Crisis Comms Case Study - Tumbler Ridge, Metrolinx & Canada Infrastructure Bank

February 22
54 mins

Episode Description

Enjoy this OTL Feed Drop episode of NOW & NEXT - your independent made-in-Canada, news and commentary podcast.

Host: Dave Trafford

The C.A.S.T.: Bob Reid (Broadway Strategy and Communications), Anne Marie Aikins (AMA Communications), Lindsay Broadhead (Broadhead Communications)

This week on Now and Next, the CAST — our communications and strategy team — breaks down the stories when communications wasn’t background noise… it was the headline.

We begin with the response to the Tumbler Ridge school shooting and examine what effective crisis communications looks like in real time. From Premier David Eby’s remarks to the image of federal leaders standing together, we explore tone, humility, and whether political adversaries can momentarily transcend partisanship.

Then: Metrolinx. A derailment at Union Station caused system-wide disruption — but the bigger issue was transparency. Why did it take so long to explain what happened? And what role should a CEO play in moments of operational consequence?

Finally, we unpack a viral parliamentary exchange between Canada Infrastructure Bank CEO Aaron Corey and MP Sandra Cobena. Was refusing to “give the clip” smart strategy — or a communications misfire?

As always, we focus on the intersection of leadership, strategy, and the stories behind the story.
Subscribe for more conversations on politics, policy, and the communications shaping both.

⏱ Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: A Week Where Comms Led the Headlines
01:28 – Tumbler Ridge: Crisis Leadership, Tone, and Media Framing
13:56 – Message vs. Messenger: Carney, Poilievre & Political Pivot Points
29:58 – Metrolinx Derailment: Transparency, CEO Visibility & Operational Comms
42:41 – Ottawa Theatre: Canada Infrastructure Bank & “Giving the Clip”

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