After tackling the year in federal politics to come, we now turn our attentions to the provincial scenes.

In this second part of our Over/Under Contest, we set our lines for the Quebec election in October. We also make our predictions for potential other provincial elections, premier resignations, leadership race outcomes and where party leaders might end the year in the polls.

Thanks for all of your support for the podcast throughout 2025 and we wish you all the best in 2026!

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After the beating our predictions took in 2025, we’ve lifted ourselves up, dusted ourselves off and are once again ready to try to predict the political year to come.

Yes, it’s time for our annual Over/Under Contest, the fifth year in a row that we go head-to-head to see who has the better crystal ball for 2026. What score will Pierre Poilievre get in his leadership review? When will Mark Carney’s polling numbers begin to drop — if at all? Will there be any more floor-crossers? And, of course, will there be an election in the year to come?

We’re splitting up the 2026 Over/Under Contest into two parts. Today, we’re reviewing how we did in 2025 (badly) before we set our sights on the year ahead of us in federal politics. Next week, we’ll place our lines and make our predictions for the provincial political scene.

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One year ago today, Chrystia Freeland resigned from Justin Trudeau’s cabinet and kicked off a series of events that led to the Liberals winning re-election under new leader Mark Carney in April’s federal election. Also one year ago today, Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives were enjoying a 20+ point lead in the polls. Now, the beleaguered Conservative leader has lost his second MP to the Liberals in little more than a month.

It’s been quite a roller-coaster year.

On this week’s episode of The Numbers, we discuss the defection of Markham–Unionville MP Michael Ma to the Liberals and what it means for Poilievre’s leadership of the Conservative Party. We also play a game of Election Draft, drafting what we think are the most likely unscheduled elections to take place in 2026.

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After months of caucus departures, expulsions and internal party turmoil, John Rustad finally resigned as leader of the B.C. Conservatives last week. Could that shake-up in the Conservative Party have reverberations that’ll go far beyond the provincial political scene in Victoria?

This week on The Numbers, we discuss what just happened in British Columbia and whether we might see any federal politicians run for the B.C. Conservative leadership — potentially opening up some fascinating byelections. We also chat about the latest federal polls say about Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre, as well as new numbers out of every province, including in Quebec where there has been a big swing in public opinion and in Prince Edward Island where last night’s byelection almost resulted in a flip.

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Polls suggest that a majority of Canadians (including British Columbians), support building a new pipeline from Alberta to the north coast of B.C. But after the resignation of Steven Guilbeault, a key minister for the Liberals in Quebec, and indications that the party’s electoral base in B.C. and elsewhere has mixed views about a new pipeline, could Mark Carney’s voter coalition be cracking — or could it grow instead?

This week on The Numbers, we dissect some new numbers on how Canadians view the possibility of a new pipeline and what they could mean for the fortunes of the Liberals. We also have some new polls concerning the federal scene and Quebec provincial politics to chat about.

This Friday, don’t miss our 2026 Leader Resignation Draft episode. Join the Patreon to listen to it if you aren’t already a member!

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Prime Minister Mark Carney is reportedly set to announce a new agreement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith that could pave the way for a new pipeline to the Pacific coast. The only problem? British Columbia might not be on board. Beyond the implications for the economy and the environment, could choosing between Alberta and B.C. have electoral repercussions for the Liberals?

This week on The Numbers, we break down views on a new pipeline and what impact it could have on Liberal fortunes in the two westernmost provinces. We also discuss the state of the NDP leadership race and what two new polls tell us about it, before chatting about the latest upheaval in Quebec provincial politics. Then, Philippe is back with The Quiz.

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It wasn’t entirely clear how the budget was going to get passed, but it did indeed get passed on Monday night thanks to the abstentions of a few Conservative and NDP MPs. So, that means Canadians won’t be called to the polls over the holidays. But the clock on this minority parliament continues to count down. How long can it really last?

This week on The Numbers, we discuss what happened with the budget vote on Monday and what it tells us about the timing of the next federal election. We also chat about some new polling numbers, including both at the federal level and provincially out of New Brunswick and Quebec, as well as about an upcoming byelection in Prince Edward Island.

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Questions continue to surround the future of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre following the turmoil of budget week. Not only did the Conservatives lose Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont to the Liberals, they also lost Edmonton MP Matt Jeneroux, who announced his upcoming resignation. It’s been widely reported that Jeneroux was contemplating a floor-crossing of his own, but instead he has opted to resign his seat in the coming months.

While it’s possible the caucus departures could halt with d’Entremont and Jeneroux, rumours are swirling that upwards of a dozen Conservative MPs are unhappy with Poilievre’s leadership and how events have unfolded over the last few weeks. Can Poilievre weather this storm?

This week on The Numbers, we discuss the latest developments and what the poll numbers say about the state of the Conservative Party and its leader. We also take a look at how Canadians are reacting to last week’s budget. Was it ho-hum, or a turning point? Plus, Québec Solidaire chooses a new co-leader that will have it doubling-down on independence and we have some new polling numbers out of Ontario.

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Mark Carney’s Liberal government tabled what it called its ‘generational’ budget on Tuesday, promising a mix of spending and cuts and booking a big budget deficit. So far, the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois look set to vote it down. The New Democrats are on the fence.

But the drama of budget day was punctuated by the defection of Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont from the Conservatives to the Liberals. He might not be the only one to cross the floor as rumours fly. What does it mean for the fate of the government, Pierre Poilievre’s leadership and the potential for a snap election?

We had good reason to delay this week’s episode of The Numbers until after the budget so we could break down all the latest drama — because there’s quite a bit of it! We also discuss the state of the NDP leadership race and some new provincial polling out of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, as well as the results of the mayoral elections in Quebec and the territorial vote in Yukon.

CORRECTION: In Philippe’s Number of the Week, he said 85% when he meant 75%.

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There’s one week to go before Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government tables the budget. We still don’t know if it will pass a vote in the House of Commons. Failing to do so would mean another election. Should Pierre Poilievre welcome a second campaign in 2025, or should he and his Conservatives prefer to put that contest off to another day? And what about the Bloc Québécois and the New Democrats?

This week on The Numbers, we rate how much each party should want to head back to the polls this fall. We also take a look at a new poll that suggests the B.C. Conservatives are doing far better among voters than is their leader, John Rustad, plus we chat about the end of the fixed election date law in Ontario. Finally, Philippe has a Quiz to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Quebec referendum.

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