Above The 49th

Canadian Politics For Dummies*

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Ever get lost in the labyrinth of Canadian politics and wonder if Parliament Hill is just Canada’s version of Hogwarts? Wish someone would explain a “tariff” without sending you into a three-hour Wikipedia coma? You’re in the right place. cp4d.substack.com

10 FEB

Who the Hell Is Jamil Jivani?

First‑term Conservative MP Jamil Jivani just filmed himself announcing a DIY “trade mission” to Washington, DC… and somehow made it sound “counterintuitive” that a Conservative might work with a Liberal prime minister on a national crisis. So tonight on Above The 49th, we’re asking the obvious question: who the f* is this guy? Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

8 min
4 FEB

Above The 49th: Canada vs Trump at Davos

Mark Carney just went to Davos, declared the old world order dead, got a standing ovation, and somehow made Canada look like the adult in the room… while Donald Trump was basically pitching himself Greenland like a timeshare. Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

16 min
30 JAN

26/01/30 Trump’s Global Chaos & Canada’s China Gamble

Headlines, Greenland, Trump’s Western Hemisphere “shopping spree,” and Mark Carney’s China trip...In this episode:00:00 INTRO00:33 CANADIAN HEADLINES- a Winnipeg Jets prospect gets his NHL call-up mid‑haircut at a Winnipeg barbershop- WestJet executives personally test their own brutal legroom and still sign off on it- a stunt skier jumps the Rideau Canal so hard Parks Canada has to issue a “please don’t do this” advisory.03:23 GREENLAND“The island that could break NATO...” Trump talks about taking Greenland “the easy way or the hard way,” reports of invasion planning surface, experts in Canada and Denmark warn it could shatter NATO, and we look at what that means for the Canadian Arctic.10:31 TRUMP THREATENS EVERYONEIn one week, Trump invades Venezuela and says the U.S. will “run” it, casually threatens Colombia, predicts Cuba will fall, pressures Panama over the canal, bullies Mexico over water and tariffs, and slaps 25% penalties on anyone doing business with Iran... and we break down how all of that lands on Canada.18:53 CARNEY'S CHINA GAMBLEPrime Minister Mark Carney flies to Beijing to meet Xi, try to lift tariffs on Canadian canola/pork/seafood, and “recalibrate” Canada’s relationship with China as a hedge against Trump... along with all the risks that come with betting on an authoritarian regime that once jailed two Canadians for 1,019 days.Key questions we dig into:- Could Trump’s obsession with Greenland actually break NATO, and what happens to the “rules‑based order” if the U.S. goes rogue against another ally?- Is Trump using Venezuela as a proof‑of‑concept for grabbing more territory or leverage across the hemisphere, and where does that leave Canada heading into CUSMA renegotiations and the 2026 World Cup?- Is Carney’s China play smart diversification or just swapping dependence on Washington for dependence on Beijing — and can Canada ever really be independent between two superpowers? Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

33 min
9 JAN

26/01/09 Venezuela, Trump, and Canada's Precarious Position

The US just invaded Venezuela, the petrodollar system is collapsing, and Canada's oil economy might be in serious trouble. Let us explain what happened, why it matters, and what it means for every Canadian.We start things off with some well-deserved humour… a few older viral Canadian stories making the rounds online… before diving into the serious political and economic issues that matter.In this episode:✅ Breaking down the US military operation in Venezuela✅ What is the petrodollar and why is it ending?✅ Canada's heavy crude oil problem explained✅ Why Mark Carney is probably panicking right now✅ PLUS: Pierre Poilievre's leadership crisis, the NDP's collapse, and a goat arrested at Tim Hortons Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

29 min
30/12/2025

25/12/29 Mount Stupid, The Far Right, and Canadian Politics: Dunning-Kruger In Action

Ever notice the people who know the LEAST about politics are often the MOST confident? That’s the Dunning-Kruger effect, and tonight we’re taking it on... in Canadian politics. From “being a liberal is a mental disorder” to “globalist takeover” comment-section warriors, we break down how this psychological bias turns ignorance into absolute certainty (particularly on the right and far-right), and why NONE of us are immune.In this special episode, we explain what the Dunning-Kruger effect actually is, how the famous “Mount Stupid” curve works, why some corners of conservative media are such fertile ground for overconfident nonsense, and how to spot (and avoid) becoming a walking Dunning-Kruger meme yourself.If you care about Canadian politics, critical thinking, and not getting owned by your loudest uncle at Christmas, this one’s for you. Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

