Western Context

Poilievre says the RCMP helped cover up Trudeau scandals, the BCGEU strike requires mediation, and Alberta is modernizing their license plates. Also, Trudeau’s relationship with Katy Perry unnecessarily dominates the headlines.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“These would normally have led to criminal charges but of course the RCMP covered it all up and the leadership of the RCMP is just despicable when it comes to enforcing laws against the Liberal government.” – Pierre Poilievre on the potential re-opening of the SNC-Lavalin case by the RCMP.

Duration: 56:54
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Poilievre says RCMP covered up Trudeau-era scandals
• Support us on Patreon
• After seven weeks of job action, BCGEU and province agree to mediation
• Alberta licence plate slogan to change to ‘Strong and Free’
• Justin Trudeau ‘just too vanilla’ for Katy Perry, says Canadian ‘super fan’ who voted Conservative
• Word of the Week: Tabloid

The Liberals split their border bill into two, Alberta continues its health care reforms, and Vancouver apologizes for hosting a Harry Potter event. Also, Carney meets with Trump but returns with no trade deal.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“I think they’re going to walk away very happy. We’re going to especially treat Canada fairly. The people of Canada will love us again, most of them still do, I think — they love us.” – US President Donald Trump on the future Canada/US relationship.

Duration: 54:57
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Conservatives won’t support Liberal border bill without major changes
• Support us on Patreon
• Premier Danielle Smith instructs health ministers to improve wait times, transition non-acute patients out of hospital
• ‘This will not happen again’: Vancouver Park Board apologizes for hosting Harry Potter event
• Trump says ‘Canada will love us again’ — but there’s still no deal on tariffs after Carney meeting
• Word of the Week: Outrage

Mark Carney says Canada Post needs to change to be viable, Danielle Smith proposes an oil pipeline to northwest BC, and the Edmonton municipal election draws near. Also, Pierre Poilievre says Christians are the #1 target for hate crimes.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“The late Premier John Horgan also warned me that his party included a “mud hut wing” of green extremists, which I took to include Eby. Eby’s a lawyer. He knows what the Constitution says. He knows what the top Courts said recently and unanimously on this subject. But he doesn’t care because he is, and always has been, an ideological zealot. For him the Constitution, the rule of law, national unity and prosperity must all be subordinated to his ideology.” – Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s reaction to BC Premier David Eby’s opposition to Alberta pipelines.

Duration: 1:03:57
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada Post operations not ‘viable,’ Carney says amid strike action
• Support us on Patreon
• Alberta to apply to Major Projects Office for new bitumen pipeline to northern B.C. coast
• Parties have a role in this civic election. Here’s how that’s being viewed in one Edmonton ward
• Poilievre claims Christians ‘may be the number 1’ victims of hate-based violence
• Word of the Week: Proponent

Elenore Sturko is booted from the BC Conservatives, natural gas prices dip into the negative, and the gun buyback program starts in Cape Breton. Also, Carney overrides his own conditions to recognize the state of Palestine.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“I’m going to say, in my opinion, the reason why I’m fired is that John Rustad’s on shaky ground inside his caucus, and that he needs the support right now [from] social conservatives within the caucus in order for him to hang on to the reins of power. Getting rid of me, it was one way to appease some of the people within the group.” – Former BC Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko on her ousting by leader John Rustad.

Duration: 1:06:33
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• No chains’: Elenore Sturko speaks out after ousting from B.C. Conservative caucus
• Support us on Patreon
• Canadian natural gas producers cut output amid record low price
• Gun buyback pilot to launch in Cape Breton, with plans to expand nationwide
• Canada, Britain and Australia recognize state of Palestine
• Word of the Week: Panacea

Premier Eby’s comedian friend overshadows the province’s finances, Alberta wants more provincial control over immigration, and Sean Fraser unveils new hate crime legislation. Also, Alberta supports Quebec’s usage of the notwithstanding clause.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“So what we’re going to introduce at the legislature this fall is gradual entry for politicians. I just think it would be better for all parties if we know that their parents will be there to pick them up at lunchtime.” – BC Premier David Eby on treating politicians like schoolchildren.

Duration: 1:00:12
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Take our Western Context 2025 Summer Survey
• B.C. premier not amused when asked about comedian speech-writing contract
• Support us on Patreon
• Alberta premier directs minister to increase provincial control over immigration
• Ottawa hate crime bill would outlaw ‘hateful’ displays of certain symbols
• Ottawa’s request for limits on notwithstanding clause a ‘direct attack’ on Bill 21, Quebec says
• Word of the Week: Notwithstanding

The BC NDP is changing the Heritage Act for reconciliation, Alberta teachers are looking at striking, and the federal government is moving asylum claimants from shelters to apartments. Also, Carney’s nation building projects were already being completed.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“Although we still have some details to work out over the coming weeks, I am more optimistic than ever that the concerns of Albertans are FINALLY BEING HEARD and I look forward to reaching an agreement that will profoundly benefit the Canadian and Alberta economies.” – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on recent federal government project developments.

