Canada-U.S. trade once again became the hottest topic in town after Donald Trump said he was walking away from the negotiating table over the federal government’s digital services tax. Just a few days later, Prime Minister Mark Carney rescinded the tax. Was that a smart move? Two trade experts join The House, guest hosted by CBC’s trade reporter Janyce McGregor, to discuss the retreat and the looming July 21 deadline for a deal.

Plus, The House talks to cheesemakers at a festival in Kingston, Ont. about concerns Trump’s tariff threat will spell the end of Canada’s protection of its dairy industry. Then, a Saskatchewan cattle rancher explains why she’s frustrated over a recently passed bill that protects that supply management system from Canada-U.S. trade talks.

Next, as Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. remains uncertain, it needs other allies more than ever. In his first broadcast interview since being named to cabinet, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu explains why making up for lost trade with the U.S. is hard to do.

Finally, trade policy and negotiations used to be dominated by economic data, legal rules and a ton of fine print — until Donald Trump flipped the table. Dmitry Grozoubinski, an Australian trade consultant, discusses his book, Why Politicians Lie About Trade, and how to spot the misformation to be able to make sense of (and even poke fun at?) the current state of trade debates.

This episode features the voices of:

• Inu Manak, fellow for trade policy at the Council of Foreign Relations
• Julian Ovens, former chief of staff for two international trade ministers
• Roxanne Renwick, cheesemaker
• Shep Ysselstein, cheesemaker
• Hans Weber, cheesemaker
• Karla Hicks, board member of the Canadian Cattle Association
• Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade
• Dmitry Grozoubinski, author of Why Politicians Lie About Trade

It was all going well — until it wasn’t. On Friday afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was ending all trade discussions with Canada and blamed the federal government’s digital services tax, set to take effect June 30. So what now? Former deputy prime minister John Manley joins The House to discuss what Ottawa can do next.

After that, as federal parties hit the summer barbecue circuit and prepare for the fall session of Parliament, Liberal strategist Marci Surkes, Conservative strategist Kate Harrison and NDP strategist George Soule reflect on what’s changed for their parties and look at the political road ahead.

Plus, some disabled Canadians will be able to receive up to $200 a month from the new Canada Disability Benefit — but not everyone qualifies. B.C. resident Shauna Milne explains how she tries to make ends meet. Then Heather McCain, Executive Director of Live Educate Transform Society, weighs in on how Ottawa can make it easier to apply for the benefit.

Finally, Catherine Cullen asks politicians about the best political advice they’ve ever received and hears a wide range of tips and tricks. For starters: don’t eat the free cookies.

This episode features the voices of:

• John Manley, former deputy prime minister
• Marci Surkes, Liberal strategist
• Kate Harrison, Conservative strategistGeorge Soule, NDP strategist
• Shauna Milne, B.C. resident
• Heather McCain, executive director of Live Educate Transform Society

The House of Commons has risen for summer break, but political leaders won’t be poolside for very long. For this season's final episode of House Party, Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault sort through the to-do lists of the major parties – from PM Mark Carney’s deadline to get a U.S.-Canada trade deal done, to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s task of getting himself elected.

After a flurry of amendments and a series of Friday evening votes, Prime Minister Mark Carney has passed his One Canadian Economy Act through the House of Commons. The bill accelerates approvals for projects deemed in Canada’s national interest, but not everyone is pleased with the Liberals fast-tracking the legislation. Trevor Mercredi, Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta joins The House to explain why some First Nations are concerned about the government’s need for speed. Plus, Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon argues for why Ottawa needs to move fast.

Then, Toronto Star Ottawa bureau chief Tonda MacCharles and La Presse Ottawa bureau chief Joel-Denis Bellavance discuss whether Carney is right to rush his major projects bill through Parliament — and how long the Liberal-Conservative alliance on the legislation can last.

Finally, As Prime Minister Mark Carney gets set to meet NATO leaders next week, Catherine Cullen talks to former Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment at NATO Wendy Gilmour and former Canadian Military Representative to NATO, retired Vice-Admiral Bob Davidson, for insight into how the alliance will seek to find unity in an age of war and U.S. President Donald Trump.

