Western Standard News Update

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers Canada’s major projects office reportedly telling the United Arab Emirates the country is not ready for a $50-billion investment commitment. Naylor also looks at a group linked to former environment minister Steven Guilbeault calling for $275 million in e-bike rebates and vehicle retirement incentives, RCMP seeking a suspect in two indecent acts at Chestermere parks, and CMHC paying $31.7 million in bonuses amid Canada’s worsening housing affordability crisis.

In this Western Standard News Update, reporter Alyson Fraser covers an analysis showing voters outside Alberta and Saskatchewan supported left-of-centre parties at a higher rate than California, while Alberta and Saskatchewan remained Canada’s most conservative provinces. Fraser also looks at new $1-million cancer research grants in Alberta, a dramatic apartment electrical-room explosion in Tacoma, and an Abbotsford man convicted of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his wife.

In this Western Standard News Update, Leah Mushet covers Pierre Poilievre’s revamped Conservative shadow cabinet, branded as the party’s new affordability team, with Michael Chong named finance critic. Mushet also looks at Alberta preparing to submit its new oil pipeline proposal to the BC coast on Canada Day without a private proponent, and an Ontario judge criticizing the Canada Border Services Agency over its failure to deport a foreign national with a criminal record.

In this Western Standard News Update, reporter Leah Mushet covers flooding in Kananaskis that has triggered a state of local emergency and left some visitors temporarily unable to leave the area. Mushet also looks at Alberta’s $100-million plan to hire more teachers, educational assistants and support staff, as well as a BC homeowner who forced illegal dumpers to retrieve an old couch they tossed into the woods.

Dave Naylor breaks down the latest Western Standard news update, including falling oil prices that still may not bring relief at the pumps, the Canadian release of the banned migrant crime thriller Citizen Vigilante, Ottawa’s tougher penalties for copper theft targeting critical infrastructure, Canada’s World Cup team receiving a Peace Tower flag, and Statistics Canada staying quiet over an employee’s anti-Israel social media posts.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers breaking news that an Edmonton school janitor has been charged in a child sex exploitation investigation, Regina Police saying Islamic call-to-prayer loudspeakers meet city noise bylaw requirements, and the Edmonton Elks president calling the team’s rebrand from the Eskimos “disastrous.” Naylor also looks at the federal government renaming the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a census worker confrontation, and the latest on an Alberta suspect accused of killing a Montreal police officer.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers two RCMP officers shot in Melville, Saskatchewan while investigating an assault complaint, with both officers in hospital and a suspect arrested. Naylor also looks at Mark Carney’s nomination of Manitoba Chief Justice Glenn Joyal to the Supreme Court, the BC government’s $500,000 HeliJet bill between Vancouver and Victoria, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing his resignation.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers Alberta RCMP warning that convicted child sex offender Terry Haskell has been released in Red Deer and is considered a high risk to reoffend. Naylor also looks at Elizabeth May’s petition to have thermal coal blacklisted as toxic, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow declaring Jerkfest Day, Canada Post paying bonuses despite a $1.5-billion loss, and Frank Stronach being found guilty of two counts of sexual assault.

