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 BC NDP flip flop on the carbon tax, Alberta doesn’t want any more asylum seekers, and the DND spends almost $40m on sleeping bags that don’t work. Also, a new feminist report on space exploration raises eyebrows.

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“I wonder if they should have just gone to Canadian Tire. You need to test to make sure that the new kit works, because it does not always work. We’re getting such difficulties and challenges from a no-brainer, such as sleeping bags. And when you start thinking about the over-the-horizon radars, the F-35 and its parts, and presumably the submarines, at one point — I mean, it just does not fill one with too much confidence.” – Ron Huebert, a defence expert on Arctic matters, on the sleeping bag boondoggle.

Duration: 55:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. to scrap consumer carbon tax if federal government drops legal requirement
• Support us on Patreon
• Smith says Alberta opposes feds’ asylum claimants relocation plan, ‘cannot afford it’
• Canadian Army says new military sleeping bags not suitable for ‘typical Canadian winter’
• DND paid $32K for ‘intersectional feminist’ report on space exploration
• Word of the Week: Invisibilize

The coronavirus arrives at Trudeau’s house, Saudi Arabia begins an oil price war, and illegal migrants receive free 20 year healthcare coverage from the government. Also, a study of the SNC Lavalin scandal gets quashed while the RCMP may be investigating.

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Duration: 41:22
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Sophie Grégoire Trudeau diagnosed with COVID-19; PM to remain in isolation
• Support us on Patreon
• Saudis Plan Big Oil Output Hike, Beginning All-Out Price War
• Docs show asylum-claimant health access expanded to 20 years
• SNC-Lavalin case will not be resuscitated in committee
• Word of the Week: Self-isolation

Uncertainty in New Brunswick after an election results in a minority, Grande Cache, Alberta votes to dissolve the town, and the federal government can’t do basic math on illegal migrant numbers. Also, we might be coming to an end on the NAFTA debacle.

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Duration: 52:13
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• New Brunswick Election: Liberals intend to form government despite projected Tory minority
• Residents of Grande Cache vote to dissolve town
• Support us on Patreon
• Minister Bill Blair apologizes for confusion over Canadian asylum seekers facing deportation
• Trump claims he rejected a meeting with Trudeau over NAFTA — but Canada says it never asked to meet
• Word of the Week: Winning

We talk about US Tariffs, $50B to provinces for illegal immigrant housing, and the federal government’s purchase of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, and all these impacts on the economy. Also, we discuss party platforms in the Ontario election on June 7th.

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Duration: 1:09:44
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• U.S. announces steel and aluminum tariffs, Canada hits back
• Feds to give $50M to provinces to help cope with illegal asylum seekers
• Federal government to buy Trans Mountain pipeline for $4.5b
• Ontario Liberals Platform
• Ontario NDP Platform
• Ontario PCs Platform
• Word of the Week: Election

A new precedent setting Alberta law could restrict oil flow and erode the constitution, Vancouver wants to allow permanent residents to vote, and Quebec could see up to 146,000 illegal migrants this year. Also, a discussion on the definition of populism.

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Duration: 43:37
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• New law would allow Alberta to restrict flow of oil and gas
• City of Vancouver passes motion that would permit permanent residents to vote in local elections
• Quebec preparing for up to 400 asylum seekers a day at the U.S. border this summer
• Despite Trudeau’s progressive rhetoric, Canada not immune to populism: experts
• Word of the Week: populism

In BC, Trudeau falling into the ocean gets covered more than real news, does Kenney actually “vow repercussions” against BC on pipelines, a license plate dispute highlights being offended vs charter rights, and an update on the illegal border crossers.

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Duration: 39:25
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• How Trudeau is covered in the local BC media
• Jason Kenney vows repercussions against B.C. over Trans Mountain pipeline
• Resistance is not futile when it comes to freedom of expression
• Montreal’s Olympic Stadium used as shelter for asylum seekers
• Word of the Week: Offensive