Western Context

Conservative MP Michael Chong gets targeted by China, David Eby’s actions don’t match his words, and many Alberta ridings could produce surprising results. Also, the single use plastics ban may have papered over our environmental problems.

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“I think everyone is aware of the saying that forests are the lungs of our planet and so this is a really critical moment and we need to take steps to keep forests standing, rather than increase the pressures on them to provide the fibre for bags, pizza boxes, cutlery and straws.” – Nicole Rycroft, founder and executive director of Canopy, an environmental non-profit.

Duration: 1:00:20
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• CSIS report on MP being targeted by China sent to PM’s national-security adviser, Chong says
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• In the next 10 years, B.C. will need to fill 1M job openings’: Premier David Eby
• Riding Profile Edmonton-Decore
• Paper can’t be a solution to plastic waste’: Canadian environmentalists warn about the rise in single-use paper products
• Word of the Week: Straw

Alberta is Calling for people to move to the province, electoral redistricting could see Toronto lose a seat, and the BCGEU strike forces rationing at BC liquor stores. Also, the Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem blames worker wages for inflation.

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“Don’t build that into longer term contracts. Don’t build that into wage contracts. It is going to take some time, but you can be confident that inflation will come down.” – Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem on inflation and wages.

Duration: 47:51
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Alberta Is Calling
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• Pressure mounts on B.C. government as public sector strike drags on
• ‘I think it’s outrageous’: Riding redistribution would cut one Toronto MP from the House of Commons
• Union leaders frustrated by Bank of Canada’s advice for companies not to adjust wages to inflation
• Word of the Week: Riding

The BC election sees a majority for Horgan and disaster for Wilkinson, an Alberta health strike gets miscovered, and Trudeau gets scrutinized on his pandemic response. Also, expensive waffles, ice and newspapers are a few of the items Trudeau splurged on.

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Duration: 54:57
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• The Autopsy of Dr. Andrew Wilkinson’s Leadership of the BC Liberals
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• Health-care workers walk off the job in wildcat strikes across Alberta
• Trudeau loses motion — a reminder he leads a minority government
• $285 waffles, $412 hot towels, $23,000 catering on Trudeau’s luxurious private jet
• Word of the Week: Alienation

Big changes for ICBC go unreported, the Alberta Federation of Labour lists pro-UCP businesses to boycott (or support), and Seamus O’Regan’s careless words cost taxpayers over $200k. Also, the Liberals and NDP have entered into an informal leftist coalition.

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Duration: 46:49
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• B.C. Liberal government would end ICBC monopoly, Wilkinson says
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• AFL launches website for Albertans who want to boycott the businesses who bankroll the UCP
• Government spent more than $213K defending Seamus O’Regan in small claims court
• Liberals, NDP vote to shut down Conservatives’ renewed push to examine WE affair
• Word of the Week: Coalition

The federal debt hits $1.2T with $343b spent just this past year, a tug of war arises in BC over police street checks, and a UCP bill reverts power given to unions by the NDP. Also, Trudeau and his finance minister engage in yet another ethics scandal.

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Duration: 1:00:55
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• The challenge of our lifetime’: Federal deficit to hit $343 billion this year
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• More than 70 organizations sign open letter calling for ban on police street checks in B.C.
• Union picketing and political campaigning curbed under proposed Alberta bill
• Maybe we should have been looking at WE Charity earlier
• Word of the Week: Snapshot

The Liberals attack decades ago beliefs on gay marriage, another ISIS supporter is released from prison, and Alberta and Quebec remain at odds on equalization. Meanwhile, Unifor throws away impartiality by campaigning against Andrew Scheer.

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Duration: 43:57
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Andrew Scheer urged to end ‘boycott’ of gay pride events after 2005 speech on same-sex marriage comes to light
• Toronto man who tried to join ISIS released from prison, official says
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• Equalization is part of the ‘original deal,’ and Quebec will fight to keep it, says premier Legault
• Unifor to run anti-Conservative ad campaign despite concerns of member journalists
• Word of the Week: Impartiality

Notley releases a carbon tax break for oil and gas, non-partisan officers of the BC Legislature are placed on leave, the media sector receives $595M from the federal government, and we explain the Canada Post strike and the effect unions have on society.

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Duration: 50:14
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

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• Rachel Notley unveils carbon tax break for oil and gas drilling companies
• Sergeant-at-arms, clerk at B.C. Legislature on leave amid criminal probe
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• Media sector gets $595-million package in Ottawa’s fiscal update
• Explainer: Canada Post Strike
• Word of the Week: Compliance

BC government projects requiring unions inflates cost, Canadians are united against the federal government’s carbon tax, and Trudeau’s nanny receive a wage increase. Also, the full story and unanswered questions regarding the Toronto Danforth shooting.

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Duration: 50:07
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• NDP rules could boost Pattullo Bridge replacement by $100 million
• Carbon conflict: two-thirds of Canadians say provinces should have the final say on pricing
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• Feds set wages for nanny caring for Justin Trudeau’s kids
• Islamic State claims responsibility for Toronto mass shooting, yet provides no evidence
• Word of the Week: union

Protesters clash at the Roxham Road illegal entry point and the media ignores it, an ISIS supporter fights deportation, and Alberta workers are tricked into joining unions. Meanwhile, one academic believes that the outdoors is too much of a white space.

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Duration: 44:50
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

Image Credit: Faith Goldy (Twitter)

• Far-right groups, counter-protesters rally over asylum seekers at Canada-U.S. border
• Man facing deportation from Canada says terror accusation resulted in PTSD
• Corbella: Workers and employer go to court to fight union trickery and Alberta’s new labour law
• Canada’s ‘adventure gap’: Why it doesn’t makes sense for the great outdoors to be such a white space
• Word of the Week: Deportation

A Majority of Canadians are okay with Liberal deficits? We’ll have the run down on why this is bad and why it may not be true. Also, uneven media coverage in Saskatchewan and a first hand account of why refugees are coming illegally to Canada.

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Duration: 35:37
Hosts: Shane and Patrick

• Majority of Canadians okay with Liberal deficits: survey
• The ‘best government money can buy’: How B.C.’s donor system is at odds with most of Canada
• Labour strife continues as hundreds protest proposed government cuts
• Firing Line: This is Canada’: Afghan refugee in Vancouver, fled U.S. to ‘be safe over here’
• Word of the Week: Poll