Western Context

The TFW program faces further scrutiny, the BCGEU goes on strike, and the Edmonton School Board bans more books than required. Also, the federal NDP are limiting nominations from straight white males.

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“I think what the NDP has to do is do a really good navel-gazing. Are we talking about the right issues that are affecting kitchen tables in Oshawa or Trois-Rivières or Kamloops? Are we really understanding what working people are going through? I’m looking forward to the discussion in our party to see if we can reorient ourselves so we can tell workers, ‘We get you; we’ve got policies that will make your lives better.’” – Interim NDP leader Don Davies on the NDP’s relationship with the working class.

Duration: 58:54
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Take our Western Context 2025 Summer Survey
• Poilievre calls for temporary foreign worker program to be scrapped
• Support us on Patreon
• BCGEU issues 72-hour strike notice after 93% vote to back job action
• Danielle Smith is right, the board is wrong in stupid book ban fight…
• The NDP leadership is underway — and the party is limiting signatures from ‘cis’ men
• Word of the Week: Exploitative

The Conservatives aim to curb home invasions, the US is selling Canadian LNG to Europe, and Alberta looks at nuclear energy. Also, the Carney government has already blown past its 2025 immigration targets.

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“I think there was a view prior to a few years ago that the need for natural gas would be relatively minor and relatively short-term. I think what we all realize post-Ukraine, post what’s happening with AI, that natural gas is going to be a transition fuel that’s in greater demand in Germany and for a longer period of time. Canada has the opportunity to be a great partner to Germany in that regard.” – Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson on the so-called changes enabling LNG development.

Duration: 59:29
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Take our Western Context 2025 Summer Survey
• Poilievre pushes law change to allow deadly force against home intruders
• Support us on Patreon
• The Americans are selling Canadian natural gas to Europe at a profit
• Alberta government opens public engagement on nuclear energy
• Liberals are already missing their promised lower immigration targets
• Word of the Week: Power

A senator looks at lowering Canada’s voting age, the average Canadian family pays 42.3% of income on tax, and a couple former MLAs join the Alberta Party. Also, several Quebec corporations sue the federal government over TFW changes.

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“At a time when the cost of living is top of mind across the country, taxes remain the largest household expense for Canadian families. While Canadians can decide for themselves whether or not they get good value for their tax dollars, they should understand how much they pay in taxes each year.” – Jake Fuss, director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute on the overall tax burden on Canadian families continuing to rise.

Duration: 1:01:03
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Lowering Canada’s voting age to 16 is her ‘top parliamentary priority,’ senator says
• Support us on Patreon
• Average Canadian family spent 42.3% of income on taxes in 2024: study
• Ex-UCP MLAs to join, rebrand Alberta Party instead of rebooting Progressive Conservatives from scratch
• 23 Quebec business owners launch $300 million lawsuit over temporary foreign worker permits
• Word of the Week: Suppression

Kevin Falcon suspends BC United’s election campaign, Trudeau appoints more partisan Liberals to the Senate, and Liberal staffers pull support from the byelection campaigns. Also, Trudeau announces a reduction in temporary foreign workers.

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“I don’t know what metaphor to use here, whether it’s a bandwagon or whether it’s a snowball rolling downhill or what it is, but he jumped on it. John’s got a very successful, emerging, boisterous brand – the Conservative brand – without having to really do anything.” – Former BC Liberal cabinet minister Bill Bennett on the groundswell of support for the BC Conservatives.

Duration: 1:02:44
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Kevin Falcon to fold BC United Party, suspend campaign
• Support us on Patreon
• Albertans Kristopher Wells and Daryl Fridhandler appointed to Senate
• Liberal staffers pull support for party in Montreal byelection, citing government’s stance on Gaza
• Trudeau announces reduction in temporary foreign workers, suggests more immigration changes to come
• Word of the Week: Moribund

The CBC pays out huge bonuses while cutting jobs, a Victoria firefighter gets suspended for a letter to the BC Premier, and the Alberta NDP broke leadership election financing rules. Also the UN likens Canada’s TFW program to modern slavery.

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“While Canadians struggle to afford basic necessities like food and rent, CBC executives are rewarding themselves with massive bonuses despite their failing performance. End the madness. Recall the committee. Defund the CBC.” – Conservative MP Rachael Thomas on the increasing bonuses of CBC executives.

Duration: 56:15
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• CBC paid more than $18-million in bonuses in 2024 after eliminating hundreds of jobs, documents show
• Support us on Patreon
• Victoria firefighter suspended for letter to B.C. premier criticizing homeless facility plan
• NDP broke election finance rules during leadership race
• ‘Chickens have come home to roost’: Mounting criticism over Canada’s low-wage temporary foreign worker program
• Word of the Week: Bonus