Western Context

Danielle Smith promises to not raise taxes, the public service strike blocks key infrastructure, and Rachel Notley is silent on nuclear power. Also, the media decides that questioning immigration policy is no longer racist.

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“With a steady and low corporate tax rate that I can bank on, I can plan for the future and make long-term decisions to ensure my business can keep adding to Alberta’s economy, creating jobs, supporting my community, and keeping this province strong for the next generation.” – Ana Zagorac, owner of Sweet Rhapsody Bakery Cafe and Patisserie on the importance of a positive investment climate.

Duration: 49:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Danielle Smith promises to not raise taxes if re-elected
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• Striking public servants block access to government buildings and key infrastructure
• Notley’s NDP might want to pick a lane on energy policy. Right now it’s incoherent
• It’s OK to ask whether immigration is intensifying our housing crisis
• Word of the Week: Escalate

We compare the US and Canadian response to Chinese police stations, the public sector goes on strike, and Alberta’s addictions treatment plan gets misconstrued. Also, Trudeau’s former industry minister Navdeep Bains is hired by Rogers.

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“It certainly looks like the Liberals are in the pockets of telecom giants, getting gravy jobs as their executives, instead of defending Canadians who are already paying a fortune for cell and internet bills. It’s incredibly concerning when major telecom company Rogers hires not only a former Liberal cabinet minister but the architect of Canada’s current telecom policy which allows telecom providers to charge some of the highest cell phone costs in the world.” – NDP innovation critic Brian Masse on former industry minister Navdeep Bains joining Rogers.

Duration: 49:40
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• FBI finds Canadian link in covert Chinese police station probe
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• Singh vows NDP won’t back any Liberal back-to-work laws during public sector strike
• Alberta’s involuntary addictions treatment law violates Charter rights, expert says
• Incredibly concerning’: Rogers’ hiring of former Liberal industry minister slammed by opposition
• Word of the Week: Militancy

The federal government wants to battle over provincial resource rights, BC seizes Hells Angels clubhouses, and Danielle Smith limits media questions ahead of the May election. Also, an unnamed MP casts aspersions on CSIS’s credibility.

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“As we’ve known for a long time, the Hells Angels is a criminal organization. It doesn’t matter if it’s a clubhouse or other asset – a high-value car or high-value boat – if it’s been obtained through organized crime, they’re going to lose it.” – BC Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth on the forfeiture of three Hells Angels clubhouses.

Duration: 50:24
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Sask. premier calls out federal minister following comments on natural resource rights
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• B.C. moves to seize Hells Angels clubhouses in Nanaimo, Vancouver, Kelowna
• Alberta Premier Smith, with election looming, announces new limits on media questions
• Canadian MP felt ‘shadow of doubt’ after spy agency warned him about diplomat
• Word of the Week: Forfeiture

The UCP responds to an increase in crime, BC Chinese organizations report to the Chinese consulate, and Canada’s low defence spending benchmark is criticized by NATO. Also, Steven Guilbeault admits the carbon tax will take money from the average Canadian.

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“When both fiscal and economic impacts of the federal fuel charge are considered, we estimate that most households will see a net loss. Based on our analysis, most households will pay more in fuel charges and GST—as well as receiving slightly lower incomes—than they will receive in Climate Action Incentive payments.” – Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux on the Liberal carbon tax plan costing Canadians.

Duration: 53:30
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• In Calgary and Edmonton, Smith deep-sixes Defund the Police
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• Potential leaders of influential B.C. groups undergo Chinese ‘political review,’ recording reveals
• NATO is getting ready to twist Canada’s arm on defence spending
• Liberal MP asks for second look at carbon tax report that shows Canadians will come out behind
• Word of the Week:

Chrystia Freeland’s budget includes $43b in new spending, 2023 sees an increase in unprovoked violence, and Danielle Smith speaks with a controversial pastor. Also, Dominic Leblanc’s sister-in-law is appointed as interim ethics commissioner.

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“The public has to believe that ethics are taken seriously, and they have yet to have any big evidence of that since 2018. The (Conflict of Interest) Act has been there for 17 years for God’s sake, so maybe the time has come to do something different so that we don’t keep repeating the same errors. After 17 years, maybe we should realize that something is not working,” – Retiring Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion on the Trudeau government’s repeated ethical transgressions

Duration: 57:47
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• In Budget 2023, Liberals eye inflation relief ‘without having to write a big cheque’
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• Random murders and police killings, once exceedingly rare, now becoming regular part of Canadian crime landscape
• Danielle Smith her own worst enemy on COVID court cases but that doesn’t make her guilty
• Opposition cries foul after minister’s in-law appointed interim ethics commissioner
• Word of the Week: Unprovoked

After 6 years, Canada and the US come to agreement on asylum seekers, Canada’s population grows by one million in 2022, and Canada’s conservative movement hopes for a renaissance. Also, bills for 24 Sussex Drive continue to climb.

