Western Context

The media dismisses the US-Venezuela oil deal as inconsequential, spreadsheet errors lead to a $1.5B decline in BC revenue, and the Carney government is spending $4.7B on new passenger rail cars. Also, Toronto defends its Muslim-only housing policy.

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“What kind of dog and pony show, half-baked, Podunk, just-fell-off-a-turnip-truck-government is David Eby running where errors this basic are able to make it into the fundamental budgetary documents of this government?” – BC Conservative finance critic Gavin Dew, on the BC government’s $1.5B revenue spreadsheet error.

Duration: 1:03:47
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Smith sees no threat to Alberta from U.S.-Venezuela oil deal, renews pipeline push
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• B.C. government confirms gas revenue forecast errors worth $1.46B
• Ottawa spending $4.7B on new made-in-Canada Via Rail passenger cars
• Toronto city councillor says Muslim-only subsidized housing is acceptable
• Word of the Week: Podunk

The federal government announces counter-tariffs on the US, the BC Conservatives lose 6 MLAs in 2 weeks, and Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley join forces in the Alberta referendum. Also, the CBC reverses its policy on calling 9/11 terrorism.

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“’tariffs are taxes which are ultimately paid by… consumers’… Canadians are entitled to know what your tax will cost them.” – Pierre Poilievre using Mark Carney’s own words to ask how much in tariffs Canadians will pay.

Duration: 1:11:16
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Federal ministers announce support for Canadians, counter-tariffs against U.S.
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• B.C. Conservatives face mounting questions about party’s future as more MLAs walk away
• Frenemies for Canada: Notley, Kenney join forces to prevent Alberta separation
• 9/11 wasn’t a ‘terrorist attack,’ according to the CBC
• Word of the Week: Carnival

Mark Carney refuses a trade deal with the US, David Eby continues to gut the public service, and Danielle Smith warns of foreign influence in Alberta. Also, taxpayers still pay $30M a year for Trudeau’s security.

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“The government will introduce additional measures to support Canadian workers and businesses, building on the nearly $25 billion in support provided over the past 18 months. These actions complement Canada’s core economic strategy. From day one, we have been focused on building our strength at home and diversifying our partnerships abroad. That strategy is working.” – Prime Minister Mark Carney on Canada’s economic plan.

Duration: 1:22:01
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Just how bad was this deal?
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• Transparency issues raised over B.C. gov’t decision to remove public employee directory
• Alberta Premier acknowledges foreign influence campaigns are targeting separatist referendum
• Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau: global police protection at taxpayers’ expense
• Word of the Week: lament

CTV amplifies leader polls about Poilievre, Hatley Castle could be transferred to First Nations control, and a Calgary student protest reveals dozens noncompliant with visas. Also, a Liberal MP resigns due to health issues despite travelling to China.

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“This is only the beginning. There will be nothing left of B.C. by the time the NDP are finished with their plan to give away land that rightfully belongs to the people of British Columbia.” – BC Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay on the proposed BC government land transfers to First Nations.

Duration: 53:27
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Conservative MPs worried about losing their seats privately question Poilievre’s leadership, ability to defeat PM Carney
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• B.C.’s Hatley Castle, parcels of downtown Victoria among lands earmarked for transfer to First Nations
• 12 international students at Calgary protest referred to CBSA office after status check
• Liberal MP Shaun Chen says he’s resigning over ‘significant’ health issues
• Word of the Week: masquerade

BC Hydro buys a natural gas power plant, flags are becoming divisive in Alberta, and Carney looks to appoint a business person to head the Beijing embassy. Also, Canada restores some health coverage to refugees.

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“You cannot electrify everything and pretend natural gas doesn’t matter. Buying back a gas plant they once wrote off is proof their own plan couldn’t keep the lights on. It’s a step towards more energy reality, but the government needs to go further and scrap the impending province-wide ban on natural gas under CleanBC.” – Larry Neufeld, Shadow Minister for Energy for the BC Conservatives, on BC’s reversal on natural gas plants.

Duration: 1:06:31
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. Hydro to buy gas-fired power generation facility in Campbell River
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• Alberta, Canada flags creating division ahead of referendum
• Carney looks to influential outsiders to head Canada’s embassy in Beijing
• Carney government restores some health coverage it had cut for refugees
• Word of the Week: Tribalism

Press Progress lays off staff amid a defamation lawsuit, Jagmeet Singh is considered for a cushy tourism CEO job, and an arrested Canadian NATO intern is accused of spying for China. Also, BC Premier David Eby manufactures opposition to his own LNG policy.

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“For months, I have listened to safety concerns from people in my community. I raised those issues with government at every opportunity. I am disappointed with FortisBC’s decision, as I know many of those I represent will be. My position on this project has remained unchanged since before being elected to the legislature. As the representative for Richmond-Steveston, I will never stop lifting the voices of my constituents and never stop fighting for a better future.” – BC NDP MLA and Cabinet Minister Kelly Greene on her opposition to her own government’s decision.

Duration: 1:00:24
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Press Progress lays off staff amid financial fallout from Caylan Ford defamation lawsuit
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• Former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh being considered for Destination Canada’s top job
• Arrested Canadian NATO intern suspected of spying for China
• Province bypasses Utilities Commission on key certificate for Tilbury LNG project
• Word of the Week: Manufactured

A 2023 law requires a French mandate for some businesses in Edmonton, the BC NDP and Conservatives quibble over SOGI funding, and Andrew Coyne believes that we have a patriotism problem. Also the CBC might become the official fact checker of the country.

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“In virtually every other democratic country, patriotism is the province of the right. Only in Canada has it been the monopoly of the left.” – Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Coyne on the sources of patriotism in Canada.

Duration: 1:13:38
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• French mandate for Edmonton businesses despite fewer than 2,200 French-only speakers in Calgary and Edmonton
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• BC Conservatives, NDP fail the truth test on SOGI
• Canadian conservatives have a patriotism problem
• Liberals want CBC to fight misinformation. That should worry every Canadian
• Word of the Week: embittered

Nenshi apologizes for taking a photo with the Israeli ambassador, another pulp mill closes in BC, and some American politicians blame Canada for wildfire smoke. Also, Carney capitulates on the Gordie Howe International Bridge opening.

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“It’s unfortunate that people in other regions of the province, say the Lower Mainland, that really don’t truly appreciate what we’re talking about, because everyone’s affected by this not just the revenue that comes into the provincial coffers but all the other subsidiary jobs that are related to this industry. Everyone’s touched by forestry in this province… and it’s been driven right into the ground.” – Ward Stamer, BC MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson on the NDP’s failure to stand up for BC Forestry.

Duration: 1:00:41
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• “Friendship should never be controversial”: Israeli ambassador criticizes Nenshi for photo apology
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• 300 lose jobs with another BC mill closure; Canfor cites dwindling access to fibre
• Midwestern Republicans blame Canada, level threats for drifting wildfire smoke
• PM Carney insists Gordie Howe Bridge tolls will not be shared ‘until all debt is repaid’
• Word of the Week: Intimidation

Carney officially removes non-partisanship from the Senate, Alberta and Ontario agree on a cross-Canada pipeline, and the BC Nurses strike escalates. Also, trucking companies facing safety violations were still permitted to use TFWs.

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“Eastern Canadian refineries should be powered by Western Canadian energy – not from overseas. Premier Doug Ford and I are advancing a new West-East pipeline called the Northern Shield Energy Corridor connecting Alberta oil to Ontario refineries, and eventually, European markets.” – Premier Danielle Smith on the newly proposed West-East Northern Shield Energy Corridor pipeline.

Duration: 1:12:59
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Carney appoints Conservative MP from Quebec to Senate, along with principal secretary
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• Danielle Smith, Doug Ford announce proposed cross-Canada oil pipeline corridor
• BC Nurses Escalate Strike by Picketing Major Hospitals
• Trucking companies deemed unsafe permitted to employ temporary foreign workers
• Word of the Week: Mediation

Alberta, BC and the federal government agree on a West Coast pipeline proposal, the BC NDP breathe easier after a floor crossing, and Alberta plans a new power plant and data centre. Also, claims that the Order of Canada is colonial miss the larger story.

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“Canada has everything it needs to become an energy superpower, but only if we build the infrastructure to get our resources to market. Alberta has done its part by putting forward a responsible, world-class proposal and selecting the strongest route to Canada’s west coast… This project will define Alberta’s and Canada’s economic future.” – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on a new oil pipeline.

Duration: 1:11:52
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• West coast pipeline, private partner, oilsands production and pathways
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• Former B.C. Conservative turned Independent MLA Amelia Boultbee crosses the floor to the NDP
• Pembina Pipeline Announces Positive Final Investment Decision on the Greenlight Electricity Centre
• Some Indigenous people wary of Order of Canada’s ‘colonial symbolism’
• Word of the Week: investment