Gas prices keep rising. Is it time for Ottawa to offer relief?

Gas prices keep rising. Is it time for Ottawa to offer relief?

Author: CBC April 3, 2026 Duration: 50:41

The price of oil surged again following U.S. President Donald Trump's Wednesday night address on the Iran war. Conservative transportation critic Dan Albas explains his party's call to cut taxes on gas for the rest of the year, arguing the over $5-billion price tag can be covered by cutting wasteful spending. Plus, Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association president Flavio Volpe argues that assembling Chinese EVs at the idle Stellantis plant in Brampton, Ont., would be a 'devolution' of the 'whole automotive ecosystem' in the region.


Power & Politics cuts through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle to deliver substantive conversation on the forces shaping Canada. Host David Cochrane engages directly with the country's decision-makers, pressing for clarity and accountability on the issues that impact listeners' lives. This CBC podcast is built on more than just headlines; it provides context through analysis from seasoned political journalists and a roster of insightful panelists who dissect the implications of breaking stories. Each episode blends timely interviews with deeper discussion, moving beyond the soundbite to explore the strategies, conflicts, and personalities driving the national conversation. Tune in for a grounded and thorough examination of power in action, where the focus is on understanding the how and why behind the day's events. For anyone looking to move past surface-level reporting, this podcast offers a consistent and critical listen.
Author: Language: en-ca Episodes: 80

Power & Politics
Podcast Episodes
Is the U.S. dictating the terms of trade talks with Canada? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:40
Prime Minister Carney takes aim at trade irritants with the U.S. as American officials hint they could take action over provincial bans on U.S. alcohol. Former Conservative leader and new member of Carney’s team of econo…
U.S. demanding 'entry fee' from Canada before trade talks: sources [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:10
Formal trade talks with the U.S. are at risk of derailing before they've even begun, as Radio-Canada learns the U.S. is demanding an 'entry fee' for Canada to even sit at the negotiating table. Power & Politics hears fro…
Carney's got a new U.S. advisory council. Will it make a difference? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:24
Prime Minister Mark Carney has named a new committee for Canada-U.S. relations ahead of the upcoming CUSMA review. Power & Politics hears from the man in charge: Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, and the Power…
Canada's ties to the U.S. are now a 'weakness': Carney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:49
In a video posted to YouTube, Prime Minister Mark Carney tells Canadians that Canada's close ties to the U.S. have become 'weaknesses that we must correct.' Power & Politics hears from Northwest Territories Premier R.J.…
Weekly Wrap: How will a Carney majority change Canada? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
In the first days since securing a majority government, what signals is Prime Minister Mark Carney sending about how he'll change the way he governs? Laura D'Angelo, Zain Velji and Michael Solberg weigh in.
Reporter Roundtable: How do the Conservatives stop losing? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:43
Globe and Mail Ottawa bureau chief Robert Fife, Canadian Press deputy parliamentary bureau chief Mia Rabson and La Presse parliamentary bureau chief Joël-Denis Bellavance bring you inside the biggest stories on Parliamen…
A shaky ceasefire begins in Lebanon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:12
In the first moments of an Israel–Lebanon ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, Power & Politics speaks to former Canadian ambassador to Israel Jon Allen about why uncertainties about the agreem…
Liberals signal they'll expand House power, take committee control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:24
Parties unanimously locked in a House committee structure that gave the opposition the advantage last year, allowing them to hold up legislation. Today, Liberal House leader Steven MacKinnon said his government is assess…
Armed with majority, Carney says 'it's time to get serious' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:31
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he welcomes the byelection victories that clinched his majority government with 'humility' and 'determination,' but also took aim at the opposition for 'performative' debates that he says…
Carney clinches majority [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:43
One election, five defections and a night of byelections have awarded Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals with a majority government. Here's how it happened.