Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dig into Alberta's latest separatist referendum push and ask the two questions that actually matter: is it inevitable, and is it likely? They break down the math behind the new 177,000-signature threshold, the organizational reality facing separatist groups, and why last summer's "Forever Canadian" petition may have been lightning in a bottle rather than a new normal.

What political price does the UCP pay for flirting with separatism? Do pro-Canada forces need to organize again, or is ignoring the petition the smartest strategy? And if this thing somehow makes it to a referendum, which of the three hosts is least emotionally prepared to live through the campaign without yelling at strangers on the internet? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Check the Orthodox Boxing Day deals, lower your expectations accordingly, and get ready as The Strategists unpack the year that was in the Flair Airlines* Better Late Than Never Holiday Spectacular. Stephen Carter, Shannon Phillips, and Annalise Klingbeil try to make sense of the last year in politics. From delayed responses and rare perfect landings to middle-seat nightmares, political rebirths and obituaries, Zain Velji keeps everybody in line.

*not our sponsor

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips talk about Rebecca Schulz’s sudden resignation from cabinet and what it signals about unity inside the UCP, and the country. They dive into the subtext of the resignation letter, whether this is about an oncoming referendum or possibly even an early election. Is this actually a problem for Danielle Smith or just another data point in a noisy political moment? What should we actually take from the Alberta Next panel? Signal? Noise? Or a roadmap to bigger trouble? And will Carter’s MP return his calls about getting his toilet to flush? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Be it resolved that the Minister of Podcasts, Stephen Carter, together with the Chair of Oral Questions, Zain Velji, do convene this sitting of The Ministry of Podcasts.

Be it further resolved that the House shall hear testimony from the sworn Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary, Corey Hogan, on matters pertaining to:

The unintended lifecycle of political content in the outrage economy,

The perils of attempting a pipeline gotcha with a motion that solves nothing,

The difficulty of separating fact from fiction in a town that runs almost entirely on rumour,

And the strategic advantage of naming the opposition play instead of reacting to it.

Therefore be it finally resolved that this episode, having no formal agenda but much informal candour, stands as both a record of proceedings and an acknowledgement that a win is a win, even when it arrives with just 7.8% of the vote.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dig into the Conservatives' pipeline motion, the Liberal response, and why Ottawa is spending its time debating make-believe infrastructure. What's the real strategy behind a motion about a pipeline that doesn't exist? How should the Liberals handle a fight built entirely on hypotheticals? And is Manitoba ready for the unique brand of chaos that follows Carter everywhere? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zain Velji and Shannon Phillips dive into the weird, wonderful world of press-gallery comedy, from Don Davies’ viral self-roast to Pierre Poilievre’s carefully staged moment. How does the Press Gallery dinner work and does it still matter? What does "joyful negativity" look like in practice? And does the lack of "white noise" make the podcast any easier to listen to? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into the generational, transformative MOU between the Canada and Alberta. They explain what it actually means, what it definitely doesn’t, and why everyone involved is already gaming out the best and worst case scenarios. Is everyone suddenly buying pipelines? Who actually gained (and who got played)? And how up to date is Carter on the latest trends? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Strategists go live with His Worship, Jeromy Farkas, Mayor of Calgary, for a chaotic, surprisingly earnest, and occasionally ill-advised deep dive into how he won, what his plans are and how heavy the chains of office really are. Then the gang breaks into a mini-episode of Ministry of Podcasts with MP Corey Hogan to talk all things budget and floor crossing. Finally, Zain Velji, as always lets YOU pick the questions and keeps everybody in line in our audience questions segment.

Originally recorded on November 12th, 2025

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips sort another chaotic week of Canadian politics into Take, Tweak or Trash. Are backbench politicians now influencers? What's the difference between economic and electoral politics? And how well can Zain host the show with half of his mouth frozen from the dentist? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Strategists are LIVE to hold a funeral for The Calgary Party, and to hold Stephen Carter accountable. Annalise Klingbeil and Shannon Phillips are joined by returning host Corey Hogan to dissect the 2025 Calgary municipal election. Is money still the currency of politics? Can you catch a wave you insist was definitely there but somehow nobody else saw? And is that really a live organist playing chords every time someone curses? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.