Western Context

Canada’s cold snap raises questions of BC Hydro’s future, Rachel Notley is stepping down as Alberta’s NDP leader, and even Liberal ministers agree that immigration is out of control. Also, an opinion piece questions Poilievre’s commitment to queer issues.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“I’m a bit of a polarizing figure in the province.” – Outgoing Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley on part of the reason why she is leaving.

Duration: 1:10:46
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• BC experiences record-breaking electricity demand amid cold snap, says BC Hydro
• Support us on Patreon
• Notley says she’ll step down from Alberta NDP helm to make way for fresh voices
• Elements of immigration system ‘out of control,’ says federal minister as pressure to make changes increases
• Concern about queer rights under a Poilievre-led government keeps me up at night
• Word of the Week: Import

Canada and India’s relationship tumbles even further, Alberta explores the idea of a provincial pension plan, and Canada helps Romania build more CANDU reactors. Also, the Trudeau cabinet spends $275k on an inflation summit.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“It was really important for me to get that kind of direct fingertip feel of what is happening with the Canadian economy and what Canadians are feeling.” – Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland on the importance of the cabinet’s inflation summit in September 2022.

Duration: 46:12
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Hardeep Singh Nijjar
• Support us on Patreon
• Alberta Pension Plan
• Canada signs $3-billion deal to finance nuclear power in Romania
• Cabinet Billed Over $275,000 in Expenses for 2022 Inflation Summit
• Word of the Week: Assassination

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.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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

Trudeau releases a plan to cut carbon emissions, the BC government gives back a gas rebate through ICBC, and four provinces are going ahead with nuclear SMRs. Also, the renovation cost on federal government residences continues to skyrocket.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

“This follows a long history of the NCC running up a huge tab on the taxpayers’ expense. It’s coming at the worst possible time as the government is already a trillion dollars in debt. Every single expense should be under the microscope.” – Federal director of the National Taxpayers’ Federation Franco Terrazzano on the mounting costs of the federal residence renovations.

Duration: 54:44
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada releases plan for a 40 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2030
• Support us on Patreon
• B.C. government announces gas relief rebate of $110 for ICBC customers
• 4 provinces push ahead with plan to build small nuclear reactors to supply power
• Inside the $11M renovations to the prime minister’s official country home
• Word of the Week: Skyrocket

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.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

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

via Twitter

• 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

The premiers meeting showcases provincial unity, a provincial plan for new nuclear technology is ignored by the media, and Trudeau’s throne speech says a lot and nothing at all. Also, we detail Trudeau’s delinquent behaviour at the NATO summit.

Download Now
Direct Download – 64 Kbit MP3 (Full Show Notes)

Duration: 57:40
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• With national unity under stress, premiers back a budget fix to help oil-rich provinces
• Support us on Patreon
• Group of premiers band together to develop nuclear reactor technology
• A Throne Speech that intentionally left much unsaid
• What are you at?’ Trump presses Trudeau over NATO defence spending
• Word of the Week: Delinquent