Playbook Canada

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.