The Herle Burly

Jennifer Welsh, a global governance expert from McGill University, and David Mulroney, former Canadian ambassador to China, dive into the shifting international order. They discuss the rise of China and its influence, the impact of the Trump presidency on U.S. leadership, and Canada's complacency regarding geopolitical changes. The duo also debates Canada's economic vulnerabilities and emphasizes the importance of building diversified partnerships and enhancing security investments to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.

The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail.Greetings and a happy 2026, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! What better way to kick off our podcast year than by convening the most popular panel we run at Air Quotes Media. So demanded by this listenership, we’ve welcomed back The Chiefs to give us their governance wisdom!These are 3 former Chiefs of Staff to some of Canada’s most accomplished heads of government: Ian Brodie, Brian Topp and Tim Murphy.Today on the show, 3 core conversations:I want to talk about the enormously delicate task of managing the Canada/U.S. relationship.Ana Bailao, Douglas Guzman, and Dawn Farrell – 3 outsiders brought in by Prime Minister Carney – each charged with a key element of the government’s agenda. How’s it going to work? Is it going to work?And Prime Minister Carney’s time abroad and how to run a government while he's travelling.Thank you for joining us on #TheHerleBurly podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch episodes of The Herle Burly via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Finance, shares insights from his recently delivered Budget 2025. He discusses Canada's geopolitical and technological shifts, arguing how the nation is well-positioned with its strong talent pool and trade ties. Champagne emphasizes the need for internal trade reform, highlights significant budget savings, and addresses affordability as rooted in productivity. He advocates for strengthening Canada's sovereignty and expresses optimism for the country's future amidst global changes.

Join Paul Wells, a veteran political journalist and newsletter author, Tonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief at the Toronto Star, and Kathleen Petty, broadcaster and host of Alberta at Noon, as they dissect a pivotal year in Canadian politics. They delve into the ripple effects of Trudeau's resignation and the surprising rise of Mark Carney. The panel explores the chaos surrounding Freeland's exit, the impact of Trump's re-election, and the evolving dynamics of the Conservative party under Poilievre. Insights, analyses, and candid reflections make for an engaging review!

The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail, PSAC, and the Port of Vancouver.Greetings, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! We’ve got a special 2-part episode lined up for you today… a Canada-Alberta Pipeline MOU Double-Pod Double-Panel Policy & Politics Extravaganza!Unwieldy name, I know. But it’s apt because we’re going to look at the thing through the lens of both policy and politics with 2 different panels for a wide-ranging discussion and a diversity of strategic perspectives.First up ... our MOU Policy Panel:Rick Smith – President of the Canadian Climate Institute, and central to numerous policy advances, provincially and federally, over his 25-year career.Mark Podlasly – Chief Executive Officer of First Nations Major Projects Coalition.And Heather Exner-Pirot – senior fellow and director of energy, natural resources and environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa.Then ... our MOU Political Panel: Mike McDonald – Air Quotes Media alumnus, co-host of the Hotel Pacifico pod and Partner, Chief Strategy Officer at Kirk & Co.Cheryl Oates – Principal and advisor at GT&Co, and co-host of The Discourse podcast.And André Pratte – Strategist at Catalyze4, former non-partisan member of the Senate, and chief editorial writer at La Presse from 2001-2015.Thank you for joining us on #TheHerleBurly podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch episodes of The Herle Burly via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

In this engaging talk, Susan Holt, the first woman Premier of New Brunswick and former Liberal leader, shares her journey into politics driven by a desire for impactful change. She discusses pressing issues like healthcare reform, emphasizing the need for a systemic shift and public models over privatization. Holt also highlights the economic significance of forestry, challenges posed by softwood tariffs, and New Brunswick's potential in critical minerals and nuclear energy. Her insights into leadership and navigating federal relations make for a captivating listen!

Ron Graham, an award-winning journalist and author, dives into the captivating world of Jim Coutts's diaries, chronicling the tumultuous era of Pierre Trudeau's leadership. He reveals how Coutts documented the inner workings of government with candid detail, portraying both brilliance and chaos. Graham discusses the evolution of political publishing, the personal anecdotes that humanize Trudeau, and Coutts’s complex relationships with political figures like Paul Martin and Jean Chrétien. It's a fascinating look at power, politics, and the legacy of a pivotal time in Canada.

