Western Context

Conservatives say the justice system favours non citizens, China increases tariffs on canola, and the Alberta Next panels see increased media bias. Also, a court decision gives Aboriginal title to a large section of Richmond BC to a Vancouver Island band.

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“We respect the court’s role in our justice system, but given the significant legal issues raised in the recent decision in Cowichan Tribes v. AG Canada et al., we believe it must be reconsidered on appeal. This ruling could have significant unintended consequences for fee simple private property rights in B.C. that must be reconsidered by a higher court.” – Attorney General Niki Sharma on the recent court decision granting Aboriginal Title part of Vancouver to a Vancouver Island based First Nation.

Duration: 1:11:58
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Take our Western Context 2025 Summer Survey
• Conservatives say the justice system favours non-citizens. Experts disagree
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• Sask. premier calls for ‘immediate action’ from Ottawa to address massive Chinese canola tariffs
• Tensions high at town hall as Alberta Next Panel faces polarized crowd in Edmonton
• Indigenous group wins land claim over riverbank in metro Vancouver
• Word of the Week: Claim

Trudeau faces calls to bring Afghan interpreters to Canada, BC’s 150th anniversary of Confederation is forgotten, and Alberta calls for pepper spray. Also, Carolyn Bennett’s former staff detail the sabotage she has done to Indigenous relations.

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Duration: 1:07:23
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

“When I got there, I quickly realized I was a token. I was there to attend events with her so [Bennett] had a First Nations staffer with her, she wasn’t just bringing her white staff. My voice was never heard … my experience never mattered, it seemed, because they were white and they had been to a First Nation community, they knew more … they had better knowledge.” – A former staffer on their time in the office of Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett.

• Blood on Canada’s hands if we don’t save Afghan ‘terps’
• Support us on Patreon
• B.C.’s 150th anniversary in Canada comes and goes with little attention
• Alberta justice minister calls for Criminal Code changes to allow pepper spray for self-defence
• Crown-Indigenous Minister Carolyn Bennett’s office is a ‘toxic’ workplace, ex-staffers claim
• Word of the Week: Arson

Trudeau quadruples the carbon tax to $170 per tonne by 2030, invests in hydrogen and nuclear energy, while the Alberta government links K-2 music education to history. Also, concerns over appropriation with the Canucks logo can be put to rest.

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Duration: 1:05:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

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• Ottawa to hike federal carbon tax to $170 a tonne by 2030
• Support us on Patreon
• Canada unveils hydrogen strategy to kick-start clean fuel industry
• Songs suggested for early grades by Alberta curriculum advisers have racist roots, teachers say
• Retire the orca’, says Indigenous historian who calls Vancouver Canucks logo cultural appropriation
• Word of the Week: Appropriation