The Liberals are planning to make Christmas shopping a little less expensive this year — they announced a tax holiday starting mid-December on top of rebate cheques set to roll out in the spring. Who comes out on top from this decision? CBC’s chief political correspondent joins The House to break down the politics behind the move. Then, a former Bank of Canada governor explains the economic consequences of the proposal and whether it will affect Canada’s inflation rate.

Plus, The House travels to Halifax, where international security officials are meeting each other at an important conference, and speaks to a Republican senator about what Donald Trump means for the war in Ukraine and Canada’s border security. A Google executive also comes on the show for an exclusive interview about the risks and rewards of AI development as several countries race to become the dominant power in evolving the technology.

Finally, a Canadian civil servant who was falsely accused of terrorism in the Indian media joins the program with his lawyer to share his story and discuss how foreign governments are working to sow doubt in Canada’s institutions.

This episode features the voices of:

• Rosemary Barton, CBC’s chief political correspondent
• Stephen Poloz, former Bank of Canada governor
• Jim Risch, Republican senator from Idaho
• Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs at Google
• Sunny Sidhu, a Canadian civil servant
• Jeffrey Kroeker, Sidhu’s lawyer

President-elect Donald Trump is assembling his inner circle and making some cabinet nominations that are sending shockwaves around the world. As officials here prepare for tough talks on trade and border security – what could those picks mean for Canada? Two journalists in Washington and Ottawa to weigh in. Then, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew joins the program to talk U.S. trade, tariffs and the border.

Plus, Palestinian Canadians who are trying to bring family members from Gaza into Canada explain why they’re frustrated – and losing hope – over a special visa program. An immigration and refugee lawyer also details what she sees as the program’s main problems.

Finally, former B.C. premier John Horgan died this week at the age of 65. A former colleague shares memories of his leadership and kindness.

This episode features the voices of:

• Alex Panetta, CBC Washington
• Rob Russo, Canadian correspondent for The Economist
• Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba
• Omar Omar, Palestinian Canadian
• Ahmed Badah, Palestinian Canadian
• Debbie Rachlis, immigration and refugee lawyer
• Ravi Kahlon, B.C. Minister of Housing

Donald Trump’s decisive election win has Canadian officials wondering what comes next for the two countries. He’s promised mass deportations, a global tariff and an end to the war in Ukraine — all of which have implications for Canada. So what are the next steps? The House hears from a variety of Canadians who could be affected by a second Trump administration. Then, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland joins the program to discuss the federal government’s approach to Trump’s incoming presidency.

Plus, after an election campaign rife with claims that Donald Trump is a fascist and voters expressing concern about the state of American democracy, two authors discuss whether the United States can withstand another Trump presidency and if any instability could have an impact on Canadian politics.

This episode features the voices of:

• Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister
• Rob Goodman, author of Not Here: Why American Democracy Is Eroding and How Canada Can Protect Itself
• Alasdair Roberts, author of The Adaptable Country: How Canada Can Survive the Twenty-First Century