Western Context

The BQ fractures under poor leadership leaving questions for 2019, Stephen Mandel’s Alberta Party win shifts the party to former PC control, China’s government takes over BC seniors care, and we cover why Trudeau’s budget is not as good as it seems.

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Duration: 47:07
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Bloc Québécois fractures as seven of 10 MPs quit over Ouellet’s leadership
• Stephen Mandel wins [PC] Alberta Party Leadership
• How the Chinese Government Took Control of BC Seniors’ Homes
• Federal Budget 2018
• Word of the Week: deficit

The Alberta auditor general’s report is missed by the media, BC’s tax and spend budget is praised while ignoring the economy, and faulty logic argues against political party unity. Meanwhile, Trudeau’s India trip is plagued with numerous problems.

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Duration: 49:16
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• More oversight a general theme of Auditor General report on government
• BC NDP ignores elites and tables budget for those who need help
• Divide and conquer? In Canadian politics, it seems maybe not
• Convicted attempted murderer invited to reception with Trudeau in India
• Word of the Week: conservative

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