Western Context

Alberta’s NDP government released a fiscal update that looked rosy but is not, the BC NDP government created an electoral reform survey to sway opinion despite appearing “neutral”, and we cover Finance Minister Morneau’s continuing clash with ethics.

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Duration: 36:15
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• As economy improves, Alberta’s NDP government says it’s time to cut spending
• Mike Smyth: NDP and Greens stack the deck in referendum vote
• Bill Morneau threatens to take Tories to court over ethics allegations
• Word of the Week: Ethics

McKenna defends export of coal while condemning the US, Alberta’s carbon tax adds 75% to the cost of natural gas, a university debate on pronouns leaves free speech in jeopardy, and the federal government wants to reintegrate ISIS fighters into Canada.

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Duration: 53:22
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• U.S. prop-up of coal is ‘wrong,’ but Canada will continue to export it: McKenna
• Patently false’: Minister slams opposition claims on carbon tax hike
• Teaching assistant who was sanctioned questions sincerity of Wilfrid Laurier University’s apology
• Canada concerned about returning ISIS fighters, Justin Trudeau says
• Word of the Week: Percent

First Nations in BC worry about energy projects, the Alberta NDP interfere with freedom of information requests, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin is retiring, and the terrorist in the Edmonton attack has not been charged with terrorism yet, why not?

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Duration: 46:42
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Sickening’: First Nations left empty-handed as environmentalist pressure kills B.C. energy projects
• Alberta NDP must answer on political interference in Freedom of Information process
• Trudeau’s Supreme Court pick tangled in race, gender politics
• Judge orders psychiatric assessments for accused in Edmonton attacks
• Word of the Week: Responsibility

A BC mosque is entitled to federal grant money despite terrorist ties, in Alberta the media struggles with the truth about GSA’s and Bill 24, another ex-Guantanamo captive sues the government for 50M, and we uncover the depths of Liberal corruption.

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Duration: 40:50
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Terror linked BC Mosque receives $53K “security grant” from Trudeau Liberals
• Jason Kenney says UCP will oppose gay-straight alliance Bill 24
• Ex-Guantanamo captive plans to sue Canada for $50 million for alleged complicity in his torture
• Trudeau’s chief fundraiser linked to Cayman Islands tax scheme
• Word of the Week: Corruption

The US tariffs Canadian softwood, Jason Kenney wins the UCP race and the social media narrative, the Liberals favour gender equality over diversity and merit with judicial appointments, and the Governor General takes an alarmingly partisan position.

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Duration: 46:47
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• U.S. slaps punitive duties on B.C. softwood
• Jason Kenney wins UCP leadership Race
• Liberals not always appointing ‘highly recommended’ judges
• Rex Murphy: Governor General appoints herself umpire of questions of faith and science
• Word of the Week: Constitution

BC Liberals oppose the rural attack of the NDP’s electoral reform, third party foreign PACs could impact the next Alberta election, the media speculates on the Lac St. Jean by-election, and the American perception of NAFTA and their threat to pull out.

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Duration: 44:05
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Liberal leadership hopefuls united in fighting electoral changes
• Chief electoral officer warns of dangers of third party activities in next Alberta election
• By-election upset victory fuels Liberal hopes in Quebec
• Napping on NAFTA’: Harper blasts Trudeau government for its handling of negotiations
• Word of the week: PAC

BC fish farms are under increased scrutiny from the BC government, Mainstreet is singled out as polls get another election wrong in Alberta, Singh refuses to denounce the Air India terrorists, and Bill Morneau gets caught in an a conflict of interest.

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Duration: 47:07
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Popham pens ‘eviction’ notice-like letter to B.C. fish farms
• Mainstreet’s future with Postmedia uncertain after botched Calgary election poll
• Jagmeet Singh Suggests CBC’s Insistent Questioning About Alleged Terrorist Was Racist
• Bill Morneau didn’t place assets in blind trust, raising conflict-of-interest risk
• Word of the Week: Conflict of Interest

Alberta’s fiscal policy is “not sustainable”, organized crime in casinos threatens BC’s economy and residents, $212,234 for a federal budget book cover by the federal government, and the wildly varying stories on Andrew Scheer and the focus on sex appeal.

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Duration: 43:46
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta’s current fiscal policy ‘not sustainable’ in the long term: report
• Organized crime a ‘viable threat to public safety’ in B.C. casinos: gov’t report
• Budget Cover Cost $212,234
• Andrew who? In search of Scheer’s still-elusive Conservative identity
• Andrew Scheer’s sex appeal: How the Tory leader stands up against two world-renowned political hunks
• Word of the Week: Balance

Terrorism comes to Edmonton. Also, electoral reform in BC, an AB NDP MLA leaves caucus, Jagmeet Singh wins the federal NDP race, Energy East is now dead, Ottawa spends too much on legal fees, and the BBC notes our Holocaust memorial’s Jewish omission.

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Duration: 1:04:28
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Edmonton Police Officers and Pedestrians Struck in Edmonton Terrorist Attack
• NDP announces B.C. referendum on proportional representation
• Karen McPherson Leaves NDP Caucus
• Jagmeet Singh wins NDP leadership race
• TransCanada terminates plan for Energy East pipeline
• Ottawa spent $110K in legal fees fighting First Nations girl over $6K dental procedure
• Canada forgets to mention Jewish people at Holocaust memorial
• Word of the Week: terrorism

In Alberta clickbait dominates a headline about UCP education policy, the BC NDP flip-flop and conduct dozens of partisan appointments, the media questions the accuracy of polling, and an acquitted ISIS fan fights to stay in Canada. Should he be able to?

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Duration: 41:34
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says United Conservatives are determined to bring harm to gay children
• (BC) NDP government stacks jobs with partisan insiders
• ANALYSIS: Poll finds Scheer’s Tories ahead of Trudeau’s Liberals but can we believe it?
• Acquitted ISIS supporter fights to stay in Canada
• Word of the Week: Acquit