Western Context

Canada bans TikTok operations but not the app, Alberta slams Trudeau’s deranged emissions cap, and BC’s forestry sector faces new challenges. Also, Donald Trump’s election win will make things interesting for Canada.

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“Trump’s a deal-maker. Hopefully it gives us an opportunity to do a deal with the Americans, and I think that should be a priority for our government. We have to be looking at how we protect our forest sector, and I think both federally and provincially, they’ve ignored it.” – Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad on BC’s forestry sector.

Duration: 1:00:24
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trudeau government bans TikTok from operating in Canada — but Canadians can still use it
• ‘I’m pissed’: Alberta premier, oil and gas industry slam Ottawa’s new emissions cap
• B.C. forest sector prognosis becoming progressively grim
• Donald Trump has a long enemies list, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on it
• Word of the Week: Derangement

The UCP April convention expands voting options, the BC government sprays herbicides on BC forests, and Canada’s oil export capacity is severely limited. Also, Jagmeet Singh will support Trudeau’s government until 2025 in return for dental and pharmacare.

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“The Bloc will keep doing exactly the same thing: if it’s good for Quebec, we will vote in favour. If it’s bad for Quebec, we will vote against.” – Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet on his party’s attitude towards government policy.

Duration: 1:01:22
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• I don’t need this job’: Kenney says he has to stay to keep ‘lunatics’ from ‘trying to take over the asylum’
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• Outcry grows as B.C. government agency plans widespread South Coast herbicide spray
• Canada to hike oil, gas output by 300,000 barrels a day to help displace Russian fuel
• Liberals, NDP leadership have tentative deal to support Trudeau government to 2025
• Word of the Week: Coalition

The remains of 215 indigenous children are found near the Kamloops residential school, Jason Kenney warns of the danger of erasing our history, and John Horgan lays out a modern forestry plan. Also, Canada’s first dose successes can be misleading.

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Duration: 58:56
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“The critical recommendation that’s in play at Fairy Creek is consulting with the title holders. If we were to arbitrarily put deferrals in place there, that would be a return to the colonialism that we have so graphically been brought back to this week by the discovery in Kamloops.” – BC Premier John Horgan on why he won’t immediately protect old growth forests from being logged.

• Remains of 215 Indigenous children found buried at former Kamloops residential school
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• Kenney defends contentious Canadian history, laments cancel culture after Calgary school renamed
• B.C. lays out plans for ‘modernizing’ regulation of the forest industry
• U.S. to share millions of vaccine doses, including with Canada, as Ottawa pushed to donate too
• Word of the Week: Assimilation

Kenney walks a tightrope with unpopular restrictions, Horgan ignores a major logging protest in his riding, and Trudeau attempts to blame the provinces for poor vaccine rollouts. Also, Trudeau continues to stonewall testimony on the WE Charity scandal.

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Duration: 58:18
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“It’s disappointing that we find ourselves for a third time experiencing the Liberals’ ‘Choose your own adventure of parliamentary democracy’. We’re now jammed up with shenanigans that leave us unable to complete our report.” – Conservative Ethics Critic Michael Barrett on Liberal stonewalling on WE Charity testimony

• Kenney says he will boot UCP MLAs from caucus if they break COVID-19 rules or encourage others to do so
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• ‘War in the woods’: activists blockade Vancouver Island in bid to save ancient trees
• Hajdu publicizes delivery of 10 million vaccine doses as Ford blames federal rollout for shot delays
• Federal elections watchdog looking into WE Charity, researcher says
• Word of the Week: Revolt

Morneau is replaced by Freeland as Finance Minister amidst financial crisis and the WE scandal, Trudeau unveils CERB changes before he shutters Parliament, and old growth forests are under threat in BC. Also, the Conservatives pick new leader Erin O’Toole.

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Duration: 57:12
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Freeland replaces Morneau as Trudeau’s finance minister
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• Liberals unveil $37B for CERB transition to new benefits, EI changes
• Activists continue blockade of logging road on Vancouver Island to protect giant cedar
• CPC Leadership Race Results
• Word of the Week: Chaos

Canada signs the new NAFTA deal, a 5 month forestry strike leaves BC communities in limbo, and a Greenpeace video shown in an Alberta class sparks a social media firestorm. Also, Andrew Scheer’s resignation as leader prompts crazy theories from the media.

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Duration: 52:45
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada signs revised North American trade deal, clearing way for ratification
• Companies, contractors and communities caught in middle of forestry strike
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• Alberta school lesson on oil sands prompts threats from parents amid sensitivity over industry’s image + Energy War Room
• Exasperated Scheer leaves on his own terms
• Word of Week: Fog of war

Elections Canada hires social media influencers to sway voters, the Alberta NDP want Pride to exclude not include, and BC NDP taxes are killing the forestry industry. Also, Trudeau bases his plastics ban on data from an American grade school project.

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Duration: 46:35
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Is Elections Canada biased toward the Liberals?
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• NDP’s intolerant approach a blow to free speech, Pride celebration
• Closures, cuts at B.C. pulp and sawmills add to forestry job losses
• Ottawa announces plans to ban single-use plastics starting in 2021 at the earliest
• Word of the Week: Muzzling