Western Context - News from Alberta, BC, and Canada

The Liberals spend billions on a secure food strategy, Poilievre positions himself as Captain Unity in Alberta, and BC allows drivers knowledge tests to be taken online. Also, the teenager social media ban will have a lot more consequences for everyone. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:06:42 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Alberta looks at airport to downtown train corridors, the BC Conservatives elect Kerry-Lynne Findlay as their new leader, and Alberta rolls out a new surgery funding model for hospitals. Also, Carney addresses antisemitism with a new advisory council. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:05:20 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Canada makes a deal to export LNG to Germany, Carney’s inflight meals incur huge costs, and the Supreme Court decides Aboriginal title does not apply to private property. Also, Carney wants to help make America great again. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:05:20 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Liberal MPs are unhappy with Carney’s environmental policies, the CRTC is forcing streamers to pay even more tax, and the BC Conservative leadership race concludes soon to little fanfare. Also, Danielle Smith will bring her own referendum to Albertans. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:02:45 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Alberta and Ottawa continue to advance a west coast pipeline, VPNs could leave Canada over Bill C-22, and a judge quashes the Alberta separatist petition. Also, a CBC funded comedy show fakes interviews over residential schools. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:03:50 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Louise Arbour will be Canada’s new governor general, Chinese officials wanted to stop Vancouver’s Shen Yun performances, and Alberta’s electors list sees a data breach. Also, US Indigenous tribes are using BC’s DRIPA legislation to halt resource projects. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:14:17 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Carney looks at privatizing Canada’s airports, Trump approves a new pipeline from Alberta to Wyoming, and Vancouver’s Whitecaps may be forced to relocate. Also, Canada’s new sovereign wealth fund is not what the government makes it sound like. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:10:12 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

We look back at Mark Carney’s first year as Prime Minister, including his policies, governing style, and international trade trips. Also, we highlight the issues that remain in Canada and how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:19:43 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Three by-elections result in a new Liberal majority, the Liberals want to ban teens from social media, and David Eby backs down from proposed DRIPA changes. Also, the court system intervenes in Alberta's independence movement. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:07:43 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Carney avoids talking about forced labour in China, the Alberta government wants to remove politics from education, and a Vancouver Canucks reporter gets barred from the arena due to an unflattering article. Also, Avi Lewis is elected NDP leader. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:05:01 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The immigration ministry lets fraud go uninvestigated, the Pathways carbon capture project is being protested, and the BC NDP fail their own targets on approving mineral claims. Also, a tragic Air Canada crash gets pivoted to bilingualism by the Liberals. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 59:41 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Alberta introduces limitations to MAID, BC’s public transit plans get curtailed, and Edmonton’s police chief gets flack for a trip to Israel. Also, Poilievre’s appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast sends shockwaves through the mainstream media. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:08:26 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

A Nunavut floor crossing accompanies Arctic spending, an Alberta consumption site closure didn’t result in more deaths, and a BC MP is told to chillax on land acknowledgments. Also, Canada has lost 100,000 jobs in 2026 so far. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:23 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Carney resets relations with India, an Alberta oilsands giant halts its expansion plans, and a BC First Nation makes a set of deals with the federal government. Also, Carney doesn’t rule out Canadian military participation in the Middle East. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:01:17 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Canada’s Olympic performance falls short of its target, Alberta’s budget includes a deficit, and the BC NDP try to limit freedom of information requests. Also Eastern Canada imports Australian LNG. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:11 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Matt Jeneroux crosses the floor to the Liberals, BC’s budget includes tax hikes and high debt, and Alberta looks at a referendum on immigration. Also, Carney’s international trade rebellion is not quite what it seems. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:11:26 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Tumbler Ridge, BC experiences tragedy, the University of Alberta moves to remove DEI policies, and the Supreme Court overturns Elections Canada’s result in Terrebonne. Also, Canada is on track to miss every climate target possible. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:01:49 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Stephen Harper’s portrait unveiling shows a media turnaround, a Canadian heritage website was almost lost entirely, and the people behind Alberta’s recalls are unveiled. Also, some Vancouver councillors want to ban ICE during the FIFA World Cup games. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:02:15 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.