Playbook Canada

Politico

Each week, POLITICO’s Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric bring to life the stories that are driving the news in Ottawa and beyond — drawing on their deep reporting from Parliament Hill and across the provinces to reveal the characters and conflicts that are shaping Canada’s future.

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35 episodes
weekly
Avg 26 min
English

Episodes 35

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Thursday · 27 min
Carney’s air miles — and the push for payoffs
Mark Carney is racking up the air miles: four summits in eight days. Mickey Djuric and Nick Taylor-Vaisey look at the entourage traveling with the prime minister — and the pressure on him to bring home results. Carney is skipping one stop: COP31. POLITICO’s Sara Schonhardt reports on the leadership vacuum at the climate summit. Plus, Ottawa keeps cutting the public service, and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson joins us for 200 seconds.
November 5 · 28 min
‘Elbows up’ is so 2025. Next up: ‘Masters of our destiny.’
Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric decode Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s second budget — and what it reveals about Mark Carney’s priorities. Recorded in the budget lockup, with analysis from former Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux, quick takes and 200 seconds with budget day veteran Susan Delacourt.
October 31 · 34 min
Mark Carney on Trump, Ukraine — and those Brooks Brothers shirts
Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Brussels Playbook host Zoya Sheftalovich sit down with Prime Minister Mark Carney for a feature interview on Canada’s developing relationship with the EU, trade talks with Donald Trump, support for Ukraine — and exactly when he will wear one of the Brooks Brothers shirts the U.S. president gifted him.
October 29 · 2 min
Tune in Saturday, you won't want to miss it!
Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric drop into your feed to say we’ve bumped the usual Thursday episode to Saturday morning, but we promise, it will be worth the wait. We have a very special episode planned which we know you will love. And it just so happens to mark our one-year anniversary! Tune in on Saturday. You won’t want to miss it.
October 22 · 30 min
Danielle Smith on the ropes
Alberta’s referendum is over. Danielle Smith’s fight inside her own party is just beginning. Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric discuss what’s next for a premier who’s made all sides furious. Plus, Mark Carney is back on the road — and Ottawa’s budget is only weeks away.
October 17 · 44 min
Bonus Episode: In depth with Avi Lewis
NDP Leader Avi Lewis joins Nick Taylor-Vaisey for a bonus episode of “Playbook Canada.” In a wide-ranging interview, they discuss the prime minister’s popularity, fishbowl culture, how to talk to Albertans about oil, what socialism means today, the U.S. politicians Lewis is watching and what he’s learned about his late father Stephen’s legacy. They also discuss Bill C-39, the government’s latest major-projects bill.
October 15 · 35 min
We need to talk about Alberta
Mickey Djuric joins Nick Taylor-Vaisey from Calgary to discuss the stakes in Alberta’s referendum debate and where things go after Monday's vote. They hear from key players, including separatist leader Mitch Sylvestre. And Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon shares notes on the fall political season. Plus, 200 seconds with “Unity Bus” driver Thomas Lukaszuk.
October 8 · 25 min
Inside Canada’s EU glow-up
A leaked draft offers a peek at an EU-Canada relationship. Or is it a partnership? Just don’t call it associate membership. Guest host Camille Gijs, POLITICO’s senior trade reporter in Brussels, tells Nick Taylor-Vaisey the idea was “born dead” — in the words of one diplomat. Also, Ottawa reacts to the PQ victory in Quebec. Europe doesn’t. And Europe and China arrive at a make-or-break moment. Plus, Eurovision!
October 1 · 25 min
PQ flirts with a majority in Quebec election
Today on Playbook Canada, poll analyst Philippe J. Fournier joins Nick Taylor-Vaisey to discuss the ups and — for Christine Fréchette — serious downs of the Quebec election campaign. Fournier brings all the data to the conversation. Also, Prime Minister Mark Carney drops in on two high-stakes provincial campaigns. And a whiff of patronage returns to the Senate. Plus, 200 seconds with Sen. Colin Deacon.
September 24 · 28 min
Opportunity knocks. Eby answers | Plus, Dan Albas
Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric connect the players and politics moving between Ottawa and British Columbia’s snap election. Ambassador-designate Jonathan Wilkinson shares what’s next in Canada’s courtship with the European Union. Plus, a 200-second interview with Conservative MP Dan Albas.
September 17 · 25 min
Canada has its Europe moment
Today on Playbook Canada, Politico’s Jack Blanchard borrows Mickey Djuric’s chair to speak with Nick Taylor Vaisey about the Canada-EU lovefest inside the European Parliament. They dissect the politics on both sides of the Atlantic. They came, they saw but will they invest? Nick breaks down the Canada Investment Summit and Jack sees possible shades of Emmanuel Macron in Mark Carney. Also, why does Australia's populist right keep praising Canada's immigration policy?
September 10 · 34 min
The U.S. strikes back, Canada holds its fire | David Cohen