This episode features the voices of:

• Trevor Mercredi, Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
• Steven MacKinnon, Government House Leader
• Tonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto Star
• Joel-Denis Bellavance, Ottawa bureau chief for La Presse
• Wendy Gilmour, former assistant secretary general for defence investment at NATO
• Bob Davidson, retired vice-admiral and former Canadian military representative at NATO

Despite all the nail biting about how U.S. President Trump would show up at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, relief descended Monday after a reportedly jovial and productive meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. But by Monday night, Trump was gone – bailing from the G7 early to deal with the outbreak of war between Israel and Iran. Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault analyze the effect Trump had on his fellow leaders – and whether Canada actually had more space to get more done on day two without him.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is gearing up for a critical G7 meeting with leaders of the world’s most powerful democracies on his home turf in Alberta — but the renewed conflict between Iran and Israel could shake up the agenda. Catherine Cullen sits down with Anita Anand for her first interview as foreign affairs minister to discuss the airstrikes, the upcoming meeting and how close Canada is to reaching a deal with the United States.

Plus, Jason Stanley, an American facism expert who’s moving to Canada over concerns about the Trump administration, joins The House to argue why he thinks the U.S. is no longer a democracy — and how world leaders should treat the U.S. president. Then, former G7 sherpa Senator Peter Boehm pulls back the curtain on what Trump is like in world meetings.

After that, former Conservative leader and officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Erin O’Toole comments on Mark Carney’s plans for military spending. Finally, as a number of Conservatives have applauded the Carney government’s moves, writer Paul Wells and Globe and Mail columnist Shannon Proudfoot discuss: Is Mark Carney a C(c)onservative?

This episode features the voices of:

• Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Jason Stanley, author of Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future
• Peter Boehm, Canadian senator and former G7 sherpa
• Erin O’Toole, former Conservative leader
• Shannon Proudfoot, columnist for The Globe and Mail
• Paul Wells, author and podcaster

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced Canada will increase defence spending to 2% of GDP, meeting our NATO commitment 5 years earlier than expected. After a decade of nudging, foreign allies are celebrating the military investment. But where exactly will the extra $9.3 billion come from? Catherine Cullen, Jason Markusoff and Daniel Thibeault analyze the strategy behind the sudden funding increase, the government’s capacity to move quickly, and what might end up getting left behind.

Correction: At the 25:45 mark in this episode, Catherine Cullen says the government has to spend money on programs such as the Canada Pension Plan. The CPP is in fact funded not by the government but by employers and employees who pay into it.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberals unveiled several new pieces of legislation to boost Canada’s economy and strengthen its security. Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland joins the show to explain the government’s plan to scrap federal interprovincial trade barriers — and if it will really be that easy to create ‘one Canadian economy.’

Plus, after Carney met with Canada’s premiers to chart out major national projects, Yiota Kokkinos, a former director general at Natural Resources Canada and Andrew Leach, an energy economist discuss which projects should be prioritized.

Then, David Reevely, an Ottawa correspondent for The Logic, breaks down concerns over the Liberal government’s proposed legislation that would give federal authorities sweeping new border security powers.

After that, young Canadian jobseekers Riley Locke and Mel Purchase tell The House why it’s hard for young people to find jobs these days. Then, Ilona Dougherty, co-creator of the Youth & Innovation Project at the University of Waterloo, explains why and what it means for Canada’s economy. Finally, Minister of Jobs Patty Hajdu explains what the government is doing to respond.

Finally, former cabinet minister and first Canadian in space Marc Garneau died this week after a brief illness. The House delves into the archives to replay part of his last interview with the program, recorded on location last year in the Canadian Space and Aviation Museum.

This episode features the voices of:

• Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
• Yiota Kokkinos, former director general of Natural Resources Canada
• Andrew Leach, energy economist at the University of Alberta
• David Reevely, Ottawa correspondent for The Logic
• Riley Locke, young jobseeker
• Mel Purchase, young jobseeker
• Ilona Dougherty, co-creator and managing director of the Youth & Innovation Project at the University of Waterloo
• Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs
• Marc Garneau, former cabinet minister and first Canadian in space