Western Context

A terrorist shoots up Edmonton City Hall, car thefts spike in Canada, and a federal court judge finds the use of the Emergencies Act unjustified. Also, a paper mill closing on Vancouver Island leads to investigation into a Chinese funded forestry giant.

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“The harassment of residents, workers and business owners in downtown Ottawa and the general infringement of the right to peaceful enjoyment of public spaces there, while highly objectionable, did not amount to serious violence or threats of serious violence.” – Justice Richard Mosley on the legal assessment of the 2022 Freedom Convoy in Downtown Ottawa.

Duration: 1:07:22
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alleged Edmonton City Hall shooter takes aim at “genocide” in Gaza in video: report
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• Trudeau Calls National Summit as Canada Auto Thefts Spike
• Court Finds Trudeau Overreached by Using Emergency Law to End Blockade
• Paper operations indefinitely halted at Vancouver Island mill, company says
• Word of the Week: Manifesto

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.

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“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
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• 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

Federal ministers joked about martial law during convoy protests, new BC Premier David Eby bombards us with announcements, and the Alberta NDP get their news on healthcare from social media. Also, Trudeau denies knowledge of Chinese campaign influence.

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“He is either hiding the truth and knows that China is trying to destabilize our democracy or he’s revealing that he’s diplomatically irresponsible to the point of being dangerous. Either it’s not honest or it’s not very bright. Which one is it?” – Bloc Québécois House Leader Alain Therrien on Trudeau’s limited response to questions of Chinese influence in the 2019 election.

Duration: 1:00:57
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Help us out by taking our Fall 2022 Survey!
• Attorney-General suggested Emergencies Act in first week of Ottawa protest, texts reveal
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• David Eby’s announcements total $1.2 billion in first week as premier
• Premier Smith attempts to reframe herself as flawed but also real and reasonable
• Justin Trudeau slammed for response after allegations of Chinese interference in 2019 election
• Word of the Week: Announcement

The Freedom Convoy wasn’t a CSIS threat, Alberta makes changes to AHS, and the BC Liberals vote to change their name to BC United. Also, a confrontation between Xi Jinping and Trudeau overshadows China’s growing influence.

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“In Canada, we believe in free and open and frank dialogue and that is what we will continue to have… We will continue to look to work constructively together, but there will be things we disagree on.” – Justin Trudeau on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s reaction to their conversations being leaked.

Duration: 55:56
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Help us out by taking our Fall 2022 Survey!
• CSIS told government Freedom Convoy didn’t pose national security threat day before Emergencies Act invoked
• Support us on Patreon
• Alberta announces health-care reform: AHS board fired, administrator appointed
• B.C. Liberal Party set to become B.C. United after members vote to change party name
• Chinese president confronts Trudeau at the G-20
• Word of the Week: Definition

A BC NDP MLA faces a recall petition, sparse reasons emerge for the Emergencies Act, and Telus wants to charge consumers even more. Also, the RCMP has used spyware for decades to track Canadians.

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“All three of our telecom providers … have reported increased profits, increased revenue and increased customers for 2021. They are doing better than ever. This is just another way to raise our bills through shady practices and extra fees and adding things on top so that we are paying even more than we already are.” – Rosa Addario, spokesperson for telecom watchdog OpenMedia on Telus’ plan to add a surcharge on cell phone bills paid by credit card.

Duration: 56:26
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• I will not be intimidated’: B.C. MLA facing recall petition from anti-mandate crowd
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• Cabinet heard of potential ‘breakthrough’ with ‘Freedom Convoy’ protesters before Emergencies Act was invoked: documents
• Telus asks CRTC permission to add 1.5% credit card surcharge to customer bills
• RCMP has used spyware to access targets’ communications as far back as 2002: Senior Mountie
• Word of the Week: Surcharge

Health Canada plans to label ground beef, the Alberta UCP leadership race begins, and no link is found between BC money laundering and political corruption. Also, we determine whether or not the Trudeau government lied about the Emergencies Act.

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“The whole purpose of this (Health Canada proposal) largely came from a concern about highly processed foods, and foods with a lot of ingredients. The idea of taking a single-ingredient food product and imposing these types of labels is not being done anywhere else in the world, and it is going to unfairly affect Canada’s farmers and ranchers.” – Dennis Laycraft, executive vice-president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association or Health Canada’s proposal to label ground beef as being high in saturated fat.

Duration: 53:38
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Ranchers’ group opposes Health Canada’s ‘vilification’ of ground beef
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• Some will lose Alberta’s pricey UCP leadership race before the voting starts
• Money laundering public inquiry finds ‘no evidence’ of political corruption in B.C.
• Police did not ask for Emergencies Act: Emergency Preparedness Minister
• Word of the Week: Saturated

David Lametti relied on fake news to invoke the Emergencies Act, a BC committee agrees to replace the RCMP, and the Winnipeg lab scandal documents are redacted. Also, the RCMP decided not to charge Trudeau with fraud because he is the Prime Minister.

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“It is unclear whether Mr. Trudeau can be prosecuted under section 121(1)(c) of the Criminal Code, since the section has a provision which allows officials to accept benefits from individuals with government dealings, provided the official has the written consent of the head of their branch of government. An investigation and prosecution under this section may not be in the public interest if it cannot be definitely determined whether or not Mr. Trudeau can simply provide consent to himself.” RCMP Corporal Michael Kiperchuk, in a briefing note to his superiors on the conclusion of his investigation into Prime Minister Trudeau’s alleged fraud during the Aga Khan scandal.

Duration: 1:06:14
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Ministers provide few details to committee probing Liberals’ use of Emergencies Act
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• B.C. should ditch RCMP and form its own police force, committee says
• Bloc warns Liberals against ‘creating parallel Parliament with its own rules’ on Winnipeg lab documents
• RCMP considered whether to charge Justin Trudeau over Aga Khan trip, documents show
• Word of the Week: Rule of Law

Canada’s borders are shutting down for the time being, an overview of the Emergencies Act, and a look at what might happen to the Canadian economy. Also, Trudeau gave 16 tonnes of medical equipment to China in February, and now we are in a shortage.

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Duration: 51:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Historic times,’ Trudeau rallies industry to aid in COVID-19 fight
• Support us on Patreon
• What could happen if feds invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with COVID-19?
• How long will this last? Six-month recession is the best-case scenario
• Canada sent 16 tonnes of medical equipment to China, now faces shortage
• Word of the Week: Unprecedented