Western Context

Late government actions have let variants of concern into Canada, BC locks down travel within health regions, and Alberta’s free market leads the way in solar investment. Also, Trudeau’s first budget in two years shows just how much debt we are in.

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Duration: 57:56
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“The truth is that the tragedy of COVID-19 has created a window of opportunity, which we can open to finally build a system of early learning and child care across our country.” – Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland

• ‘Practically impossible’ to keep COVID-19 variants out, officials say, as flights from hotspots continue
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• B.C. to restrict non-essential travel between 3 provincial health zones
• Lots of irony in Alberta leading the country in new solar projects
• Budget vows to build ‘for the long term’ as it promises child care cash, projects massive deficits
• Word of the Week: Debtonation

The Conservatives unveil their climate plan, the Liberal convention shows how far they have shifted, and BC’s throne speech stays the course. Also, the international media tears into Trudeau’s vaccine rollout and coins the term “Tru-Anons”.

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Duration: 56:14
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“It’s really important we work from facts.” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on CNN Jake Tapper’s story criticizing the Canadian government’s vaccine rollout.

• Conservative Climate Plan – Secure the Environment
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• ‘How disconnected do you have to be?’ Trudeau rallies Liberal convention with stinging attacks on Conservatives
• From affordability to vaccinations, here are the priorities outlined in the 2021 B.C. throne speech
• Canada’s vaccine shortage: Covid-19 cases per capita pass U.S. rate as doctors plead for more vaccines
• Word of the Week: Tax

Kenney walks a tightrope with unpopular restrictions, Horgan ignores a major logging protest in his riding, and Trudeau attempts to blame the provinces for poor vaccine rollouts. Also, Trudeau continues to stonewall testimony on the WE Charity scandal.

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Duration: 58:18
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“It’s disappointing that we find ourselves for a third time experiencing the Liberals’ ‘Choose your own adventure of parliamentary democracy’. We’re now jammed up with shenanigans that leave us unable to complete our report.” – Conservative Ethics Critic Michael Barrett on Liberal stonewalling on WE Charity testimony

• Kenney says he will boot UCP MLAs from caucus if they break COVID-19 rules or encourage others to do so
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• ‘War in the woods’: activists blockade Vancouver Island in bid to save ancient trees
• Hajdu publicizes delivery of 10 million vaccine doses as Ford blames federal rollout for shot delays
• Federal elections watchdog looking into WE Charity, researcher says
• Word of the Week: Revolt

A doctor finds that Canada’s care home response is the worst in the world, BC imposes new taxes on a struggling populace, and Alberta introduces an updated modern education curriculum. Also, John Horgan blames young people for the rise of the 3rd wave.

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Duration: 1:03:03
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“Education, job loss, our mental health — we’re seeing that it’s young people putting themselves at risk every day to keep our province working. But we’re still getting the blame at the end of the day and being told not to ‘blow it for the rest of us. I think it’s important the Premier apologize, not just because it’s not backed up by data, but because young people have given so, so much.” – UBC New Democrats President Justin Kulik on BC Premier John Horgan’s comments blaming 20-39s for the virus spike.

• Canada’s nursing homes have worst record for COVID-19 deaths among wealthy nations: report
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• B.C. tax increases: From Netflix to gas, here’s what will cost you more on April 1
• New K-6 curriculum gets top grades from educational experts
• Is it young people who need to focus on individual responsibility in B.C.’s pandemic, or is it John Horgan?
• Word of the Week: Wave

CP Rail looks to create a transcontinental rail route, the Supreme Court rules the federal carbon tax to be constitutional, and the auditor general blasts Trudeau’s infrastructure plans. Also, the media calls Conservatives climate deniers.

