Western Context

Alberta rejects permanent summer time and equalization, Margaret Trudeau speaks at an event by a company lobbying the government, and Saskatchewan approves of Regeneron to treat COVID. Also, we look at just how money laundering affects BC real estate.

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“A clear majority of Albertans have sent a powerful, democratic message: They want a fair deal in the federation. These results have given Alberta’s government a powerful mandate to secure changes to equalization and other federal transfers that have treated Albertans unfairly for so long. Our message is clear: Ottawa must respect Alberta and the huge role we play in Canada’s economic prosperity.” — Premier Jason Kenney reacting to the results of Alberta’s Equalization Referendum.

Duration: 54:06
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta barely rejects permanent daylight time; majority supports ending equalization
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• Prime minister’s mother spoke at event hosted by organization that received federal funding for jobs program
• Saskatchewan approves use of monoclonal antibodies to treat high-risk COVID-19 patients
• Man making $40k/year bought $32m in Vancouver real estate via CCP-linked offshore accounts
• Word of the Week: Laundering

The BC Supreme Court lifts the injunction on Fairy Creek protestors, the Two Michaels return to Canada, and the BC government misleads us on hospital stats. Also, Trudeau spends the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation at the beach in Tofino.

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“So now Justin is saying he made a few calls on his way to the beach. Can you imagine any Prime Minister sending out a tweet to explain that he spent Remembrance Day at the beach but called some veterans on his way? This wasn’t meant to be a day off Justin.” – NDP MP Charlie Angus on Justin Trudeau’s trip to the beach.

Duration: 1:02:47
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Judge ends injunction against Fairy Creek protests, citing ‘substantial infringement of civil liberties’
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• Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor arrive in Canada after nearly 3-year detention in China
• Mixed message on COVID-19 patients a blow to credibility of John Horgan’s government
• Trudeau spends 1st Truth and Reconciliation Day in Tofino on vacation, contradicting itinerary
• Word of the Week: Reconciliation

Monday’s federal election doesn’t produce much change in party standings, calls for party leaders to be changed should be weighed carefully, and criticism of CBC’s Rosemary Barton may not be just misogyny. Also, Alberta changed its Health Minister.

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“Five weeks ago, Mr. Trudeau asked for a majority. He said the minority parliament was ‘unworkable.’ But tonight Canadians did not give Mr. Trudeau the majority mandate he wanted. In fact, Canadians sent him back with another minority at the cost of $600 million and deeper divisions in our great country.” – Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, in his post-election speech.

Duration: 1:11:04
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trudeau Wins, but Is Diminished by a Futile Election
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• Conservatives divided on what to do about Erin O’Toole after election loss
• Enough already with the demonization of CBC’s Rosemary Barton
• Tyler Shandro loses health portfolio as Premier Jason Kenney shuffles cabinet
• Word of the Week: Inconsequential

Alberta implements a ‘restriction exemption program’, the BC government isn’t overseeing the safety of 1900 dams in the province, and General Vance can’t face justice because he’s too highly ranked. Also, China’s influence in our elections continues.

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“Why is it that our only national Level 4 lab does not work through proper security protocols and actively monitor what was going on there, given the consequences of going astray? The fact that we have failed to properly vet scientists who go in there is mind-boggling.” – Retired lieutenant-general Michael Day on the lack of PHAC security measures in place at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.

Duration: 1:09:24
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta Restriction Exemption Program and Restrictions
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• B.C. isn’t effectively overseeing safety of dams, auditor general finds
• Vance will not face military service charges; source cites his four-star rank
• Chinese PLA general collaborated with fired scientist at Canada’s top infectious disease lab
• Word of the Week: Audit

Alberta’s economy rebounds as mask mandates reappear, thousands protest the BC NDP’s vaccine passport system outside hospitals, and yet another Trudeau ethics scandal gets buried. Also, a Liberal MP is allowed to run again amid sexual harassment claims.

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Duration: 58:37
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“I remember being incredibly stressed out, feeling completely helpless. I felt like he had shown he could do pretty much anything he wanted to do to me. I felt like there was nowhere for me to turn.” – A former staffer for Liberal MP Raj Saini, speaking her truth on how she felt about his alleged sexual harassment.

• A ‘startling’ $10B turnaround in Alberta’s deficit
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• Reports of assault, harassment as thousands protest vaccine passports outside hospitals across B.C.
• Conservatives push for Trudeau ethics probe, claim ‘troubling’ ties between PM and foundation
• Liberal candidate allowed to run for re-election despite past claims of inappropriate behaviour
• Word of Week: Harassment

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

Singh and O’Toole battle for BC’s votes, Alberta will vote on equalization and DST in the fall, and the Green Party goes through a civil war. Also, we detail the untold stories of the pandemic: overdoses, comorbidities and more.

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Duration: 55:13
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“Any time we talk about big infrastructure, there has to be a commitment that the infrastructure is made with Canadian products, Canadian steel, Canadian aluminum. The Liberals have talked about a high-speed train. They’ve never mentioned once that they’re going to use Canadian products in a high-speed train,” -NDP leader Jagmeet Singh on his not quite “Buy Canadian” strategy

• Singh promises public infrastructure to be made with ‘Canadian products’ in jobs plan
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• Albertans to vote on daylight saving time, equalization in the fall; pension and police to be further studied
• Green party executive launches membership review of its own leader, Annamie Paul
• Overdoses, alcohol-related deaths increased in Canadians under 65 during pandemic: StatCan
• Word of the Week: Advantage

Canada has its first Indigenous Governor General, pressure mounts from the US to open the border, and federal support for passenger rail lines is announced. Also, Erin O’Toole has lots of ideas to solve the equalization problem once and for all.

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Duration: 57:10
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“[We will] truly make Alberta prosperous again and take away the limits that the Trudeau Liberal government has put on your growth… Conservatives will treat the energy sector as a key driver of Canada’s economy and leverage our environmental and social governance leadership as a competitive advantage to secure our future.” – Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole on his plan to secure a fair deal for Alberta.

• Prime Minister announces The Queen’s approval of Canada’s next Governor General
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• Dozens join with Rep. Brian Higgins as bipartisan pressure builds to reopen border
• Feds set to begin procurement process for Toronto-Quebec City high-frequency rail corridor
• Erin O’Toole pledges changes to Fiscal Stabilization Program and to implement the Equalization and Transfers Fairness Act
• Word of the Week: Electioneering

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