Western Context

The Premiers meeting shows hope for the future, zoning bylaws divide Edmonton’s council, and David Eby rejects any notion of a second oil pipeline. Also, the Strong Borders Act may be more about internet privacy.

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

“[Santa Carney]’s coming, and his sled was full of all sorts of stuff. Now, he’s taken off back to the North Pole. He’s going to sort it out, and then he’s going to call us.” – Ontario Premier Doug Ford at the premier’s meeting with Mark Carney.

Duration: 59:11
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Premiers heap praise on meeting with Carney, but no specific projects identified
• Support us on Patreon
• ‘No respect for the people’: Edmonton zoning bylaw opponents give city council an earful
• BC communities disappointed as Eby rejects pipeline push from other premiers
• The Strong Borders Act
• Word of the Week: Nation-building

Trudeau inserts himself into the Ontario strike, Alberta councillors debate municipal parties, and BC announces a new family doctor payment model. Also, Steven Guilbeault’s hostility towards energy could reduce investment.

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

“Family doctors are not only health care providers. We’re human beings, and so in order to provide the type of care that British Columbians need and deserve, we need the same human supports and working conditions that others do … This new payment model and the physician master agreement that were announced today are a first step towards creating those tools and supports.” – Dr. Renee Fernandez, the executive director of B.C. Family Doctors on BC’s new family doctor payment plan.

Duration: 58:09
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Help us out by taking our Fall 2022 Survey!
• Canadian bill would fine workers $4,000 for each day they strike
• Support us on Patreon
• Edmonton, Calgary councillors weigh in on allowing political parties at municipal level
• B.C. launching new payment model for family doctors in 2023
• Guilbeault slams oilpatch for raking in cash and sitting idle on climate action
• Word of the Week: Buy-in

A mothballed report on BC long term care homes has the NDP scrambling, Edmonton councillor Mike Nickel is running for mayor to counter woke groups, and $636M of CERB payments go to teenagers. Also Trudeau announces new travel restrictions that come too late.

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

Duration: 50:28
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“The entire pandemic has been a fascinating case study between two duelling realities: modest but early action is preferable to late and heavy-handed measures, but it’s also hard to rally much public support for disruptive actions until the need for it is obvious.” – Mark Gurney, writer for National Post

• Stonewall, deny, cover-up on B.C. care home report
• Support us on Patreon
• Edmonton city councillor Mike Nickel running for mayor in 2021 election
• More than $636M in CERB benefits was paid to 300,000 teens between ages of 15 and 17: documents
• Now is just not the time to be flying’: PM Trudeau announces new travel restrictions
• Word of the Week: Woke

Planners seem deaf to the hurdles of Edmonton LRT expansion, Trudeau’s advisor defends his friend’s cushy diplomat appointment, the government focuses on climate change not natural resources with NAFTA, and a teacher’s union is trying to revise history.

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

Duration: 48:48
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Edmonton city councillors ignorant of LRT planning
• Gerald Butts defends new consul-general Rana Sarkar’s salary
• Climate change still a priority in NAFTA talks: environment minister
• Ontario teachers’ union wants John A. Macdonald elementary schools renamed
• Word of the Week: Revisionism