Western Context

Alberta’s car insurance system could see higher rates, the BC NDP has no money left for their promises, and Poilievre wants to legalize pipelines. Also, a Quebec court reduces a sentence because of the criminal’s skin colour.

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“The opponents of pipelines are using this very cleverly. They’re saying: ‘well we can’t change the rules to allow a pipeline, because there’s no pipeline proposed.’ That’s because the rules don’t allow for pipelines to get built. So let’s get rid of this chicken and egg distraction that the Liberals have imposed.” – Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on the bottlenecks of Canada.

Duration: 1:02:09
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta’s overhaul of the auto insurance system continues. Here’s how much Albertans could be paid out and the latest updates
• Support us on Patreon
• B.C. NDP has promises to keep, but no money to spend
• Poilievre says Carney’s moving in the ‘wrong direction,’ pledges to ‘legalize’ pipelines
• Black man given reduced sentence due to race, Quebec minister worries it sets bad precedent
• Word of the Week: Fault

BC invests in a major LNG project, an Alberta petition wants to see the province stay Canadian, and Poilievre’s byelection sees over 200 candidates. Also, US tariffs increase while the government is on vacation.

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“Canada will win this race and we will diversify our markets because of our Canadian values. And those are on display on this project right here at Cedar LNG.” – BC Premier David Eby on BC’s drive to develop LNG exports.

Duration: 1:00:27
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. government accused of ‘greenwashing’ as it announces $200M to electrify LNG project
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• Petition for referendum to ensure Alberta remains in Canada approved by Elections Alberta
• Write-in ballots to be used in Alberta byelection due to record number of candidates
• Trump increases tariff on Canada to 35% from 25%, cites fentanyl
• Word of the Week: Polispeak

A senator looks at lowering Canada’s voting age, the average Canadian family pays 42.3% of income on tax, and a couple former MLAs join the Alberta Party. Also, several Quebec corporations sue the federal government over TFW changes.

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“At a time when the cost of living is top of mind across the country, taxes remain the largest household expense for Canadian families. While Canadians can decide for themselves whether or not they get good value for their tax dollars, they should understand how much they pay in taxes each year.” – Jake Fuss, director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute on the overall tax burden on Canadian families continuing to rise.

Duration: 1:01:03
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Lowering Canada’s voting age to 16 is her ‘top parliamentary priority,’ senator says
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• Average Canadian family spent 42.3% of income on taxes in 2024: study
• Ex-UCP MLAs to join, rebrand Alberta Party instead of rebooting Progressive Conservatives from scratch
• 23 Quebec business owners launch $300 million lawsuit over temporary foreign worker permits
• Word of the Week: Suppression

Carney admits a US trade deal may include tariffs, the BC government restores drug funding for a young girl, and Danielle Smith muses pulling out of supply management. Also, Canada’s justice system gives more lenient sentences to non-Canadians.

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“If we really want to make the eastern politicians (have to) change their underwear, we should remove our supply management from the Canadian system.” – Red Deer County resident Lee Eddy on removing Alberta from supply management (heavily editorialized).

Duration: 1:02:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Carney says a U.S. trade deal without some tariffs is unlikely
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• B.C. backtracks and restores rare drug coverage for 10-year-old Charleigh Pollock
• Danielle Smith says pulling Alberta out of supply management is worth considering
• Controversy after two newcomers to Canada receive no jail for GTA sex offences
• Word of the Week: Coverage

Carney’s ethics screen includes 103 companies, Premiers Ford and Smith show economic unity, and BC’s jobs numbers are not as rosy as presented by the media. Also, a CBC host’s resignation shows the organization’s struggle with bias.

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“We need to unleash the opportunities, no matter if it’s the great oil here in Alberta or the critical minerals of the energy that we have in Ontario, that’s what we need to do. The door is open. We need to go through that door and tell the world Canada is open for business.” – Ontario Premier Doug Ford on the importance of new energy infrastructure.

Duration: 59:39
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Carney to recuse himself from dealings with over 100 companies in sprawling government conflict screen
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• Alberta, Ontario premiers want ‘several’ oil pipelines built under Carney government
• B.C. losing workers as youth can’t find employment due to lack of private-sector jobs
• CBC host resigns, saying he could not continue at public broadcaster ‘with integrity’
• Word of the Week: Open

Victoria allocates over $10M for public safety, Smith plans for a provincial Sheriff’s police service, and a poll asks if Canadians are willing to die for Canada. Also, a federal board deems our first Prime Minister too controversial.

