The Herle Burly

Air Quotes Media
undefined
Dec 25, 2025 • 42min

François-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Finance

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.
undefined
Dec 20, 2025 • 1h 19min

Journalists Panel 2025 Year in Review with Wells, MacCharles, and Petty

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!
undefined
Dec 12, 2025 • 1h 54min

Canada-Alberta Pipeline MOU Double-Pod Double-Panel Policy & Politics Extravaganza

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.
undefined
Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 10min

Susan Holt, Premier of New Brunswick

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!
undefined
Nov 30, 2025 • 1h 5min

Ron Graham: The Coutts Diaries. “The best Canadian political diary that exists"

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.
undefined
Nov 15, 2025 • 1h 12min

"An Economist's Budget" with The Chiefs: Brodie, Murphy & Topp

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.
undefined
Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 4min

Political Comedy with Mark Critch + "An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting For"

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.
undefined
Nov 8, 2025 • 1h 24min

BUDGET REVIEW: Meredith + Robson + Woodfinden

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.
undefined
Oct 30, 2025 • 60min

Winning Elections with Conservative Strategist Steve Outhouse

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. Remember about 15 years ago, when the publicly-troubled-at-the-time actor Charlie Sheen went viral for invoking the word “WINNING!” all over the place and in some pretty odd ways. Even when he wasn’t winning.Charlie’s past that now. But let me submit our guest today has full rights to that word: Veteran PC and Conservative Party campaign manager, Steve Outhouse. He managed Premier Tony Wakeham’s majority winning campaign just a couple of weeks ago in Newfoundland. As well as Premier Smith’s UCP majority victory in Alberta.Steve hails from Freeport, Long Island in southwest Nova Scotia. He worked in various comms roles in the Harper government before moving on to helm 3 federal CPC Leadership campaigns, as well as provincial leadership campaigns in Nova Scotia, PEI and the aforementioned Newfoundland and Labrador. He’s the founder of the “Just Campaigns” consultancy and says he’s “a bad business person”, but winning elections isn’t exactly bad for business. We’ll talk today a little more about Steve’s background about what animates his political life. Then we’ll do a deep dive into modern campaign mechanics: What works today? What doesn’t? I want his thoughts on “hot button” issues and how best to use them. Then, and this particularly relevant because he was Chief of Staff to Pierre Poilievre prior to 2015, what advice would Steve give to the federal Conservatives?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.
undefined
Oct 25, 2025 • 52min

LIVE: Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba

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! Another special LIVE podcast for you today: My interview with The Honourable Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba!It was recorded on October 23rd with the Empire Club of Canada. And it felt really good – at least for a week – to trade in the ZOOM room for a big fancy BALLROOM with lots of engaged Canadians in attendance… and ready access to rum and coke.Premier Kinew doesn’t need much of an introduction from me. He’s the 25th Premier of Manitoba, leading the NDP to a majority government in 2023, becoming the province’s first, First Nations Premier. First elected as the MLA for Fort Rouge in 2016.  He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Manitoba and a master’s degree in Indigenous Governance.  From the Onigaming First Nation in northwestern Ontario, he’s a bestselling author, former broadcaster, devoted dad and husband.Premier Kinew joined me to talk a little more about his background and why he got into politics. His agenda for Manitoba. Charter rights and the notwithstanding clause. Nation building and the Churchill Project. Trade, tariffs and the state of our broader relationship with the U.S.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 AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app