Duration: 1:03:41
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Take our Western Context 2025 Summer Survey
• Heritage act changes to have sweeping effect on land development in B.C.
• Support us on Patreon
• Alberta teachers give strike notice, province says it wants to avoid job action
• Funding to move asylum claimants from homeless shelters into apartments sparks questions about fairness
• Carney’s first five major projects include LNG, span across the country
• Word of the Week: Intangible

The TFW program faces further scrutiny, the BCGEU goes on strike, and the Edmonton School Board bans more books than required. Also, the federal NDP are limiting nominations from straight white males.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“I think what the NDP has to do is do a really good navel-gazing. Are we talking about the right issues that are affecting kitchen tables in Oshawa or Trois-Rivières or Kamloops? Are we really understanding what working people are going through? I’m looking forward to the discussion in our party to see if we can reorient ourselves so we can tell workers, ‘We get you; we’ve got policies that will make your lives better.’” – Interim NDP leader Don Davies on the NDP’s relationship with the working class.

Duration: 58:54
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Take our Western Context 2025 Summer Survey
• Poilievre calls for temporary foreign worker program to be scrapped
• Support us on Patreon
• BCGEU issues 72-hour strike notice after 93% vote to back job action
• Danielle Smith is right, the board is wrong in stupid book ban fight…
• The NDP leadership is underway — and the party is limiting signatures from ‘cis’ men
• Word of the Week: Exploitative

The Conservatives aim to curb home invasions, the US is selling Canadian LNG to Europe, and Alberta looks at nuclear energy. Also, the Carney government has already blown past its 2025 immigration targets.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“I think there was a view prior to a few years ago that the need for natural gas would be relatively minor and relatively short-term. I think what we all realize post-Ukraine, post what’s happening with AI, that natural gas is going to be a transition fuel that’s in greater demand in Germany and for a longer period of time. Canada has the opportunity to be a great partner to Germany in that regard.” – Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson on the so-called changes enabling LNG development.

Duration: 59:29
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Take our Western Context 2025 Summer Survey
• Poilievre pushes law change to allow deadly force against home intruders
• Support us on Patreon
• The Americans are selling Canadian natural gas to Europe at a profit
• Alberta government opens public engagement on nuclear energy
• Liberals are already missing their promised lower immigration targets
• Word of the Week: Power

The Air Canada strike has been resolved, Pierre Poilievre is easily elected in rural Alberta, and a popular BC provincial park is closed to non-First Nations for a month. Also, Mark Carney drops retaliatory tariffs on the US.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“You drop the gloves in the first period — when you’re late in the game, dropping the gloves and taking the extra penalty might not be the best thing to do.” – Mark Carney’s hockey metaphor on the recent trade developments with the US.

Duration: 1:04:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Take our Western Context 2025 Summer Survey
• Air Canada operations remain suspended amid federal government intervention
• Support us on Patreon
• Poilievre wins Alberta byelection, securing return to House of Commons
• First Nations say 1-month closure of Joffre Lakes Park not long enough
• Canada to drop many retaliatory tariffs in olive branch to Trump
• Word of the Week: Penalty

Conservatives say the justice system favours non citizens, China increases tariffs on canola, and the Alberta Next panels see increased media bias. Also, a court decision gives Aboriginal title to a large section of Richmond BC to a Vancouver Island band.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“We respect the court’s role in our justice system, but given the significant legal issues raised in the recent decision in Cowichan Tribes v. AG Canada et al., we believe it must be reconsidered on appeal. This ruling could have significant unintended consequences for fee simple private property rights in B.C. that must be reconsidered by a higher court.” – Attorney General Niki Sharma on the recent court decision granting Aboriginal Title part of Vancouver to a Vancouver Island based First Nation.

Duration: 1:11:58
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Take our Western Context 2025 Summer Survey
• Conservatives say the justice system favours non-citizens. Experts disagree
• Support us on Patreon
• Sask. premier calls for ‘immediate action’ from Ottawa to address massive Chinese canola tariffs
• Tensions high at town hall as Alberta Next Panel faces polarized crowd in Edmonton
• Indigenous group wins land claim over riverbank in metro Vancouver
• Word of the Week: Claim