News and analysis from the Western Standard team along with special guests

Federal pipeline policies, net-zero electricity, and immigration growth hobble Alberta; Erika Barootes cuts through the messaging and asks, 'Was that the plan all along?'

Derek Fildebrandt, Dave Naylor, Cory Morgan, and Nigel Hannaford discuss Matt Jeneroux's floor crossing to the Liberals and its impact on Parliament's balance of power. They question mainstream media claims dismissing any pattern in recent transgender-identified shootings, and examine backlash over Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides displaying the Alberta flag on Flag Day.

Cory talks about how Canada's bureaucracies need reforms if immigration is to be brought into control.

Tonight we examine Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to rebuild Canada's Armed Forces and dramatically boost defence spending. Former Harper adviser Roy Rempel joins us to assess whether those ambitions are realistic, questioning strategy, capability gaps, and whether Ottawa has the political will to follow through.

Derek Fildebrandt, Dave Naylor, Cory Morgan, and Nigel Hannaford examine the RCMP's handling of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, question legacy media silence, and debate the political fallout surrounding gender ideology and gun control. They also reflect on the 20th anniversary of Stephen Harper's first election victory and what his legacy means for Canada today.

Cory talks about how DEI and indigenous policies are having the opposite effect of that proponents claim.

Alberta must embrace nuclear power to avoid energy crisis, warns UK expert.

Derek Fildebrandt, Dave Naylor, Cory Morgan, and David Wiechnik examine the latest revelations from the Epstein files, assess Pierre Poilievre's familiar message at the Conservative AGM in Calgary, and discuss why Alberta independence is dominating political conversation across the country and why reactions to it have become so intense.

Cory talks about how the impression that Nenshi's NDP won't stand up to Ottawa is keeping Albertans from supporting his party.

Nigel Hannaford and David Knight-Legg dissect Prime Minister Mark Carney's Davos speech, arguing it was polished rhetoric without a practical roadmap for Canada's economic and security challenges. From China relations to energy policy and trade realities, they question whether Carney is delivering leadership or commentary at a critical moment for Canada.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Dave Naylor, Cory Morgan, and David Wiechnik examine Pierre Poilievre's leadership review ahead of the Conservative Party convention in Calgary, break down the historic Alberta independence rally and growing referendum push, and debate the absence of clear leadership on both the independence and federalist sides.

Cory talks about how the Liberals and legacy media have undercut the long and beneficial relationship with the USA for political gain.

Carney alienating the Left... political strategist predicts NDP comeback leading to Poilievre victory.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Dave Naylor, and Lindsay Wilson discuss the rising tensions around U.S. immigration enforcement and protests after multiple ICE-related shootings in Minneapolis, examine Mark Carney's China trade trip and “New World Order” remarks, and analyze the collapse of Alberta's Operation Total Recall and its implications.

Lindsay Wilson fills in for Cory Morgan this week as Alberta's independence debate has leapt from theory to paperwork as petitions circulate across the province. With Stay Free Alberta pushing for an independence referendum and Forever Canadian fighting to preserve the status quo, Albertans are being asked a question Ottawa has long tried to avoid: what kind of future do they want?

How AI is already stealing your secrets.. worse is to come and here's what you can do about it.

In this Western Standard interview, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck joins Chris Oldcorn to discuss key political and economic issues shaping the province — including pipelines, international trade, gun regulations, healthcare capacity, and affordability pressures. Beck outlines how the Saskatchewan NDP diverges from the federal party on energy and firearms policy, reaffirming support for pipelines and the oil and gas sector while rejecting federal gun registries and buybacks as out of touch with prairie agricultural culture. She also highlights concerns over canola tariffs and argues that provincial unity on U.S. and China trade missions is critical to protecting Saskatchewan's export markets. On domestic policy, Beck addresses ER closures, physician attrition, and ICU shortages, stressing the need to incorporate frontline feedback into healthcare system reform. She identifies cost-of-living pressures, rent controls, and reducing government waste as priority areas, arguing that many residents are falling behind financially and that provincial spending must deliver better value for taxpayers.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Corey Morgan, and Dave Naylor discuss the order for the Kamloops documents release, Mark Carney's pivot toward China amid U.S. pressure, and the Alberta independence movement gaining momentum.

Cory talks about how the recall initiatives were never realistic and are now failing as the deadline approaches.

In tonight's edition of Hannaford, Dr. Ron Wallace returns to review how US President Donald Trump threw Alberta's oilsands a curve, when he seized control of Venezuela's oil sales, removed from office the (illegitimate) president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro and by the way, executed a dramatic shift in global oil dynamics.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, and Cory Morgan break down Chrystia Freeland's divided allegiance, the capture of Nicolás Maduro, and what America's willingness to impose its power means for Canada and the world.

Cory talks about how UNDRIP has provided the basis for indigenous policies sinking Canada.

A new petition approved by Elections Alberta could put Alberta independence to a vote. Launched by the Alberta Prosperity Project, organizers must collect 177,732 signatures to trigger a referendum. Political scientist Barry Cooper of the University of Calgary joins The Hannaford Show to assess whether Alberta is heading toward a historic vote—or another warning shot to Ottawa.

Cory Morgan Show closes out 2025 with a hard, unfiltered look at the year that reshaped Canada—federal election fallout, Alberta independence momentum, free speech battles, crime, and global conflict. A candid newsroom round-table on what broke, what changed, and what lies ahead in 2026.

Toronto and Sydney are strikingly similar cities: liberal, multicultural metropolises with long-established Jewish communities and deep ties to Western democratic values. Yet people of Jewish faith feel safe in neither.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, and Cory Morgan break down the chaos inside B.C. conservative politics, the fallout from mass migration and rising antisemitic violence abroad, Danielle Smith's push for tougher provincial immigration controls, and the growing backlash against men competing in women's sports.

Cory talks about how race-based policies regarding indigenous people cause catastrophic social and economic havoc.

In a wide-ranging and at times combative interview on The Hannaford Show, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith vigorously defends her government's health-care restructuring and declares victory on federal energy files.

Cory Morgan, Dave Naylor, and Nigel Hannaford break down the Liberals' pipeline flip-flop, the surge of Alberta independence anger aimed at Premier Danielle Smith, and the growing backlash to Bill C-9's limits on religious expression. They also cover the PBO's sudden budget retreat and Peter Guthrie's takeover of the Alberta Party.

Cory talks about how Thomas Lukaszuk's efforts to spread inflammatory misinformation about the Alberta independence movement is dangerous.

Is technology is turning our kids into addicts? Short answer, in some cases, ‘yes.' More than 12 per cent of Canadian Is technology is turning our kids into addicts? Short answer, in some cases, ‘yes.' More than 12 per cent of Canadian teenage girls – almost one in eight – now show addiction-like symptoms in their relationship to their phones and social media. That looks like withdrawal, loss of control, emotional dependency – terms once associated more with substance abuse – but now increasingly used to describe the daily digital reality of young Canadians. Boys too, although they're likely into more violent fare. This, according to Robin Sherk, an Ontario-based parent volunteer with Unplugged Canada and tonight's guest on Hannaford.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan, and Jarryd Jaeger break down the collapse of BC Conservative leader John Rustad, the uproar inside the UCP over Danielle Smith's pipeline deal with Mark Carney, and the federal push behind Bill C-9 that could limit religious expression.

Cory talks about how no major projects will ever be competed if we pretend that indigenous consent is required.

Seven of nine anti-energy laws neutralized in a single day as Alberta trades carbon capture for policy concessions – leaving industry to wonder if the cost of victory is a $16-billion anchor.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, and Cory Morgan break down Danielle Smith's pipeline negotiations with Mark Carney, the backlash driving recall efforts against UCP MLAs, and a new documentary exposing the practice of late-term and live-birth abortions in Canada.

Cory talks about how union led efforts to flood the recall and referendum systems in Alberta may kill a good concept.

In this discussion with Nigel Hannaford, Johnston also weighs in on recent city controversies, including the raising of the Palestinian flag. While acknowledging the mayor's discretion, he stressed fairness and transparency.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan, and Will Barclay break down Alberta's use of the notwithstanding clause, a potential healthcare reform that could challenge the Canada Health Act, and how the federal budget ultimately passed in Parliament.

Cory talks about how the slow march to Marxism is speeding up as the government moves toward a UBI plan.

It's unbelievable. Canada now runs on two energy economies — one in the West, burdened by costly “net-zero” regulations, and another in the East, fuelled by billions of dollars' worth of imported foreign oil untouched by such rules.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, and Cory Morgan are joined by Will Barclay to discuss the controversy at the University of Calgary over painting over the Palestinian flag, Ottawa's plan to turn bureaucrats into part-time soldiers, and growing attacks on Pierre Poilievre's leadership.

Cory talks about how giving unfettered authority to native reserves while not applying any responsibility to them is creating a disaster.

This latest budget risks triggering a new round of inflation through excessive borrowing and a weak follow-through on policies supposedly intended to foster growth. video Thus, economist Dr. Tim Sargent, Director of Domestic Policy at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, with extensive government experience at the deputy minister level. Appearing on Hannaford tonight, Sargent says the Carney government deserves credit for at least recognizing Canada's core economic problems, short-term trade disruptions caused by U.S. protectionism, and a long-term productivity crisis rooted in poor private-sector investment.

erek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford and Cory Morgan are joined by Elise Mills to discuss the Liberals' growing majority through floor crossings, the federal government's record-breaking budget and Alberta unions launching a “total recall” campaign against UCP MLAs.

Cory talks about how the work from the Alberta Prosperity Project and Thomas Luksaszuk makes it clear Albertan's want to put independence to a vote.

Expectations are grim for next week's budget, the Carney government's first — and indeed, the first Canada has seen in more than 18 months: a record deficit, limited room to manoeuvre, and what the prime minister himself has warned will require “sacrifice” (from Canadians, of course...) But according to political strategist Yaroslav Baran, this week's guest on The Hannaford Show, Canadians should prepare for something stranger than mere belt-tightening.

Tony Keller, columnist for The Globe and Mail and author of Borderline Chaos: How Canada Got Immigration Right and Then Wrong, joins Western Standard's Derek Fildebrandt to dissect how Canada's once-admired immigration model went off course. Keller explains how temporary migration exploded under the Trudeau government, the economic and social fallout that followed, and why restoring border control and public confidence is key to avoiding the U.S.-style chaos now reshaping Western politics.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, and Cory Morgan are joined by Alise Mills to dissect Ford's costly U.S. ad blunder, the Alberta teachers' strike, and how a group of die-hard federalists may have accidentally sparked an independence vote.

Cory talks about how unions are out of control and it's time to facilitate worker choice.

Political advisor Patrick Poilievre tells Hannaford that Calgarians want reform – but apathy, bureaucratic bloat and city hall's unresponsive culture stand in the way.

Derek Fildebrandt and Nigel Hannaford are joined by Alise Mills, and Lindsay Wilson, filling in for Cory Morgan on this week's episode of The Pipeline. The panel breaks down the results of Alberta's recent municipal elections and dives into the chaos surrounding the BC Conservatives.