says Paul Chiang's comments suggesting people turn a Conservative candidate over to the Chinese consulate to collect a bounty are 'deeply offensive,' but that Chiang will remain as the Liberal candidate in Markham-Unionville. The Power Panel and Toronto Association for Democracy in China co-chair Cheuk Kwan react to Carney's defence of Chiang. Plus, TheWrit.ca's Éric Grenier analyzes how the Liberal polling lead in CBC's Poll Tracker has grown after a week on the campaign trail. 

    31 March 2025, 4:10 am
  • 10 minutes 38 seconds
    Need a daily brief in 10 minutes? Try "World Report"

    If you’re looking for a really quick election update every morning, we’d love to point you over to our friends at World Report. 


    In just 10 minutes, Marcia Young and John Northcott will catch you up on what's happening on the campaign trail, but also around the world. We think they’re a great addition to any podcast habit.


    Consider following World Report as a staple in your podcast diet: https://link.mgln.ai/Ba6N9Y

    30 March 2025, 10:10 am
  • 39 minutes 9 seconds
    Weekly Wrap: What mattered in election Week 1?

    Power & Politics brings you The Weekly Wrap, a new Saturday podcast where our political insiders break down what the biggest federal election stories actually mean for the campaign.


    Former Justin Trudeau adviser Laura D'Angelo, former Harper government staffer Michael Solberg and former Alberta NDP strategist Zain Velji analyze the biggest moments on the trail and bring you under-the-radar storylines you won't hear on our TV program.  


    This week:


    In a campaign that was always going to be about the U.S. president, auto tariffs give leaders their first Donald Trump test.


    Calls come from inside the Conservative house to warn Pierre Poilievre about his tactics.


    And Carney's biggest asset looks like his biggest liability as his opponents attack his business dealings. 

    29 March 2025, 11:10 am
  • 59 minutes 40 seconds
    Trump praises 'extremely productive' first call with Carney

    Prime Minister Mark Carney says U.S. President Donald Trump respected Canada's sovereignty in the leaders' call on Friday. CBC reporters have the latest on what was said, and our political insiders debate whether Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's argument that Carney is Trump's preferred candidate will register with voters. Plus, the mayors of Toronto and Columbus, Ohio, discuss the way forward on tariffs.

    28 March 2025, 4:10 am
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Carney declares 'old relationship' with U.S. 'is over'

    Prime Minister Mark Carney says that 'nothing is off the table' to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's auto tariffs, and that the U.S. relationship based on increasing integration 'is over.' The Power Panel debates whether the Liberal, Conservative and NDP leaders are meeting the tariff moment with their respective arguments for economic independence. Plus, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association president Flavio Volpe and Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president Brian Kingston assess the potential damage tariffs could do to the auto sector. 

    27 March 2025, 4:10 am
  • 59 minutes 2 seconds
    Trump shakes the campaign with 25% auto tariffs

    Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association president Brian Kingston provides instant reaction to the U.S. president's announcement of 25 per cent tariffs on vehicle imports beginning April 2. Party leaders react, and Kingston and the Power Panel tackle confusion about how the White House says the tariffs will apply in North America. Plus, the latest on how Liberal Leader Mark Carney's green funds at Brookfield avoided some taxes by registering in Bermuda. 

    26 March 2025, 4:10 am
  • 59 minutes 57 seconds
    CSIS says India meddling supported Poilievre's leadership: reports

    A new Globe and Mail report on alleged Indian meddling supporting Pierre Poilievre's Conservative leadership bid has Poilievre battling more questions about his refusal to get security clearance. The Globe and Mail's Robert Fife expands on what his source with top-secret clearance revealed to him about CSIS' allegations. Plus, the Power Panel and former CSIS executive manager Dan Stanton break down Poilievre's defence — and his opponents' attacks — over refusing clearance. 

    25 March 2025, 4:10 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Carney and Poilievre pitch competing tax cuts

    The Liberals and Conservatives are making two separate proposals to cut the tax rate for the lowest income bracket in the first two days of the campaign. The Power Panel debates whether either cut can fit into an uncertain fiscal picture — or between other commitments that could cost tens of billions of dollars. Plus, TheWrit.ca's Éric Grenier breaks down where the polls are at the start of the election, and CBC reporters bring you the latest from every stop on the campaign trail.

    24 March 2025, 4:10 am
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