Ballsy Throne Speeches and Banned Books

This week on The Discourse, Cheryl and Erika take you inside one of the most politically packed weeks in Canada—from royal pageantry to banned books to the high-stakes First Ministers' Meeting. 🫅 The King Reads the Script. Carney Steals the Show. For the first time since 1977, the monarch delivers Canada's Speech from the Throne. Cheryl and Erika break down the symbolism, the strategy, and whether Carney’s curtain-raising moment can carry him through a budget delay. 📚 Book Bans or Political Spin? Alberta’s government announces it's pulling “sexually explicit” books from schools. Erika says it's about protecting kids. Cheryl says it’s a smokescreen for censorship. Things get spicy. 🗳️ By-Elections Are On: Nenshi, Republicans, and Riding Realities Three Alberta by-elections are set. The NDP’s new leader is running. A separatist party is gaining steam. And conservatives are quietly eyeing gains in Edmonton. We name the ridings, the players, and the stakes. 🤝 First Ministers Meeting: Can Unity Survive the Photo Op? Western premiers show surprising alignment on economic corridors—but can that consensus hold in front of the cameras in Ottawa? Cheryl reflects on what’s real, what’s spin, and who’s most likely to break ranks for a soundbite. 💸 Travel Budget Blowback A million-dollar increase in government travel—Erika wants to see ROI. Cheryl wants accountability. Both agree: this is one story that could snowball if the receipts aren’t tight.