The U.S. strikes back at Canada's counter-tariffs. Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric sift through the government's response, the politics at play and how one company with Bombardier in its name got caught in the crosshairs; Philippe J. Fournier makes sense of the wild ride that is the Quebec election campaign; Mark Carney hits the road on a persuasion tour; and former U.S. ambassador to Canada David Cohen sits down to talk repairing relations, and the best cheesesteak in Philly.
September 3 · 45 min
Damien Kurek on why Alberta feels unheard
The Alberta MP who stepped aside for Pierre Poilievre in Battle River—Crowfoot sits down with Mickey Djuric to tackle the big questions facing the country: What does it mean to be Canadian? What does it mean to be Albertan? And why are these separatist conversations happening now? From 1,000 pink slips when the Keystone XL expansion was cancelled to the original vision for Confederation, this conversation covers a lot of ground — with a brief stop for a sleepover with dinosaurs at the Drumheller museum.
August 20 · 25 min
Carney and the politics of concessions
Mark Carney faces a political conundrum: Canadians are in no mood for concessions, but dealing with Washington demands some flexibility. How does he show Canada he's standing firm while keeping his options open with Washington? Playbook marks its 5th birthday with cake, balloons and a crush of Ottawa insiders — some of whom we cornered to share what’s blinking on their radar. Plus, Federation of Canadian Municipalities President Tim Tierney joins us to talk about the politics of potholes.
August 13 · 25 min
Ian Brodie on the right, and very wrong, way to engage Alberta
Next up in our summer series looking at the separatism movement in Alberta, Ian Brodie. The first chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper weighs in on the debate dividing his province. He explains why even an 80 percent vote to remain in Canada may not be enough to quash the separatist movement without Mark Carney and Danielle Smith working to lock it down. Plus, his thoughts on Stephen Harper’s role in the campaign. And the right, and very wrong, way for federal politicians to engage with Albertans on this issue.
August 6 · 36 min
Separatism becomes Alberta's forever wedge | Jason Kenney
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney joins the pod for a candid conversation about patriotism in a time of separatism. Kenney describes the movement as a “perfect umbrella for every obsession, paranoia and anxiety” gripping parts of the province's right wing. He shares how it's getting personal — ending friendships, including some of his own, and dividing families. And he predicts separatism will be a permanent wedge inside Alberta's conservative party. Plus, Nick watches for Mark Carney vacation plans as trade issues escalate. And Mickey has her eye on Pierre Poilievre, who's been unusually quiet while Conservatives feud online.
July 30 · 28 min
Alberta debates, investment waits | Deborah Yedlin
Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric speak with Calgary Chamber CEO Deborah Yedlin for a frontline read on Alberta’s shifting mood — from standing ovations for Mark Carney to concerns that the referendum on a referendum is putting investment on hold. Yedlin explains what the rest of Canada misunderstands about Alberta’s frustration and why she believes generational economic opportunity is ahead. Plus, Nick watches four thousand WestJet flight attendants on the cusp of striking to see how the Liberal government reacts. And Mickey watches Canadian Heritage Minister Marc Miller — he’s not part of trade negotiations, but his files keep showing up at the table.
July 23 · 29 min
Danielle Smith, national unity champion? | Jenni Byrne talks Alberta separatism
Canada's premiers gather in Charlottetown just as President Trump threatens new 50 per cent tariffs. They say they're united, but Doug Ford is pushing for retaliation, and Danielle Smith and Scott Moe are not interested. Our summer series on Alberta separatism continues with long-time Conservative strategist Jenni Byrne, who says the referendum vote could clear 30 per cent at the ballot box and calls Danielle Smith the politician who's done the most for national unity. Her advice for Carney and the Liberals on Alberta: drop the condescension, or sit this one out.
July 16 · 25 min
Don’t say, “We gave you a pipeline” | Martha Hall Findlay on separatism in Alberta
Playbook Canada launches a special summer series on Alberta’s fight with Ottawa. First up, Martha Hall Findlay. The Alberta government has asked the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy to produce a study on the economic and fiscal consequences of separation. Hall Findlay is leading the project, and she had lots to say about the October referendum and the turnout problem hiding inside it, the pipeline announcements that landed during Stampede, and why “We gave you TMX!” is the worst thing Central Canadians can say to an Albertan.
July 9 · 24 min
Yahoo, Canada! | Stampede politics, plus 200 seconds with Corey Hogan
Cowboy hats, cowboy boots and big buckles: Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric record on location at the Calgary Stampede, where this year’s celebrations are politically charged amid sharp grievances. One test to be decided: Can a pipeline soothe a separatist mood? Plus, Calgary Liberal MP Corey Hogan sits down for a 200-second interview.

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