Western Context

The CBC pays out huge bonuses while cutting jobs, a Victoria firefighter gets suspended for a letter to the BC Premier, and the Alberta NDP broke leadership election financing rules. Also the UN likens Canada’s TFW program to modern slavery.

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“While Canadians struggle to afford basic necessities like food and rent, CBC executives are rewarding themselves with massive bonuses despite their failing performance. End the madness. Recall the committee. Defund the CBC.” – Conservative MP Rachael Thomas on the increasing bonuses of CBC executives.

Duration: 56:15
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• CBC paid more than $18-million in bonuses in 2024 after eliminating hundreds of jobs, documents show
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• Victoria firefighter suspended for letter to B.C. premier criticizing homeless facility plan
• NDP broke election finance rules during leadership race
• ‘Chickens have come home to roost’: Mounting criticism over Canada’s low-wage temporary foreign worker program
• Word of the Week: Bonus

The Conservatives win a by-election in Toronto, Naheed Nenshi is crowned Alberta NDP leader, and William Shatner swears a lot in an attack ad on fish farms. Also, Harjit Sajjan played politics with the Afghanistan evacuation.

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“Sadly, this response from people like Mr. Shatner and Mr. Reynolds is all-to-common in today’s Canada. This is a classic example of … rich, elite, removed, urban white men overriding the wishes of vulnerable Indigenous communities.” – the Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship’s statement on Pacific Wild’s attack ad on open net fish farms.

Duration: 50:25
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Conservatives win longtime Liberal stronghold Toronto-St. Paul’s in shock byelection result
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• Nenshi crowned new Alberta NDP leader
• B.C. First Nations involved in salmon farming demand apology from William Shatner, Ryan Reynolds
• Sajjan instructed special forces to rescue Afghan Sikhs during fall of Kabul
• Word of the Week: Upset

BC Premier David Eby is frustrated about immigration, a former Alberta NDP cabinet minister resigns, and Eby may join Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier against equalization. Also, Russian, US and Canadian warships all take a trip to Cuba.

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“Building out the Massey Tunnel — here’s a $4-billion project where a federal government minister took out a full-page ad to say the feds are going to pay for it, during the election. [The current funding is] Zero right now. Zero. Taxpayers in B.C. can’t afford to build everything for the federal government, so that they can just rain cash down on Ontario and Quebec.” – BC Premier David Eby on unfair federal funding and equalization.

Duration: 55:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Frustrated’ B.C. premier says Quebec gets immigration money ‘at the expense’ of Western Canada
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• Lethbridge MLA resigns, opening potential seat for leadership hopeful Naheed Nenshi
• B.C. may work with N.L. on court challenge of federal equalization payments, David Eby says
• Canadian warship sharing an anchorage with Russian vessels in Cuba
• Word of the Week: Equalization

Canada’s cold snap raises questions of BC Hydro’s future, Rachel Notley is stepping down as Alberta’s NDP leader, and even Liberal ministers agree that immigration is out of control. Also, an opinion piece questions Poilievre’s commitment to queer issues.

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“I’m a bit of a polarizing figure in the province.” – Outgoing Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley on part of the reason why she is leaving.

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

• BC experiences record-breaking electricity demand amid cold snap, says BC Hydro
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• Notley says she’ll step down from Alberta NDP helm to make way for fresh voices
• Elements of immigration system ‘out of control,’ says federal minister as pressure to make changes increases
• Concern about queer rights under a Poilievre-led government keeps me up at night
• Word of the Week: Import

The Emergencies Act commission report has been released, the DFO is shutting down 15 BC coastal salmon farms, and an Edmonton councillor proposes a mansion tax. Also, CSIS confirms that China has interfered in our elections.

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“First Nations from the coast are trying to find their feet when it comes to reclaiming what was taken away from them by the federal government…[C]oastal Nations are trying to take back their inherent rights to manage their traditional waters. This was about the sovereignty of the Laich-kwil-tach Nations and their right to decide for themselves whether salmon farming, or any other resource, is the right fit for their marine plans. Unfortunately, the decision was once again taken away from them by a government located 5,000 kilometres away.” – Coalition of First Nations Finfish Stewardship spokesman Dallas Smith on the federal government’s decision to not renew 15 salmon farm licenses.

