Western Context

The Federal Court of Appeal rejects a native veto on Trans Mountain, Alberta’s unemployment rate continues to rise, and ICBC is changing to a no-fault system. Also, the Trudeau government tries to put more regulations on Canadian media.

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Duration: 52:44
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• In a major victory for Trans Mountain, Federal Court dismisses Indigenous appeal of project’s approval
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• Edmonton unemployment rises again, now 2nd highest of any Canadian city: StatsCan
• After ruling it out, Horgan goes for no-fault auto insurance
• Licensing for media companies in Canada would likely be proportionate
• Word of the Week: Protest

Trudeau’s government spends millions fighting veterans in court, a panel calls for more Canadian content on streaming services, and stigma surrounds the coronavirus outbreak in Canada. Also, Trudeau gives $50m to Mastercard amid a household debt crisis.

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Duration: 45:53
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Ottawa spent more than $180,000 on defamation case involving Seamus O’Regan
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• Independent panel report calls for more Canadian streaming content and an ad-free CBC
• Canada’s top doctor calls out ‘racism and stigmatizing comments’ over coronavirus
• Trudeau hands MasterCard a gift of your money
• Word of the Week: Stigma

A fake protest at Meng Wanzhou’s extradition hearing raises questions, the UCP ties advanced education funding to performance, and a petition against Trudeau’s gun ban reaches 100,000. Also, Trudeau visits a local doughnut shop and social media goes crazy.

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Duration: 54:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Protester at Meng Wanzhou hearing says he was told he’d be paid $100 to be in a music video
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• Alberta post-secondary funding will be tied to performance
• Thunder Bay Liberal MP’s letter to Blair gets attention of gun owners
• Canadians criticize Trudeau after visit to Oh Doughnuts bakery in Winnipeg
• Word of the Week: Buyback

The City of Victoria changes numbers in a report on emissions, the Supreme Court rejects BC’s appeal of Trans Mountain, and the Maple Leaf Foods CEO has an anti-Trump rant on Twitter. Also, CBC and CTV falsely accuse Harper of wanting an Iran regime change.

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Duration: 50:37
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• City of Victoria cheats on first emissions count
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• Supreme Court rejects B.C. appeal of Trans Mountain pipeline case
• Maple Leaf CEO says the United States shares blame for Iran plane crash
• Harper misquote shows why ‘regime change’ needed in some Canadian newsrooms
• Word of the Week: Regime change

The BC Coastal Gaslink pipeline undergoes more disruptions, the federal carbon tax will not save Albertans money, and Trudeau’s facial hair dominates the media. Also, we discuss the tragedy of UIA Flight 752, and the leadup to the deadly aviation disaster.

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Duration: 47:02
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Work must stop on Trans Mountain, Site C, LNG pipeline until First Nations approval, UN committee says
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• Alberta gets a new carbon tax Jan. 1 — but that could be good news for your wallet
• Statesman, ‘daddy’ or dud: Justin Trudeau’s new beard ignites social media
• Iran plane crash: Western powers suggest missile downed jet
• Word of the Week: Crash

We look at all the important stories of 2019, including the Alberta and federal elections, the SNC scandal, China, and western separatism. Also, our words of the year, and expenses ranging from billion dollar jets to a $13,000 wood splitter.

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Duration: 1:15:25
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Best Covered Story by the MSM
• Worst Covered Story by the MSM
• Most Important Story
• Alberta Story of the Year
• BC Story of the Year
• Firing Line Story of the Year
• Local Story of the Year
• Story We Didn’t Get to Cover
• Fake News Story of the Year
• Funniest Story
• Our Most Absurd Story
• Worst Government Expense of the Year
• Favourite Western Context Episode
• Newsmaker of the Year
• Word of the Year

Trudeau’s fall fiscal update shows deeper deficits than expected, the terrorist in the 2017 Edmonton van attack gets 28 years, and a BC retirement home sale to China raises major issues. Also, the media covers Trudeau’s mandate letters, but misses key parts.

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Duration: 45:44
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trudeau Begins 2nd Term Much Deeper in the Red Than Expected
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• Man who tried to kill Edmonton police officer sentenced to 28 years
• Third China-owned senior care facility in B.C. placed under government management amid concerns over health, safety of residents
• 5 takeaways from Trudeau’s ‘mandate letters’ to his cabinet
• Word of Week: Mandate

Canada signs the new NAFTA deal, a 5 month forestry strike leaves BC communities in limbo, and a Greenpeace video shown in an Alberta class sparks a social media firestorm. Also, Andrew Scheer’s resignation as leader prompts crazy theories from the media.

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Duration: 52:45
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada signs revised North American trade deal, clearing way for ratification
• Companies, contractors and communities caught in middle of forestry strike
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• Alberta school lesson on oil sands prompts threats from parents amid sensitivity over industry’s image + Energy War Room
• Exasperated Scheer leaves on his own terms
• Word of Week: Fog of war

The premiers meeting showcases provincial unity, a provincial plan for new nuclear technology is ignored by the media, and Trudeau’s throne speech says a lot and nothing at all. Also, we detail Trudeau’s delinquent behaviour at the NATO summit.

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Duration: 57:40
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• With national unity under stress, premiers back a budget fix to help oil-rich provinces
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• Group of premiers band together to develop nuclear reactor technology
• A Throne Speech that intentionally left much unsaid
• What are you at?’ Trump presses Trudeau over NATO defence spending
• Word of the Week: Delinquent

The CBC notes that the new Minister of Environment is not a woman, Rachel Notley blames the UCP for her alcohol purchases, BC’s economic machine starts to slow down, and an effort by the media to smear Andrew Scheer is rebuffed by Conservative members.

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Duration: 50:36
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Will Jonathan Wilkinson’s gender give him an easier time in the environment ministry?
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• Notley accuses Tories of “corruption” in liquor purchase, before revelation it was made under her watch
• B.C. budget surplus projection continues to shrink
• I am staying on to fight the fight’ says Scheer amid more calls for resignation
• Word of the Week: Histrionics