Western Context

Canada’s population increases like never before, the CBC writes fake news about Deena Hinshaw, and the Trudeau Liberals phase out gas car sales by 2035. Also, an investigation into Yuen Pau Woo reveals our cabinet may be compromised.

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“Yes, we’ve seen some people leave the province in their inter-provincial migration but overall, the growth in population that we’ve seen in the last quarter but [also] over the last two years is history-making given that the growth is driven by people coming from outside Canada. People are coming, they see opportunity here [and] they’re coming.” – BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon on immigration to BC.

Duration: 54:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada’s population booms by 430K over 3 months. What’s behind the spike?
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• Alberta ethics commissioner ends investigation into Dr. Deena Hinshaw’s dismissal from Indigenous health job
• Canada lays out plan to phase out sales of gas-powered cars, trucks by 2035
• Canadian Senator promised to support members in CCP’s United Front
• Word of the Week: Intervenor

Alberta’s throne speech contains a few surprises, BC makes Holocaust education mandatory, and Alberta looks to overhaul auto insurance. Also, the Trudeau Liberals refuse to cut immigration targets.

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“If we really want to fight hate in this province, if we really want to stand up to antisemitism, it is critical that we learn from the past. We know how threats and hate can accelerate into violent acts and into horrific outcomes. We must ensure that the same horrors are not repeated. When we say ‘never again’ in relation to the Holocaust, we mean it.” – Premier David Eby on BC’s introduction of mandatory Holocaust education.

Duration: 53:46
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta Throne Speech
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• B.C. commits to mandatory Holocaust education for Grade 10 students
• Alberta seeks to reward ‘good’ drivers with auto insurance overhaul
• No cuts to immigration coming as Canada holds goal for 500K per year
• Word of the Week: Mandatory

BC’s economic future looks unstable, Alberta experiences record population growth, and Justin Trudeau isn’t giving his cabinet ministers mandate letters. Also, a post by Pierre Poilievre about First Nations gets misrepresented by the Liberals and media.

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“I speak for myself as an aboriginal, I’m not a people of pain, we want businesses, we want to own homes, we want to get ahead with our own independence, we don’t want government handouts.” – Elder Manitok Thompson on a positive future for Indigenous People in Canada.

Duration: 52:20
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. finance report flags deep economic downturn in 2024
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• Alberta’s population is booming, but that comes with challenges for some communities
• Federal ministers still lack mandate letters, two months after majority shuffled
• Pierre Poilievre called out for Truth and Reconciliation Day photos with Inuk elder
• Word of the Week: Truth

Danielle Smith promises to not raise taxes, the public service strike blocks key infrastructure, and Rachel Notley is silent on nuclear power. Also, the media decides that questioning immigration policy is no longer racist.

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“With a steady and low corporate tax rate that I can bank on, I can plan for the future and make long-term decisions to ensure my business can keep adding to Alberta’s economy, creating jobs, supporting my community, and keeping this province strong for the next generation.” – Ana Zagorac, owner of Sweet Rhapsody Bakery Cafe and Patisserie on the importance of a positive investment climate.

Duration: 49:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Danielle Smith promises to not raise taxes if re-elected
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• Striking public servants block access to government buildings and key infrastructure
• Notley’s NDP might want to pick a lane on energy policy. Right now it’s incoherent
• It’s OK to ask whether immigration is intensifying our housing crisis
• Word of the Week: Escalate

After 6 years, Canada and the US come to agreement on asylum seekers, Canada’s population grows by one million in 2022, and Canada’s conservative movement hopes for a renaissance. Also, bills for 24 Sussex Drive continue to climb.

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“Five grand! You can’t spend $5,000 for electricity on lighting. One (possible) explanation for these spectacular bills is simply that the NCC forgot to turn down the thermostat. They’re just running the place as though it’s going to be filled with people.” – Energy analyst Tom Adams on the high energy bills for 24 Sussex Drive.

Duration: 58:38
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• U.S. and Canada Reach an Agreement on Diverting Asylum Seekers
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• Canada’s population grows by over one million for first time
• Canada needs a ‘Conservative renaissance,’ former PM Stephen Harper tells conference
• 24 Sussex Drive is empty but the utility bills are still soaring
• Word of the Week: Renaissance

The Alberta NDP advocates for higher fuel prices, federal workers resist a partial return to the offices, and Canada adds over 100,000 jobs in December. Also, Canada welcomed a record number of immigrants in 2022.

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Duration: 57:29
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• As Alberta fuel tax paused, expert says prices in line with market
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• Lives have changed’: Federal workers in Greater Victoria resist mandate to return to office
• Canada’s economy added 104,000 jobs in December, blowing well past expectations
• Canadians are right to worry about immigration levels
• Word of the Week: Self-inflicted

Russia’s actions show how important Canada’s Arctic is, BC spends $118M to support family doctors, and half of international students are still waiting for their visas. Also, an anti-semite is hired by the Trudeau government to preach anti-racism.

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“We have provided notice to the Community Media Advocacy Centre (CMAC) that their funding has been cut and their project has been suspended. We call on CMAC, an organization claiming to fight racism and hate in Canada to answer to how they came to hire Laith Marouf, and how they plan on rectifying the situation given the nature of his antisemitic and xenophobic comments.” – Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen, distancing himself from an anti-racism initiative that he personally endorsed.

Duration: 50:57
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Russian invasion of Ukraine forces Arctic defence back onto Canada’s agenda
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• B.C. commits $118M in short-term funds to help stabilize family physician practices, clinics
• An incredibly big problem’: Visa delays imperil school year for thousands of international students
• Feds cut funding for anti-racism project over ‘vile’ tweets
• Word of the Week: Anti-Racism

Alberta increases funding for charter schools, BC ties its minimum wage increase to inflation, and Quebec is forcing Ukrainian refugees into French schools. Also, the census data shows that Trudeau’s immigration plan negatively impacts the housing crisis.

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

• Alberta earmarks $72 million for charter schools, plans for possible new ‘collegiate’ model
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• B.C.’s minimum wage, now tied to inflation, up 45 cents to $15.65 an hour
• Quebec won’t allow Ukrainian refugee children to attend English schools
• Canada’s population jumped by nearly half a million in 2021
• Word of the Week: Mandamus

Misinformation in other languages distorts election messaging, Greta Thunberg visits Alberta, and Horgan’s chief of staff shreds important documents. Also, Trudeau gives Quebec control over an immigration values test, but not the other provinces.

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Duration: 43:21
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• After accusing Tories of fear-mongering in Chinese-language ads, Liberals face same question
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• Thousands rally with Greta Thunberg at Alberta legislature for climate strike amid counter-rally
• B.C. premier defends chief of staff for shredding documents related to legislature scandal
• Trudeau gives Quebec a pass in a way he never would for Alberta or Ontario
• Word of the Week: Foreign Fearmongering

A BC Liberal candidate is subject to a witch-hunt ahead of a crucial by-election, bullying concerns stop a consultation for a proposed park in Alberta, and a First Nation blockades a natural gas pipeline. Also, the media tries to tell us right from wrong.

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Duration: 47:23
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. byelection candidate called out for once wearing a Trump hat
• After vague allegations of bullying, province cancels Bighorn meetings
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• The Wet’suwet’en and B.C.’s gas-pipeline battle: A guide to the story so far
• Trudeau responds to fears about immigration, refugees
• Word of the Week: Belief