In this episode of GovGurus, hosts Lori Turnbull and J. Richard Jones unpack two of Canada’s biggest policy debates heading into the summer: the uncertain future of Canada-U.S. trade negotiations and the federal government’s controversial housing strategy.

The discussion begins with the stalled trade talks between Canada and the United States, examining why a July 1 agreement was always unlikely, how Canada’s position differs from Mexico’s, and what political realities in Washington could mean for negotiations over the coming months.

The conversation then shifts to housing, where the hosts examine Ottawa’s plan to partner with British Columbia to acquire thousands of vacant condominium units and convert them into affordable rent-to-own housing. They explore the competing arguments over whether the initiative addresses affordability or amounts to a developer bailout, while also looking at the broader challenges facing Build Canada Homes.

Finally, Turnbull and Jones discuss investor confidence, Canada’s economic outlook, and how uncertainty surrounding Alberta’s separation movement could influence major infrastructure investments and long-term economic growth.

From international trade to housing policy and investment confidence, this episode provides practical analysis of several of the issues shaping Canada’s economic and political landscape.