Dave Naylor breaks down the latest Western Standard News Update, including federal scientists travelling at taxpayer expense, a Senate committee calling for an independent bias audit of CBC News coverage, an Alberta senator raising safety concerns over the voters list, vandalism of a Terry Fox statue in Port Coquitlam, and a Western Standard exclusive on a Calgary teacher allegedly forced to visit a mosque and gurdwara as part of professional development while no churches were visited.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers a new Parliamentary Budget Officer report warning federal bureaucracy costs are set to rise by $10 billion to $79 billion, despite Mark Carney’s pledge to spend less. Naylor also looks at a new Angus Reid poll showing the BC Conservatives leading the NDP by 11 points, the Governor General cutting her clothing allowance after backlash over past spending, the Titan submersible operating without regulatory oversight, and two Edmonton junior high students charged over AI-generated sexual images of classmates.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers a declassified 1992 CSIS memo warning Canada’s refugee system could be exploited by Islamic extremists, federal figures showing overdose deaths rose during BC’s drug decriminalization and dropped after it ended, and a JCCF constitutional challenge over race-based closures at Joffre Lakes Park. Naylor also looks at a fatal Edmonton collision that killed a four-year-old girl, BC terminating the Massey Tunnel contractor agreement, and Mark Carney deepening Canada-Italy ties on critical minerals and defence.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers a Toronto police shooting involving a 12-year-old boy allegedly driving a stolen car, Mark Carney’s awkward tree-planting moment in Ireland, and video of UK police arresting a five-year-old boy during his father’s detention. Naylor also looks at oil prices falling after Trump announces an Iran deal, a new Ontario-UK critical minerals agreement, and RCMP health benefit costs hitting $1.1 billion amid high sick leave levels.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers new developments in a Belfast beheading incident after the victim was identified and a suspect appeared in court. Naylor also looks at RCMP warnings about a violent online group allegedly targeting children in British Columbia, new Liberal online safety bills, Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Wagner defending judicial independence amid Freedom Convoy bias questions, and nearly $300 million in unpaid foreign visitor health bills in BC and Alberta.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers an investigation into a cockpit imposter who allegedly flew Air Canada jets for 20 years without the proper licence, a 308% spike in Calgary overdoses compared to the same time last year, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling for calm after a violent road attack in Belfast. Naylor also looks at a defence contractor linked to a deputy minister’s brother securing a meeting with Mark Carney to discuss drone technology, and Toronto taxpayers being billed $330,000 by FIFA for office expenses ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers a Western Standard deep dive into Alberta’s Court of King’s Bench and the top Liberal Party donors now sitting on it. Naylor also looks at a Western Standard exclusive on the federal Indigenous Department admitting it has no contact with any of BC’s First Nations, the Competition Bureau seeking Sobeys lease records in a grocery store antitrust probe, Ottawa spending $1.6 million advertising a rail project that does not exist, and Bill C-8 becoming law after Senate changes over privacy concerns.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers warnings from an Anthropic co-founder about the need for AI guardrails, NASA ordering astronauts to prepare for a possible evacuation from the International Space Station after a leak in the Russian section, and OneBC accusing Kamloops of charging excessive security costs for a meeting. Naylor also looks at a Brantford councillor refusing to take part in land acknowledgments and the Western Standard’s list of Canada’s most embarrassing Pride Month moments.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers outrage after the British Columbia Review Board granted conditional discharge status to triple child killer Allan Schoenborn, the Senate’s rejection of a residential school denialism bill, and reports that BC Independent MLA Jordan Kealy has been charged with sexual assault. Naylor also looks at Prime Minister Mark Carney’s silence on recession questions in the House of Commons and a major Red Deer RCMP crime crackdown involving stolen vehicles and firearms.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers Alberta RCMP’s warning about the release of convicted child sex offender Kyle Soloway, charges against an Okotoks man after police allegedly found more than 500,000 child pornography images, and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s comments on Canada’s CUSMA protections under a proposed U.S. tariff regime. Naylor also looks at the Carney government’s move to reverse a CRTC streaming policy over consumer cost concerns, and the deaths of two paddle boarders near Squamish.

Dave Naylor brings the latest Western Standard News Update, including Trans Mountain’s expected push to full capacity by June, new data from the B.C. Conservative leadership race, Canadians divided over MAID and mental illness, Bill C-9 religious freedom concerns and Mark Carney’s silence as Canada enters a recession.

Dave Naylor breaks down the latest Western Standard news, including Jason Nixon questioning claims Alberta would be richer outside Canada, soaring food bank use in the GTA, Canada entering a technical recession, calls to cut Alberta’s fuel tax, the Blue Origin rocket explosion and nearly half a million dollars in federal spending on COP30 accommodations in Brazil.

Former environment minister Steven Guilbeault is leaving the Liberal caucus over Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pipeline MOU with Alberta. Dave Naylor has the latest on that, plus a B.C. legislature rally, youth employment concerns, RCMP drug lab busts and CTF documents on Carney’s in-flight meal spending.

Dave Naylor breaks down the latest Western Standard news update, including the Western Premiers’ meeting in Kananaskis, Alberta’s October referendum, B.C.’s pipeline opposition, Tim Hortons’ hiring push, carbon capture costs, new polling on Alberta independence and Caroline Mulroney’s resignation from Ontario cabinet.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers Premier Danielle Smith’s announcement that Albertans will be asked in an October referendum if they want to stay in Canada, while Smith says she will fight for Alberta to remain in Confederation. He also looks at First Nations leaders pushing Ottawa to criminalize residential school denialism, Liberal MPs raising concerns over environmental concessions tied to a new Alberta pipeline, and Western Standard B.C. reporter Alex Zoltan on why the legislature in Victoria is debating a foreign genocide.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers Winnipeg police announcing the city’s largest-ever drug bust, with $37 million worth of cocaine, fentanyl and meth seized and 33 people arrested. He also looks at the Parliamentary Budget Office saying Canada’s cost to host the 2026 World Cup will top $1 billion, a Calgary councillor proposing low-income transit passes be limited to Canadian citizens, and a U.S. energy executive telling a Calgary conference that Canadian crude remains critical to America.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers Pierre Poilievre’s chief of staff Ian Todd retiring after four years and being replaced by Conservative campaign boss Steve Outhouse. He also looks at Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean saying a new carbon tax deal with the Liberals “hits the sweet spot,” the Snowbirds demonstration team being grounded at the end of the year, Corb Lund’s coal mining petition in Alberta, and Prime Minister Mark Carney being mocked over his comments on the history of the Alberta oilsands.

