Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr joins the show to defend the government’s plan to transform the year-old Defence Investment Agency into a Crown corporation, pushing back on criticism that the structural shift is designed to escape accountability.

Former CAQ Minister Christopher Skeete and former Quebec Liberal Leader Pablo Rodriguez look at the path forward for Quebec after a historic PQ win revives the referendum debate.

"We have a diversity of views in our caucus," insists Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, defending her decision to not to kick out MLA Jason Stephan from her caucus. Stephan cast a ballot for “option 2” in the Alberta referendum, which is the option for holding another referendum on separation.

“We are 100% behind the right to strike,” insists Leslie Church, parliamentary secretary to the jobs minister, despite union criticism that Bill C-39 will do the opposite and impede their members right to strike.

"We have a five-alarm fire with the cost of living right now," says Conservative MP Andrew Scheer, pushing back against claims that federal dental and childcare programs are actually saving families money on day one of the new parliamentary session.

Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon dismisses opposition claims that his sweeping new omnibus bill is a move to avoid scrutiny, arguing the massive economic package must be passed together to pivot Canada away from the U.S. market.

"We see the prime minister darting off to Strasbourg to make an announcement that has no particular details attached to it," says Conservative MP Shuvaloy Majumdar, arguing the feds should be focused on exporting more to Europe by building faster at home.

Vassy asks Minister of Digital Innovation Evan Solomon how Canadians will benefit from the investment summit, and whether execution will be a problem for his government.

"We need the private capital to come in," says Dominic Barton, calling the government's $1 trillion investment goal ambitious but achievable, while warning Canada must shake up its reputation for being "all hat and no cattle" on project execution.

BC Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay downplays the exit of nine MLAs who blamed her leadership for their departures, insisting it’s a matter of "growing pains" and a refusal to accept the will of the grassroots party membership.

"We think it's eminently financeable," Energy Minister Tim Hodgson tells Vassy Kapelos, brushing off industry warnings that Alberta's Pathways Carbon Capture Project is 'unfinanceable' without more government investment; but does not rule out more federal subsidies to make the project viable.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser says he’s not closing the door on any policy for MAID, and Vassy asks him what his personal view on its expansion is:

"Canadians are too smart to be tricked …,” Justice Minister Sean Fraser insists when asked by Vassy Kapelos if his government’s new bail law is about addressing a political vulnerability.

"We're laying track now to hit the 3.5%" says Defence Minister David McGuinty when asked about when his government will detail plans on how it intends to hit defence spending targets.

"We're on standby": Defence Minister David McGuinty says Canada is discussing "three practical options" to help the global community secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, should a ceasefire hold between Iran and the U.S.

“Getting this bridge open is a big win for all of us,” says Michigan Governor Rick Snyder about the potential opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump’s opposition to the project was based on “bad information.”

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon says the government will be "passing legislation to update our privacy laws" when asked if the newly-announced AI strategy is realistic in its vision of children's safety.

Conservative Trade Critic Adam Chambers says that trade war tariffs are weighing heavily on Canada's economy, but argues that a "slight difference" in growth matters when other G7 countries remain positive while Canada slips into a recession.

Secretary of State (CRA) Wayne Long says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre "seems to be celebrating" Canada's lagging economy, and argues "there's a lot of very, very positive indicators to our economy".

For the first time in ten years, China's foreign minister Wang Yi is in Ottawa for a three day trip which included a meeting with the Prime Minister. Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and Vice President of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Vina Nadjibulla joined Power Play with @mikelecouteur to discuss what this means for the evolving Canada-China relationship.