Western Context - News from Alberta, BC, and Canada

Carney promises that Canada will meet NATO’s 2% target, BC Ferries selects a Chinese shipyard to build new vessels, and Danielle Smith says no to new Alberta national parks. Also, CBC’s immigration fraud story sheds light on our still high intake numbers. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:08:05 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The Premiers meeting shows hope for the future, zoning bylaws divide Edmonton’s council, and David Eby rejects any notion of a second oil pipeline. Also, the Strong Borders Act may be more about internet privacy. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 59:11 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

King Charles reads the throne speech, the federal recounts are finally done, and Alberta is ensuring age appropriate material in school libraries. Also, BC’s drug crisis is getting even worse. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 55:14 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

We look back on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s time in office, including his greatest hits, scandals, and all of the dumb things he said or did over the past 10 years. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:07:31 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

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. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:46 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The federal NDP are asking for official party status, the Alberta UCP are navigating an independence movement, and the BC NDP’s fast tracking legislation hits some hurdles. Also Parkland Fuels may be bought by an American company. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 54:38 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

We discuss the federal election results including the NDP’s woes, Conservative’s gains and Carney’s eventual win. We look at how the results matter for BC and Alberta, and also Niagara Falls’ unchecked immigration problems. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:03:28 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Another report details repressive foreign interference in Canada, an Alberta farmer is arrested for overselling eggs, and the Conservatives release their 100 day platform. Also Mark Carney changes his story on Trump’s phone call. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:02:26 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

A Liberal candidate invited Chinese influence into the campaign, Carney’s platform puts Canada further into debt, and a new Alberta addictions plan looks at involuntary treatment. Also, Liberal staffers spread disinformation buttons. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:06:22 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Mark Carney makes a confusing statement about Israel and Hamas, the US is going to hike softwood lumber duties again, and Alberta wants to change healthcare to an activity-based model. Also, the Liberals’ ties to China are growing more concerning. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:04:02 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

We talk about the reliability of polls, Mark Carney pledges $150M to the CBC, and the Liberals refuse to repeal Bill C-69. Also, BC’s carbon tax is reluctantly scrapped by the NDP at the last minute. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:02:08 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

We talk about the rise of precarity in Canada, Edmonton’s mayor Amarjeet Sohi is running for the federal Liberals, and David Eby partially backs down from his undemocratic bill. Also, we look at the relationship between Mark Carney’s assets and China. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:09:44 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

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. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:03:37 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Mark Carney wins the Liberal leadership race, Alberta makes a deal with Japan on LNG, and David Eby wants to give himself unchecked powers. Also, Carney sets the carbon tax to $0 on day 1. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:06:56 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Trudeau announces a high speed rail network right before he resigns, Carney’s financial policies get lambasted by economists, and BC’s throne speech says very little on the future. Also, the Liberals want to double CBC funding. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:04:21 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Poilievre pledges to increase our Arctic footprint, Carney wants to rebrand the carbon tax, and the BC NDP cancels the planned grocery rebate. Also, the anniversary of the flag brings a renewal of Canada first. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 57:41 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

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. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:04:13 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Trudeau plans to stack the Senate before resigning, a Victoria school board is fired by the BC NDP, and Calgary reluctantly approves the UCP’s Green Line plan. Also, the final report into foreign interference is released by Justice Hogue. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:01:08 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

BC forecasts a huge deficit while renegotiating union contracts, Jasper’s rebuild runs into federal red tape, and the RCMP buys unusable Chinese drones for the border. Also, Mark Carney’s climate history may show us his future plans. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 54:57 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

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. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:00:47 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Justin Trudeau announces his resignation while proroguing Parliament, the University of Alberta is moving away from DEI, and John Rustad highlights problems with the BC election. Also, Donald Trump’s remarks cause Canadians to reflect inward. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:03:09 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

We look at 2024’s news stories, including a BC election, the arrival of Alberta municipal parties, and Justin Trudeau’s purposeful immigration policies. We also go over our favourite pictures, quotes, words and episodes of the year. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:22:14 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Canada proposes a new border plan, a BC lawsuit highlights the problems with assisted death, and Alberta delivers a new Green line plan for Calgary’s LRT. Also, Chrystia Freeland resigns from cabinet before the economic statement showed a $61.9B deficit. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:00:33 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

