Western Context

We discuss the findings of David Johnston’s report on Chinese influence, two more possible secret Chinese police stations are uncovered in Quebec, and we look at the Alberta NDP’s equity platform. Also, the village of Lytton BC has yet to be rebuilt.

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

“If these organizations have a connection to the Chinese government, getting funding in Canada legitimizes the group, it provides it more of a foothold, it can obviously strengthen it and … give it more opportunities for influencing people. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more organizations that might have connections to UFWD (United Front Work Department) or the Chinese government that are receiving [Canadian] government funds.” – Dennis Molinaro, an expert on Chinese foreign interference and former national security analyst on the two Quebec organizations named as possible Chinese police stations by the RCMP.

Duration: 57:30
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Disturbing details about China’s interference that Johnston discovered — and downplayed
• Support us on Patreon
• Group suspected of hosting Chinese ‘police station’ received up to $200,000 in federal funding
• A Look at the NDP’s Anti-Racism and Equity Platform
• There’s nothing going on’: No rebuilding underway nearly 2 years after Lytton, B.C. fire
• Word of the Week:

Conservative MP Michael Chong gets targeted by China, David Eby’s actions don’t match his words, and many Alberta ridings could produce surprising results. Also, the single use plastics ban may have papered over our environmental problems.

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

“I think everyone is aware of the saying that forests are the lungs of our planet and so this is a really critical moment and we need to take steps to keep forests standing, rather than increase the pressures on them to provide the fibre for bags, pizza boxes, cutlery and straws.” – Nicole Rycroft, founder and executive director of Canopy, an environmental non-profit.

Duration: 1:00:20
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• CSIS report on MP being targeted by China sent to PM’s national-security adviser, Chong says
• Support us on Patreon
• In the next 10 years, B.C. will need to fill 1M job openings’: Premier David Eby
• Riding Profile Edmonton-Decore
• Paper can’t be a solution to plastic waste’: Canadian environmentalists warn about the rise in single-use paper products
• Word of the Week: Straw

We compare the US and Canadian response to Chinese police stations, the public sector goes on strike, and Alberta’s addictions treatment plan gets misconstrued. Also, Trudeau’s former industry minister Navdeep Bains is hired by Rogers.

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

“It certainly looks like the Liberals are in the pockets of telecom giants, getting gravy jobs as their executives, instead of defending Canadians who are already paying a fortune for cell and internet bills. It’s incredibly concerning when major telecom company Rogers hires not only a former Liberal cabinet minister but the architect of Canada’s current telecom policy which allows telecom providers to charge some of the highest cell phone costs in the world.” – NDP innovation critic Brian Masse on former industry minister Navdeep Bains joining Rogers.

Duration: 49:40
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• FBI finds Canadian link in covert Chinese police station probe
• Support us on Patreon
• Singh vows NDP won’t back any Liberal back-to-work laws during public sector strike
• Alberta’s involuntary addictions treatment law violates Charter rights, expert says
• Incredibly concerning’: Rogers’ hiring of former Liberal industry minister slammed by opposition
• Word of the Week: Militancy

The UCP responds to an increase in crime, BC Chinese organizations report to the Chinese consulate, and Canada’s low defence spending benchmark is criticized by NATO. Also, Steven Guilbeault admits the carbon tax will take money from the average Canadian.

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

“When both fiscal and economic impacts of the federal fuel charge are considered, we estimate that most households will see a net loss. Based on our analysis, most households will pay more in fuel charges and GST—as well as receiving slightly lower incomes—than they will receive in Climate Action Incentive payments.” – Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux on the Liberal carbon tax plan costing Canadians.

Duration: 53:30
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• In Calgary and Edmonton, Smith deep-sixes Defund the Police
• Support us on Patreon
• Potential leaders of influential B.C. groups undergo Chinese ‘political review,’ recording reveals
• NATO is getting ready to twist Canada’s arm on defence spending
• Liberal MP asks for second look at carbon tax report that shows Canadians will come out behind
• Word of the Week:

China reportedly influenced Vancouver’s 2022 election, Alberta mandates police body cameras, and Poilievre and Trudeau have similar housing strategies. Also, David Johnston is named the special rapporteur.

