Western Context

Press Progress lays off staff amid a defamation lawsuit, Jagmeet Singh is considered for a cushy tourism CEO job, and an arrested Canadian NATO intern is accused of spying for China. Also, BC Premier David Eby manufactures opposition to his own LNG policy.

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“For months, I have listened to safety concerns from people in my community. I raised those issues with government at every opportunity. I am disappointed with FortisBC’s decision, as I know many of those I represent will be. My position on this project has remained unchanged since before being elected to the legislature. As the representative for Richmond-Steveston, I will never stop lifting the voices of my constituents and never stop fighting for a better future.” – BC NDP MLA and Cabinet Minister Kelly Greene on her opposition to her own government’s decision.

Duration: 1:00:24
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Press Progress lays off staff amid financial fallout from Caylan Ford defamation lawsuit
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• Former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh being considered for Destination Canada’s top job
• Arrested Canadian NATO intern suspected of spying for China
• Province bypasses Utilities Commission on key certificate for Tilbury LNG project
• Word of the Week: Manufactured

Jason Kenney wins a historic majority UCP government in Alberta, and his promise to turn off the taps to BC gains steam. Also, the Trudeau government finally reverses course on refugees while Trudeau is being investigated again over ethics violations.

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Duration: 58:31
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Jason Kenney wins majority government
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• Kenney’s threat to ‘turn off the taps’ to B.C. ‘doesn’t make any business sense:’ experts
• Trudeau takes ‘sharp turn’ away from ‘refugees welcome’
• Court orders lobbying watchdog to reopen probe into Aga Khan over Bahamas vacation controversy
• Word of the Week: Repudiation

The Alberta NDP engages in identity politics, the Trudeau government gives $12M to Loblaws to save the environment, and Trudeau believes there are consequences for lying to Canadians. Also, the media blows up a story on the Winnipeg Jets street parties.

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Duration: 41:37
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• NDP Edmonton Southwest candidate apologizes for controversial comment on race
• Loblaw receiving $12M in federal funds to retrofit refrigeration systems
• Trudeau threatens Scheer with lawsuit over SNC-Lavalin comments
• Winnipeg Jets’ Whiteout street parties need name change, says black organization
• Word of the Week: Identity Politics

We look into the questionable pasts of Alberta NDP candidates, BC gas prices jump to record amounts after a carbon tax increase, and the Trudeau government aggressively pursued the Khadr payout leak. Also, Philpott and JWR are booted from the Liberals.

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Duration: 44:58
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Air and ground war gives UCP the squeeze
• B.C. premier to consider ‘relief’ from record-high gas prices
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• Federal government hunted for person who leaked Omar Khadr’s $10.5M settlement payment: internal report
• Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott kicked out of Liberal Party caucus
• Word of the Week: Leak

The BC media focuses on the legislature dress code, Toronto councillor Mike Layton disparages Alberta energy, and a recording on SNC shows Trudeau’s corruption. Also, Trudeau thanks a First Nation under mercury poisoning for its donation to the Liberals.

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Duration: 50:13
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Kenney rips Toronto councillor’s attack on oilpatch
• The right to bare arms: Women in B.C. legislature fight for changes to ‘outdated’ dress code
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• Relations between Trudeau, Wilson-Raybould began to fray over her Supreme Court pick: Sources
• ‘Thank you for your donation’: Trudeau to protester over First Nation mercury poisoning at fundraiser
• Word of the Week: Reserve

Returning ISIS fighters spark rule of law worries, the Alberta election campaign begins with talk of a referendum, and Victoria mayor Lisa Helps hires the NDP finance minister’s daughter. Also, Trudeau loses a confidence vote but the speaker covers it up.

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Duration: 44:36
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• All of Canada under threat for Liberals’ refusal to uphold law concerning returning ISIL fighters
• Alberta campaign officially begins and UCP promises referendum on equalization if no pipelines
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• Victoria mayor hires daughter of finance minister as chief of staff
• House of Commons voting marathon ends, after Liberals nearly lost a confidence motion
• Word of the Week: Mainstream

The RCMP investigates UCP leadership candidate Jeff Callaway, planted artifacts delay a BC natural gas pipeline, and a government memo reveals the failure of the Safe Third Country agreement. Also, Omar Khadr hides his money in an Edmonton strip mall.

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Duration: 43:47
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• RCMP following up on questions regarding campaign of UCP leadership candidate
• Report says artifacts found near Coastal Gas Link Pipeline ‘not their original location’
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• Safe Third Country Agreement ‘no longer working as intended,’ memo reveals
• Amid ongoing court battles, Omar Khadr uses $3M of his settlement money to buy Edmonton mall
• Word of the Week: Fraud

The costs for aging CF18s continues to climb, a damning fiscal update in Alberta ahead of an election, and an out of context clip of Andrew Wilkinson on renters in BC. Also, testimony on the SNC scandal causes calls for Trudeau to resign.

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Duration: 52:12
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Budget officer says used Australian fighter jets will cost Canada over $1 billion — far more than DND claimed
• No budget before spring election, government hints in Q3 fiscal update
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• A ‘wacky time of life’: Wilkinson rejects opportunity to take back his words on renters
• Wilson-Raybould testifies at justice committee probing SNC-Lavalin affair
• Word of the Week: testimony

UCP policy intends to bring power to the grassroots, BC commits to UNDRIP legislation, and most Canadians worry about fake news and distrust their media. Also, new details emerge on the SNC Lavalin scandal that cause Trudeau to change his story.

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Duration: 48:25
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• UCP would ban easy floor crossing, introduce recall legislation
• B.C. makes ambitious commitment to UNDRIP in throne speech
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• Most Canadians trust media, but a similar share worry about fake news being weaponized: survey
• Jody Wilson-Raybould resigns from Trudeau’s cabinet, retains counsel amid SNC-Lavalin affair
• Word of the Week: Grassroots

A BC NDP MP mulls retirement to mediate a pipeline dispute, Rachel Notley loans $440M to an invisible company, and the feds spent $12.7M on renting cars for the G7 summit. Also, corruption in the Canadian justice system questions the rule of law.

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Duration: 48:25
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• NDP facing an election without a quarter of its caucus as Rankin ponders retirement
• Notley promised $440M to oilsands company that defaulted on $507M loan, has no plans for construction
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• Government spent $12.7 million on car rentals, on top of $23 million in new cars for the G7 summit
• PMO pressed Wilson-Raybould to abandon prosecution of SNC-Lavalin
• Word of the Week: Quid pro quo