CPAC Today in Politics

Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC)

About

Hosted by veteran political journalist Julie Van Dusen, CPAC Today in Politics quickly gives you the information you need to understand what’s driving public policy and political decision-making.

Over her 30 years with the CBC covering Parliament Hill, Julie Van Dusen has reported on every major political convention, election, leadership race, and First Ministers’ conference. Fluently bilingual, she has been featured in several documentaries about scrums on Parliament Hill and was nominated for a CBC English Television award for her political coverage. Van Dusen left the CBC in 2020 to write a book about her mother, artist and author Shirley Van Dusen. She continues to provide live political analysis for Radio-Canada as a freelancer. Van Dusen joined CPAC Today in Politics in 2023.

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646 episodes

June 23 2023 — What’s the likelihood of a public inquiry into foreign interference?

The latest on the likelihood of a public inquiry into foreign interference, as MPs prepare for their summer break; And the company that owns Facebook and Instagram says it will end access to news on its social media sites for all Canadian users, after the Senate passes Bill C-18.

24m
Jun 23, 2023
Special podcast: “The Thrill of the Bill”

Julie Van Dusen speaks with 3 MPs about their private members bills. 1. Marilyn Gladu – Conservative MP for Sarnia—Lambton 2. John McKay – Liberal MP for Scarborough—Guildwood (starts at 12:40) 3. Brian Masse – NDP MP for Windsor West (starts at 28:26)

42m
Jun 23, 2023
June 22 2023 — Foreign interference inquiry possibility a blur

The Bloc Quebecois is optimistic that a public inquiry into foreign interference will soon be called, but the Prime Minister is vague about the timing; MPs prepare to leave town having passed numerous bills, including a child care act that the Conservatives initially fought against; And newly-elected Liberal MP Anna Gainey is in hot water for dodging a question about whether French is on the decline in Quebec.

22m
Jun 22, 2023
June 21 2023 — Summer break looms with no foreign interference plan

We’re just a few days away from the House of Commons summer break, with no clear steps in place to deal with foreign interference; Marco Mendicino says the buck stops with his office when it comes to the Paul Bernardo prison transfer – but that doesn’t mean he’ll resign; And we look at what the byelection results mean for the Liberals and the Conservatives.

22m
Jun 21, 2023
June 20 2023 — Federal by-elections results

We take a closer look at yesterday’s by-election results; Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says hers is not the only province fed up with the federal government.

26m
Jun 20, 2023
June 19 2023 — Federal by-elections day

What to watch out for in today’s federal by-elections; The impact of the Paul Bernardo prison transfer on Marco Mendicino’s political future; And the showdown in New Brunswick over changes to school LGTBQ policies at schools.

22m
Jun 19, 2023
June 16 2023 — More calls for Mendicino to resign

The Public Safety Minister faces more calls for his resignation over the Paul Bernardo prison transfer; Alberta is giving a thumbs-down to the federal government’s plan to protect workers during the transition to net zero; And more on Canada’s decision to freeze government ties with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

22m
Jun 16, 2023
June 15 2023 — Poilievre calls on Mendicino to resign

Pierre Poilievre calls on Marco Mendicino to step down; The government disputes a parliamentary budget officer report that finds the investment in the Volkswagen battery plant will be almost 3-billion dollars more than advertised; And a Conservative MP’s motion is defeated by the Liberals, Bloc Québécois and NDP, who claim it is a “backdoor” attempt to open the abortion debate.

19m
Jun 15, 2023
June 14 2023 — Over 100 investigations of foreign interference underway

The RCMP confirms more than 100 investigations are underway into foreign interference allegations; The NDP tables its pharmacare bill; And the Prime Minister says he won’t back down on a bill that would require tech giants to pay publishers for linking or repurposing their content online.

21m
Jun 14, 2023
June 13 2023 — Who will take over from David Johnston?

Who will take over from David Johnston to delve into foreign interference?; Justice Russell Brown retires – meaning The Supreme Court has a vacancy the Prime Minister must fill; And MPs consider whether a hybrid parliament should become permanent.

16m
Jun 13, 2023
June 12 2023 — Next steps to deal with foreign interference

The Liberals say they’re ready to talk about next steps with the opposition, following David Johnston’s departure; The Prime Minister is back in Canada after a surprise trip to Ukraine, where he made a pledge to provide more aid and weapons; And how are Canada’s politicians taking a stand during Pride Month?

19m
Jun 12, 2023
June 09 2023 — Conservatives want a new balanced budget

The Conservatives continue to call for a new budget that balances the books – and say they would work all summer and skip their holidays to make it happen; David Johnston has fired his crisis communications team amid reports that same company was also hired by MP Han Dong; And with forest fires front and centre on Parliament Hill, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May takes a swipe at her colleagues in the House of Commons.

23m
Jun 09, 2023
June 08 2023 — Finance Minister says inflation is gradually being tamed

The Finance Minister says inflation is gradually being tamed, as The Bank of Canada raises its interest rate for the first time since January; Pierre Poilievre says he will filibuster the budget until the Liberals pledge to balance the books; And representatives of diaspora groups demand a public inquiry into Chinese interference.

19m
Jun 08, 2023
June 07 2023 — Johnston vows to stay on as special rapporteur

David Johnston hits back at his critics who say he is biased, and vows to stay on as special rapporteur; After more than 3 hours of grilling, the Conservatives say they have not changed their minds about the need for David Johnston to step down; Is the Bank of Canada poised to raise interest rates again?

