Western Context

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

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