Western Context

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

Trudeau invokes Trump rhetoric on carbon tax opponents, the BC Liberals claim David Eby is in a conflict of interest, and a crazy proposal to curb Alberta oil supply. Also, we cover Trudeau’s immigration plan and what could help workers in our economy.

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Duration: 50:23
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• PM says carbon tax critics like Scheer, Ford want to ‘make pollution free again’
• BC Liberals file conflict of interest complaint against David Eby over recall legislation
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• Varcoe: Alberta faces calls to crimp oil output to resolve price discount
• Canada to increase annual immigration admissions to 350,000 by 2021
• Word of the Week: Fearmongering

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

Canadian oil is discounted due to lack of transport, a BC court case reveals immigration loopholes, a far right group attends Trudeau’s town hall to the delight of the CBC, and a fake hijab cutting incident sparks a rapid condemnation of Islamophobia.

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Duration: 43:54
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canadian oil selling at a deep discount – and it hurts
• Explosive B.C. court case details seven migration scams
• Members of far-right Storm Alliance attend Trudeau’s town hall in Quebec City
• Toronto police say hijab-cutting attack reported by girl didn’t happen
• Word of the Week: Clickbait

The BC NDP is promising to spend without first raising revenue. A Calgary public school confiscates banana bread? Disappointment regarding the Northern Gateway pipeline. And the refugee situation on our southern border has changed and not for the better!

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Duration: 37:45
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Horgan set to miraculously spend big — and balance the books
• Education minister weighs in after boy banished from CBE class over banana bread
• ‘We are very disappointed’: Loss of Northern Gateway devastating for many First Nations, chiefs say
• Border services officer assaulted by asylum seeker detained for criminal past: Nearly half of recent illegal border crossers have criminal records, CBSA union says
• Word of the Week: Border