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“It’s very simple: no Macdonald, no Canada. No federal board has the right to cancel the first Prime Minister of our country. Sir John A. Macdonald deserves to be clearly recognized for his role in the foundation of the wonderful country we get to call home.” – Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on the erasure of Sir. John A. Macdonald.

Duration: 1:07:34
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• ‘Hard choices’: Victoria reallocates $10.3M to address public safety
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• Danielle Smith unveils plan for Alberta Sheriffs Police Service
• Would you die for Canada? Polling suggests Canadians are more willing to fight for their country
• Canada’s first PM ‘too controversial’ for commemoration, federal board rules
• Word of the Week: Safety

CSIS warns the public of Khalistani extremism, undocumented immigrants want free education in Alberta, and Elections BC tries to cover up their mistakes on election night. Also, Trump calls off trade talks with Canada again.

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“We have just been informed that Canada, a very difficult Country to TRADE with, including the fact that they have charged our Farmers as much as 400% Tariffs, for years, on Dairy Products, has just announced that they are putting a Digital Services Tax on our American Technology Companies, which is a direct and blatant attack on our Country.” – President Donald Trump on trade talks with Canada.

Duration: 56:50
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• CSIS flags extremist Khalistani activists as national security threat
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• Undocumented students push for right to education, but Alberta noncommittal
• Elections BC files response to Surrey election court challenge
• Trump ‘terminating’ trade talks with Canada over digital services tax
• Word of the Week: Petition

The Liberals’ fast track project bill passes with Conservative support, Carney and Trump want a trade deal within 30 days, and another Vancouver housing developer faces layoffs. Also, Canada’s evacuation response in the Middle East faces more criticism.

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“We exhausted every possible avenue to avoid this outcome, including creating efficiencies in our systems and processes, engaging in aggressive cost-reduction measures. This was all in hopes of preserving as many jobs as possible. But despite these efforts, the economic realities left us no choice. We are delivering housing at a cost that people cannot afford to purchase.” – Wesgroup CEO Beau Jarvis on the developer’s recent layoffs.

Duration: 1:04:39
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Liberals’ major projects bill passes House of Commons with Conservative support
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• Carney and Trump commit to reaching trade deal within 30 days
• Dire straits’: Wesgroup layoffs sign of big downturn in residential construction in B.C.
• Canadians stuck in Israel abandoned by embassy that closes at 4:30 p.m.
• Word of the Week: Naivety

Carney promises that Canada will meet NATO’s 2% target, BC Ferries selects a Chinese shipyard to build new vessels, and Danielle Smith says no to new Alberta national parks. Also, CBC’s immigration fraud story sheds light on our still high intake numbers.

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“Our focus is principally on getting the best deal for British Columbians and getting the best deal for BC Ferries. When it comes to things like trade policy, industrial policy, geopolitics, I think we would really defer that to the federal and provincial governments and expect them to manage and work on those issues.” – BC Ferries CEO Nicholas Jimenez on his decision to partner with a Chinese state controlled shipyard to build 4 new vessels.

Duration: 1:08:05
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Carney says Canada will meet 2% NATO spending target by March
• Support us on Patreon
• BC Ferries selects shipyard to construct four New Major Vessels
• Danielle Smith reignites feud with Guilbeault over his plans for Canada’s national parks
• She came to Canada for university, but she’d never been accepted. The scam cost her $7K
• Word of the Week: Defence

The Premiers meeting shows hope for the future, zoning bylaws divide Edmonton’s council, and David Eby rejects any notion of a second oil pipeline. Also, the Strong Borders Act may be more about internet privacy.

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“[Santa Carney]’s coming, and his sled was full of all sorts of stuff. Now, he’s taken off back to the North Pole. He’s going to sort it out, and then he’s going to call us.” – Ontario Premier Doug Ford at the premier’s meeting with Mark Carney.

Duration: 59:11
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Premiers heap praise on meeting with Carney, but no specific projects identified
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• ‘No respect for the people’: Edmonton zoning bylaw opponents give city council an earful
• BC communities disappointed as Eby rejects pipeline push from other premiers
• The Strong Borders Act
• Word of the Week: Nation-building