Western Context

The Carney Liberals ram the lawful access bill through the House of Commons, the BC NDP fires the Massey Tunnel contractor, and Albertans will receive a $100 energy rebate. Also, Canada tariffs canned vegetables at 10%.

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“The decision is made. It’s the project the region wanted. We are building a tunnel. That’s it.” – BC Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth on the George Massey tunnel replacement boondoggle.

Duration: 1:16:34
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Minister says MPs must ‘choose’ victims by fast-tracking lawful access bill
• Support us on Patreon
• European contractor to build new George Massey Tunnel fired by B.C. government
• About 3.4 million Albertans will receive $100 energy rebate from provincial government
• Canada imposes 10% tariff on canned vegetables, excludes U.S., others
• Word of the Week: Diversion

Alberta conducts its municipal elections, a BC ostrich farm fights a cull order, and GM is ending electric van production in Ontario. Also, Doug Ford’s anti-tariff ad elicits a strong US response.

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“Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. We’ve achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels.” – Ontario Premier Doug Ford on the ‘success’ of his government’s US ad campaign.

Duration: 1:01:41
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta municipal elections 2025
• Support us on Patreon
• Third arrest made in connection with B.C. ostrich farm
• GM to end electric van production at CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ont.
• Trump calls off trade talks with Canada over Ontario’s anti-tariff ad
• Word of the Week: Cull

The Liberals split their border bill into two, Alberta continues its health care reforms, and Vancouver apologizes for hosting a Harry Potter event. Also, Carney meets with Trump but returns with no trade deal.

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“I think they’re going to walk away very happy. We’re going to especially treat Canada fairly. The people of Canada will love us again, most of them still do, I think — they love us.” – US President Donald Trump on the future Canada/US relationship.

Duration: 54:57
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Conservatives won’t support Liberal border bill without major changes
• Support us on Patreon
• Premier Danielle Smith instructs health ministers to improve wait times, transition non-acute patients out of hospital
• ‘This will not happen again’: Vancouver Park Board apologizes for hosting Harry Potter event
• Trump says ‘Canada will love us again’ — but there’s still no deal on tariffs after Carney meeting
• Word of the Week: Outrage

The Air Canada strike has been resolved, Pierre Poilievre is easily elected in rural Alberta, and a popular BC provincial park is closed to non-First Nations for a month. Also, Mark Carney drops retaliatory tariffs on the US.

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“You drop the gloves in the first period — when you’re late in the game, dropping the gloves and taking the extra penalty might not be the best thing to do.” – Mark Carney’s hockey metaphor on the recent trade developments with the US.

Duration: 1:04:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Take our Western Context 2025 Summer Survey
• Air Canada operations remain suspended amid federal government intervention
• Support us on Patreon
• Poilievre wins Alberta byelection, securing return to House of Commons
• First Nations say 1-month closure of Joffre Lakes Park not long enough
• Canada to drop many retaliatory tariffs in olive branch to Trump
• Word of the Week: Penalty

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
• Support us on Patreon
• 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

BC invests in a major LNG project, an Alberta petition wants to see the province stay Canadian, and Poilievre’s byelection sees over 200 candidates. Also, US tariffs increase while the government is on vacation.

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“Canada will win this race and we will diversify our markets because of our Canadian values. And those are on display on this project right here at Cedar LNG.” – BC Premier David Eby on BC’s drive to develop LNG exports.

Duration: 1:00:27
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. government accused of ‘greenwashing’ as it announces $200M to electrify LNG project
• Support us on Patreon
• Petition for referendum to ensure Alberta remains in Canada approved by Elections Alberta
• Write-in ballots to be used in Alberta byelection due to record number of candidates
• Trump increases tariff on Canada to 35% from 25%, cites fentanyl
• Word of the Week: Polispeak

We discuss Mark Carney’s cabinet picks, controversies, and regional representation. We also look at BC’s faltering union negotiations and Canada’s silent removal of US tariffs. Also, the one vote difference in Terrebonne could have lasting impacts.

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“These numbers are real. This is not a short-term financial crisis. We have a systemic deficit that we have to adjust. If we don’t adjust, it will go on in perpetuity.” – BC’s Deputy Finance Minister Douglas Scott on the province’s debt ballooning to over $100 billion.

Duration: 56:46
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Carney’s Cabinet Controversies
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• Contract talks stalled as B.C. pleads poverty with its main union
• Canada’s new tariffs on U.S. drop to ‘nearly zero’ with exemptions
• Liberals won Terrebonne, Que., riding by 1 vote — but this woman’s Bloc ballot wasn’t counted
• Word of the Week: Perpetuity

China is imposing tariffs on Canadian canola, Danielle Smith has a list of national unity demands, and David Eby continues his trade crusade against the US. Also, we look at Canada’s unhappiness and the idea of a lost decade.

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“Two can play this game. So, Canada, you don’t want to mess with Alaska. If you do, we’re going to work hard on having our cruise ships bypass your ports, and that’ll help our economy tremendously. It’ll help our tourism industry tremendously, and it’ll really hurt their tourism. They’re playing a dangerous game here. I hope they back down.” – Alaskan Senator Dan Sullivan on BC Premier David Eby’s proposal to toll Alaska trucks.

Duration: 1:03:37
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• China is imposing 100% tariffs on Canadian canola
• Support us on Patreon
• Protecting Alberta from unconstitutional federal overreach
• Alaska senator threatens to halt cruise ships from coming to B.C.
• A lost decade under the Liberals
• Word of the Week: Dumping

BC’s safe supply is being trafficked, Alberta wants to investigate AHS, and 50,000 international students are unaccounted for. Also, the tariff threat is being used as a political wedge by the Trudeau Liberals and mainstream media.

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“There are indications here that this is a program that is exploiting the most vulnerable people in our province by enabling a system whereby people with severe addictions are being used for profit by some bad actors in pharmacies, housing and health care. And frankly, it’s disgusting.” – BC Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko on news of trafficking of BC’s ‘safe supply’ prescription drugs.

Duration: 1:04:13
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. investigating ‘significant’ prescribed opioid diversion
• Support us on Patreon
• NDP demand probes into corruption claims in Alberta health contracts
• 20,000 Indian students didn’t show up to class after arriving in Canada. What happened to them?
• Trudeau and Sheinbaum Took Different Routes to a Tariff Deal
• Word of the Week: Tariff

Pierre Poilievre promises to reverse Trudeau’s capital gains tax changes, David Eby has cancelled BC’s promised grocery rebate, and Danielle Smith is vilified in Canada for standing up for Alberta. Also, Canada is somehow importing sanctioned Russian oil.

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“It’s very clear that Russian crude is prohibited from being imported into Canada. It’s also very clear that non-crude Russian oil products are prohibited from entering into Canada. What is not clear is … the use of Russian crude imports that then get processed and finished by a third country.” – William Pellerin, international trade lawyer at McMillan LLP on Russian oil imports entering Canada despite sanctions.

Duration: 1:00:47
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Poilievre pledges to reverse Liberals’ capital gains tax changes if elected
• Support us on Patreon
• $1,000 grocery rebate cheques may be on chopping block in efficiency review
• Alberta government’s diplomatic efforts to avert tariffs a high-wire act, political watchers say
• Banned Russian oil is coming to Canada
• Word of the Week: Sadomasochism