Western Context

Alberta shows us that referendums are not just symbolic, Huawei sponsors a Chinese cultural event in BC, and we look at municipal elections in Edmonton and Calgary. Also, inflation on groceries and natural gas is here to stay.

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“A lot of people in finance are learning that the most important word in the English language is ‘transitory,’…How confident are you that [this inflation] really is transitory, because if you took a poll of smart people in finance … you’d probably get 50% saying it probably is and 50% saying it probably isn’t.” – U.S. Council on Foreign Relations member Roger Altman, to Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem.

Duration: 1:02:26
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Why should Saskatchewan pay to heat swimming pools in Quebec?
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• Huawei-sponsored event draws flag-waving B.C. politicians
• Farkas drops bomb, now Calgary mayor’s race is a dogfight
• Natural gas price hikes will fuel inflation and hit low-income Canadians the hardest
• Word of the Week: Transitory

Late government actions have let variants of concern into Canada, BC locks down travel within health regions, and Alberta’s free market leads the way in solar investment. Also, Trudeau’s first budget in two years shows just how much debt we are in.

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Duration: 57:56
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“The truth is that the tragedy of COVID-19 has created a window of opportunity, which we can open to finally build a system of early learning and child care across our country.” – Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland

• ‘Practically impossible’ to keep COVID-19 variants out, officials say, as flights from hotspots continue
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• B.C. to restrict non-essential travel between 3 provincial health zones
• Lots of irony in Alberta leading the country in new solar projects
• Budget vows to build ‘for the long term’ as it promises child care cash, projects massive deficits
• Word of the Week: Debtonation

Trudeau’s fairytale throne speech promises to spend billions, British Columbians will vote on Oct 24th, and Alberta’s media focuses on a load of cow dung. Also, Ford will build EV’s in Ontario while Trudeau’s massive subsidies could blow up in his face.

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Duration: 53:36
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trudeau’s Throne Speech reads like a fairy tale. Can he make it reality?
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• British Columbians heading to the polls on Oct. 24 in fall election
• Premier criticized for comments on intersectionality and India
• Ford deal to build electric cars in Oakville comes amid $500M government cash to upgrade plant
• Word of the Week: Competitive

Wet’suwet’en blockades at the BC Legislature and the Vancouver Port along with CN and Via Rail shutting down paralyzes our infrastructure and economy. Also, Jason Kenney calls for an Albertan green shift, and Trudeau is abroad campaigning for the UN.

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Duration: 54:41
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• ‘My thoughts on that individual are not printable:’ Horgan responds after Victoria councillor Ben Isitt accuses VicPD of campaign against protesters
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• In public shift, Kenney says Alberta has to go green over time
• Via Rail cancels most trains nationwide, CN closes Eastern Canadian network as Indigenous protests continue
• Trudeau to take UN Security Council pitch to Caribbean next week
• Word of the Week: Blockade

The RCMP’s obstruction of justice case into SNC is blocked by Trudeau, the BC economy is slowing down but spending remains up, and Alberta’s war room on oil misinformation gains enemies. Also, Trudeau no shows the first debate, which matters a great deal.

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Duration: 52:10
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Ottawa blocks RCMP on SNC-Lavalin inquiry
• B.C. NDP ramps up capital spending in latest update
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• Amnesty International ‘deeply concerned’ about Alberta’s fight back strategy against oil foes
• Opponents pounce on Liberal record after Trudeau’s no-show at leaders debate
• Word of the Week: Investigation

In BC we learn that improper disposal of cigarettes can cause major issues. Canada lost over 50,000 jobs in August, and the possible implementation of a handgun gun might not solve crime. Also, we correct Trudeau on his definition of the word entropy.

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Duration: 49:29
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Saanich tent city residents ordered to leave after court grants injunction
• Canadian Economy Loses 51,600 Jobs and Trying to Build Big Projects in Canada
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• Handgun ban would have ‘no impact,’ police union head warns
• Trudeau Mocked For Saying Diversity Is Leading To ‘entropy’
• Word of the Week: Entropy

The Federal Court of Appeal quashes the Trans Mountain Pipeline, what does this mean for Alberta, BC, and the Canadian economy? BC also projects a surprising surplus due to the housing sector, and we go over the current state of NAFTA negotiations.

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Duration: 57:28
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trans Mountain defeat threatens Justin Trudeau’s re-election story
• Alberta leaving federal climate plan over Trans Mountain decision
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• B.C. maintains budget surplus, despite ICBC losses and wildfire spending
• Trump announces U.S.-Mexico trade deal to replace NAFTA, and says ‘we will see’ if Canada can join
• Word of the Week: Freebie

Alberta’s NDP government released a fiscal update that looked rosy but is not, the BC NDP government created an electoral reform survey to sway opinion despite appearing “neutral”, and we cover Finance Minister Morneau’s continuing clash with ethics.

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Duration: 36:15
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• As economy improves, Alberta’s NDP government says it’s time to cut spending
• Mike Smyth: NDP and Greens stack the deck in referendum vote
• Bill Morneau threatens to take Tories to court over ethics allegations
• Word of the Week: Ethics

McKenna defends export of coal while condemning the US, Alberta’s carbon tax adds 75% to the cost of natural gas, a university debate on pronouns leaves free speech in jeopardy, and the federal government wants to reintegrate ISIS fighters into Canada.

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Duration: 53:22
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• U.S. prop-up of coal is ‘wrong,’ but Canada will continue to export it: McKenna
• Patently false’: Minister slams opposition claims on carbon tax hike
• Teaching assistant who was sanctioned questions sincerity of Wilfrid Laurier University’s apology
• Canada concerned about returning ISIS fighters, Justin Trudeau says
• Word of the Week: Percent

First Nations in BC worry about energy projects, the Alberta NDP interfere with freedom of information requests, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin is retiring, and the terrorist in the Edmonton attack has not been charged with terrorism yet, why not?

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Duration: 46:42
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Sickening’: First Nations left empty-handed as environmentalist pressure kills B.C. energy projects
• Alberta NDP must answer on political interference in Freedom of Information process
• Trudeau’s Supreme Court pick tangled in race, gender politics
• Judge orders psychiatric assessments for accused in Edmonton attacks
• Word of the Week: Responsibility