Ep 15: The Atlantic Lens - Federal Election Through New Brunswick's Eyes

Let's Talk Politics

Send us a text

Neil McKenna brings nearly a decade of experience from Parliament Hill, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Senate to deliver a refreshing Atlantic Canadian perspective on Canada's federal election landscape. As Senior Associate at Porter O'Brien, one of New Brunswick's top public affairs firms, McKenna offers unique insights that mainstream political coverage often overlooks.
The conversation begins with a striking revelation: St. John is considered "the most tariff-exposed city in Canada." This vulnerability creates a palpable anxiety among voters whose livelihoods in export-dependent industries like oil refining and pulp manufacturing hang in the balance of Canada-US relations. While affordability remains a universal concern, the specter of American tariffs carries particular weight in New Brunswick, where economic uncertainty directly translates to job security fears.
McKenna provides nuanced analysis of Susan Holtz's historic win as New Brunswick's first female premier, explaining how this provincial shift resulted from local dynamics rather than signaling federal voting intentions. Unlike Ontario's pattern of electing opposing parties provincially and federally, New Brunswick's political culture is shaped by distinct linguistic divides and immediate local concerns.
The discussion takes a fascinating turn as McKenna theorizes about declining voter turnout, suggesting that information overload and constant polling create premature narratives about inevitable outcomes. His candid assessment of party campaign strategies gives high marks to Mark Carney for effectively embodying calm leadership during uncertain times, while critiquing Conservatives for their delayed pivot from carbon tax messaging to addressing emerging economic concerns with the United States.
For anyone seeking to understand how global politics affects communities beyond Ottawa and Toronto, this conversation offers valuable perspective on how Atlantic Canadians are processing political messages and what really drives their voting decisions as election day approaches.

Quick heads up: This episode was recorded on April 17, 2025 so while the news may have changed since this conversation was recorded, the thoughts and ideas still remain relevant.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Neil McKenna (00:00:00)

2. New Brunswick's Federal Election Landscape (00:01:55)

3. Provincial Politics: Susan Holtz's Historic Win (00:04:26)

4. Declining Voter Turnout Crisis (00:06:48)

5. Managing Disinformation in Campaigns (00:09:30)

6. Party Campaign Strategies Assessment (00:12:39)

7. Evolution of Government Relations (00:18:37)

8. Episode Wrap and Next Episode Preview (00:22:25)