Surround yourself with the smell of wood and break out the fondue because it's time again for The Strategists to unpack the year that was in their annual Holiday Spectacular. Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter grade performances, give advice and write political obituaries in this regular-length special. The listening audience, as always, picks the questions while Zain Velji keeps everybody in line.

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Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about Kenny's public foe Brian Jean securing the UCP nomination for the Fort McMurray by-election and a troubled situation south of the border. Should Jason Kenney be campaigning for Brian Jean? Should Brian Jean be campaigning for Kenney's job? And are we going to have to talk about the crumbling of democracy every time Stephen gets ratioed on Twitter? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

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Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the Quebec hijab issue, the Alberta UCP leadership review rules and changes to provincial election laws. How should the party leaders react to a Quebec teacher losing her teaching role? Has Jason Kenney secured his leadership? And is 770 even a good score? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line. But first, the headlines...

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Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the slow start to Trudeau's third term, the state of the Conservative Party and Kenney's messaging going into 2022. Does Canada have enough Parliamentary Secretaries? Was Erin O'Toole's "free vote" pledge wise? And when is the live show in Abbotsford? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

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Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about Jason Kenney's (seemingly and relatively) successful AGM and Erin O'Toole's (seemingly and relatively) successful quelling of caucus rebellion. Has Jason Kenney charted himself a course through surviving his leadership review? Should Erin O'Toole "call the question"? And can we never talk about Pierre Poilievre's wood again? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

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Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about Erin O'Toole going on the coalition offensive before diving into the UCP annual general meeting. What purpose does a political convention serve? Should Kenney opponents go on the offensive? And what's the difference between underrated and overrated, anyhow? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

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Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk the resignation of Devin Dreeshen and O'Toole's caucus problems. Why do we hear so many stories about drinking in politics? Is Erin O'Toole's "discretion is the better part of valour" strategy wise? And can we hear more about Corey's real estate decisions? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

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Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the strategic considerations of Brian Jean announcing a hostile nomination bid in the Fort McMurray By-election and the drama around the "Civil Liberties Caucus". Should Jason Kenney sign Jean's nomination papers? How might Kenney use Jean's gambit to his advantage in the leadership review? And what did Zain do Thursday nights in the 90s? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line. But first, the headlines...

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Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the new federal cabinet and what it means for Trudeau, Canada and those left behind. Should the prairie provinces feel slighted? How do you get into cabinet once you've been passed over? And is CBC Gem really a good fit? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line. But first, the headlines...

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Stephen Carter, campaign manager and incoming chief of staff to mayor-elect Jyoti Gondek of Calgary, talks about the strategy, the inflection points and the story that propelled his candidate to victory. How did they move from 2% to 45% in the polls? When were the moments where it all seemed in doubt? And how long until Stephen asks Corey to take this episode down? Corey Hogan and Zain Velji ask the questions.

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