A potential rift in the BC Conservatives is overblown by the media, The UCP want to strengthen power generation, and 30,000 people are unaccounted for by CBSA. Also, Alberta makes plans to secure the border. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:23 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Air Canada will now charge for carry-on bags, Alberta is scaling back photo radar, and the police no longer support decriminalization in BC. Also, former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says we may be in an actual recession. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 54:02 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The Trudeau Liberals give Canadians a 2 month GST holiday, Alberta is looking at a different auto insurance approach, and BC Ferries is looking to raise fares by 30%. Also, Trump tariffs cause chaos in the Canadian media. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:05:16 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Former BC Premier John Horgan passes away from cancer, Edmonton asks for feedback on a single use plastics bylaw, and Canada Post workers go on strike. Also, Steven Guilbeault proposes a global shipping carbon tax. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 58:38 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Canada bans TikTok operations but not the app, Alberta slams Trudeau’s deranged emissions cap, and BC’s forestry sector faces new challenges. Also, Donald Trump's election win will make things interesting for Canada. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:00:24 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Alberta amends the Bill of Rights, BC’s election result shows a tenuous NDP majority, and the Trudeau Liberals spent $2M on podcasts. Also, several elected officials get named as beneficiaries of foreign interference. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:00:22 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The BC election results are still in limbo, the Alberta Pathways Alliance has high hopes for carbon capture, and Trudeau laments that he didn’t get the balance quite right on immigration. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:05:10 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Alberta launches a national ad campaign, the BC Conservatives released their platform just days before the election, and Trudeau says he knows who is involved in foreign interference. Also, Canada expels Indian diplomats. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 59:57 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

A misleading article defends Eby’s crime record, capital gains tax increases yield less revenue than expected, and TD bank is fined billions in the US for money laundering. Also, Canadian doctors now have to be on the lookout for scurvy. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 58:54 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Reusable bags aren’t actually helping the environment, Edmonton looks at 15 minute cities, and John Rustad wants to end ICBC’s monopoly. Also, the House of Commons stalls over the Liberal’s money mismanagement. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:00:15 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Border crossings from Canada to the US are on the rise, Steven Guilbeault is under fire for the Jasper fire response, and Seaspan lobbies for ferries to be built in BC. Also, the foreign interference issue gets completely ignored. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 51:31 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The federal by-elections deal another loss to Trudeau’s Liberals, the BC election campaign officially starts, and Alberta is investing in new schools. Also, involuntary care becomes David Eby’s newest policy reversal. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 57:11 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The BC NDP flip flop on the carbon tax, Alberta doesn’t want any more asylum seekers, and the DND spends almost $40m on sleeping bags that don’t work. Also, a new feminist report on space exploration raises eyebrows. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 55:51 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Jagmeet Singh pulls the plug on the supply and confidence deal, The Tyee compares the BC Conservatives to Donald Trump, and the UCP pulls funding from Calgary’s Green Line. Also, Canada may be susceptible to social unrest. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:00:02 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

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. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:02:44 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

A railway strike threatens Canada’s infrastructure, a $9M condo is bought for Tom Clark, and anti-semitic threats on synagogues are on the rise. Also, organized crime may have infiltrated CBSA. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 53:11 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

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. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:15 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Calgary’s water system may be worse than expected, Poilievre wants tariffs on Chinese EVs and metals, and the UCP has issues with the popularity of their special projects. Also, BC’s affordable housing program is not actually about affordable housing. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:19 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

A terror plot in Toronto gets thwarted, BC United wants to put their former name on the ballot, and Calgary’s Green line is more expensive and shorter than planned. Also, Harjit Sajjan lobbied to get soldiers to participate in a pop concert. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 54:22 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The BC Tree Fruits cooperative shutting down spells disaster for farmers, Corus cuts hundreds of media jobs, and US senators are worried about Canada’s Gaza refugees. Also, Jasper burns as a result of bad forest management. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 57:25 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The Premiers’ meeting delivers a united message to Trudeau, the public service has grown far faster than Canada’s population, and John Rustad has a plan to fix BC’s healthcare crisis. Also, Randy Boissonnault is in hot water again. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 48:28 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Canada faces pressure at the NATO summit to up defence spending, Alberta faces an electricity shortage, and BC’s economy starts to stagnate. Also KFC Canada begins to sell halal chicken. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 55:39 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

3 years later Lytton still hasn't been rebuilt, the UK Labour election win shows lessons for Canada, and Poilievre promises to repeal the online harms bill. Also, Historica Canada deletes the John A MacDonald Heritage Minute. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 58:08 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The Conservatives win a by-election in Toronto, Naheed Nenshi is crowned Alberta NDP leader, and William Shatner swears a lot in an attack ad on fish farms. Also, Harjit Sajjan played politics with the Afghanistan evacuation. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 50:25 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Doug Ford calls for tariffs on Chinese EVs, an unknown group funds BC attack ads, and Bill C-59 reduces advertising transparency from companies. Also, Trudeau racks up a $223k catering bill on the Indo-Pacific trip. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 59:24 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

BC Premier David Eby is frustrated about immigration, a former Alberta NDP cabinet minister resigns, and Eby may join Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier against equalization. Also, Russian, US and Canadian warships all take a trip to Cuba. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 55:08 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The CRTC taxes 5% of streaming giants’ revenues, the UCP asks the public for input on auto insurance, and speed limit reductions in BC show the need for careful city planning. Also, Canadian parliamentarians could be compromised by foreign powers. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 52:51 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The Tk'emlups First Nation changes wording from mass graves to anomalies, conscription is proposed to fix Canada’s lack of patriotism, and Canada Post is losing around $1B annually. Also, Trudeau’s immigration policy is changing the future of Canada. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 57:14 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.