RealAg LIVE! with Meagan Murdoch on key political conversations

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With a potential federal election coming our way, politics are on the minds of many.

This episode of RealAg LIVE! features Meagan Murdoch of National Public Relations, on some of Canada’s key political conversations in 2021. Host Shaun Haney and Murdoch talk about partisanship, political party popularity (say that ten times fast), the carbon tax, climate change, and so much more!

RealAg LIVE! streams every weekday at 3 pm E on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter!

SUMMARY

  • What is National Public Relations?
    • Public relations firm that started 40 years ago — one of the oldest in Canada
    • Offices from coast to coast – big team in Toronto
  • Murdoch is no stranger to agriculture — went across the country with former Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz
    • Four years as Ritz’s press secretary and director of communications
  • Political climate of Canada right now is very much mixed, and anyone that downloads National Public Relations’ latest white paper will find that, too.
    • The white paper was a project of at least 2 dozen consultants across Canada. That’s the amount of people it takes to put together something like this.
  • Covid-19 has heightened partisanship across the country
    • Change of tides here with vaccines
    • This system is way more complex than we think it is
  • We have seen some provincial elections transpire during COVID-19…but the question right now is, will we have a federal one?
    • It’s anyone’s guess. It could go a few different ways.
    • The pros/cons of going now vs. later vs. six months ago…COVID-19 has altered the dynamic
    • The Trudeau government really had the centre stage in the last year. It’s not all rosy with Trudeau
    • Does Trudeau have the confidence vote? Not necessarily
  • What’s going on with the Conservatives? Can’t really seem to gain traction whether it be Scheer or O’Toole
    • Hard to get any airtime right now when parliament has been virtual for so long
    • Anything really can happen in the 36 days of an election campaign. Remember that.
    • Conservative platform — many have been very critical. What do they really stand for?
  • With the latest decision from the Supreme Court of Canada regarding carbon tax, how can agriculture work to communicate any climate concerns?
    • It all comes down to how the provinces will be as influential as they possibly can, in defining federal policy
    • There are other ways to reach our climate goals…so it comes down to what conversations happen next
    • The budget will be layered in climate policies and economic ones
  • There’s been a greater push for decentralization
    • There will be a huge battle over health payments
    • How do we balance different priorities of the parties?
  • Are other countries moving as fast as we are with climate change in Canada?
    • We really have to pay attention to the countries we share our borders with
    • We aren’t moving quicker than the U.S., or progressive countries like New Zealand
  • Biggest election item?
    • The economy vs. climate
    • Talk of not raising taxes
    • Talk of increase to the capital gains tax. If it’s going to happen at any time, now is the time

 

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Other Episodes

RealAg LIVE! (view all)Season 2 (2021) Episode 28
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