Podcasts
Election vibe check | Steven MacKinnon

Election vibe check | Steven MacKinnon

Election vibes are back on Parliament Hill as Prime Minister Mark Carney rides a post-Davos bump and Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre prepares for a critical leadership review. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon joins Playbook Canada to discuss playing nice in the House, election speculation and floor crossers.

What's at stake for Poilievre ahead his leadership review?

What's at stake for Poilievre ahead his leadership review?

After an unremarkable blow in last year's federal election - at both the national and riding level - all eyes will be on Conservative Leader, Pierre Poilievre's leadership abilities during the Conservative Party Convention in Calgary.

Trump 2.0’s Nazi-coded social feeds

Trump 2.0’s Nazi-coded social feeds

Over the last few weeks, the Trump administration has explicitly or implicitly borrowed from the Nazi tradition on social media. Specific passages or iconography from the Third Reich have been repurposed in the context of the government’s own legislative program today. The adoption of these extreme symbols, dog whistles and phrases is part of a re-mainstreaming of fascist and Nazi...

Raj and Russo: Will Pierre Poilievre Hold On To His Job?

Raj and Russo: Will Pierre Poilievre Hold On To His Job?

It's a big week for Conservatives. On Friday night in Calgary Pierre Poilievre gets the verdict from his party membership -- a leadership review vote will determine his future. Rob Russo and Althia Raj have their thoughts on that.

Is MAGA weaponizing Alberta separatism?

Is MAGA weaponizing Alberta separatism?

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has weighed in on the separatism movement in Alberta. Bessent has said that the province is a “natural partner” to the U.S., and that it has “great resources”. While Bessent is certainly the most high profile U.S. official to muse about Alberta separatism, he hasn’t been the only MAGA supporter to chime in. Donald Trump’s...

It's All On The Whiteboard

It's All On The Whiteboard

David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke provide insights on the latest in Canadian politics.

Carney gets post-Davos bump as Poilievre falls further back

Carney gets post-Davos bump as Poilievre falls further back

Following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech at Davos last week, the polls appear to have shifted in his favour — and against that of Pierre Poilievre. With the House of Commons now sitting again, the year’s political season just getting started and Poilievre only a few days away from his leadership review in Calgary, what do these numbers mean for...



Does Carney Want a Spring Election?

Does Carney Want a Spring Election?

And yet, for a brief moment, it felt like Canada was riding high on the world stage, with Mark Carney holding court in Davos at the World Economic Forum. So… which version of Canada is real right now? The confident global player, or the country once again bracing for Trump’s mood swings?

Facing The New Reality -- Canada vs the U.S.

Facing The New Reality -- Canada vs the U.S.

As we said on Good Talk, everything changed last week Is the government, and are Canadians, ready for the situation we now find ourselves in with the United States. What happens now is the question for Janice Stein in her regular Monday appearance on The Bridge.

Can NATO survive Trump?

Can NATO survive Trump?

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump set off a firestorm with comments dismissing the military contributions of fellow NATO members during the war in Afghanistan. This follows the president’s aggressive bid for Greenland, a self-governing territory of NATO-ally Denmark, which brought into question whether NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, could survive without America, its strongest and richest member...

What does Trump's 'forever deal' mean for Canada's arctic and NATO?

What does Trump's 'forever deal' mean for Canada's arctic and NATO?

After exclaiming that a reality where Greenland isn't owned by the US wasn't possible, President Trump has seemed to take the gloves off and use an approach he hasn't necessarily been reaching for lately - diplomacy.

Margaret MacMillan: Are We Headed Back to the WWI Era of Great Power Rivalry?

Margaret MacMillan: Are We Headed Back to the WWI Era of Great Power Rivalry?

Historian Margaret MacMillan joins Steve to discuss the history we are living through, how it reminds her of the zero-sum period before the First World War, Trump’s claims over Greenland, his letter to the PM of Norway, how seriously Canada should take Trump’s 51st state rhetoric, and the history of American attempts to invade Canada.

What you need to know as Parliament resumes

What you need to know as Parliament resumes

It’s been a busy month abroad for Prime Minister Mark Carney, but now, he’ll have to turn his focus back to domestic issues as Parliament returns on Monday. There’s a lot to catch up on — later this week, the Conservatives will have their leadership review of Pierre Poilievre during their convention in Calgary, and the NDP are in the...

Fighting with Trump is a Liberal strategy for a fresh election

Fighting with Trump is a Liberal strategy for a fresh election

The bromance between Donald Trump and Mark Carney is over. The president is back to jeering at the prime minister after Carney’s “hegemon” speech in Switzerland. And Liberals are back in their election comfort zone, acting as defenders of Canada against American hostility, as Brian discusses with Stuart Thomson and Tasha Kheiriddin, hosts of Postmedia’s Political Hack newsletter. It worked...

