Avi Lewis sets a new tone and message for the NDP and Air Canada gets it wrong in both languages

Avi Lewis sets a new tone and message for the NDP and Air Canada gets it wrong in both languages

From NOW and NEXT by Dave Trafford

March 31, 2026 · 41 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the NDP leadership race, Air Canada's crisis response, and the intersection of culture and politics in Canada.

This week on Now and Next, Dave Trafford and the comms and strategy team break down the stories shaping Canada’s political and media landscape. Guests: Bob Reid - Broadway Strategy & Communications Lindsay Broadhead - Broadhead Communications Anne Marie Aikins - AMA Communications First, the panel dives into the NDP leadership race and what Avi Lewis’ win reveals about the party’s identity, messaging, and future. Is the NDP aligned with what Canadians are actually worried about—or drifting further from the national conversation? Then, a sharp look at Air Canada’s crisis communications response following a tragic aviation incident. What went wrong on tone, language, and leadership—and what should have happened instead? Finally, the Junos take centre stage. With the Prime Minister making headlines and Canadian music icons back in the spotlight, the panel explores how culture, politics, and communications collide—and why moments like this still matter. Three big stories. One consistent lens: strategy, messaging, and what actually resonates. Subscribe for more conversations on politics, communications, and the forces shaping what’s now—and what’s next. Chapters 00:00 –…

People in this episode

Host: Dave Trafford

Guests: Bob Reid, Lindsay Broadhead, Anne Marie Aikins

Topics covered

  • NDP leadership
  • Avi Lewis
  • Air Canada crisis communications
  • political messaging
  • Canadian culture
  • Junos

Keywords

  • NDP
  • Avi Lewis
  • Air Canada
  • crisis communications
  • politics
  • Junos
  • Canadian culture
  • messaging
  • leadership

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NDP, Air Canada, Broadway Strategy & Communications, Broadhead Communications, AMA Communications, Junos

Places: Canada

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