Western Context

The Trudeau Liberals give Canadians a 2 month GST holiday, Alberta is looking at a different auto insurance approach, and BC Ferries is looking to raise fares by 30%. Also, Trump tariffs cause chaos in the Canadian media.

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“President Trump has the right to put his workers and his nation’s security first. I will put Canada’s workers and Canada’s security first. We need a Prime Minister with the brains and backbone to stand up for this country.” – Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on a Canada First plan.

Duration: 1:05:16
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Liberals to cut GST on beer, children’s toys and Christmas trees
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• Rate hikes, no-fault claims in new rules pitched for Alberta auto insurance
• BC Ferries warns of potential 30% fare hike as costs rise
• Should Canada retaliate if Trump makes good on 25 per cent tariff threat?
• Word of the Week: Vibecession

Border crossings from Canada to the US are on the rise, Steven Guilbeault is under fire for the Jasper fire response, and Seaspan lobbies for ferries to be built in BC. Also, the foreign interference issue gets completely ignored.

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“Minister, if this is an example of preparation and success, what does failure look like?” – Conservative MP Gerald Soroka questioning Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault on the aftermath of the Jasper wildfire.

Duration: 51:31
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• This New York farmer is overwhelmed by illegal crossings from Canada, caught on camera
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• Jasper wildfire: Minister urges ‘need to do more’ during heated testimony
• Seaspan says government needs to financially support shipbuilding or ferries will not be built in B.C.
• CSIS says a former parliamentarian may have worked on behalf of a foreign government
• Word of the Week: Clandestine

Trudeau performs a cabinet shuffle, the media highlights private Alberta medical clinics charging member fees, and problems at BC Ferries continue. Also, a TD report shows how immigration is fuelling unaffordability.

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“A cabinet of 39 is not a serious decision-making body. As cabinet gets larger, moreover, the ministers get smaller. In a cabinet of 12, every minister is a player. As you pass 20, they start to blur together. By the time you near 40, they look like ants.” – Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet on the size of Trudeau’s new cabinet.

Duration: 53:45
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trudeau overhauls his cabinet, drops 7 ministers and shuffles most portfolios
• NDP calls for probe into how many medical clinics are charging ‘member’ fees in Alberta
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• B.C. Ferries running out of excuses
• Canada’s Immigration Policy Driving Housing Unaffordability, Higher Rates – TD
• Word of the Week: Shuffle

Danielle Smith’s leadership campaign could change the UCP and Alberta, BC Ferries fires its CEO after many cancelled sailings, and Trudeau pushes for a reduction in fertilizer usage. Also, glitches in the ArriveCAN app cause more delays for travellers.

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“The app is something that is not efficient. It doesn’t make us any more safe. In fact, it could lead us to being less safe as we move to more automation as people are coming into our country. It’s worthless in terms of public safety. [The app is] also branding us as an unwelcoming destination. Our branding right now as a country of a destination is being destroyed.” NDP MP for Niagara West Brian Masse, on the failures of ArriveCAN.

Duration: 56:50
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Is Danielle Smith’s striking campaign a paper tiger?
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• B.C. Ferries fires president and CEO after 173 cancelled sailings in 28 days
• Trudeau pushes ahead on fertilizer reduction as provinces and farmers cry foul
• ArriveCan ‘glitch’ ordering vaccinated Canadians into quarantine without reason
• Word of the Week: Glitch

ICU bed totals in Alberta are misreported, a federal decision may put BC Ferries passengers at risk, and Trudeau admits he failed to solve the First Nations boil water advisories. Also, a fiscal update from Freeland leads to more spending and taxes.

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Duration: 1:01:12
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Leaked Alberta modelling data projects upwards of 775 COVID-19 hospitalizations by mid-December
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• Pandemic or not, passengers face up to $12,000 fine for staying in vehicles on BC Ferries
• Indigenous Services minister acknowledges Liberals won’t meet promised drinking water target
• Liberals to spend $100B to jolt post-pandemic economy after posting record $381B deficit
• Word of the Week: Fiscal