Loyal Dippers are gathering in Winnipeg this weekend to decide their next leader — and the direction of the party. Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi joins The House to explain why he told frontrunners to not do anything that could affect his party's electoral fortunes. Then, political strategists Marci Surkes, Kate Harrison and Jordan Leichnitz weigh in on who the Liberals and Conservatives want to see win the race, and whether there could be an NDP rupture after the votes are tallied.

And this week, Canada's top court heard arguments challenging Quebec's Bill 21 — a law that prevents some civil servants from wearing religious symbols at work. Quebec pre-emptively used the notwithstanding clause to shield the law from court challenges, and that is what has caught the attention of governments across the country. Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey breaks down why his province supports Quebec's use of the notwithstanding clause and how transformational the court's decision will be.

Plus, as Middle East oil shipments dry up, Canadian officials are touting the country's stable supply at one of the world's biggest energy conferences in Texas. CBC Business reporter Kyle Bakx explains how energy executives are feeling right now amid deep uncertainty, and whether Canada's pitch is landing.

This episode features the voices of:

• Naheed Nenshi, Alberta NDP Leader
• Marci Surkes, former senior advisor to Justin Trudeau and chief strategy officer at Compass Rose
• Kate Harrison, Conservative strategist and vice chair at Summa Strategies
• Jordan Leichnitz, NDP strategist and Canada Director for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation
• Doug Downey, Ontario Attorney General
• Kyle Bakx, CBC Business reporter

In a marathon interview, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre discussed tariffs, 51st-state threats, mixed martial arts and kettlebells with popular and controversial podcast host Joe Rogan. Author Paul Wells and Globe and Mail senior reporter Stephanie Levitz break down Poilievre's performance and whether his appearance helps — or hurts — his push to reach more voters.

Next, the federal government says it's ready to help ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz as the war in Iran continues and oil prices rise. Former Canadian envoy to Iran Dennis Horak and Middle East expert Thomas Juneau discuss what the government actually means to contribute — and what Ottawa is prepared to do over concerns about Iranian state officials living in Canada.

Plus, for many Canadians, getting alcohol delivered from another province or territory right to their doorsteps is either expensive, or impossible. A Conservative bill wants to change that by allowing Canada Post to ship alcohol anywhere in the country. Chris Holler of Poplar Grove Winery in B.C. explains the shipping restrictions he faces, then Conservative MP Dan Albas, the author of the bill, explains why he believes his push will finally solve this trade barrier.

Then, the number of people experiencing homelessness at emergency shelters in Canada is climbing — but not everywhere. Mike Lethby, executive director of The Raft youth shelter, and Sandra Clarkson, CEO of the Calgary Drop-in Centre, outline why their shelters are bucking the trend.

This episode features the voices of:

• Stephanie Levitz, senior reporter for The Globe and Mail
• Paul Wells, author and podcaster
• Dennis Horak, Former Canadian chargé d'affaires in Iran
• Thomas Juneau, former analyst at the Department of National Defence
• Chris Holler, vice-president of Poplar Grove Winery
• Dan Albas, Conservative MP for Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna
• Mike Lethby, executive director of The Raft youth shelter
• Sandra Clarkson, president and CEO of the Calgary Drop-in Centre

After back-to-back-to-back successes in attracting Conservatives to join his team, Prime Minister Mark Carney has secured a fourth floor-crosser. And this time, it's from the NDP. Are more still to come? The House Party podcast team — Catherine Cullen, Daniel Thibeault and Jason Markusoff — reunite to talk about Carney's ability to lure MPs from all sides of the political spectrum. Then Liberal House Leader Steven MacKinnon defends the floor crossers and hints that more Conservatives may make the leap.

Plus, as the war in the Middle East enters its third week, millions of people are displaced and an energy crisis is brewing. Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg , now Norway's finance minister, joins The House to discuss Prime Minister Carney’s visit to Norway, whether the war in Iran will end up helping Russia, and what middle powers like Canada and Norway can do.

And, after a series of shootings outside Toronto synagogues this week, the Liberal government's controversial hate-crimes bill is back in the spotlight. But there are still deep concerns from civil liberties groups and some religious organizations. Why is that? Host Catherine Cullen breaks down the Combatting Hate Act with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ Noah Shack, Anaïs Bussières McNicoll of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and Mustafa Farooq, former CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims.

This episode features the voices of:

• Daniel Thibeault, parliamentary bureau chief for Radio-Canada and host of Les Coulisses du Pouvoir
• Jason Markusoff, CBC Calgary
• Steven MacKinnon, Liberal House leader
• Jens Stoltenberg, former secretary general of NATO and Norway's finance minister
• Noah Shack, CEO of Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
• Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
• Mustafa Farooq, former CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims