Western Context

The BC Conservative upheaval leads to Findlay’s resignation, an assembly highlights Alberta’s role within Canada, and David Eby calls a snap election for October 24th. Also, new Statistics Canada numbers reverse Canada’s population decline.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“If getting the West in didn’t work, trying to get it out will get the attention.” – Preston Manning on Alberta’s October 19, 2026 Referendum.

Duration: 1:07:53
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. Conservatives, CentreBC reunite to fight NDP’s election call
• Support us on Patreon
• Why we are holding an ‘Alberta and the West Assembly’
• Will Eby’s early election gamble pay off or backfire in B.C.? Here’s what history tells us
• StatCan Revisions Erase Canada’s Reported Population Decline
• Word of the Week: assembly

Canada might become an EU associate member, the BC government forecasts larger deficits in the future, and a Calgary provincial by-election goes to the NDP. Also, Carney’s investment summit was produced by an American company.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“The Welland welder did not elect a Eurocrat to regulate our steel. The Saskatchewan farmer and the Atlantic fisherman did not choose a Brussels agrifood regulator that has never even seen our prairies or coasts. We will NEVER be the 51st U.S. state. And we will NEVER be the 28th EU state.” – Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on Canada’s potential EU associate membership.

Duration: 1:05:42
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• EU chief calls for Canada to become bloc’s first associate member
• Support us on Patreon
• B.C. government forecasting larger deficits over next 3 years
• Alberta NDP wins reliable UCP riding amid backlash to separation referendum
• Elbows down? PMO hires American firm to run Canada Investment Summit
• Word of the Week: privatization

Canada announces trade deals with the EU, Poland and New Zealand, Carney moves to simplify energy project approvals, and Eby unveils new border signs while wearing flannel. Also, CBC pumps up Stephen Fuhr who opposes the F-35.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“I’m not afraid to stand out on the hill by myself. It’s just a principled place to be. And sometimes it’s lonely, but that’s just the way it is.” – Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr on acquiring the F-35.

Duration: 1:10:22
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• EU and Canada plan far-reaching alliance to strengthen partnership
• Support us on Patreon
• Ottawa moves to reduce duplication in approval process for some large energy projects
• Canada ‘will NEVER be the 51st state. Sorry!’: B.C. premier unveils new border welcome signs
• Stephen Fuhr was mocked for opposing the purchase of F-35s. Now he’s in charge of Canada’s defence procurement
• Word of the Week: alone

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.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“’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.
• Support us on Patreon
• 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.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“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?
• Support us on Patreon
• 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.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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