Nick Kouvalis on Trump, Conservatives, and Canada

Nick Kouvalis on Trump, Conservatives, and Canada

Alright, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! Sound the horns, because we have a 3-time guest on the show today. Pollster, campaign guru, and political strategist Nick Kouvalis is here.

ISIS is Shockingly Active in Canada

ISIS is Shockingly Active in Canada

“ They said that Waleed Khan transferred property and funds to ISIS and also was doing the bidding of ISIS and was ready to counsel to commit murders and terrorism.” -Ellin Bessner



A 'stunning' speech... But what does Carney do now?

A 'stunning' speech... But what does Carney do now?

It was a speech heard around the world. In front of global leaders, Prime Minister Mark Carney laid bare Canada's new foreign policy vision: Middle powers need to team up — or they'll be on the menu for hegemons like Russia, China and the United States. Two former diplomats — American Ambassador Tom Shannon, who at one point held the...

Sheila Copps on Greenland, a 2026 election, and the return of Parliament

Sheila Copps on Greenland, a 2026 election, and the return of Parliament

Peter Mazereeuw speaks with former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps about Mark Carney's big speech at Davos, China, Trump and Greenland, a 2026 election, floor crossing, and more.

Good Talk -- The Week Everything Changed

Good Talk -- The Week Everything Changed

First, Mark Carney said the rupture is real and our days tied to the US are over. Twenty four hours later, Donald Trump implies "You better be careful Mark". More Trumpian insults directed at Canada followed So now, its game on, the fight is real and who knows just where it will all end up. So while Carney and his...

Can Carney deliver on his Davos speech?

Can Carney deliver on his Davos speech?

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney outlines a new era of global politics in an address to the World Economic Forum, but can he deliver on his vision? And Ontario Premier Doug Ford fires back at the Canada-China EV deal.

Carney's New World Order: Will Canada’s China Gamble Pay Off? | Everything Political

Carney's New World Order: Will Canada’s China Gamble Pay Off? | Everything Political

Peter Donolo joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss Carney’s deal with China. They explore why Tony thinks it’s a terrible decision for Canada, the need to chart a new path away from America, China’s history of foreign influence in Canada, and the future of Canada’s auto industry...

What’s Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ really about?

What’s Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ really about?

Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ says it has a plan for the future of Gaza. Critics say that strategy is full of holes, and that the true intention of the board extends far beyond the war ravaged territory. Today we look at how a U.S. 20-point plan for a post-war Gaza evolved into a body that some fear could undermine...

Ask Me Anything 2 and The Random Ranter

Ask Me Anything 2 and The Random Ranter

More, in fact a lot more, of your questions in our latest attempt at an Ask Me Anything program. Again I try to get to as many of your questions about country, politics and career, but there are still lots left to go through. Plus the Random Ranter and Trump and Carney at Davos.

The Carney Doctrine

The Carney Doctrine

At Davos, Mark Carney laid out Canada’s place in a volatile world. Playbook Canada examines the political moment at home and what comes next as MPs head back to the Hill.

What Carney’s China trade deal means for EVs in Canada

What Carney’s China trade deal means for EVs in Canada

As part of Canada’s new trade deal with China, 49,000 Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles will be allowed to be sold in the Canadian market this year. It’s a big change from our previous 100 per cent tariff on Chinese-made cars. Auto leaders and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have criticized the deal, saying it puts the country’s auto sector at risk when...


Carney and 'The Speech'

Carney and 'The Speech'

It was an eventful World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week, with striking speeches by both the U.S. President and Canadian Prime Minister. For his part Donald Trump talked for more than an hour on an array of topics, including his desire to acquire Greenland. His speech came a day after Mark Carney made international headlines announcing the end...

The Day After The Carney Speech

The Day After The Carney Speech

We start today with a few thoughts about yesterday's Davos speech by Prime Minister Carney -- its had, for the most part, a very positive reaction from around the world. This though, is our usual Wednesday special, this week an end bits special.

It's a new dawn, it's a new day: Carney turns the page on world order

It's a new dawn, it's a new day: Carney turns the page on world order

It was a standing ovation in Davos. Prime Minister Mark Carney sparking inspiration while signifying the death of what once was in the world of international relations. Urging countries to form new alliances and leave the way things used to be in the past, as we tread forward in an era with new rules and less boundaries - specifically within...

Moore-Butts: Is Trump's America Any Different Than Germany in the Mid-Thirties?

Moore-Butts: Is Trump's America Any Different Than Germany in the Mid-Thirties?

Calling Trump a "fascist" or a "Nazi" has become far more commonplace in the past few months given ICE, Venezuela and Greenland. But is it correct? That's the question for the opening segment of the latest Moore Butts conversation with former Stephen Harper cabinet minister James Moore and former senior aide to Justin Trudeau, Gerald Butts.

Is Europe ready for the Greenland fight?

Is Europe ready for the Greenland fight?

In a provocative speech to the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney made the case that the rules of international economics and politics are “in the midst of a rupture, not a transition”.

The World As It Is

The World As It Is

David Herle, Scott Reid, Jordan Leichnitz, and Kory Teneycke provide insights on the latest in Canadian politics.

Poilievre's negatives spike. Is it a blip or a problem?

Poilievre's negatives spike. Is it a blip or a problem?

With less than two weeks to go before Pierre Poilievre’s leadership review in Calgary, a new poll shows a spike in his negative ratings to a new high. Is it a one-off blip or a sign of a deeper problem for the Conservative leader?

Kory Teneycke: Why Doug Ford Keeps Winning

Kory Teneycke: Why Doug Ford Keeps Winning

Kory Teneycke, senior advisor to Premier Doug Ford, joins Steve to discuss the Premier, his “awful” first year in government, how he turned it around and won three straight majorities, the Greenbelt and Skills Development Fund controversies, and Ford’s earlier praise for Donald Trump.

Mark Carney and the New World Order

Mark Carney and the New World Order

Prime Minister Mark Carney is at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week, as the situation with Greenland continues to escalate. Carney’s Davos trip is coming on the heels of a visit to China and Qatar where the Prime Minister made deals with both countries. Last year, he called China the biggest threat to Canada’s security, but now...

Greenland Used To Be A Punchline, Now Could It Mean The End of NATO?

Greenland Used To Be A Punchline, Now Could It Mean The End of NATO?

Lots to discuss with Dr Janice Stein on this week's conversation with the director of the Munk School at the University of Toronto. We call the segment "Our Changing World" and again this week the list of examples continues: Greenland, NATO, China and Canada's new relationship with it after PM Carney's visit last week.

Bob Rae Just Retired and is Telling All About What he Saw at the UN

Bob Rae Just Retired and is Telling All About What he Saw at the UN

Trump invades Greenland tomorrow. Danish forces shoot on American forces. American forces shoot back. Maybe a Canadian gets killed since we’re there in support of NATO. In the end America takes Greenland by force. What happens next, Bob?

Canada's trade gamble: Why the latest deal with China may do more harm than good

Canada's trade gamble: Why the latest deal with China may do more harm than good

Canada has been lockstep with the U-S when it comes to trade policy with China for years. Last week, that changed. PM Mark Carney’s new tariff deal with China will allow 49,000 Chinese EVs into the country every year for three years at a dramatically-slashed tariff of only 6.1 per cent—in exchange for a reduced tariff on canola seeds, lobster...

New World Order: Canada on the World Stage with David Mulroney & Jennifer Welsh

New World Order: Canada on the World Stage with David Mulroney & Jennifer Welsh

Greetings, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! It occurs to us here at Air Quotes Media, that when the Prime Minister goes to China ... makes an historic trade deal ... and then invokes the term “New World Order” in his statement to the press – Carney said it slowly, dramatically, deliberately – you gather the most expert people you...

Carney's China Breakthrough and Trump's Greenland Grab

Carney's China Breakthrough and Trump's Greenland Grab

What are the implications of Mark Carney's surprising success in China? Will it make Canada more independent and resilient? Will it provoke the wrath of the Don? Peter, Louise and Jeremy also discuss Trump's Greenland obsession and whether there is light at the end of the tunnel in Iran.

Carney's got a trade deal with China. What's under the hood?

Carney's got a trade deal with China. What's under the hood?

Prime Minister Mark Carney's trade deal with China has sent a jolt through Canada and beyond. In exchange for allowing more Chinese-made electric vehicles to enter the Canadian market, Beijing has agreed to lower duties on some agricultural and seafood products. Catherine Cullen first speaks with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew about what the deal means for his province; then former...

Re-engaging with China, with Senator Yuen Pau Woo

Re-engaging with China, with Senator Yuen Pau Woo

Peter Mazereeuw speaks with Senator Yuen Pau Woo, a former head of the Asia Pacific Foundation, about Prime Minister Mark Carney's move to rebuild ties with China.

Good Talk -- Made in China.

Good Talk -- Made in China.

Mark Carney was in China for the past few days and leaves with a pocketful of deals. Sounds good but how good is it? Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson are here with their assessment of risks and rewards. It's a busy Good Talk with more on the agenda, from the resignation of Quebec's premier to what exactly is Canada's position...

Does Carney’s China reset trip come with risks?

Does Carney’s China reset trip come with risks?

At Issue this week: Prime Minister Mark Carney goes to China to try and reset the relationship. Quebec Premier François Legault resigns after plummeting polls and mounting pressure. Plus, how concerned should Canada be about Trump’s Greenland ambitions?