Western Context

The Liberals spend billions on a secure food strategy, Poilievre positions himself as Captain Unity in Alberta, and BC allows drivers knowledge tests to be taken online. Also, the teenager social media ban will have a lot more consequences for everyone.

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“The answer therefore for Albertans is not to pull away from our friends in other provinces, but to lock arms with them to make Canada affordable, safe, self-reliant, and united here at home.” – Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on Canadian unity.

Duration: 1:06:42
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• PM Carney unveils multibillion-dollar food strategy meant to lower prices
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• Poilievre promotes Canadian unity, accuses federal government of stoking Alberta separatism, in Calgary speech
• New B.C. drivers can now take learner’s licence knowledge test online
• Canada proposes teen social media ban – with workaround for tech firms
• Word of the Week: foment

Liberal MPs are unhappy with Carney’s environmental policies, the CRTC is forcing streamers to pay even more tax, and the BC Conservative leadership race concludes soon to little fanfare. Also, Danielle Smith will bring her own referendum to Albertans.

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“I wish to speak with those of you who already agree with me that Alberta should remain in Canada. Let us guard against the trap of using division and demonization tactics against our fellow Albertans with whom we disagree on this matter. The vast majority of those advocating for separation love our province profoundly. Many are also proud Canadians that have simply lost hope that their families can flourish within Canada. So instead of attacking these loyal Albertans, let’s work together to restore hope in their country again.” – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on what those looking to remain in Canada need to do.

Duration: 1:02:45
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• 14 Liberal MPs pen letter to Carney raising concerns over environmental backslide
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• CRTC to require online streamers to pay 15% of annual revenues to support Canadian content
• Secrecy, allegations cloud B.C. Conservative leadership race ahead of vote
• Danielle Smith says she will put her own separation-related referendum question to Albertans in October
• Word of the Week: nuance

Alberta and Ottawa continue to advance a west coast pipeline, VPNs could leave Canada over Bill C-22, and a judge quashes the Alberta separatist petition. Also, a CBC funded comedy show fakes interviews over residential schools.

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“Every member of Parliament in the country uses Signal, precisely because they believe it is safe (confidential) to use. No one wants Gary reading their messages.” Conservative MP Jacob Mantle on the proposed lawful access bill C22 by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.

Duration: 1:03:50
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Advancing an oil pipeline to the west coast
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• Major VPN provider says it could leave Canada over lawful access bill
• Judge quashes Alberta separation petition in favour of First Nations
• CBC called out for role in prank interviews of Kamloops residential school grave critics
• Word of the Week: quash

Louise Arbour will be Canada’s new governor general, Chinese officials wanted to stop Vancouver’s Shen Yun performances, and Alberta’s electors list sees a data breach. Also, US Indigenous tribes are using BC’s DRIPA legislation to halt resource projects.

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“I have never seen anything like this… over six terms of governments, working for the provincial government. I have never seen this level of ineptitude and incompetence.” – Geoffrey Moyse former legal counsel in the B.C. Ministry of Attorney General’s Office, on Premier Eby’s troubles with DRIPA.

Duration: 1:14:17
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• PM Carney names Louise Arbour as Canada’s next governor general
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• Chinese consulate met Vancouver official in bid to stop event critical of communist rule
• Elections Alberta alerted to improper use of voters’ information in late March, journalist says
• U.S. tribes demand a say in key B.C. economic decisions
• Word of the Week: Pejorative

Carney announces a further GST rebate, Eby calls Alberta separatists treasonous, while Eby is called the worst fiscal manager in BC history. Also, Poilievre passes his leadership review with 87.4% approval.

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“We must diversify our markets and strengthen our alliances with our NATO partners. We must fight the American tariffs and do all we can to reach a no-tariff agreement with the United States. And yes, the Conservatives are ready to work with Mr. Carney and his government to open up new markets and eliminate the American tariffs.” – Pierre Poilievre on the need to diversify away from and not rely on the United States.

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

• Carney announces food affordability measures, including boost to GST rebate
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• B.C. premier says Alberta separatists seeking assistance from U.S. is ‘treason’
• Eby may go down as worst fiscal manager in B.C. history
• Poilievre tells party delegates to have hope in speech that confronts Alberta, Quebec separatism
• Word of the Week: Treason

Canada’s federal court overturns the TikTok ban, BC will revise its First Nations DRIPA legislation, and the US is looking at Alberta’s independence movement with interest. Also, Carney’s Davos speech sends a political shockwave across the world.

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“Today I will talk about a rupture in the world order, the end of a pleasant fiction and the beginning of a harsh reality, where geopolitics, where the large, main power is submitted to no limits, no constraints.” – Prime Minister Mark Carney’s opening to his speech in Davos on the changing geopolitical structure of the world.

Duration: 1:10:46
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada’s TikTok operations ban overturned by Federal Court
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• B.C. will revise DRIPA legislation to scale back court power over Indigenous rights, Eby says
• MAGA has its sights on Alberta
• Carney’s Davos speech highlights that it is Liberal rhetoric that doesn’t match reality
• Word of the Week: Hegemony

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

The federal NDP are asking for official party status, the Alberta UCP are navigating an independence movement, and the BC NDP’s fast tracking legislation hits some hurdles. Also Parkland Fuels may be bought by an American company.

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“Right now, we don’t actually have very many tools to reach in and take greater responsibility for moving projects along when something goes wrong. Let’s make sure we understand what we’re referring to when we talk about permitting processes. Although each of them is very well meaning, they end up kind of being spaghetti.” – BC Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma on reducing regulation by giving more power to the cabinet.

Duration: 54:38
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Liberals putting out ‘feelers’ for NDP MPs to cross floor: Davies
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• Smith repeats demands, creates ‘Alberta Next’ panel ahead of likely independence vote in 2026
• Far from cutting red tape, B.C. NDP fast-tracking law hands big overriding powers to cabinet
• Proposed US$9-billion acquisition of Parkland to go to shareholder vote in June
• Word of the Week: Clarity