This week on the “We’re Just Not That Into You” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with Queen’s University Professor Jonathan Rose to discuss the trials and tribulations of our former politicians in their political afterlives. Then, the two go head to head in our rapid fire round on Biden’s running mate, Netflix watch lists and the best place to grab a drink in Kingston.
This week on the “Stocked and Loaded” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with her good friend and political reporter Marieke Walsh to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic stockpile, or lack thereof. Then, the two will offer their thoughts on the May long weekend, Premier Ford’s cherry cheesecake and Canada’s Drag Race.
This week on the “Race for Second Place” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with her good friend and fellow Conservative strategist Jenni Byrne to unpack the federal Conservative leadership race and where it could go from here in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, the two will offer their thoughts on Tik Tok, Premier Ford’s tripi to the cottage and Trudeau’s flow.
This week, on the “Please Unmute Yourself” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith speaks to federal Member of Parliament Nathaniel Erskine-Smith in his Beaches-East York office to unpack the first ever virtual Parliament sitting. MP Erskine-Smith, one of the more tech-savvy members, will talk about life as a politician during the pandemic and offer insights into how government by video-conference differs from regular legislative proceedings on Parliament Hill.
This week on the “Pandemic Gets Political” edition of Political Traction, I’m joined by a panel of my colleagues from coast to coast to discuss the unique challenges provinces are grappling with amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigator’s Managing Principals Jason Hatcher and Philippe Gervais as well as our Special Advisor Brian Gallant help unpack the strengths and shortcomings of Canada’s first ministers when put to the ultimate test of leading their province into better days ahead.
This week on the “Food for Thought” edition of Political Traction, Lori Nikkel, CEO of Canada’s largest food rescue organization Second Harvest, unpacks what she and her team are doing to help feed Canadians through this pandemic. Second Harvest was established on a simple notion- don’t waste food- and in these tough times, it’s more important than ever to connect surplus food with those who need it most.
This week on the “Family Matters” edition of Political Traction, Amanda reaches someone she has known her whole life, Tim Galbraith. Tim is working with a company that is innovating their business to do their part in the fight against COVID-19. As difficult news about the pandemic fills our screens, it is important to highlight the stories of Canadians coming together to help each other. Plus, the two discuss Easter, the Master’s Tournament and of course, share some embarrassing stories from Ama...
This week on the “In the Trenches” edition of Political Traction, Amanda reaches this week’s insider, Dr. Najma Ahmed, a renowned Canadian surgeon, and the Interim Chief of Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto to discuss how Canada’s health care system is coping with COVID-19 and what we can expect to see in the coming weeks. As the co-founder of Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns Dr. Ahmed also shares insight on how gun violence continues to be a significant issue in Canada. Plus...
This week on the “Biden our Time” edition of Political Traction, Amanda reaches this week’s insider, Nelson Cunningham, in Washington D.C. A political strategist and advisor, who formerly worked for vice-president Joe Biden and served on the Obama-Biden transition team, Nelson will unpack the United States’ response to the coronavirus and highlight its impact on the race for the White House. Plus, thoughts on the best Joe Biden memories and the sports we miss most.
This week, on the Pandemic edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith speaks to Navigator’s Executive Chairman Jaime Watt from the comfort of their homes to unpack how COVID-19 has changed life as we know it. Navigator is in the business of crisis management, and in critical times like these, Jaime provides his insights about what good leadership looks like and what companies can do to confront sweeping social changes. Plus, thoughts on the Prime Minister’s COVID-19 aid package and the...
This week on our International Women’s Day edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sat down with Ontario’s Minister of Children and Women’s Issues Jill Dunlop to shed light on human trafficking- an important issue that negatively impacts women across the province. Minister Dunlop, who is leading the charge on this serious file at Queen’s Park, talked about what she’s learned from her conversations with victims, survivors and front-line workers and how this has impacted the governmen...
This week, on the “Hard News” edition of Political Traction, our host Amanda Galbraith sits down with Navigator principal Caroline Harvey. As the former executive producer of CBC’s The National, Caroline knows the ins and outs of covering some of the most difficult stories imaginable, from war zones to pandemics. She takes Amanda behind the scenes of the newsroom. Plus: A new guilty pleasure on Netflix, and the virtues of talking without seeing.
This week, on the “Blockade” edition of Political Traction, our host Amanda Galbraith sits down with Karen Restoule, the co-founder of Bold Realities and a member of the Dokis First Nation. The two discuss the ongoing protests over a proposed pipeline in the Wet’suwet’en territory, the history of Indigenous entrepreneurship, and the challenges of talking frankly about these issues. Plus: Jojo Rabbit, and the drama of the Democratic debate.
This week on the “Life of Brian” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with former New Brunswick Premier and Navigator’s newest colleague Brian Gallant. The two will unpack his impressive career in politics, which include balancing the budget and improving education, and discuss what he’s been up to since leaving office in 2018. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with off-the-cuff thoughts on Pete Buttigieg, tennis and seafood.
