Western Context

CTV stands behind their reported allegations of Patrick Brown despite inconsistencies, BC is raising the minimum wage again, and the ATB reports that the Alberta economy could be better. Also, we detail the Boushie case, and settle the record on acquittals.

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Duration: 55:15
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Key accusation against Patrick Brown false, CTV now admits
• B.C.’s move to raise minimum wage to $15.20 by 2021 too slow says B.C. Federation of Labour
• ATB projects positive growth for province in latest economic outlook
• Gerald Stanley vs. Boushie
• Word of the Week: Acquittal

Alberta halts BC wine imports in response to Trans Mountain stalling, the BC Liberals elected Andrew Wilkinson as leader, the NEB could be replaced by the fed govt to streamline energy assessments, and we learn about Trudeau’s use of the word peoplekind.

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Duration: 45:07
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Rachel Notley halts imports of BC Wine
• BC Liberal Leadership Election Feb 3rd – Andrew Wilkinson elected leader
• Ottawa to scrap National Energy Board, overhaul environmental assessment process for major projects
• What’s behind the Justin Trudeau ‘peoplekind’ controversy?
• Word of the Week: Mankind

Elizabeth May is accused of bullying; her party says she wouldn’t be if she were a man, the BC and Alberta governments spar over Trans Mountain, ICBC losing 1.3B will cost drivers more in insurance, and we detail the federal government’s drinking problem.

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Duration: 44:12
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Green Party defending leader Elizabeth May from accusations of bullying
• BC government strikes another blow to stop Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion
• Shocking massive losses revealed at ICBC, huge rate hikes feared
• 400 bottles of wine on the plane: Federal politicians have access to limitless alcohol on government flights
• Word of the Week: Rhetoric

The Alberta Party discusses a potential PST, the BC strong stable minority is in doubt over LNG, hypocrisy over the abortion clause in the fed government’s summer jobs program, and a critical look at the allegations leading to 3 politicians resigning.

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Duration: 51:17
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta Party Leadership Debate January 24
• Green brinkmanship raises doubts
• Liberal MP says abortion clause in summer jobs program ‘not right’
• #MeToo hits Canadian Politics, as Kent Hehr, Patrick Brown, and Jamie Baillie all resign
• Word of the Week: Allegation

Canadian oil is discounted due to lack of transport, a BC court case reveals immigration loopholes, a far right group attends Trudeau’s town hall to the delight of the CBC, and a fake hijab cutting incident sparks a rapid condemnation of Islamophobia.

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Duration: 43:54
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canadian oil selling at a deep discount – and it hurts
• Explosive B.C. court case details seven migration scams
• Members of far-right Storm Alliance attend Trudeau’s town hall in Quebec City
• Toronto police say hijab-cutting attack reported by girl didn’t happen
• Word of the Week: Clickbait

Stephen Mandel is running for Alberta Party leadership, unlikely allies want to keep BC’s current political system, and many middle class Canadians are actually paying more in taxes. Meanwhile, Trudeau’s town halls allow the CBC to change the narrative.

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Duration: 44:45
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Stephen Mandel confirms he’s running to be Alberta Party leader
• ‘It’s a bad system’: unlikely political allies fight proportional representation
• GUNTER: So much for Trudeau’s pledge – middle-class families now pay more taxes
• Trudeau’s town halls offer a master class in changing the narrative
• Word of the Week: Narrative

We begin 2018 with a supposedly salty Spruce Grove gas station, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps’ plan to combat climate change with bike lanes, and Trudeau’s questionable meeting with Joshua Boyle. We end with unemployment drops and minimum wage increases.

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Duration: 47:20
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Spruce Grove gas station takes down ‘profane’ anti-NDP sign, replaces it with anti-carbon tax message
• Lisa Helps to stand for re-election as Victoria mayor
• Don Martin: Trudeau showed questionable judgment in meeting with Boyle
• Canada’s unemployment rate falls to lowest rate in over 40 years: StatCan
• Word of the Week: Salty

A special year end episode where we cover all of the best, worst, and most interesting stories of the year, plus more! Featuring NAFTA trade talks, the ascension of Jason Kenney, the wacky timeline of the BC election, and Trudeau’s struggles with a kayak.

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Duration: 1:04:46
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Best Covered Story
• Worst Covered Story
• Most Important Story
• Alberta Story of the Year
• BC Story of the Year
• Firing Line of the Year
• Story We Didn’t Get To Cover
• Fake News Story of the Year
• Funniest Story
• Our Most Absurd Story
• Favourite Right Side Episode
• Newsmaker of the Year
• Word of the Year

Canada abstains on a UN resolution against the US. Victoria bans plastic bags, despite better alternatives, and the Alberta NDP decide to let themselves borrow $5b more money. Also, we conclude the year long investigation into Trudeau’s lack of ethics.

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Duration: 47:17
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada abstains as UN General Assembly backs resolution to nullify U.S. move on Jerusalem
• Ban on plastic bags to start in Victoria July 1 with range of fines
• Alberta government authorizes $37B in borrowing
• Justin Trudeau’s Bahamas vacation broke multiple ethics rules: commissioner
• Word of the Week: Borrow

The BC NDP government goes ahead with Site C, an article about Jason Kenney contradicts facts, the federal government continues to ignore veterans and benefits for those with disabilities, and used jet purchases and the danger of progressive trade policy.

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Duration: 48:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. to proceed with Site C hydroelectric dam
• Jason Kenney undermines his message in over-the-top attacks
• Canada Revenue Agency backs down after diabetics denied disability tax credit
• Ottawa says it won’t buy fighter jets from companies that harm Canada’s economy
• Word of the Week: Fake news