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.

  1. 5D AGO

    Liberals flex, Conservatives reflect | Rachel Curran

    It’s been referred to as “Harperpalooza” in Ottawa this week: a prolonged celebration of the 20th anniversary of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s first election victory. Conservatives celebrated past glories at reunions and a swanky gala, but present-day obstacles loom.   On this episode of the Playbook Canada podcast, co-hosts Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric examine how Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party is still searching for a winning message, while Mark Carney’s Liberals project confidence — perhaps even hubris — by tapping MPs for diplomatic posts, brushing off House vacancies, and moving quickly to lock in candidates ahead of looming by-elections.  Also on the show: what that confidence could mean in the weeks ahead, from cross-party cooperation on affordability to Canada’s renewed focus on the Arctic. Plus, Rachel Curran, a former top policy adviser to Harper and now a senior executive at Meta, joins the podcast to reflect on working for Harper, the evolving tech-policy landscape, and whether news could soon return to Facebook and Instagram in Canada.  Nick Taylor-Vaisey is POLITICO’s Ottawa bureau chief and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  Mickey Djuric is a reporter and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  ⁠Alex Keeney⁠ is Playbook Canada's executive producer  ⁠Steve Bone⁠ composed the music used in Playbook Canada.

    23 min

  2. JAN 29

    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.   Nick Taylor-Vaisey is POLITICO’s Ottawa bureau chief and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  Mickey Djuric is a reporter and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  ⁠Alex Keeney⁠ is Playbook Canada's executive producer  ⁠Steve Bone⁠ composed the music used in Playbook Canada.

    23 min

  3. JAN 22

    Carney’s global test | Philippe J. Fournier

    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. Then, forecaster Philippe J. Fournier, founder of 338Canada, joins the show to give his predictions, including whether there will be an election in 2026.  Nick Taylor-Vaisey is POLITICO’s Ottawa bureau chief and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  Mickey Djuric is a reporter and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  ⁠Alex Keeney⁠ is Playbook Canada's executive producer  ⁠Steve Bone⁠ composed the music used in Playbook Canada.

    27 min

  4. JAN 15

    Carney looks east, Trump looks north | Paul Wells

    As Mark Carney heads to China and Donald Trump talks tough about Greenland, Canada’s place in a shifting world order feels constantly fragile. Veteran columnist Paul Wells and POLITICO’s China and Indo-Pacific affairs correspondent Phelim Kine join Playbook Canada to unpack what’s at stake — and how closely Washington and Beijing are watching.  Nick Taylor-Vaisey is POLITICO’s Ottawa bureau chief and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  Phelim Kine is POLITICO’s China and Indo-Pacific affairs correspondent ⁠Alex Keeney⁠ is Playbook Canada's executive producer  ⁠Steve Bone⁠ composed the music used in Playbook Canada.

    23 min

  5. 2025-12-18

    Pipelines 'north, south, east and west' | Danielle Smith

    Another floor-crosser brings Mark Carney within one vote of a majority, leaving Pierre Poilievre scrambling for a defense as questions mount about his grip on the Conservative caucus. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith joins the Playbook Canada podcast to talk pipelines “north, south, east and west” and her relationship with Carney and the broader Conservative moment. Plus, Mickey shares details from a rare interview with Kevin Brosseau, Carney’s fentanyl czar, on what Trump gets right about fentanyl and how Ottawa is responding.    Nick Taylor-Vaisey is POLITICO’s Ottawa bureau chief and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  Mickey Djuric is a reporter and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  ⁠Alex Keeney⁠ is Playbook Canada's executive producer  ⁠Steve Bone⁠ composed the music used in Playbook Canada.

    26 min

  6. 2025-12-11

    Trump’s man in Ottawa takes questions | Pete Hoekstra

    Parliament may be heading into winter break, but a wave of ambassadorial openings in Washington, London and Brussels could upend the fragile political math for Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority government. Nick and Mickey also track Steven Guilbeault’s decision to break with Liberal policy — while sticking around as a Liberal MP; the Conservatives’ recent momentum; and interview U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra.  Nick Taylor-Vaisey is POLITICO’s Ottawa bureau chief and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  Mickey Djuric is a reporter and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  ⁠Alex Keeney⁠ is Playbook Canada's executive producer  ⁠Steve Bone⁠ composed the music used in Playbook Canada.

    22 min

  7. 2025-12-04

    Marc Miller tests Carney’s rules | R.J. Simpson

    Mark Carney battles pipeline fallout and adds a new and potentially disruptive face to his Cabinet: Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller. Then, Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson joins the Playbook Canada podcast. Nick Taylor-Vaisey is POLITICO’s Ottawa bureau chief and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  Mickey Djuric is a reporter and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  ⁠Alex Keeney⁠ is Playbook Canada's executive producer  ⁠Steve Bone⁠ composed the music used in Playbook Canada.

    22 min

  8. 2025-11-27

    Will Ottawa and Alberta call a truce? | Ryan Jespersen

    Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have come up with an energy deal that could reshape the relationship between Alberta and Ottawa. Playbook’s Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric break down what’s really driving their tentative alliance — and whether it marks the dawn of a new era in Canadian politics.  Meanwhile, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has brought in Steve Outhouse to replace longtime campaign chief Jenni Byrne, raising fresh questions about the direction Poilievre is headed next. And political analyst and podcast virtuoso Ryan Jespersen joins for a 200-second interview. Nick Taylor-Vaisey is POLITICO’s Ottawa bureau chief and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  Mickey Djuric is a reporter and co-author of POLITICO’s Canada Playbook newsletter  ⁠Alex Keeney⁠ is Playbook Canada's executive producer  ⁠Steve Bone⁠ composed the music used in Playbook Canada.

    25 min
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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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