Election Vibes, Voter Turnout & the BC Battleground with Mike McDonald
We sit down with veteran strategist Mike McDonald for a sharp, beer-fueled breakdown of the federal campaign—with a special focus on British Columbia.We start with a big-picture analysis of the national race: Is this election a true battle of leadership vibes? Has Mark Carney neutralized the ideological contrast with Poilievre by simply being less of a liability? And why does the rise in advance polling numbers say more about convenience than political momentum?We then dig into the courts’ growing role in settling cultural debates, using the UK’s recent ruling on gender and sex as a case study in political cowardice and institutional offloading. If you advise boards or manage reputation risk, you’ll want to hear he implications for private sector policy-making.Also on the docket: Why the Trump administration’s ban on synthetic food dyes isn’t as contradictory as it seems—and what it tells us about modern populism’s ideological flexibility.Finally, we tap into Mike’s expertise on the BC landscape: What’s behind the NDP’s collapse? Could Jagmeet Singh lose his seat? And why might BC be the reason this race ends in a majority—or doesn’t?This one’s packed with analysis, beer reviews, and real talk about the subtle mechanics of modern campaigns. Pour a Kölsch and tune in.Featuring:Mike McDonald (Hotel Pacifico, former Chief of Staff to BC Premier)Joseph LavoieAndrew PercyOn Tap:Tofino Brewing’s Glowing EmbersBrassneck’s Klutz KölschNext week, join us for our post-election breakdown with The Hub’s Sean Speer.Chapters00:00 Welcome03:57 Federal Election Insights06:02 UK Supreme Court Ruling on Gender and Its Implications14:38 US Health Secretary's Ban on Synthetic Food Dyes19:37 Mike McDonald22:36 The Current Political Landscape in Canada25:31 The Role of the NDP and BC's Unique Political Environment28:20 The Future of the NDP and Liberal Party Dynamics31:34 Conservative Strategies and Voter Appeal34:29 The Impact of Early Voting and Turnout Predictions37:31 Election Night Predictions and Key Battlegrounds40:37 The Influence of Regional Politics on National Elections43:32 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Future Directions
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49:57
"The NDP is not going anywhere," with Cheryl Oates
We have a chat with Cheryl Oates about the current state of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in Canada, exploring how the NDP got to single digit support in the polls, and what it takes to turn things around. But don't lose hope progressives, Cheryl explains how the NDP may still outperform expectations!We also explore the political landscape in Alberta, comparisons with UK politics, and broader geopolitical considerations, particularly regarding NATO funding and the implications of the Trump administration's policies.Chapters00:00 The town that fun forgot....Ottawa02:24 This week's beer04:18 Issues Scan: Buttongate10:05 Issues Scan: Tout Le Monde En Parle17:41 Issues Scan: Do Debates Matter? 21:05 Issues Scan: UK Recalls Parliament32:46 NDP's Current Standing and Voter Dynamics38:13 Leadership Changes and Voter Sentiment41:35 Provincial vs Federal Party Dynamics45:16 The Future of the NDP and Election Strategies51:08 Key Writings to Watch on Election Night53:00 Lessons from Alberta's NDP Campaign55:15 Is Western separation a concern?58:13 What's no one talking about in this campaign?01:02:48 Tasting Notes
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59:56
"It's supposed to be harmful." Foreign Interference with Janice Stein and Farhaan Ladhani
We invite fan favourite Janice Stein back to the show with Farhaan Ladhani to talk about foreign interference in Canadian elections. What is it, exactly? What implications does it have for voters? What impact does it have on the spread of polarized political views? Andrew and Joseph also touch on global economic concerns and the rising sentiment of Western separatism in Canada.This week's beer? Ostro, by Superflux and Four Winds.Here's a link to one of the stories we referenced on the show: A network of X accounts is targeting Canada ahead of the election - The Logic Chapters00:00 Intro and Beer Selection02:36 Issues Scan: Western Separatism in Canada09:46 Issues Scan: US Market Fallout to Tariffs14:36 Issues Scan: UK Tariff Response19:17 What exactly is foreign interference?28:11 Why does China interfere?33:51 To what end?38:12 Government Response and Public Trust42:50 Weaknesses in the Canadian Political System44:39 The Impact of Foreign Interference on Elections47:44 Understanding the Dynamics of Influence and Advocacy51:42 The Complexity of Foreign Influence in Democratic Systems56:07 Introduction and Personal Updates56:10 Wrap-Up and Beer Tasting Notes
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"The NDP is falling off a cliff" with James Moore
Former Cabinet Minister James Moore joins us to assess the state of the federal election, and the contrasting leadership styles of Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre. Chapters00:00 Beers, Banter, and Things to Watch21:00 Interview with James Moore27:01 The Current Political Landscape30:03 The Two-Horse Race: Carney vs. Poilievre32:49 The Impact of Historical Context on Current Politics36:06 The Influence of Trump on Canadian Conservatism39:20 The Threat of Trump and Canadian Identity40:57 The Conservative Party's Challenge43:20 Desire for Change vs. Stability46:21 Campaign Dynamics and Candidate Experience47:53 First 100 Days o50:20 Coalition Challenges and Political Strategy
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Canadian Elections, Top Secret Chats, UK Local Elections
Election time! In this cheeky half we take stock of the Canadian federal campaign in its nascent stage with an eye to what it takes to change the frame, and if Canada's third party, the NDP, have any hope.Plus, we talk top secret chats on Signal and why the local election in the UK matter as a reflection of national sentiments. Chapters00:00 Beer Talk01:57 Canadian Federal Election04:48 Polling Dynamics and Party Strategies07:37 The Trump Factor in Canadian Politics10:38 NDP's Position and Challenges13:44 Conservative Campaign Strategies16:43 The Role of Leadership and Image19:51 Future of the NDP and Coalition Politics24:44 Shifting Political Landscapes in Canada25:48 Signal and Top Secret War Chat30:34 Local Elections in the UK: A Temperature Check37:49 The Future of the Conservative Party in the UK
Join Craft Politics, where politics meets business over a pint. Hosted by a former politician and a seasoned political staffer, this podcast translates world events into actionable insights for business leaders. With populism on the rise, understanding this intersection is more crucial than ever. Why beer? Because the best political discussions happen with a pint in hand. Joseph Lavoie and Andrew Percy bring decades of experience in politics and business, offering concise, targeted insights to help you navigate the political landscape. Cheers to making politics work for your business!
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