Skip to content
Melo Podcasts Home
CategoriesLanguagesFollowing

Episode · Playbook Canada

Champagne problem | Sarah Chown

2 Apr 2026 · 23 min

Play episode WhatsApp Download

Episode notes

Hosts Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric examine the latest developments in Canada’s deepening trade relationship with China, with Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and executives courting business in Beijing. Plus, a closer look at the Conservatives’ shift against high-speed rail. Finally, reflections on the life and legacy of NDP icon Stephen Lewis.

Podcast

Playbook Canada

Politico · News · English

Each week, POLITICO’s Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric bring to life the stories that are driving the news in Ottawa and beyond  — drawing on their deep reporting from Parliament Hill and across the provinces to reveal the characters and conflicts that are shaping Canada’s future.

More from Playbook Canada All episodes →

  1. 30 Apr 2026 · 25 min

    Is Carney eyeing Rideau Hall for his official residence? | Soraya Martinez Ferrada

    A decision on 24 Sussex is coming, raising questions about where Mark Carney will end up living: The Spring Economic Update was called boring, but buried inside it is a political play targeting voters Poilievre thought were his. And finally, the Hill has a new energy this week, but it's not flowing in the Conservatives' direction.

  2. 29 Apr 2026 · 13 min

    Special Edition: François-Philippe Champagne, beyond 200 seconds on uncertainty and the economy

    On this special edition, Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric speak with Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne ahead of the release of his Spring Economic Update. They press him on how the government plans to attract investment in a time of global uncertainty, and find out how it is balancing fiscal prudence with mounting economic pressures. And finally, the most contentious question of all: What color apple is best?

  3. 23 Apr 2026 · 25 min

    Is YouTube the new question period? | David Herle

    Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre take their rivalry off the Hill and onto YouTube. Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric explore what it means when the House of Commons stops being the main event: The Carney government has a hushed approach to trade talks. What the silence signals, and how long it can hold: And finally, Canada is the only G7 country that can't put a payload into orbit. A new bill aims to finally change that.

  4. 16 Apr 2026 · 25 min

    Canada’s Conservatives and the search for meaning | Danielle Martin

    Reaction to the Liberal majority ripples through the Conservative caucus as Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric dig into what the result means inside the opposition benches. Carney and Poilievre present duelling policies for high gas prices — each with its own gloss on tax relief at the pump. Finally, an international bromance blossoms. Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb put their partnership on display. What it signals about Canada's place in a shifting global order.

  5. 9 Apr 2026 · 27 min

    Carney’s big tent gets bigger | Philippe J. Fournier & Brian Gallant

    POLITICO's Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Calder McHugh break down the latest Ottawa bombshell, as another Conservative MP crosses the floor to join Mark Carney’s Liberals ahead of the party’s convention in Montreal. Plus, a closer look at the Liberal mood on the ground as delegates gather for a high-energy weekend. Finally, what the U.S.-Iran ceasefire could mean next, including the potential fallout on gas prices in Canada.

  6. 26 Mar 2026 · 26 min

    Sell baby, sell: Inside Canada’s energy pitch | Heather McPherson

    POLITICO’s Deborah Kahn joins from CERAWeek in Houston to unpack Canada’s latest pitch to the global energy market with hosts Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric. Then, as the NDP prepares to elect a new leader, Nick and Mickey dig into a race defined more by low energy than momentum, and Mickey speaks one on one with one of the front-runners, Edmonton MP Heather McPherson. Finally, the pair digs into the prime minister’s pick for parliamentary budget officer – and why it feels like déjà vu.

  7. 19 Mar 2026 · 25 min

    Is Trump making China great again?

    Hosts Mickey Djuric and Nick Taylor-Vaisey invite “China watcher” Phelim Kine to the show to discuss a stunning new POLITICO poll. The survey of thousands of people in Canada, Germany, France, the U.K., and the United States revealed how people around the world really feel about MAGA — and what is happening as a result. Speaking of polls: Will Carney’s soaring popularity hold? We discuss. Plus, Mickey talks truths and optics with Angus Reid president Shachi Kurl.

  8. 12 Mar 2026 · 24 min

    How close is Carney to a majority?

    Co-hosts Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric talk through the latest floor crosser, Lori Idlout, who abandoned Canada's progressive party this week to join the Liberals. Nick reflects on his recent trip to Washington and his conversation with U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer. Plus, Conservative MP Shuvaloy Majumdar joins for the 200-second interview.

  9. 5 Mar 2026 · 23 min

    Carney walks the Iran tightrope | Richard Madan

    Co-hosts Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric dig into the prime minister's latest thoughts on the strikes in the Middle East. Pierre Poilievre takes his first trip abroad as opposition leader and offers his best rebrand yet. And Manitoba's man in Washington, Richard Madan, joins the show.

  10. 26 Feb 2026 · 22 min

    Carney’s big trip, Gould’s tight ship | Karina Gould

    Co-hosts Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric break down Prime Minister Mark Carney’s latest global tour, starting with a politically delicate reset in India, followed by stops in Australia and Japan as Ottawa looks to diversify trade beyond the U.S. Plus: the Liberal government ramps up pressure on OpenAI over AI safety after the Tumbler Ridge shooting revelations. And Finance Committee Chair Karina Gould joins for this week’s 200-second interview on the budget, Andrew Scheer’s nervous tell and whether she and Carney are actually pals. Nick Taylor-Vaisey is POLITICO’s Ottawa bureau chief…

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.

Get it on Google Play