The Writ

The Writ Podcast: The Pollster Panel is back!

When it comes to public opinion, it’s hard not to see this past spring as a success story for Mark Carney and the Liberals. They hold a wide lead over the Conservatives and the prime minister’s approval ratings are still well over 50%. But are there vulnerabilities and challenges that Carney will have to tackle this summer? What can Pierre Poilievre do to get his party out of the polling doldrums? And has Avi Lewis been a boon or a bust for the NDP since becoming leader at the end of March? The Pollster Panel is back on The Writ Podcast to break it all down before MPs take their summer recess. Plus, they give their thoughts on Alberta’s upcoming referendum on independence. Dan Arnold, chief strategy officer at Pollara [https://www.pollara.com/portfolio/dan-arnold/], was director of research and advertising in Justin Trudeau’s prime minister’s office and was the Liberals’ pollster during the 2015, 2019 and 2021 federal election campaigns. Andrew Enns is executive vice-president at Léger [https://leger360.com/profiles/andrew-enns/]. He conducted polling for the Conservatives in Stephen Harper’s last three campaigns and has polled for provincial conservative parties across Canada. James Valcke is director of research and strategy at Viewpoints Research [https://viewpoints.ca/team/], which has polled for the NDP in elections across the country. He has worked on various central campaigns, including Jack Layton’s breakthrough 2011 election. In addition to listening to this episode of The Writ Podcast in your inbox, at TheWrit.ca [https://www.thewrit.ca/s/the-writ] or on podcast apps like Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-writ-podcast/id1573459476], you can also watch this episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/-CG7m5gwWKo]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thewrit.ca/subscribe [https://www.thewrit.ca/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Writ Podcast: Carney's bump, Poilievre's challenge and the NDP's choice

The Writ Podcast is back for the 2026 political season, and what better way than to re-convene the Pollster Panel! Dan, Andrew and James are back to break down the state of public opinion in federal politics. What do they make of Mark Carney’s bump in the polls after his Davos speech? What challenges does Pierre Poilievre face after passing his leadership review? What lanes are open to the New Democrats as they choose a new leader? And would it be a strategic error or the right time for Carney’s Liberals to call a snap federal election this spring? Dan Arnold, chief strategy officer at Pollara [https://www.pollara.com/portfolio/dan-arnold/], was director of research and advertising in Justin Trudeau’s prime minister’s office and was the Liberals’ pollster during the 2015, 2019 and 2021 federal election campaigns. Andrew Enns is executive vice-president at Léger [https://leger360.com/profiles/andrew-enns/]. He conducted polling for the Conservatives in Stephen Harper’s last three campaigns and has polled for provincial conservative parties across Canada. James Valcke is director of research and strategy at Viewpoints Research [https://viewpoints.ca/team/], which has polled for the NDP in elections across the country. He has worked on various central campaigns, including Jack Layton’s breakthrough 2011 election. In addition to listening to this episode of The Writ Podcast in your inbox, at TheWrit.ca [https://www.thewrit.ca/s/the-writ] or on podcast apps like Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-writ-podcast/id1573459476], you can also watch this episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/zZWRLuvbLsQ]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thewrit.ca/subscribe [https://www.thewrit.ca/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Ep. 146: What's at stake in Newfoundland and Labrador's election

John Hogan’s Liberals are looking for their fourth consecutive victory under a third different leader on October 14, when Newfoundlander and Labrador goes to the polls. Hoping to end the Liberals’ decade-long run in power are Tony Wakeham’s Progressive Conservatives and the New Democrats under Jim Dinn. What are the major issues in this provincial election and what should we keep an eye on as we enter the last stretches of this campaign? Joining me on this new episode of The Writ Podcast are Amanda Bittner, a professor in the department of political science at Memorial University, and Sarah Smellie, a journalist for the Canadian Press based out of St. John’s. In addition to listening to this episode of The Writ Podcast in your inbox, at TheWrit.ca [https://www.thewrit.ca/s/the-writ] or on podcast apps like Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-writ-podcast/id1573459476], you can also watch this episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/bf_LHOqgFtg]. It’s been awhile since the last episode of The Writ Podcast — but it’ll be back! The podcast is not going to come out on a regular schedule, but new episodes will be published periodically, especially during election and leadership campaigns. Until next time, thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thewrit.ca/subscribe [https://www.thewrit.ca/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Ep. 145: Behind the scenes on the last days of a campaign

The final days of a campaign can be hectic. The Conservatives had to pull together a couple of advertisements on short notice. Every party is sending their leader on a cross-country tour and volunteers on the ground are pulling out all the stops to ID their supporters in order to get them out to the polls on election day. There’s a lot going on in this last week before election day. Ads, tour, get-out-the-vote. So, what’s the story on how parties actually get it done? Throughout this election, three veteran party organizers have been joining me on The Writ Podcast to explain the ins and outs of campaigning — and they’re back one last time! Laura D'Angelo has worked Tour Central for the Liberals in elections both federally and provincially, and was director of campaign operations for the Liberals in 2019. She is the vice-president, national strategy and public affairs at Enterprise Canada [https://enterprisecanada.com/team_members/laura-dangelo/]. Melanie Paradis was director of communications for past Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole and is president of Texture Communications [https://www.yourtexture.com/about-us/melanie-paradis]. Cheryl Oates was the executive director of communications and planning for former Alberta premier Rachel Notley. She’s principal at GT Executive Advisors and is the co-host of The Discourse [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-discourse/id1713385479] podcast. In addition to listening to this episode of The Writ Podcast in your inbox, at TheWrit.ca [https://www.thewrit.ca/s/the-writ] or on podcast apps like Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-writ-podcast/id1573459476], you can also watch this episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/yGDGYdFOnxE]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thewrit.ca/subscribe [https://www.thewrit.ca/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Ep. #144: How elections are called

The tension rises and the drama builds. The results have been trickling in all night — first it was too early to call, then it was too close to call. But, finally, the networks are ready. The anchor cuts off whoever is speaking and says “we’re ready to make a projection.” There’s a brief pause as the graphics come on the screen and the music pipes in. It took a long time, but the network is now ready to project a government. Will it be majority or minority, Liberal or Conservative (or something else)? It’s the most dramatic moment of every election night special. But a lot of work goes into making that call. Just how is it done? In this episode of The Writ Podcast, I’m joined by Meg Banks, senior producer, CBC News Elections. I’ve worked with her on many elections in the past and I’m really pleased she could join me to explain how the decision desk makes its calls. (This is an extra episode of the podcast — I’ll be back with another episode tomorrow!) In addition to listening to this episode of The Writ Podcast in your inbox, at TheWrit.ca [https://www.thewrit.ca/s/the-writ] or on podcast apps like Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-writ-podcast/id1573459476], you can also watch this episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/HB7tXNs1QXM]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thewrit.ca/subscribe [https://www.thewrit.ca/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]