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“Five grand! You can’t spend $5,000 for electricity on lighting. One (possible) explanation for these spectacular bills is simply that the NCC forgot to turn down the thermostat. They’re just running the place as though it’s going to be filled with people.” – Energy analyst Tom Adams on the high energy bills for 24 Sussex Drive.

Duration: 58:38
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• U.S. and Canada Reach an Agreement on Diverting Asylum Seekers
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• Canada’s population grows by over one million for first time
• Canada needs a ‘Conservative renaissance,’ former PM Stephen Harper tells conference
• 24 Sussex Drive is empty but the utility bills are still soaring
• Word of the Week: Renaissance

China reportedly influenced Vancouver’s 2022 election, Alberta mandates police body cameras, and Poilievre and Trudeau have similar housing strategies. Also, David Johnston is named the special rapporteur.

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“With regards to the 2022 City of Vancouver mayoral election, CG Tong stated that they need to do all they could to increase the ethnic voting percentage. They needed to get all eligible voters to come out and elect a specific Chinese-Canadian candidate. CG Tong emphasized this work was necessary, as the candidate will rely on those votes. In parallel, CG Tong indicated they needed someone within the Vancouver City Council.” – A leaked CSIS report discussing Chinese influence in Vancouver’s 2022 election.

Duration: 51:54
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• China’s Vancouver consulate interfered in 2022 municipal election, according to CSIS
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• Alberta to make body-worn cameras mandatory for all officers
• Pierre Poilievre outlines affordable housing strategy if elected PM
• Trudeau names former GG David Johnston as new independent special rapporteur
• Word of the Week: Horrific

Trudeau appoints a special rapporteur to investigate Chinese interference, Alberta and the federal government are at odds over health transfers, and BC will continue changing clocks. Also, Bill C-11 amendments get rejected by Trudeau’s Heritage Minister.

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“My views are that this is far larger than election interference allegations. The government of China is an existential threat to Canada on a multiplicity of levels, and we need to come to grips with that. It’s more than the election. It’s at the universities. It’s at the police stations. It’s at the Confucius Institutes. It’s at the exploitation of resources, et cetera, et cetera. I think it is far bigger than that.” – Liberal MP John McKay of Scarborough-Guildwood on the threat of China to Canada.

Duration: 57:53
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Two high-level memos allege Beijing covertly funded Canadian election candidates
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• Alberta will have $13.8M deducted from health transfers because patients paid for services
• B.C. Premier David Eby pressured to stick with daylight time for good this weekend
• Heritage Minister rejects key C-11 amendment, puts himself on potential collision course with Senators
• Word of the Week: Rapporteur

BC’s 2023 budget returns to deficit spending, while Alberta sticks to surpluses. The media misrepresents a BC company’s controlled substance license, and we uncover more of the Chinese Communist Party’s influence in Canadian politics.

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“One of the things we’ve seen unfortunately over the past years is a rise in anti-Asian racism linked to the pandemic, and concerns being raised around people’s loyalties. I want to make everyone understand fully: Han Dong is an outstanding member of our team, and suggestions that he is somehow not loyal to Canada should not be entertained.” – Justin Trudeau on why anti-Asian racism is the true concern this week.

Duration: 1:02:27
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. Budget 2023 bets focus on tax credits and rebates will work amid continued housing uncertainty
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• Alberta government projects $2.4-billion surplus for 2023-24 in pre-election budget
• B.C. premier ‘astonished’ firm got Health Canada approval to make and sell cocaine
• Justin Trudeau blames racism for allegation that China helped Liberal MP get elected
• Word of the Week: Influence

Google responds to Bill C-18 by blocking some Canadians from accessing news, Alberta’s inflation slows as prices rise, and BC’s potential provincial police force is on the backburner. Also, we now know of at least 1 MP allegedly compromised by China.

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“Playing ‘political games’ to get a partisan advantage will undermine people’s trust in their institutions, and will only assist the efforts of countries like Russia and China that attempt to make democracies unstable.” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier in the week on commenting on election interference by China.

Duration: 57:02
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Google blocking news content for some Canadians in response to government bill
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• Calgarians grapple with high food prices even as overall inflation rate slows
• Last year B.C. politicians recommended a provincewide police force — but no action is being taken
• Liberals ignored CSIS warning on 2019 candidate accused in Chinese interference probe
• Word of the Week: Backburner