The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail, PSAC, and the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council.Greetings, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! This week – making their now regular quarterly appearance on the pod – I give you The Chiefs: Ian Brodie, Tim Murphy, and Brian Topp!Ottawa is pretty much laser-focused on the budget these days – the substance and the politics surrounding it – and that’s what we’re primarily going to spend the hour on today. Plus, the resurgence of industrial policy, effectiveness of the Major Projects Office, managing floor crossers while in government, managing unrest in caucus, and leadership’s attempts to deal with it all.So, join me in welcoming back 3 former Chiefs of Staff to some of Canada’s most accomplished heads of government: Tim Murphy – former Chief of Staff to Paul Martin … now, EVP and Chief Strategic Affairs Officer at AECON.Brian Topp – former Chief of Staff to Rachel Notley in Alberta … Deputy Chief to Roy Romanow in Saskatchewan … a co-architect of Jack Layton’s Orange Wave. Today ... he’s a founding partner at GT&co.Ian Brodie – first Chief of Staff to Stephen Harper and central to the founding of the CPC.  Now … Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary, and Senior Advisor at New West Public Affairs.Thank you for joining us on #TheHerleBurly podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch episodes of The Herle Burly via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail, PSAC, and the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council.Alright, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites, there’ll be no intro grasping at humour today. I can’t compete. Too intimidated. Because our guest on the pod is genuine Canadian comedy royalty: Mark Critch!The co-creator, star and co-writer of the hit CBC series “Son of a Critch” based on his best-selling memoir. For 22 seasons, a cast member and writer of CBC's longest running comedy series, “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.”  The recipient of 6 Canadian Screen Awards and three Gemini Awards. A best-selling author, including the aforementioned “Son of a Critch” and “An Embarrassment of Critch’s” ... and he’s got a new book coming out later this month: “Sorry, Not Sorry. An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting For” -- preorder here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/747434/sorry-not-sorry-by-mark-critch/9780735249547So, we’re going to talk to Mark a little bit more about his background and how Canada has always punched above its weight, comedically. And, especially in light of today’s climate, I want to have a conversation about political humour and satire. Has it changed through the years? What’s its function in a healthy democracy? Does political humour have bigger role to play in what feels like a burgeoning autocracy? Trump pressure and fear got Stephen Colbert cancelled.  Kimmel teetered on the brink for about a week. But South Park has been relentlessly attacking Trump and his minions, weekly, and it’s never been more popular. Mark’s own Trump sketches on “22 minutes” have tens of millions views on Tik Tok. We’ll talk about all of that and more.Thank you for joining us on #TheHerleBurly podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch episodes of The Herle Burly via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail, PSAC, and the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council.Greetings, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! Tuesday this week was budget day, the Carney government’s long-awaited, first. And as we typically do when there’s a fresh budget to pick apart – we’ve assembled the policy panel for our very own Herle Burly Budget Lock-up. Dr. Jennifer Robson, Tyler Meredith and Ben Woodfinden are here to give us their review of Budget 2025.You loyal Herle Burly-ites know Jennifer and Tyler well ... but Ben is new to the panel, so I’m going to start the bona fides with him.Only one month ago, he joined Meredith, Boessenkool & Phillips as a Senior Advisor and Director of their new premium policy intelligence service, MBP Intelligence.  Over his career, he’s provided advice, translated policy and shaped messaging in the highest stakes political environments, most recently as Director of Comms for Pierre Poilievre. Jennifer has served in senior roles in policy development and research with the Federal Government. She’s now Program Director and Associate Professor of Political Management at Carleton University, and a fellow of the Public Policy ForumAnd Tyler is the former Head of Fiscal and Economic Policy for Prime Minister Trudeau and Ministers of Finance, Chrystia Freeland and Bill Morneau. Today, he’s a Founding Partner at Meredith/Boessenkool & Phillips Policy Advisors.Thank you for joining us on #TheHerleBurly podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch episodes of The Herle Burly via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.