Western Context

A new economic doctrine emerges from Chrystia Freeland, new changes abound in the BC municipal elections, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith names her new cabinet. Also, Trudeau asserts that demand for Canadian oil will decrease reliance on it.

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“Right now in the coming couple of years, we’re going to need to continue with the mechanisms we have, but the move off of fossil fuels … is going to happen much faster because of Russia.” – Prime Minister Trudeau, on the failure to understand supply and demand.

Duration: 59:19
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Freeland Doctrine’ could set the world on a path to a new trade cold war
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• BC Municipal Election results – Major Changes in Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria, Saanich
• Alberta premier’s new cabinet includes familiar faces in prominent roles
• Trudeau says Russian invasion of Ukraine ‘accelerated’ Canada’s move away from oil and gas
• Word of the Week: Turnover

Trudeau releases his 2022 budget, BC experiences an increase in crime, and the UCP makes healthcare changes. Also, the Newfoundland offshore oil project Bay du Nord has been approved.

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“The headline policy, a two-year ban on residential property purchases by foreigners, will have a negligible impact on home prices… We know from the pandemic period, when home prices escalated with virtually no foreign money, that our problem is made-in-Canada.” – Phil Soper, chief executive at Royal LePage on the housing affordability crisis.

Duration: 57:20
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada Speeds Up Deficit Reduction in 2022 Budget: Key Takeaways
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• ‘Every excuse in the book’: Eby under fire over B.C.’s handling of prolific offenders
• NDP calls on Alberta government to stop the push to ‘Americanize’ public health care
• Federal government approves controversial Bay du Nord oil project
• Word of the Week: Prolific

The UCP April convention expands voting options, the BC government sprays herbicides on BC forests, and Canada’s oil export capacity is severely limited. Also, Jagmeet Singh will support Trudeau’s government until 2025 in return for dental and pharmacare.

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“The Bloc will keep doing exactly the same thing: if it’s good for Quebec, we will vote in favour. If it’s bad for Quebec, we will vote against.” – Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet on his party’s attitude towards government policy.

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

• I don’t need this job’: Kenney says he has to stay to keep ‘lunatics’ from ‘trying to take over the asylum’
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• Outcry grows as B.C. government agency plans widespread South Coast herbicide spray
• Canada to hike oil, gas output by 300,000 barrels a day to help displace Russian fuel
• Liberals, NDP leadership have tentative deal to support Trudeau government to 2025
• Word of the Week: Coalition

Canada’s unemployed may number much higher than reported, Irving Oil sources Canadian oil overseas from coast to coast, while May and Blanchet decry our most important industry. Also, renovation costs to a government farmhouse and cottage are hidden.

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Duration: 53:36
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada’s jobless rate soars to 13 per cent in April
• Irving Oil finally gets approval to source Alberta oil — but through the Panama Canal
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• Kenney fires back at May and Blanchet, calls comments about oil industry ‘un-Canadian’
• Taxpayers spend $2.5-million for reconstruction of guest cottage at PM’s Harrington Lake retreat
• Word of the Week: Circuitous

Trudeau gives money to the Wuhan lab for research, Victoria mayor Helps wants to put homeless into hotels, and the energy sector is still waiting on money to stay afloat. Also, the federal government wants a new law to restrict freedom of speech.

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Duration: 45:58
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trudeau gave $830,000 for COVID-19 research to the same Wuhan virus laboratory suspected of kicking off the pandemic
• I don’t care how it happens’: Victoria calls on B.C. to acquire housing for homeless during COVID-19
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• A first course, but Canada’s oilpatch still waiting for full-meal deal from Ottawa
• Federal government open to new law to fight pandemic misinformation
• Word of the Week: Conspiracy

The coronavirus arrives at Trudeau’s house, Saudi Arabia begins an oil price war, and illegal migrants receive free 20 year healthcare coverage from the government. Also, a study of the SNC Lavalin scandal gets quashed while the RCMP may be investigating.

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Duration: 41:22
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Sophie Grégoire Trudeau diagnosed with COVID-19; PM to remain in isolation
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• Saudis Plan Big Oil Output Hike, Beginning All-Out Price War
• Docs show asylum-claimant health access expanded to 20 years
• SNC-Lavalin case will not be resuscitated in committee
• Word of the Week: Self-isolation

Canada signs the new NAFTA deal, a 5 month forestry strike leaves BC communities in limbo, and a Greenpeace video shown in an Alberta class sparks a social media firestorm. Also, Andrew Scheer’s resignation as leader prompts crazy theories from the media.

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Duration: 52:45
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada signs revised North American trade deal, clearing way for ratification
• Companies, contractors and communities caught in middle of forestry strike
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• Alberta school lesson on oil sands prompts threats from parents amid sensitivity over industry’s image + Energy War Room
• Exasperated Scheer leaves on his own terms
• Word of Week: Fog of war

The RCMP’s obstruction of justice case into SNC is blocked by Trudeau, the BC economy is slowing down but spending remains up, and Alberta’s war room on oil misinformation gains enemies. Also, Trudeau no shows the first debate, which matters a great deal.

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Duration: 52:10
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Ottawa blocks RCMP on SNC-Lavalin inquiry
• B.C. NDP ramps up capital spending in latest update
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• Amnesty International ‘deeply concerned’ about Alberta’s fight back strategy against oil foes
• Opponents pounce on Liberal record after Trudeau’s no-show at leaders debate
• Word of the Week: Investigation

Jason Kenney wins a historic majority UCP government in Alberta, and his promise to turn off the taps to BC gains steam. Also, the Trudeau government finally reverses course on refugees while Trudeau is being investigated again over ethics violations.

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Duration: 58:31
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Jason Kenney wins majority government
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• Kenney’s threat to ‘turn off the taps’ to B.C. ‘doesn’t make any business sense:’ experts
• Trudeau takes ‘sharp turn’ away from ‘refugees welcome’
• Court orders lobbying watchdog to reopen probe into Aga Khan over Bahamas vacation controversy
• Word of the Week: Repudiation

Alberta’s NDP government released a fiscal update that looked rosy but is not, the BC NDP government created an electoral reform survey to sway opinion despite appearing “neutral”, and we cover Finance Minister Morneau’s continuing clash with ethics.

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Duration: 36:15
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• As economy improves, Alberta’s NDP government says it’s time to cut spending
• Mike Smyth: NDP and Greens stack the deck in referendum vote
• Bill Morneau threatens to take Tories to court over ethics allegations
• Word of the Week: Ethics