Western Context

Trudeau’s 2024 budget features billions in new spending, Champagne tries to lure foreign grocers to Canada, and Alberta keeps its default electricity rate. Also, the federal government halts the deportation of a law-breaking climate activist.

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“Who pays? Who pays for this latest $50b orgy of spending by this costly Prime Minister? .. YOU will pay. You, the welder or waitress who can’t pay your mortgage because he’s inflated mortgage rates. You will pay because he carbon taxed your food and now you can’t feed your kids.” – Pierre Poilievre on 9 years of continued deficits.

Duration: 52:31
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Budget 2024 tries to sell youth a more affordable life with billions in spending
• Support us on Patreon
• Canada Targets 12 Foreign Grocers to Lure to Food-Retailing Market
• Get ready for the Rate of Last Resort, as Alberta tweaks — but keeps — its default electricity rate
• Feds halt deportation of B.C.-based climate activist
• Word of the Week: Pander

UVIC’s equity hiring policy raises ire on social media, Alberta’s low income tax cut is nowhere to be seen, and the Liberals roll out the federal dental program. Also, Champagne looks at grocery competition to lower prices.

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“If [our] people who often must wait in line for most goods, saw the conditions of U.S. supermarkets there would be a revolution. Even the politburo doesn’t have this choice. Not even Mr. Gorbachev.” – Future President of Russia Boris Yeltsin on American grocery stores in 1989. Is Canada headed in this direction?

Duration: 52:10
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• UVic job posting for Black candidates only draws backlash
• Support us on Patreon
• Where is the Alberta tax cut?
• Federal dental insurance program to be phased in over 2024, benefits to start in May
• Federal industry minister in talks with foreign grocery execs to lure new supermarket chain to Canada
• Word of the Week: Covenant

The Trudeau Liberals finally decide to buy F-35s, BC residents are fed up with rural property crime, and Trudeau tries wedge politics on Alberta’s climate policy. Also, the media ignores the effects of supply management on grocery inflation.

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“They [being the Conservatives] just talked about it like it was obvious. It was obvious, as we saw through the entire process, that they were particularly, and some might say unreasonably or unhealthily, attached to the F-35 aircraft.” – 2015 Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau on the purchase of the F-35 fighter jet.

• Canada finalizes deal to buy 88 F-35 fighter jets by 2032
• Support us on Patreon
• Fed-up with crime, civilian group starts patrolling the streets in Dawson Creek, B.C.
• Trudeau trash talks Alberta climate change action, draws hot response from Danielle Smith
• The conspiracy to inflate food prices is real. It’s time to rethink supply management
• Word of the Week: Vigilante