Western Context

BC Hydro buys a natural gas power plant, flags are becoming divisive in Alberta, and Carney looks to appoint a business person to head the Beijing embassy. Also, Canada restores some health coverage to refugees.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“You cannot electrify everything and pretend natural gas doesn’t matter. Buying back a gas plant they once wrote off is proof their own plan couldn’t keep the lights on. It’s a step towards more energy reality, but the government needs to go further and scrap the impending province-wide ban on natural gas under CleanBC.” – Larry Neufeld, Shadow Minister for Energy for the BC Conservatives, on BC’s reversal on natural gas plants.

Duration: 1:06:31
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. Hydro to buy gas-fired power generation facility in Campbell River
• Support us on Patreon
• Alberta, Canada flags creating division ahead of referendum
• Carney looks to influential outsiders to head Canada’s embassy in Beijing
• Carney government restores some health coverage it had cut for refugees
• Word of the Week: Tribalism

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.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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

BC Hydro is looking for more energy sources, Supreme Court judge Russell Brown retires amid controversy, and a wildfire cuts off Vancouver Island’s west coast. Also, serial killer Paul Bernardo is moved from max to medium security.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“It is very clear that I should have been briefed at the time, and that is something that I made abundantly clear to my staff. I’ve taken the corrective steps to ensure that that does not happen again. What’s important is that these issues are identified and they’re corrected and so that is what I have done with my team. It is important that I get those briefings in a timely manner.” – Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino

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

• B.C. Hydro set to start first hunt in 15 years for new electricity sources
• Support us on Patreon
• Supreme Court Justice Russell Brown retires, ending judicial review
• Transportation network fragile on Vancouver Island
• Staff in Mendicino’s office knew about Bernardo transfer months before minister did, his office says
• Word of the Week: Hardened

BC energy moves forward while prices increase, silence on Bill C-69 shows government apathy for Alberta, Trudeau is committing to billions in spending but not to debates, and a re-elected Trudeau government will double the carbon tax.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

Duration: 46:16
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Hydro rates on upward swing despite NDP’s best efforts
• Support us on Patreon
• Alberta ministers slam Bill C-69 proclamation, vow legal challenge
• Liberals Undecided If Trudeau Will Be In 1st Leaders’ Debate
• McKenna backs off pledge to freeze carbon tax at $50 a tonne
• Word of the Week: Debate

The BC NDP government goes ahead with Site C, an article about Jason Kenney contradicts facts, the federal government continues to ignore veterans and benefits for those with disabilities, and used jet purchases and the danger of progressive trade policy.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

Duration: 48:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. to proceed with Site C hydroelectric dam
• Jason Kenney undermines his message in over-the-top attacks
• Canada Revenue Agency backs down after diabetics denied disability tax credit
• Ottawa says it won’t buy fighter jets from companies that harm Canada’s economy
• Word of the Week: Fake news

An official admission from the Trudeau government that electoral reform is off the table, Alberta is contemplating accepting more refugees, and a win for the Site C dam. Plus, a rundown of the media coverage following the Quebec City mosque shooting.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

Duration: 32:52

• Trudeau abandons electoral reform, breaking key campaign promise
• Alberta would accept more refugees if Ottawa lifts cap, says Premier Notley
• Site C dam win for Hydro as a native veto rejected by B.C. Court of Appeal
• Quebec City shooting: What we know, what we don’t know
• Word of the Week: Right

Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook @RightSideCA

To have The Right Side automatically delivered to you, subscribe on iTunes.