Western Context

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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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

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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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