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

“With regards to the 2022 City of Vancouver mayoral election, CG Tong stated that they need to do all they could to increase the ethnic voting percentage. They needed to get all eligible voters to come out and elect a specific Chinese-Canadian candidate. CG Tong emphasized this work was necessary, as the candidate will rely on those votes. In parallel, CG Tong indicated they needed someone within the Vancouver City Council.” – A leaked CSIS report discussing Chinese influence in Vancouver’s 2022 election.

Duration: 51:54
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• China’s Vancouver consulate interfered in 2022 municipal election, according to CSIS
• Support us on Patreon
• Alberta to make body-worn cameras mandatory for all officers
• Pierre Poilievre outlines affordable housing strategy if elected PM
• Trudeau names former GG David Johnston as new independent special rapporteur
• Word of the Week: Horrific

Trudeau appoints a special rapporteur to investigate Chinese interference, Alberta and the federal government are at odds over health transfers, and BC will continue changing clocks. Also, Bill C-11 amendments get rejected by Trudeau’s Heritage Minister.

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

“My views are that this is far larger than election interference allegations. The government of China is an existential threat to Canada on a multiplicity of levels, and we need to come to grips with that. It’s more than the election. It’s at the universities. It’s at the police stations. It’s at the Confucius Institutes. It’s at the exploitation of resources, et cetera, et cetera. I think it is far bigger than that.” – Liberal MP John McKay of Scarborough-Guildwood on the threat of China to Canada.

Duration: 57:53
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Two high-level memos allege Beijing covertly funded Canadian election candidates
• Support us on Patreon
• Alberta will have $13.8M deducted from health transfers because patients paid for services
• B.C. Premier David Eby pressured to stick with daylight time for good this weekend
• Heritage Minister rejects key C-11 amendment, puts himself on potential collision course with Senators
• Word of the Week: Rapporteur

BC’s 2023 budget returns to deficit spending, while Alberta sticks to surpluses. The media misrepresents a BC company’s controlled substance license, and we uncover more of the Chinese Communist Party’s influence in Canadian politics.

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

“One of the things we’ve seen unfortunately over the past years is a rise in anti-Asian racism linked to the pandemic, and concerns being raised around people’s loyalties. I want to make everyone understand fully: Han Dong is an outstanding member of our team, and suggestions that he is somehow not loyal to Canada should not be entertained.” – Justin Trudeau on why anti-Asian racism is the true concern this week.

Duration: 1:02:27
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. Budget 2023 bets focus on tax credits and rebates will work amid continued housing uncertainty
• Support us on Patreon
• Alberta government projects $2.4-billion surplus for 2023-24 in pre-election budget
• B.C. premier ‘astonished’ firm got Health Canada approval to make and sell cocaine
• Justin Trudeau blames racism for allegation that China helped Liberal MP get elected
• Word of the Week: Influence

Google responds to Bill C-18 by blocking some Canadians from accessing news, Alberta’s inflation slows as prices rise, and BC’s potential provincial police force is on the backburner. Also, we now know of at least 1 MP allegedly compromised by China.

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

“Playing ‘political games’ to get a partisan advantage will undermine people’s trust in their institutions, and will only assist the efforts of countries like Russia and China that attempt to make democracies unstable.” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier in the week on commenting on election interference by China.

Duration: 57:02
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Google blocking news content for some Canadians in response to government bill
• Support us on Patreon
• Calgarians grapple with high food prices even as overall inflation rate slows
• Last year B.C. politicians recommended a provincewide police force — but no action is being taken
• Liberals ignored CSIS warning on 2019 candidate accused in Chinese interference probe
• Word of the Week: Backburner

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.

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

“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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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

The Trudeau government contracts with McKinsey until 2100, Freeland tries to maintain competitiveness with the US, and millions were spent on unused quarantine hotels. Also, a Chinese aircraft drifting over North America shows gaps in our defences.

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

“Government waste is always a problem, but waste of this magnitude when deficit spending needs to be reined in due to inflationary pressures shows that Trudeau doesn’t have the capacity or willingness to get things under control.” – Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner on Trudeau’s wasteful pandemic spending.

Duration: 54:01
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• The federal government has signed an open contract until the year 2100 with McKinsey for computer services
• Support us on Patreon
• Freeland to call for joint federal-provincial effort to counter Biden’s tax credits
• New hotel expense makes Trudeau’s $6000 night in London seem like little potatoes
• US fighter jets shoot down Chinese spy balloon off East Coast
• Word of the Week: Airship