Western Context

The Trudeau Liberals give Canadians a 2 month GST holiday, Alberta is looking at a different auto insurance approach, and BC Ferries is looking to raise fares by 30%. Also, Trump tariffs cause chaos in the Canadian media.

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“President Trump has the right to put his workers and his nation’s security first. I will put Canada’s workers and Canada’s security first. We need a Prime Minister with the brains and backbone to stand up for this country.” – Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on a Canada First plan.

Duration: 1:05:16
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Liberals to cut GST on beer, children’s toys and Christmas trees
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• Rate hikes, no-fault claims in new rules pitched for Alberta auto insurance
• BC Ferries warns of potential 30% fare hike as costs rise
• Should Canada retaliate if Trump makes good on 25 per cent tariff threat?
• Word of the Week: Vibecession

The CRTC taxes 5% of streaming giants’ revenues, the UCP asks the public for input on auto insurance, and speed limit reductions in BC show the need for careful city planning. Also, Canadian parliamentarians could be compromised by foreign powers.

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“This week’s Bill C-11 streaming ruling acts as if consumers, competition, and affordability are irrelevant issues that are at best someone else’s concern. The result is that Canadians have been largely removed from broadcasting and Internet policy at the regulator, expected to pay up and shut up.” – Michael Geist on this week’s CRTC ruling.

Duration: 52:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Foreign streamers must pay into fund to boost Canadian content, CRTC says
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• Premier says ‘no appetite’ for government-run auto insurance despite savings
• Jogger clipped by fast-moving e-bike on E&N Rail trail
• Some Canadian politicians are ‘wittingly’ participating in foreign interference
• Word of the Week: Wittingly

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

The Federal Court of Appeal rejects a native veto on Trans Mountain, Alberta’s unemployment rate continues to rise, and ICBC is changing to a no-fault system. Also, the Trudeau government tries to put more regulations on Canadian media.

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Duration: 52:44
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• In a major victory for Trans Mountain, Federal Court dismisses Indigenous appeal of project’s approval
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• Edmonton unemployment rises again, now 2nd highest of any Canadian city: StatsCan
• After ruling it out, Horgan goes for no-fault auto insurance
• Licensing for media companies in Canada would likely be proportionate
• Word of the Week: Protest

Elizabeth May is accused of bullying; her party says she wouldn’t be if she were a man, the BC and Alberta governments spar over Trans Mountain, ICBC losing 1.3B will cost drivers more in insurance, and we detail the federal government’s drinking problem.

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Duration: 44:12
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Green Party defending leader Elizabeth May from accusations of bullying
• BC government strikes another blow to stop Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion
• Shocking massive losses revealed at ICBC, huge rate hikes feared
• 400 bottles of wine on the plane: Federal politicians have access to limitless alcohol on government flights
• Word of the Week: Rhetoric