Western Context

A Nunavut floor crossing accompanies Arctic spending, an Alberta consumption site closure didn’t result in more deaths, and a BC MP is told to chillax on land acknowledgments. Also, Canada has lost 100,000 jobs in 2026 so far.

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“Mark Carney’s shrinking economy is now making international headlines. He has delivered the only shrinking economy and the 2nd highest unemployment in the G7 and now 100,000 jobs have vanished in 2 months. His economic credentials are all an illusion. The results show he is just another Liberal. – Pierre Poilievre on Canada’s shrinking job numbers.

Duration: 56:23
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• NDP MP Lori Idlout crossing floor to Liberals, PM Carney two seats shy of majority
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• Alberta overdose prevention site closure didn’t result in more deaths, study finds
• B.C. chiefs tell MP Aaron Gunn to ‘chillax’ about land acknowledgments
• Canada sheds more than 100,000 jobs in first two months of year
• Word of the Week: chillax

Matt Jeneroux crosses the floor to the Liberals, BC’s budget includes tax hikes and high debt, and Alberta looks at a referendum on immigration. Also, Carney’s international trade rebellion is not quite what it seems.

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“I want you to know how confident I am in the judgment of Albertans on these and other delicate issues. Although there are some politicians and commentators that fear direct democracy, such as referendums, I do not. I trust the judgment of Albertans.” – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on the use of referenda.

Duration: 1:11:26
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux crosses the floor to the Liberals
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• Tax hikes, record debt leave no winners in B.C. budget
• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces fall referendum on immigration, constitutional questions
• Carney constructs a mega anti-Trump trade alliance
• Word of the Week: Rebellion

David Eby backtracks on indigenous reconciliation, Alberta’s job creation lowers unemployment, and the CRA spends $18M on a chatbot that doesn’t work. Also, another floor crossing shows the importance of foreign interference coverage.

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“Without regard to party lines—to safeguard the democratic election system we cherish and respect. Even if existing laws permit party-switching, the world is watching—especially countries that, under authoritarian rule, are denied democratic elections. They are observing whether Canada still has the resolve to defend democracy.” – Joe Tay, former Conservative candidate for Don Valley North on foreign interference and floor crossings.

Duration: 1:10:23
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Eby plans $150 million in loan guarantees for Cowichan land owners
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• Three month job-creation spree drives significant plunge in Alberta unemployment rate
• The CRA spent $18M on ‘Charlie,’ a new tax information chatbot that is wrong most of the time
• Ex-Conservative MP Michael Ma crosses floor to join Carney Liberals
• Word of the Week: must

Carney’s budget promises capital spending and a huge deficit, David Eby declares BC wants no pipeline to the north coast, and Alberta faces rural redistricting issues. Also, a Nova Scotia MP crosses the floor to the Liberals.

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“This government is the most expensive in Canadian history. Every dollar the Prime Minister spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians – the more they spend, the more things cost… Today, the Liberals have introduced the most costly and largest budget deficit in history outside of COVID. The cost of this Liberal budget will drive up the cost of food, housing, and everything else that Canadians buy.” – Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on Budget 2025.

Duration: 1:09:48
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Budget 2025
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• B.C. gov’t, Coastal First Nations sign declaration to uphold oil tanker ban
• Northern Alberta MLAs criticize ‘unacceptable’ proposed electoral boundary redraw
• MP Chris d’Entremont says he joined Liberals because of Poilievre’s leadership style
• Word of the Week: Defection

Terrorism comes to Edmonton. Also, electoral reform in BC, an AB NDP MLA leaves caucus, Jagmeet Singh wins the federal NDP race, Energy East is now dead, Ottawa spends too much on legal fees, and the BBC notes our Holocaust memorial’s Jewish omission.

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Duration: 1:04:28
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Edmonton Police Officers and Pedestrians Struck in Edmonton Terrorist Attack
• NDP announces B.C. referendum on proportional representation
• Karen McPherson Leaves NDP Caucus
• Jagmeet Singh wins NDP leadership race
• TransCanada terminates plan for Energy East pipeline
• Ottawa spent $110K in legal fees fighting First Nations girl over $6K dental procedure
• Canada forgets to mention Jewish people at Holocaust memorial
• Word of the Week: terrorism