At Issue

Cut through the spin with Canada’s top political journalists. Host Rosemary Barton and columnists Althia Raj, Chantal Hébert and Andrew Coyne break down the week’s biggest political stories shaping the country. Brought to you by CBC News: The National. New episodes drop every Friday.

Website : http://www.cbc.ca/thenational

RSS Feed : https://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/includes/atissue.xml  

Last Episode : February 28, 2025 9:10am

Last Scanned : 2.4 hours ago

Episodes

Episodes currently hosted on IPFS.

Confirmed 3
Did the Liberal debates change anything for the contenders?
Liberal leadership contenders square off in two debates, and questions emerge about Carney’s conflicts of interest. Canada braces as the U.S. tariff deadline comes back around. And, Jagmeet Singh wants Donald Trump banned from the G7 meeting in Alberta. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Expires in 46 hours
Published Friday
2
How troubling are Trump’s attacks on Zelenskyy?
Trump disrupts the world order when he calls Ukraine's democratically-elected president a ‘dictator’ and seemingly sides with Russia on the war. Canada’s political leaders pitch themselves as the right response to U.S. aggression. And Trudeau unveils plans for high-speed rail. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Published 02/21
1
Premiers take tariff fight to Washington
At Issue this week: The premiers go to Washington to push back against tariffs, but was getting a meeting at the White House enough? How Trump’s threat of annexation is changing Canada’s political landscape. And political parties capitalize on a surge in Canadian patriotism. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Published 02/14
2
Is the U.S. tariff delay a win for Trudeau?
At Issue this week: U.S. President Donald Trump gives Canada a 30-day break from punishing tariffs in exchange for more border security and a ‘fentanyl czar.’ Pierre Poilievre shifts parts of his pitch to Canadians. And the opposition pushes to recall Parliament. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Published 02/07
1
Is Canada getting through to Trump on tariffs?
At Issue this week: With just two days to go until Trump’s tariff deadline, are Canada’s retaliation threats getting through to the U.S. president? A final report into foreign interference finds no traitors in Parliament. And another candidate drops out of the Liberal leadership race. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Published 01/31
2
Is Danielle Smith undermining Canada’s tariff response?
At Issue this week: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith bails on the ‘Team Canada’ approach to Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Mark Carney officially enters the Liberal leadership race. And what’s Kevin O’Leary doing at Mar-a-Lago? Rosemary Barton hosts Andrew Coyne, Althia Raj and Jason Markusoff.
Published 01/17
2
Canada’s response to Trump’s threats
At Issue this week: With federal politics in turmoil, who’s going to manage U.S. president-elect Donald intensifying threats against Canada? Liberals jockey to take Justin Trudeau’s spot as leader. And growing concerns about foreign interference. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Published 01/10
2
Justin Trudeau’s decision to step down
After months of pressure, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he will resign once the Liberals select a new leader. The National’s At Issue panel breaks down the historic day in Canadian politics, what it means for the federal parties and what happens next. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Aaron Wherry.
Published 01/07
1
Your political questions answered
The At Issue panel answers questions from across the country about the state of Canadian politics as we start 2025. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Published 01/03
2
Is Trudeau’s time as prime minister up?
At Issue this week: After a desperate pre-holiday cabinet shuffle, the NDP says it will vote to bring down Justin Trudeau’s government, and Pierre Polievre wants to speed up the process. How long can the prime minister hang on for? Rosemary Barton hosts Andrew Coyne, Althia Raj and Aaron Wherry.
Published 12/21
1
Can a cabinet shuffle save Trudeau's government?
At Issue this week: The Trudeau government scrambles to fill cabinet holes after the sudden departure of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. What is Trudeau's mindset as he contemplates his own 'walk in the snow?' Plus, how Canada's political chaos is helping Trump. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Published 12/20
2
Is Freeland’s resignation a fatal blow for Trudeau's government?
At Issue special edition: Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigns from cabinet hours before she was to deliver the fall economic statement. Can Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s political career survive the blow, and what comes next from the opposition? Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.
Published 12/17