Western Context

We begin 2018 with a supposedly salty Spruce Grove gas station, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps’ plan to combat climate change with bike lanes, and Trudeau’s questionable meeting with Joshua Boyle. We end with unemployment drops and minimum wage increases.

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Duration: 47:20
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Spruce Grove gas station takes down ‘profane’ anti-NDP sign, replaces it with anti-carbon tax message
• Lisa Helps to stand for re-election as Victoria mayor
• Don Martin: Trudeau showed questionable judgment in meeting with Boyle
• Canada’s unemployment rate falls to lowest rate in over 40 years: StatCan
• Word of the Week: Salty

A special year end episode where we cover all of the best, worst, and most interesting stories of the year, plus more! Featuring NAFTA trade talks, the ascension of Jason Kenney, the wacky timeline of the BC election, and Trudeau’s struggles with a kayak.

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Duration: 1:04:46
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Best Covered Story
• Worst Covered Story
• Most Important Story
• Alberta Story of the Year
• BC Story of the Year
• Firing Line of the Year
• Story We Didn’t Get To Cover
• Fake News Story of the Year
• Funniest Story
• Our Most Absurd Story
• Favourite Right Side Episode
• Newsmaker of the Year
• Word of the Year

Canada abstains on a UN resolution against the US. Victoria bans plastic bags, despite better alternatives, and the Alberta NDP decide to let themselves borrow $5b more money. Also, we conclude the year long investigation into Trudeau’s lack of ethics.

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Duration: 47:17
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada abstains as UN General Assembly backs resolution to nullify U.S. move on Jerusalem
• Ban on plastic bags to start in Victoria July 1 with range of fines
• Alberta government authorizes $37B in borrowing
• Justin Trudeau’s Bahamas vacation broke multiple ethics rules: commissioner
• Word of the Week: Borrow

The BC NDP government goes ahead with Site C, an article about Jason Kenney contradicts facts, the federal government continues to ignore veterans and benefits for those with disabilities, and used jet purchases and the danger of progressive trade policy.

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Duration: 48:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. to proceed with Site C hydroelectric dam
• Jason Kenney undermines his message in over-the-top attacks
• Canada Revenue Agency backs down after diabetics denied disability tax credit
• Ottawa says it won’t buy fighter jets from companies that harm Canada’s economy
• Word of the Week: Fake news

The Alberta NDP sets aside 1.4B of taxpayer money for industry to reduce emissions, we cover Dianne Watts and the BC Liberal leadership race, free trade and Trudeau’s failed trip to China, as well as callous remarks from the Minister of Disabilities.

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Duration: 46:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta sets aside $1.4 billion for industry to reduce carbon emissions
• Liberal leadership candidate Dianne Watts could have an uphill battle ahead
• Trudeau’s failed free trade trip to China
• Everyone … has a sob story’: Thalidomide survivors say they were belittled by disabilities minister>
• Word of the Week: Free trade

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