22m
Jun 07, 2023
June 06 2023 — Conservatives may filibuster the budget

Pierre Poilievre says the Conservatives will filibuster the budget if the government doesn’t meet their demands; The Environment Minister accuses the Conservatives of being climate change deniers, as thousands of Canadians are displaced by raging fires; And we’re expecting testy exchanges, as David Johnston faces a Parliamentary Committee today.

18m
Jun 06, 2023
June 05 2023 — Pressure mounts for David Johnston to step aside

David Johnston is set to appear at a Commons Committee to answer questions about his report into foreign interference, as pressure mounts on him to step aside; And the Public Safety Minister reacts to word that Paul Bernardo has been transferred to a medium security prison.

19m
Jun 05, 2023
June 02 2023 — Communication lapses in reporting of MPs targeted by China

A parliamentary committee hears more about the lapses in communication that prevented MPs from finding out they were being targeted by China; And what’s the status of the multi-billion dollar Stellantis deal?

21m
Jun 02, 2023
June 01 2023 — Government shrugs off NDP foreign interference motion

The government shrugs off an NDP motion to sideline David Johnston and call a public inquiry into foreign interference allegations; The opposition says they won’t stop trying to get answers through a public inquiry; And the government considers beefing up security for some cabinet ministers in an era of increasing threats.

24m
Jun 01, 2023
May 31 2023 — Singh won’t trigger an election if Johnston stays

Jagmeet Singh says he won’t trigger an election if the government ignores his motion to remove David Johnston and call a public inquiry into foreign interference; Erin O’Toole says he was targeted by China, and the Canadian government did nothing about it; And the newly-elected premier of Alberta vows to fight for her province’s energy sector.

20m
May 31, 2023
May 30 2023 — UCP wins majority in Alberta

Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party wins a majority government in Alberta and she challenges Justin Trudeau to stand down on his environmental policies; An NDP motion will be debated today, calling on David Johnston to step aside as special rapporteur investigating foreign interference; Pierre Poilievre pushes for Jagmeet Singh to make a big move.

20m
May 30, 2023
May 29 2023 — Johnston’s foreign interference report still under fire

Criticism continues, nearly a week after the release of David Johnston’s report on foreign interference; And Albertans head to the polls in what appears to be a tight race between Danielle Smith’s UCP and Rachel Notley’s NDP.

22m
May 29, 2023
May 19 2023 — Alberta leaders’ debate in review

(Michael Serapio in for Julie Van Dusen) Rachel Notley and Danielle Smith face off in the Alberta leaders’ debate; The Environment Minister speaks out about the parliamentary budget officer's new report on the impact of the government's clean fuel regulations; And we look ahead to next week’s report from David Johnston on foreign interference.

16m
May 19, 2023
May 18 2023 — Conservatives want Vancouver’s safer drug supply program dropped

(Michael Serapio in for Julie Van Dusen) The Conservatives bring forward a motion calling on the government to drop its safer drug supply program in Vancouver and focus instead on treatment; Pierre Poilievre refuses to speak with the special rapporteur looking into allegations of foreign interference; And a committee of MPs and former judges will examine the firing of two National Microbiology Lab scientists in 2021.

16m
May 18, 2023
May 17 2023 — Michael Chong appears before committee

(Michael Serapio in for Julie Van Dusen) Michael Chong makes an appearance before the Procedures and House Affairs Committee; Reaction to bail reform proposals introduced by the Justice Minister; And Francois Philippe Champagne says Ontario needs to bring some cash to the table to help keep Stellantis in Windsor.

17m
May 17, 2023
May 16 2023 — Stellantis stops work until feds keep to agreement

(Michael Serapio in for Julie Van Dusen) Stellantis stops work on its electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor, saying the federal government hasn’t delivered what it had agreed to; With recent polls showing the Liberals trailing the Conservatives, how will Justin Trudeau convince Canadians to give his party a fourth mandate?; And what does Pierre Poilievre need to do to make himself more attractive to Canadian voters?

16m
May 16, 2023
May 15 2023 — By-elections called for June 19th

(Michael Serapio in for Julie Van Dusen) We take a closer look at the by-elections called for June 19th – including the chances that Maxime Bernier will win a seat in Manitoba; A new poll suggests the NDP has pulled out far ahead of the incumbent UCP in Alberta; And what effect might the Alberta election have on the country as a whole?

15m
May 15, 2023
May 12 2023 — Registry of foreign actors bill coming

A bill to create a registry of foreign actors will come this summer or this fall, to help prevent foreign interference in Canada’s affairs. Maxime Bernier is officially running in a byelection in Manitoba. And Anita Anand announces measures to deal with sexual misconduct in the military.

22m
May 12, 2023
May 11 2023 — Feds’ immigration plan denounced by Quebec

The federal government’s plan to increase immigration is being denounced by the Quebec government over fears it will threaten the French language; Not everyone is happy with the new passport that focuses more on nature and less on history; But the Prime Minister fights back against accusations his party is disrespecting veterans; And Maxime Bernier is expected to announce a bid to run in a by-election for a seat in the House of Commons.

25m
May 11, 2023
May 10 2023 — PM won’t back down against Chinese interference

The Prime Minister says he won’t back down from fighting back against Chinese interference; Canada is seeking a seat on the UN Human Rights council; And the Liberals speak out against a Conservative MP they say is trying to restrict abortion access through a private members bill.

21m
May 10, 2023
May 09 2023 — Canada and China expel diplomats

May 09 2023 — Canada and China expel diplomats by Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC)

22m
May 09, 2023