We need to talk about Alberta

Mark Carney is racking up the air miles: four summits in eight days. Mickey Djuric and Nick Taylor-Vaisey look at the entourage traveling with the prime minister — and the pressure on him to bring home results. Carney is skipping one stop: COP31. POLITICO’s Sara Schonhardt reports on the leadership vacuum at the climate summit. Plus, Ottawa keeps cutting the public service, and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson joins us for 200 seconds.

Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric decode Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s second budget — and what it reveals about Mark Carney’s priorities. Recorded in the budget lockup, with analysis from former Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux, quick takes and 200 seconds with budget day veteran Susan Delacourt.

Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Brussels Playbook host Zoya Sheftalovich sit down with Prime Minister Mark Carney for a feature interview on Canada’s developing relationship with the EU, trade talks with Donald Trump, support for Ukraine — and exactly when he will wear one of the Brooks Brothers shirts the U.S. president gifted him.

Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric drop into your feed to say we’ve bumped the usual Thursday episode to Saturday morning, but we promise, it will be worth the wait. We have a very special episode planned which we know you will love. And it just so happens to mark our one-year anniversary! Tune in on Saturday. You won’t want to miss it.

Alberta’s referendum is over. Danielle Smith’s fight inside her own party is just beginning. Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric discuss what’s next for a premier who’s made all sides furious. Plus, Mark Carney is back on the road — and Ottawa’s budget is only weeks away.

NDP Leader Avi Lewis joins Nick Taylor-Vaisey for a bonus episode of “Playbook Canada.” In a wide-ranging interview, they discuss the prime minister’s popularity, fishbowl culture, how to talk to Albertans about oil, what socialism means today, the U.S. politicians Lewis is watching and what he’s learned about his late father Stephen’s legacy. They also discuss Bill C-39, the government’s latest major-projects bill.

Mickey Djuric joins Nick Taylor-Vaisey from Calgary to discuss the stakes in Alberta’s referendum debate and where things go after Monday's vote. They hear from key players, including separatist leader Mitch Sylvestre.  And Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon shares notes on the fall political season. Plus, 200 seconds with “Unity Bus” driver Thomas Lukaszuk.

A leaked draft offers a peek at an EU-Canada relationship. Or is it a partnership? Just don’t call it associate membership. Guest host Camille Gijs, POLITICO’s senior trade reporter in Brussels, tells Nick Taylor-Vaisey the idea was “born dead” — in the words of one diplomat. Also, Ottawa reacts to the PQ victory in Quebec. Europe doesn’t. And Europe and China arrive at a make-or-break moment. Plus, Eurovision!

Today on Playbook Canada, poll analyst Philippe J. Fournier joins Nick Taylor-Vaisey to discuss the ups and — for Christine Fréchette — serious downs of the Quebec election campaign. Fournier brings all the data to the conversation. Also, Prime Minister Mark Carney drops in on two high-stakes provincial campaigns. And a whiff of patronage returns to the Senate. Plus, 200 seconds with Sen. Colin Deacon.

Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric connect the players and politics moving between Ottawa and British Columbia’s snap election. Ambassador-designate Jonathan Wilkinson shares what’s next in Canada’s courtship with the European Union. Plus, a 200-second interview with Conservative MP Dan Albas.