Western Context

Reusable bags aren’t actually helping the environment, Edmonton looks at 15 minute cities, and John Rustad wants to end ICBC’s monopoly. Also, the House of Commons stalls over the Liberal’s money mismanagement.

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“The ban on plastic straws has been nothing but a nuisance for families and businesses across B.C. It hasn’t achieved any significant environmental goals, but it has certainly made life worse for people.” – BC Conservative leader John Rustad on single use plastics.

Duration: 1:00:15
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• We’re drowning in reusable bags. Are bag profits preventing big grocers from adopting solutions?
• Support us on Patreon
• New district policy, plans including 15-minute cities concept OK’d by Edmonton city council
• John Rustad Announces Plan to End ICBC Monopoly and Bring Fair, Competitive Car Insurance to BC
• RCMP says there are ongoing investigations into ‘green slush fund’ as House is ‘ground to a halt’
• Word of the Week: Slush fund

We uncover more about foreign influence in Canada, Edmonton city council votes to increase property taxes, and yet another Trudeau cabinet minister breaks ethics rules. Also, Canada is banning single use plastics, but will it really help the environment?

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“There is simply no excuse for contracting with a friend’s company. Ministers are expected to uphold the highest standards of accountability, including those set out in the Conflict of Interest Act. Complying with the act is a condition of appointment and employment for all public office holders.” – Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion on International Trade Minister Mary Ng’s ethics violation.

Duration: 58:24
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Help us out by taking our Fall 2022 Survey!
• Ottawa hears of ‘active foreign interference network’ in secret Privy Council Office memo
• Support us on Patreon
• Edmonton passes 5% tax increases; Cartmell calls it ‘very dangerous’ for affordability
• Trade Minister Mary Ng broke ethics rules over contract to friend, commissioner rules
• Phase 1 of Canada’s single-use plastics ban comes into effect this month. These are the products on the list
• Word of the Week: Waste

Canada’s premiers build unity against the carbon tax, Victoria’s plastic bag ban gets thrown in the trash, and Trudeau nominates an anti-pipeline candidate. Also, former Liberal minister John McCallum invites Chinese interference in our elections.

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Duration: 44:36
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trudeau visits Alberta pipeline site, says national unity is not under threat
• Victoria’s plastic bag ban quashed by B.C. court
• Support us on Patreon
• Trudeau says anti-pipeline candidate helps him hear ‘range of views’ — an absurd argument
• Beijing should avoid ‘punishing’ Canada over Huawei case, cautions Ottawa’s ex-ambassador to China
• Word of the Week: Interference

Elections Canada hires social media influencers to sway voters, the Alberta NDP want Pride to exclude not include, and BC NDP taxes are killing the forestry industry. Also, Trudeau bases his plastics ban on data from an American grade school project.

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Duration: 46:35
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Is Elections Canada biased toward the Liberals?
• Support us on Patreon
• NDP’s intolerant approach a blow to free speech, Pride celebration
• Closures, cuts at B.C. pulp and sawmills add to forestry job losses
• Ottawa announces plans to ban single-use plastics starting in 2021 at the earliest
• Word of the Week: Muzzling

Canada abstains on a UN resolution against the US. Victoria bans plastic bags, despite better alternatives, and the Alberta NDP decide to let themselves borrow $5b more money. Also, we conclude the year long investigation into Trudeau’s lack of ethics.

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Duration: 47:17
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Canada abstains as UN General Assembly backs resolution to nullify U.S. move on Jerusalem
• Ban on plastic bags to start in Victoria July 1 with range of fines
• Alberta government authorizes $37B in borrowing
• Justin Trudeau’s Bahamas vacation broke multiple ethics rules: commissioner
• Word of the Week: Borrow