This week on the “Litmus Test” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with Conaptus Principal Jamie Ellerton to unpack the LGBTQ voice in Conservative politics, and what it means in the upcoming leadership race. Then, the two will go head-to-head with off-the-cuff thoughts on the Iowa caucuses, trans-mountain decision and the State of the Union speech.
This week on the “Outbreak” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with Tony Clement, former provincial and federal health minister and the current co-host of the podcast “And Another Thing.” The two will unpack what it’s like to be in the decision-making seat when health crises occur, and Tony will share his insights from his time in provincial politics during the 2003 SARS outbreak. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with off-the-cuff thoughts o...
This week on “The One that Got Away” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith is joined by her colleague and fellow Navigator Principal Philippe Gervais to unpack Jean Charest’s short lived bid for Conservative Party Leader, and what it means that Quebec currently has no horse in the race. Then, the two will go head-to-head with off-the-cuff thoughts on the impeachment hearings, the Wuhan virus and leadership candidate Richard Décarie.
This week on the “Queen and Country” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with Maclean’s royal specialist and veteran royal watcher Patricia Treble to unpack the recent announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have decided to step back from their senior royal duties. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with thoughts on the rubber duck’s return to Toronto, Netflix’s The Crown and the 2022 Invictus Games....
This week, on the “Three I’s” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith reached CTV’s Washington bureau chief Richard Madan in D.C. With Iran, impeachment and Iowa dominating the early news cycles of 2020, the two had no shortage of topics for discussion. Then, they went head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with off-the-cuff thoughts on Mexit, predictions on Iowa and Prime Minister Trudeau’s beard.
This week on the fourth part of our “OLP MVP” series, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with Ontario Liberal Party leadership contender and former provincial candidate Kate Graham to discuss her vision for the party’s rebuild and her hopes of seeing politics done differently in the province. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with off-the-cuff thoughts on New Years resolutions, favorite podcasts and the upcoming federal Conservative leadership race.
This week, on the “Scheer Madness” edition of Political Traction, our host Amanda Galbraith discusses Andrew Scheer’s sudden resignation with Marieke Walsh, a reporter with the Globe and Mail’s Ottawa bureau. The two discuss what led to Scheer’s sudden change of heart, go behind the scenes in the lead-up to the sudden announcement, and the wide-open race for leader.
This week on the “Breaking and Wexiting” edition of Political Traction, Amanda is joined by Jason Hatcher, managing principal of Navigator’s Calgary office. They discuss Wexit, and the emotional drivers behind it, plus Prince Andrew’s disastrous BBC interview and pitting the east coast against the west.
This week, on the “Feel the Byrne” edition, host Amanda Galbraith is joined by Jenni Byrne, conservative political strategist once dubbed “ the most powerful woman in Ottawa.” The two discuss Jenni’s political career in both Ottawa and Toronto, the strategies deployed by the federal parties in the most recent election and the behind-the-scenes when leaders are on the chopping block during a leadership review. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with thoughts on Leafs vs. ...
This week, on the “Cabinet of Curiosities” edition, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with long-time friend, colleague and Managing Principal at Navigator Mike Van Soelen to unpack the anatomy of a cabinet shuffle; from the run-of-show on the day ministers are sworn in, to what happens to the political staffers who get caught in the cross-fire. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with thoughts on former Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, favourite luncheon clubs and upcom...
This week on the “Let ‘Em Howl” edition, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with seasoned Liberal political operative Patricia Sorbara to unpack some of the key takeaways and themes from her new memoir Let ‘Em Howl: Lessons from a Life in Backroom Politics , and discuss political strategy, ground game versus air war and what it’s like to be a woman the decision making table. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with thoughts on Don Cherry, the Ontario Liberal leadership vote,...
This week on the “Ford 3.0” edition, host Amanda Galbraith speaks with Global News’ Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Travis Dhanraj to discuss the various iterations of Premier Doug Ford and the softer tone the government has adopted this session. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with thoughts on Christmas music in November, streaming wars and Andrew Scheer’s future.
This week on the “Who’s Afraid of the Bloc Quebecois?” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with Navigator Principal Philippe Gervais in Montreal to unpack the rise of the Bloc. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with off-the-cuff thoughts on Halloween, impeachment and the future of the European Union.
This week on the “Minority Report” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with Navigator’s Executive Chairman Jaime Watt to unpack Canada’s federal election results, which handed Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberals a comfortable minority government. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with off-the-cuff thoughts on Mad Max, Wexit, the Raptor’s season opener and Premier Doug Ford’s absence from the federal election campaign.
This week on the “Get Out The Vote” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with seasoned campaign organizer Nicole DeKort to take a deep dive into a campaign’s ground game and what our leaders are doing ahead of election day. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with off-the-cuff thoughts on the Obama endorsement, Ontario Line, cannabis anniversary and some favourite Fall flavours.
This week on the season premier and “The Great Debate” edition of Political Traction, host Amanda Galbraith sits down with political strategist Deb Hutton to unpack debate prep and discuss the do’s and dont’s when the stakes are high. Then, the two will go head-to-head in our rapid fire round, with off-the-cuff thoughts on Ellen DeGeneres and President Bush’s friendship, the new Joker movie and and our favorite Thanksgiving foods.
