Western Context

Canada’s federal court overturns the TikTok ban, BC will revise its First Nations DRIPA legislation, and the US is looking at Alberta’s independence movement with interest. Also, Carney’s Davos speech sends a political shockwave across the world.

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“Today I will talk about a rupture in the world order, the end of a pleasant fiction and the beginning of a harsh reality, where geopolitics, where the large, main power is submitted to no limits, no constraints.” – Prime Minister Mark Carney’s opening to his speech in Davos on the changing geopolitical structure of the world.

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

• Canada’s TikTok operations ban overturned by Federal Court
• Support us on Patreon
• B.C. will revise DRIPA legislation to scale back court power over Indigenous rights, Eby says
• MAGA has its sights on Alberta
• Carney’s Davos speech highlights that it is Liberal rhetoric that doesn’t match reality
• Word of the Week: Hegemony

David Eby backtracks on indigenous reconciliation, Alberta’s job creation lowers unemployment, and the CRA spends $18M on a chatbot that doesn’t work. Also, another floor crossing shows the importance of foreign interference coverage.

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“Without regard to party lines—to safeguard the democratic election system we cherish and respect. Even if existing laws permit party-switching, the world is watching—especially countries that, under authoritarian rule, are denied democratic elections. They are observing whether Canada still has the resolve to defend democracy.” – Joe Tay, former Conservative candidate for Don Valley North on foreign interference and floor crossings.

Duration: 1:10:23
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Eby plans $150 million in loan guarantees for Cowichan land owners
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• Three month job-creation spree drives significant plunge in Alberta unemployment rate
• The CRA spent $18M on ‘Charlie,’ a new tax information chatbot that is wrong most of the time
• Ex-Conservative MP Michael Ma crosses floor to join Carney Liberals
• Word of the Week: must

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

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• 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

The BC Coastal Gaslink pipeline undergoes more disruptions, the federal carbon tax will not save Albertans money, and Trudeau’s facial hair dominates the media. Also, we discuss the tragedy of UIA Flight 752, and the leadup to the deadly aviation disaster.

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Duration: 47:02
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Work must stop on Trans Mountain, Site C, LNG pipeline until First Nations approval, UN committee says
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• Alberta gets a new carbon tax Jan. 1 — but that could be good news for your wallet
• Statesman, ‘daddy’ or dud: Justin Trudeau’s new beard ignites social media
• Iran plane crash: Western powers suggest missile downed jet
• Word of the Week: Crash

We look into the results of the election on Monday leading to a hung parliament, and the growing discontent in the West known as Wexit. Also, BC implements a bill recognizing UNDRIP, and Alberta tables it’s budget forecasting a return to balance.

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Duration: 1:01:32
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Trudeau wins most seats in Monday’s election
• Western Separatism Rises and Jason Kenney’s Response
• Support us on Patreon
• B.C. tables historic Indigenous rights bill in move to implement UN declaration
• Alberta 2019 Budget
• Word of the Week: Wexit

UCP policy intends to bring power to the grassroots, BC commits to UNDRIP legislation, and most Canadians worry about fake news and distrust their media. Also, new details emerge on the SNC Lavalin scandal that cause Trudeau to change his story.

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Duration: 48:25
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• UCP would ban easy floor crossing, introduce recall legislation
• B.C. makes ambitious commitment to UNDRIP in throne speech
• Support us on Patreon
• Most Canadians trust media, but a similar share worry about fake news being weaponized: survey
• Jody Wilson-Raybould resigns from Trudeau’s cabinet, retains counsel amid SNC-Lavalin affair
• Word of the Week: Grassroots

A First Nations group rejects Trudeau’s tanker ban, Victoria councillors want to curtail Christmas decorations for diversity, and Alberta jobs get hit by a wild StatsCan margin of error. Also, we detail the censorship scandal of Baby It’s Cold Outside.

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Duration: 46:44
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• First Nations coalition calls for rejection of Trudeau tanker ban, plans to file UN complaint
• Victoria councillors look to reduce Christmas decorations, broaden diversity
• Support us on Patreon
• The federal fantasy of 23,700 new Alberta jobs
• After #MeToo, a culture war crescendos over ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’
• Word of the Week: progressive