Western Context

Trudeau earmarks billions for transit, the feds unilaterally close fish farms in BC to Horgan’s ire, and two Alberta MLAs follow their constituents in questioning lockdowns. Also, Bell cuts hundreds of jobs while posting profits and taking subsidies.

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Duration: 53:44
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“Those MLAs have a perspective. We, unlike some parties, allow people to speak their minds and represent the views of their constituents.” – Jason Kenney

• Trudeau pledges billions in permanent funding for public transit
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• Horgan says he was broadsided by Ottawa over fish farm closures
• 2 of Alberta premier’s caucus members join coalition fighting COVID-19 restrictions
• Bell cancels all-sports radio format on channels in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Hamilton
• Word of the Week: Subsidy

ICBC gives back a rebate average of $190 per driver, the media thinks Jason Kenney enables conspiracies, and saving for a house has never been more difficult. Also Canada’s vaccine rate is falling fast while Trudeau says to trust his plan.

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Duration: 50:05
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“1.8 million British Columbians have received this pandemic benefit. I appreciate that 300,000 people is a lot of people, but again, without a calculator, I think we can all appreciate that 1.8 million is a lot more.” – BC Premier John Horgan

• Horgan takes a risk by overselling ICBC rebates
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• Kenney needs to be ‘crystal clear’ in discrediting COVID-19 conspiracies, says expert
• ‘Saving For A Down Payment Has Never Been Worse,’ Says National Bank Of Canada
• Canada the only G7 country to take vaccines from fund that helps developing countries
• Word of the Week: Jab

A mothballed report on BC long term care homes has the NDP scrambling, Edmonton councillor Mike Nickel is running for mayor to counter woke groups, and $636M of CERB payments go to teenagers. Also Trudeau announces new travel restrictions that come too late.

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Duration: 50:28
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“The entire pandemic has been a fascinating case study between two duelling realities: modest but early action is preferable to late and heavy-handed measures, but it’s also hard to rally much public support for disruptive actions until the need for it is obvious.” – Mark Gurney, writer for National Post

• Stonewall, deny, cover-up on B.C. care home report
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• Edmonton city councillor Mike Nickel running for mayor in 2021 election
• More than $636M in CERB benefits was paid to 300,000 teens between ages of 15 and 17: documents
• Now is just not the time to be flying’: PM Trudeau announces new travel restrictions
• Word of the Week: Woke

Biden’s inauguration has steep consequences for Canada’s economy, O’Toole faces more challenges from the media and the Liberals, and Canada is once again last in line for vaccines. Also, Julie Payette resigns as Governor General.

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Duration: 50:36
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“We all experience things differently, but we should always strive to do better, and be attentive to one another’s perceptions.” – Former Governor General Julie Payette

• Biden to prioritize blocking of Keystone XL pipeline extension
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• Don’t call me Canada’s Donald Trump, Erin O’Toole says
• Trudeau spoke with Pfizer CEO amid concerns of vaccine delays
• Governor General Julie Payette resigning over damning workplace report
• Word of the Week: Regal

Trudeau shuffles his cabinet while denying he wants an election, politicians are under fire for travel while Canadians do the same, and John Horgan wants to deny inter-provincial travel into BC. Also, Trudeau has put us at the back of the line for vaccines.

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Duration: 45:03
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

I have lived the Canadian dream; I am the son of a cabinet maker who had the opportunity to serve as a cabinet minister. — Navdeep Bains

• Trudeau says he has no plans to trigger an election as he shuffles key cabinet positions
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• Alberta MLA mired in travel scandal ousted from caucus for absenteeism
• B.C. premier seeking legal advice on feasibility of inter-provincial travel ban
• Ottawa chose not to exercise option to buy 16 million more doses of Moderna vaccine

We look at 2020’s news stories including pipeline blockades, government overspending, and the end of the rocket launcher in Canada. We also look at the October BC election, our words of the year, as well as the elephant in the room: China’s coronavirus pandemic.

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Duration: 1:23:44
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta Story of the Year
• BC Story of the Year
• Worst Covered Story by the MSM
• Most Important Story
• 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
• Worst Government Expense of the Year
• Favourite Western Context Episode
• Newsmaker of the Year
• Word of the Year

Trudeau quadruples the carbon tax to $170 per tonne by 2030, invests in hydrogen and nuclear energy, while the Alberta government links K-2 music education to history. Also, concerns over appropriation with the Canucks logo can be put to rest.

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Duration: 1:05:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

via Twitter

• Ottawa to hike federal carbon tax to $170 a tonne by 2030
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• Canada unveils hydrogen strategy to kick-start clean fuel industry
• Songs suggested for early grades by Alberta curriculum advisers have racist roots, teachers say
• Retire the orca’, says Indigenous historian who calls Vancouver Canucks logo cultural appropriation
• Word of the Week: Appropriation

A supposed reformed terrorist is granted day parole, Alberta might become a have-not province, and the Trudeau government is covering up which companies are receiving billions in pandemic aid. Also, Trudeau invites Chinese troops to train at Canadian bases.

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Duration: 1:00:21
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Toronto 18 bomb plotter granted parole after apologizing, insisting he is reformed
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• Alberta likely to be a ‘have-not’ province soon and that’s bad for Canada
• Trudeau government won’t say who got billions of dollars in aid
• Trudeau invited Chinese troops to train at Canadian military bases
• Word of the Week: secrecy

ICU bed totals in Alberta are misreported, a federal decision may put BC Ferries passengers at risk, and Trudeau admits he failed to solve the First Nations boil water advisories. Also, a fiscal update from Freeland leads to more spending and taxes.

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Duration: 1:01:12
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Leaked Alberta modelling data projects upwards of 775 COVID-19 hospitalizations by mid-December
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• Pandemic or not, passengers face up to $12,000 fine for staying in vehicles on BC Ferries
• Indigenous Services minister acknowledges Liberals won’t meet promised drinking water target
• Liberals to spend $100B to jolt post-pandemic economy after posting record $381B deficit
• Word of the Week: Fiscal

The BC NDP government fails to protect old growth forests, Alberta’s restrictions aim to not harm businesses, and a Canadian government arts grant goes to the partner of Elon Musk. Also, Trudeau’s promise of an early vaccine for Canadians gets broken.

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Duration: 1:30:40
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• BC should finance old-growth protections, advocates say
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• Kenney’s lockdown is severe but holds out hope for businesses to survive
• A $90,000 Canadian arts subsidy for Grimes, who lives in California with Elon Musk
• COVID-19 vaccines won’t ship to Canada until they are approved for use here
• Word of the Week: Old Growth