Duration: 1:09:45
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trudeau met threshold to invoke Emergencies Act, commission finds
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• Fisheries Department to shut 15 salmon farms off B.C.’s coast to protect wild fish
• Janz’s mansion tax idea dies in Edmonton, lower taxes for apartments possible
• CSIS documents reveal Chinese strategy to influence 2021 election
• Word of the Week: Sovereignty

An NDP MLA crashed the UCP’s vaccine website, a holiday for only some shows division between the public and private sectors, and Trudeau’s inflation relief only furthers the problem. Also, Pierre Poilievre gets heckled by the media during a speech.

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“First, they hurled obscenities and then started shouting at me. Was it some left-wing protester? Maybe it was a Liberal MP or staffer? No, it was a member of the media. He wasn’t interested in hearing what I had to say, and he certainly wasn’t interested in reporting it in an unbiased way.” – an email from new Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to Conservative supporters.

Duration: 47:56
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• NDP blamed UCP for vaccine portal crash after NDP MLA hacked the system
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• Holiday for some, not for others, causing hardship, confusion in B.C.
• Trudeau announces $4.5 billion inflation relief package for low earners
• Pierre Poilievre’s callous courting of Canada’s ‘deplorables’
• Word of the Week: Heckler

Bill C-11 allows the CRTC to regulate user content, Alberta NDP volunteers are demeaned, and panic buying ensues after Trudeau’s gun freeze. Also, Trudeau trolls Canadians by creating policy in response to the US.

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“Bill C-11 implies vague changes to these platforms to prioritize Canadian content to Canadians, but it would in turn deprioritize Canadian content to an international audience. The social media platforms cannot allow Canadian content to enjoy heightened exposure to Canadians without detracting exposure internationally, as it creates an uneven playing field on the platform. Less Canadian content will be shown globally as a result.” – Canadian Youtuber Justin Tomchuk, on Trudeau’s Bill C-11.

Duration: 57:52
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• User content subject to ‘some authority’ by CRTC under Bill C-11, regulator says
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• Alberta NDP volunteers were ignored and demeaned, former workers say
• Panic buying sets in after Trudeau’s handgun ban
• Justin Trudeau, the troll farm prime minister
• Word of the Week: Troll

We look at how polls work and why they can’t be trusted, the BC NDP releases ICU info to get people vaccinated, and the Alberta NDP are influencing local municipal candidates. Also, Trudeau’s record on housing affordability is in question.

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Duration: 44:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Your 2021 Reminder on Why You Should be Skeptical of Polls
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• All COVID-19 patients under age 50 in B.C. ICUs are unvaccinated, health minister says
• Alberta NDP-connected group sought to influence Edmonton’s municipal election by limiting number of progressive candidates
• IT’S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO’: Liberal candidate says housing tax is coming
• Word of the Week: Flipping

The upcoming election spurs a need for Canadian innovation, a Calgary doctor donating to the NDP organized anti-government protests, and China sentences Michael Spavor to 11 years. Also, concerns over vaccine passports go unheard.

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Duration: 51:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“Justin Trudeau’s planning an election in the middle of a pandemic because he’s focused on politics. It’s time we had a prime minister planning an economic recovery focused on Canadians. We’re ready.” – Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole on his priority in the coming unnecessary election.

• PM Trudeau expected to launch federal election on Sunday: sources
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• Member of Alberta premier’s staff questions Calgary doctor’s political motives as others rally to his defence
• Canadian businessman Michael Spavor sentenced by Chinese court to 11 years in prison for spying
• Feds to roll out vaccine passports for foreign travel
• Word of the Week: Arbitrary

Surprising topics arise during the Alberta NDP convention, Victoria council cancels Canada Day celebrations, and a third of Green MPs cross the floor to the Liberals. Also, Trudeau faces a complicated relationship with both the US and China.

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Duration: 51:34
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“Is Canada prepared to stand up for the Australians who are subject to hostage diplomacy as we expect the Australians to stand up for our Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor? Are we prepared to actually engage in programming which will displease the Chinese government in concert with our allies? Or do we want to leave this to other powers and hope that if Canada stands relatively neutral, that we will be able to protect our market position in China?” – Former Canadian diplomat Charles Burton on dealing with the Chinese government.

• Notley announces plans to move Alberta’s electricity grid to net-zero by 2035 if elected
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• Victoria votes to cancel virtual Canada Day broadcast, will produce reflection event later in summer
• Green MP Jenica Atwin crossing the floor to join the Liberals
• Biden says he wants to ‘confront’ China. Is Trudeau willing to go along?
• Word of the Week: Equity