11 min
18/12/2025

25/12/17 Carney’s Bond Plot, Conservative Floor Chaos, & Premier Power Rankings

Canada just had an absolutely unhinged week in politics. Michael Ma crosses the floor, Mark Carney is accused of secretly plotting to tank the U.S. with bonds, and the premiers get their year‑end report cards. Welcome back to Above the 49th with Head Dummy Mark Adam. Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

21 min
10/12/2025

25/12/08 Recalls, Pipelines, & Political Report Cards

Canada just had one of the wildest political years in recent memory... recall campaigns, pipeline poker, Trump threatening CUSMA, and Mark Carney’s first year as PM. In this episode of Above the 49th, Head Dummy Mark Adam breaks down the chaos with a full 2025 Federal Leaders Report Card, plus five savage, funny segments on the biggest stories in Canadian politics.Today we cover:- Danielle Smith’s recall petition in Brooks–Medicine Hat and Alberta’s recall law- The high‑stakes Carney–Smith pipeline MOU and what it means for Alberta, Ottawa, climate and Indigenous rights- Trump vs CUSMA/USMCA: how we got from NAFTA to CUSMA, and what happens if Trump walks away now- 2025 party leader grades: Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre, Don Davies, Elizabeth May, Yves‑François Blanchet- Canada’s viral Penthouse nightclub marquee and why a neon sign might be doing more for national unity than ParliamentThis is your Canadian politics fix: comedy, context, and receipts. Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

29 min
25/11/2025

25/11/24 Canada’s Budget, Palestine's Statehood, & Mark Carney’s Billion-Dollar Deals

Buckle up, folks! 🇨🇦 In this week’s episode of “Last Week Above the 49th” from Canadian Politics For Dummies (CP4D), Mark Adam... your Head Dummy... breaks down the last 2 weeks in Canadian politics like never before. Skewering the hottest issues with sharp satire, real analysis, and some much-needed comedy, this is must-watch Canadian news! Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

16 min
11/11/2025

25/11/10 Canada's Budget Chaos: The Calm Before the Trade War Storm

This week on Last Week Above the 49th, we dive into the top Canadian political stories; federal budget showdowns, Conservative Party chaos, Canada-U.S. trade wars, national unity, the cost of living crisis, and what Canada’s doing with its foreign aid. We break it all down with sharp satire and honest laughs.Discover why Canadians are feeling more “united” (or at least equally broke), how Parliament survived two no-confidence cliffhangers, and what MPs are REALLY whispering in those hallways. Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

14 min
04/11/2025

25/11/03 Carney’s Budget v Poilievre, Trump Tariffs, & Alberta Strike Chaos

Canada’s wildest week in politics; deconstructed and roasted for progressive minds!Prime Minister Mark Carney faces off against Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives in a showdown over the new federal budget, while Trump ignites a trade war with fresh tariffs, and Alberta’s “Queen of Canada,” Danielle Smith, tries to crush teachers with the Notwithstanding Clause.We break down every side with sharp wit, as much detail as we can muster, and a healthy dose of satire. Whether you care about housing, education, social justice, climate action, or just love seeing leaders squirm, this A49 episode is made for you. Plus: Blue Jays heartbreak, youth unemployment, and much more.Ready for laughs and real Canadian news? Subscribe and join Canada’s -smartest- funniest political community. Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

14 min
27/10/2025

25/10/27 Trade Wars, Teacher Strikes, and Canada's Week of Chaos

Mark Adam, your Head Dummy, breaks down the week where Canadian politics officially went off the rails, featuring tariffs, tantrums, and questionable leadership choices.The Blue Jays are crushing the World Series, and President Trump is so angry about it (and some anti-tariff ads running during the game) that he terminated all trade negotiations with Canada. We discuss if Canada really just traded billions in commerce for a sports-fueled moral victory.Also in this episode:• Carney's 'Sacrifices': The Prime Minister warns young Canadians.• Poilievre & The Mountie Mess: Is he running a political party or starring in a low-budget legal drama?• Pivot to Beijing: Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand rebrands China as a "strategic partner" in a dramatic policy shift.• Auto Industry Angst: We discover who pays the price for corporate broken promises.• Alberta's Back-to-School Battle: 51,000 striking teachers are about to be ordered back to work by law.If you thought Canadian politics was boring, you were just wrong. Hit "Like" and subscribe so we can all feel confused together. Get full access to Canadian Politics For Dummies at cp4d.substack.com/subscribe

11 min

11 Episodes

Ever get lost in the labyrinth of Canadian politics and wonder if Parliament Hill is just Canada’s version of Hogwarts? Wish someone would explain a “tariff” without sending you into a three-hour Wikipedia coma? You’re in the right place. cp4d.substack.com

Creator

Canadian Politics For Dummies*
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

11
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Mark Adam
Show Website

Above The 49th