Western Context

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
• 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.

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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
• 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

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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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

Carney makes a plan to renovate 24 Sussex Drive, BC stops an amalgamation vote in Victoria, and a noise bylaw threatens fun at the Calgary Stampede. Also, Carney and Eby give a bailout to real estate developers.

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“If people hate it, that’s OK, we don’t have to do it. But I actually think that ultimately, we’ll be buying below the cost of construction, no developers will be profiting from us and it’ll give people an opportunity to buy a home that would otherwise not have it.” – BC Premier David Eby on the condo bailout.

Duration: 1:08:40
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• PM launches design-and-build competition to ‘rehabilitate’ 24 Sussex Drive
• Support us on Patreon
• B.C. government puts Victoria-Saanich amalgamation vote on hold
• Alberta premier criticizes Calgary Stampede noise bylaw: ‘Fun police have struck’
• Critics blast government plan to ‘bail out’ sagging condo sector in B.C.
• Word of the Week: Avoidance

The Carney Liberals ram the lawful access bill through the House of Commons, the BC NDP fires the Massey Tunnel contractor, and Albertans will receive a $100 energy rebate. Also, Canada tariffs canned vegetables at 10%.

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“The decision is made. It’s the project the region wanted. We are building a tunnel. That’s it.” – BC Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth on the George Massey tunnel replacement boondoggle.

Duration: 1:16:34
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Minister says MPs must ‘choose’ victims by fast-tracking lawful access bill
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• European contractor to build new George Massey Tunnel fired by B.C. government
• About 3.4 million Albertans will receive $100 energy rebate from provincial government
• Canada imposes 10% tariff on canned vegetables, excludes U.S., others
• Word of the Week: Diversion

The Liberals spend billions on a secure food strategy, Poilievre positions himself as Captain Unity in Alberta, and BC allows drivers knowledge tests to be taken online. Also, the teenager social media ban will have a lot more consequences for everyone.

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“The answer therefore for Albertans is not to pull away from our friends in other provinces, but to lock arms with them to make Canada affordable, safe, self-reliant, and united here at home.” – Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on Canadian unity.

Duration: 1:06:42
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• PM Carney unveils multibillion-dollar food strategy meant to lower prices
• Support us on Patreon
• Poilievre promotes Canadian unity, accuses federal government of stoking Alberta separatism, in Calgary speech
• New B.C. drivers can now take learner’s licence knowledge test online
• Canada proposes teen social media ban – with workaround for tech firms
• Word of the Week: foment

Alberta looks at airport to downtown train corridors, the BC Conservatives elect Kerry-Lynne Findlay as their new leader, and Alberta rolls out a new surgery funding model for hospitals. Also, Carney addresses antisemitism with a new advisory council.

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“In our national anthem, we cry out to God to make our land glorious and free. Faith, family and freedom. That’s what it’s all about. God bless British Columbia and God bless all of you.” – new BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay after winning leadership.

Duration: 1:05:20
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta eyes downtown-to-airport trains as first key project of passenger rail plan
• Support us on Patreon
• For new B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, it’s about ‘faith, family and freedom’
• Alberta partially rolls out new surgery funding model for public hospitals
• Carney admits antisemitism ‘crisis,’ but won’t do much about it
• Word of the Week: Social Conservatism

Canada makes a deal to export LNG to Germany, Carney’s inflight meals incur huge costs, and the Supreme Court decides Aboriginal title does not apply to private property. Also, Carney wants to help make America great again.

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“That is mutual strength. Canada Strong will help make America great again. The examples are legion where we should work together and compete with the world together.” – Prime Minister Mark Carney on the mutual strength of Canada and America.

Duration: 1:05:20
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada Strikes Landmark Deal to Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Germany
• Support us on Patreon
• Carney’s in-flight menu includes fine wine, braised beef and ‘luxury’ butter
• Aboriginal title can’t apply to private land, Supreme Court of Canada decides
• Carney seeks new US-Canada partnership as world undergoes ‘rupture’
• Word of the Week: rupture