What’s Next in the Canadian Political Landscape?
March 31, 2025
“What’s Next in the Canadian Political Lanscape” with Mr. Lucas Malinowski and Mr. Mike Donison
A new Leader and Prime Minister, and an early federal election: helping us make sense of the latest political developments.
Timestamp
0:00 Welcome and introductory comments – Ms. Darlene McLean
2:32 Who is the Christian Embassy of Canada?
3:22 Introduction of Mr. Harold Albrecht
3:43 Introduction of panelists – Mr. Harold Albrecht
4:38 Presentation – Mr. Lucas Malinowski
5:05 Results of the Liberal Party Leadership
5:44 What were Liberals looking for?
7:17 Canada’s 45th General Election
8:50 Current Polling
10:41 What will decide the results?
12:35 Can you speculate on Mr. Carney’s consistent percentage of the vote across the nation?
14:32 What are your concerns about the minimal support for Mr. Carney in the West?
16:47 Some commentators have said that Mr. Carney is among the most conservative Liberals. Do you agree and why?
17:35 Presentation – Mr. Mike Donison
17:49 Where are we and how did we get here?
18:54 Unique trifecta contributing to historic shift of electoral tectonic plates in Canada
24:11 Canadian Elections are Determined at the Local Level – Dr. Harold Albrecht
24:40 Local Electoral District Associations (EDAs)
25:40 Election Campaigns
27:58 Election Financing
30:58 How does the results of the upcoming election shape Canada’s strategy towards Africa?
33:03 Will there be public debates among the candidates? If yes, how will it influence the voters, especially those who are undecided?
37:14 What will happen if Mr. Carney loses in his riding, but the Liberals still win the most number of seats? Will he assume the position of Prime Minister?
37:59 Mr. Poilievre’s rally numbers say something different than the polls. How do we read that objectively?
41:38 Who can potentially be the foreign or energy ministers in the future Carney or Poilievre government?
45:07 Related to the map with polling numbers on it in Mr. Malinowski’s presentation, why don’t we see any data/polling numbers for the northern territories?
46:25 It seems that Ontario is key in this election. Do you care to elaborate on that?
47:24 As the theme of this discussion is What’s Next in the Canadian Political Landscape, what are the priorities in Canada’s foreign and international and trade policy? Regardless of which government is in power, we expect a commitment to globalization, a balance between trade diversification and international industrial policy and a focus on the Indo-Pacific.
50:43 There was a massive turnaround in polling from the end of last year. The parties might adjust and change their strategies. Do you see any possibilities of another turnaround? What would be the main factors of this possible shift?
53:25 Thank you and prayer – Mr. Harold Albrecht
55:08 Closing remarks – Mr. Robert Montgomery
“What’s Next in the Canadian Political Landscape?” Powerpoint Presentation
Previous event by Lucas Malinowski and Mike Donison: “Canadian Political Landscape: Insights on the Liberal Leadership Contest and the Triggering of an Election”
Mr. Lucas Malinowski
Lucas Malinowski is a Public Affairs professional currently serving as the Vice President and Director of Federal Affairs at the Global Automakers of Canada.
With extensive experience in media relations, legislative procedure, events management, as well as strategic and crisis communications, Lucas has served Premiers, Leaders of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, Cabinet Ministers and a wide variety of public affairs and communications clients.
During his time with the Government of Ontario, September 2014 to February 2018, Lucas served as Special Advisor to the Government House Leader, Senior Communications Advisor to the Minister for Early Years and Child Care and Director of Communications to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. In his many roles he provided strategic leadership on a variety of challenging files including introducing carbon pricing through Ontario's cap and trade system, shepherding record amounts of government legislation through parliament, the 2016 Speech from the Throne's commitment to create 100,000 new child care spaces, and major cap and trade funding initiatives.
A native of Burnaby, British Columbia, Lucas holds an Honours degree in Political Science with a Minor in Dialogue Communications from Simon Fraser University.
Mr. Mike Donison
Mr. Donison is currently serving as a part time sessional lecturer in the Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science at the University of British Columbia–Okanagan in Kelowna, B.C., teaching an introductory course on Canadian Government and Politics.
He was a political consultant and analyst for more than 20 federal and provincial elections. He has served in a number of political roles in Ottawa:
- Deputy Director and then Director of Policy and Research in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition
- Executive Director of the Conservative Party of Canada
- Senior Policy Advisor for Legislation and Democratic Reform to the Government House Leader
He has worked with cabinet ministers, including as Assistant to the Minister of National Defence and Veterans’ Affairs in Ottawa (1979-80) and Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Industry and Small Business Development in Victoria, B.C. (1980-82).
Since 2011 he has served as the Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese in Canada.
Mike is a graduate of the University of Victoria (Honours Political Science) and the University of British Columbia (Law). He practiced law, particularly in the areas of commercial, real estate and succession and estate law for 23 years and is still a member of the British Columbia Bar. He taught courses on Constitutional law, the Canadian Legal System and Canadian Government at the University of Victoria.
Mike and his wife Marilyn are enjoying retirement in Kelowna, B.C.
The opinions expressed by the speakers and commentators at our events and posted on our website are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Christian Embassy.