Western Context

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

Alberta rolls back more COVID restrictions, BC’s drought conditions throw a spotlight on bottled water companies, and Trudeau ignores Alberta’s senate elections. Also, Trudeau condemns the Mailloux draft while the media ignores Trudeau’s past.

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Duration: 52:09
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“If we say yes to extracting some water now, what’s that going to look like 10, 20, or 100 from now? If they need water, go to the places where the water exists — don’t go to some of the driest places in BC. The ranchers need the water, the First Nations need the water, the animals need the water.” – High Bar First Nation resource manager Greg Crookes on the Clinton bottled water plant proposal.

• Dr. Hinshaw tells CBC News there has been a ‘dramatic shift’ in COVID-19 risk to the general population
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• Report calls for ban on water-bottling plants in increasingly arid B.C. Interior
• Prime minister announces appointment of five new senators
• Pot-kettle scenario as Trudeau calls out Canadiens over NHL draft folly
• Word of the Week: Aquifer

Alberta’s Health Minister is persecuted by anti-lockdown protestors, Lytton BC burns to the ground a day after breaking Canada’s heat record, and dozens of churches and statues are burned down on Canada Day. Also, Chinese influence extends far in Canada.

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Duration: 54:55
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“Agree with us… disagree with us. Vote for us or don’t vote for us. What happened to Minister Shandro and his family was disgusting and wrong.” – Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation Doug Schweitzer on the verbal assault of Tyler Shandro and family.

• Alberta health minister and family swarmed over COVID-19 restrictions on Canada Day
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• Part of life’: B.C. premier walks back comments on heat wave after facing backlash
• Kenney disgusted after visit to Morinville church fire
• Chinese agents active in Canada, Commons committee hears
• Word of the Week: Heat Dome

The Liberals introduce a hate speech bill that won’t pass, take the House Speaker to court over incriminating documents, and use taxpayer money to fund their re-election. Also, the death of Canadian bilingualism foreshadows the next election.

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Duration: 50:55
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“The Speaker’s Office will defend the rights of the House. That is something I take very seriously. The legal system does not have any jurisdiction over the operations of the House. We are our own jurisdiction. That is something we will fight tooth and nail to protect and we will continue to do that.” – House Speaker Anthony Rota on being taken to court by the Government of Canada

• Liberals to introduce new hate speech bill, possibly bringing back controversial Section 13
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• Liberals take House Speaker to court to block release of unredacted records
• Liberal MPs’ budgets pay same firms that help run party’s digital campaigns
• Under Justin Trudeau, official bilingualism as we know it is over
• Word of the Week: Parliamentary Supremacy

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

BC and Alberta outline their re-opening strategies, Alberta orders universities to cut ties with China, and the CRTC deals a crushing blow to internet affordability. Also, Trudeau is on board with Biden’s search for the pandemic origin.

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Duration: 54:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“Are we supposed to lock ourselves into permanent fear and lock ourselves down because of potential worst case scenarios?” Jason Kenney on people who want perpetual lockdowns.

• Open for Summer
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• Alberta orders major universities to suspend pursuit of new partnerships with China
• CRTC scraps plan to mandate lower wholesale internet rates
• Trudeau backs Biden effort to identify origin of COVID-19
• Word of the Week: Oligopoly

Alberta brings recall legislation and citizen initiatives, BC’s vaccine schedule moves up with focus on essential workers, and Rogers attempts to buy Shaw for $26b. Also, the Two Michaels receive court dates while Canada gives money to pro-China groups.

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Duration: 55:26
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“It’s kind of shocking. They have freedom to express their opinion, whether they support the talking points of the Communist Party or not. The problem is they cannot do that with my tax money. Why should I support with my tax dollars their propaganda?” – Mehmet Tohti, executive director of the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project

• Alberta government tables legislation that would allow voters to recall elected MLAs plus citizen initiative act
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• Vaccinated people will get flexibility to do more in B.C., premier says
• Rogers’ $16 Billion Bid for Shaw Jolts Canada Wireless Sector
• Michael Spavor’s trial in China ends without a verdict
• Word of the Week: Essential

BC’s vaccine rollout has some setbacks on Day 1, while Alberta looks to mobilize its own vaccine industry, and the situation of the 2 Michaels becomes more dire. Also, it turns out that the federal government knew about the Vance allegations back in 2018.

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Duration: 43:32
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. minister blasts Telus performance on 90-plus vaccine appointments
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• Alberta asking for proposals to build its own vaccine manufacturing industry
• Feds ‘not aware’ of court date for 2 Michaels as Chinese paper warns they’ll face trial ‘soon’
• Privy Council Office was warned to ‘put some things in writing’ after 2018 Vance complaint
• Word of the Week: Mobilization

A supposed reformed terrorist is granted day parole, Alberta might become a have-not province, and the Trudeau government is covering up which companies are receiving billions in pandemic aid. Also, Trudeau invites Chinese troops to train at Canadian bases.

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Duration: 1:00:21
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Toronto 18 bomb plotter granted parole after apologizing, insisting he is reformed
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• Alberta likely to be a ‘have-not’ province soon and that’s bad for Canada
• Trudeau government won’t say who got billions of dollars in aid
• Trudeau invited Chinese troops to train at Canadian military bases
• Word of the Week: secrecy

The Chinese government’s influence is growing in Canada, Freeland won’t release any spending numbers, and governments threaten us with unnecessary lockdowns. Also, a Toronto Liberal MP resigns after hiring her sister with public funds in conflict of interest.

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Duration: 54:38
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• CSIS warns China’s Operation Fox Hunt is targeting Canada’s Chinese community
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• Freeland grilled over cost of pandemic aid as Commons fast-tracks rent relief bill
• Alberta physicians call for ‘sharp’ two-week lockdown to curb spread of COVID-19
• Toronto MP resigns from Liberal caucus after employing sister at constituency office
• Word of the Week: Error