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Duration: 57:38
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“We’ve now fought and lost two elections against a carbon tax because voters did not think we were serious about addressing climate change. And I will not allow 338 candidates to defend against the lie from the Liberals that we are a party of climate change deniers. We will have a plan to address climate change.” – Conservative Party of Canada Leader, Erin O’Toole

• CP Rail to buy Kansas City Southern to create first rail network connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico
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• Kenney and Moe slam federal carbon tax after Supreme Court rules it’s constitutional
• Delays plague ‘inconsistent and incomplete’ $188B infrastructure program: auditor general
• I’m in charge’: O’Toole brushes off Conservative grassroots vote on climate change
• Word of the Week: Dissent

Alberta brings recall legislation and citizen initiatives, BC’s vaccine schedule moves up with focus on essential workers, and Rogers attempts to buy Shaw for $26b. Also, the Two Michaels receive court dates while Canada gives money to pro-China groups.

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Duration: 55:26
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“It’s kind of shocking. They have freedom to express their opinion, whether they support the talking points of the Communist Party or not. The problem is they cannot do that with my tax money. Why should I support with my tax dollars their propaganda?” – Mehmet Tohti, executive director of the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project

• Alberta government tables legislation that would allow voters to recall elected MLAs plus citizen initiative act
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• Vaccinated people will get flexibility to do more in B.C., premier says
• Rogers’ $16 Billion Bid for Shaw Jolts Canada Wireless Sector
• Michael Spavor’s trial in China ends without a verdict
• Word of the Week: Essential

BC’s vaccine rollout has some setbacks on Day 1, while Alberta looks to mobilize its own vaccine industry, and the situation of the 2 Michaels becomes more dire. Also, it turns out that the federal government knew about the Vance allegations back in 2018.

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Duration: 43:32
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. minister blasts Telus performance on 90-plus vaccine appointments
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• Alberta asking for proposals to build its own vaccine manufacturing industry
• Feds ‘not aware’ of court date for 2 Michaels as Chinese paper warns they’ll face trial ‘soon’
• Privy Council Office was warned to ‘put some things in writing’ after 2018 Vance complaint
• Word of the Week: Mobilization

Alaska pleads for cruises while Trudeau says no, alternative voting methods are being readied for a possible spring election, and SNC gets a sole sourced $150M contract for field hospitals. Also, a 4 month gap between vaccine doses leads to questions.

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Duration: 44:36
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

 “British Columbia’s decision to extend to four months the interval between first and second doses of three different vaccines amounts to a ‘population level experiment’.“ — Chief Science Adviser of Canada, Mona Nemer

• U.S. politicians push to revive Alaska cruises, with Victoria as ‘technical’ stop
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• Canadians should be able vote by phone during pandemic
• SNC-Lavalin gets $150 million contract for field hospitals nobody asked for
• Second doses of COVID-19 vaccines can be given up to 4 months after first, NACI now says
• Word of the Week: Experiment

Hate crimes are on the rise in Canada, the Alberta budget sees continued support for healthcare, and another top military commander is under investigation. Also, Trudeau and his cabinet walk out on Parliament’s Uighur genocide vote.

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Duration: 47:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Horgan ‘deeply’ troubled by 717% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in Vancouver
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• Alberta 2021 Budget Brings $18.2b Deficit and Continued COVID spending
• Canada’s top military commander steps aside following sexual misconduct claim
• Trudeau’s silence on Uighur genocide fails Canada
• Word of the Week: Right-sizing

Canadian media companies get outwitted by tech companies, shortsighted mayors welcome Trudeau’s gun ban, and Albertan economists want a sales tax. Also, Trudeau is willingly complicit in China’s technological takeover of Canada.

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Duration: 52:43
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“Ironic, isn’t it, that the prime minister is prepared to accuse his own country of genocide…but unwilling to accuse China of genocide when it’s clearly taking place.” – Garnett Genuis, Conservative Critic for Human Rights

• Facebook blocks Australian users from viewing or sharing news
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• Trudeau unveils details of ‘assault-style’ gun buyback program, municipal gun ban
• Trajectory is bad’: Expert calls for Alberta to consider introduction of sales tax, carbon tax
• Huawei Canada won’t condemn detention of 2 Michaels in China
• Bedazzle