Western Context

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

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

The US, Mexico, and Canada have reached a deal to replace NAFTA, who won? In BC a big $40B LNG project is approved, and journalist Paula Simons is appointed to the Senate. Also, we look at the results of the Quebec election and the effects of nationalism.

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Duration: 1:01:07
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Revamped NAFTA deal, renamed USMCA, will ‘rebalance’ North America trade after Canada reaches 11th hour agreement
• LNG politics ramp up as massive project approval looms
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• Edmonton Journalist Paula Simons amongst others appointed to Senate
• Quebec elects a CAQ majority government
• Word of the Week: Nationalism

Policing a Saanich tent city is costing residents over $700k, Italy is blocking the EU’s ratification of CETA, the media misreports the value of sold Crown land in BC, and the federal government’s spending follies on glasses, name changes and cushions.

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Duration: 40:54
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Saanich council approves $700,000 to police homeless camp
• Italy won’t ratify EU free-trade deal with Canada: deputy PM
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• New report confirms former BC government sold off surplus real estate too cheap
• ‘Just outrageous’: Government spends $24k on 86 cushions for Mexico City embassy
• Word of the Week: Appraisal

We look into the reasoning behind Trudeau’s trade escalations with the US, a by-election with huge ramifications in BC, and over-taxation by Edmonton council on businesses. Also, an unreported bombshell about Trudeau, what is the media not telling us?

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Duration: 45:49
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trudeau stumbled into a trade war. That isn’t all Trump’s fault
• MLA Leonard Krog ponders move with huge consequences
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• Edmonton business group urges city hall to put the brakes on rising property taxes
• Don’t believe Canada’s media on Me Too stories
• Word of the Week: Backbencher

A new precedent setting Alberta law could restrict oil flow and erode the constitution, Vancouver wants to allow permanent residents to vote, and Quebec could see up to 146,000 illegal migrants this year. Also, a discussion on the definition of populism.

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Duration: 43:37
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• New law would allow Alberta to restrict flow of oil and gas
• City of Vancouver passes motion that would permit permanent residents to vote in local elections
• Quebec preparing for up to 400 asylum seekers a day at the U.S. border this summer
• Despite Trudeau’s progressive rhetoric, Canada not immune to populism: experts
• Word of the Week: populism

The BC NDP government goes ahead with Site C, an article about Jason Kenney contradicts facts, the federal government continues to ignore veterans and benefits for those with disabilities, and used jet purchases and the danger of progressive trade policy.

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Duration: 48:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. to proceed with Site C hydroelectric dam
• Jason Kenney undermines his message in over-the-top attacks
• Canada Revenue Agency backs down after diabetics denied disability tax credit
• Ottawa says it won’t buy fighter jets from companies that harm Canada’s economy
• Word of the Week: Fake news

The Alberta NDP sets aside 1.4B of taxpayer money for industry to reduce emissions, we cover Dianne Watts and the BC Liberal leadership race, free trade and Trudeau’s failed trip to China, as well as callous remarks from the Minister of Disabilities.

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Duration: 46:08
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta sets aside $1.4 billion for industry to reduce carbon emissions
• Liberal leadership candidate Dianne Watts could have an uphill battle ahead
• Trudeau’s failed free trade trip to China
• Everyone … has a sob story’: Thalidomide survivors say they were belittled by disabilities minister>
• Word of the Week: Free trade

The landmark free trade agreement between Canada and the EU has been ratified. Canada has an immigration problem on its southern border, poor economic news for Vegreville and discussion on motion 103 which condemns Islamophobia without defining it!

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Duration: 34:30

• EU parliament votes in favour of landmark trade deal with Canada
• With open arms, Mounties help refugees who walked across the Canadian border
• Study shows closing Vegreville immigration office will cut population, house prices
• What you need to know about the anti-Islamophobia motion making waves in Ottawa
• Word of the Week: Islamophobia