Marty asks what comes next for Alberta independence after the court ruling, and whether the rules around a referendum are being changed as the movement gains momentum. He also looks at the Alberta Prosperity Project encouraging supporters to buy UCP memberships, Alberta’s new industrial carbon price deal with Ottawa, wildfire evacuations near Whitecourt, new teacher funding, census boycott calls, and major political shakeups in Canada and abroad.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers a new Alberta business report saying high oil prices could turn a $9-billion deficit into a $7-billion surplus. He also looks at federal officials using Kamloops residential school claims in discussions with China, CBC legal fees over Gem subscription figures, proposed B.C. FOI changes, a Manitoba teen facing conspiracy charges, and Quebec firing 11 teachers over allegations involving religious instruction and abuse.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers an Ontario Auditor General report finding some driving schools are not properly training prospective truck drivers. He also looks at TC Energy’s warning that Canada is falling behind in energy production, Conservative concerns over Ottawa pulling the Canadian Armed Forces out of avalanche control in Rogers Pass, a fatal Calgary Co-op shooting, and a fatal vehicle incident involving an Edmonton senior.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers a new Angus Reid poll showing majority support for the West Coast LNG project, including strong backing from BC residents. Naylor also looks at nearly $600,000 in federal project money received by Liberal MP Lori Idlout’s company, four cruise ship passengers in isolation on Vancouver Island after hantavirus contamination, and closed-door Privy Council Office meetings on which media outlets the government may blacklist.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor covers the latest headlines from across Canada, including controversy after Canada’s Strong and Free Network opened its Ottawa conference with a land acknowledgment, the latest developments in the BC Conservative leadership race, and an exclusive on former BC Conservative MLA Amelia Boultbee being stripped of her party membership. Naylor also looks at an RCMP bust of an illegal gambling ring in the Lower Mainland and an investigation in Chilliwack after an Indigenous mural was vandalized on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Day.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers the latest headlines from across Canada and abroad. Naylor looks at a viral video showing a man washing clothes with detergent in a B.C. river, new Canadian funding for Ukraine that brings total support to $26 billion, MPs hearing concerns about tracking Facebook posts critical of government, and a CSIS report warning that China remains a major factor in foreign political interference.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean saying he is confident any proposed pipeline to B.C. will have Indigenous support. He also looks at Canada’s new top doctor making post-COVID-19 trust her top priority, Conservatives accusing Liberals of blocking scrutiny into the $300-million PrescribeIT program, Canada’s debt topping $33,000 per person, Dan McLean seeking the UCP nomination in Calgary-Shaw, and an Alberta woman facing a human rights complaint over her campaign against a Pride crosswalk.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers oil hitting a record war high of $126 a barrel as peace talks between Iran and the United States stall. He also looks at Elections Alberta taking legal action against an independence advocacy group, Ottawa preparing another push on internet censorship, and Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warning Canada may not avoid a recession even if global risks ease.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers the death of Calgary Tower designer Clifford Osborne, who will be honoured as the tower is lit blue and yellow Wednesday night. He also looks at the strange case of two stolen peacocks after a transport truck was taken in Stoney Plain, the federal Liberals pushing through a committee power grab with help from two recent floor crossers, and reports that Canada granted a visa to a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard official for a soccer federation meeting in Vancouver.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada will create a $25-billion sovereign wealth fund to pay for so-called major projects. He also looks at the Egg Farmers of Canada calling supply management a national security issue, Shell’s $22-billion purchase of Calgary-based ARC Resources, Conservative demands for answers over the $300-million PrescribeIT boondoggle, and King Charles’ planned U.S. visit as a White House correspondence dinner suspect heads to court.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers two former federal officials tied to the ArriveCAN scandal losing their legal challenge over an internal investigation into the program, which ballooned from an expected $6 million to $59 million. He also looks at Canada Post’s plan to eliminate 30,000 jobs after losing $1.6 billion last year, the Privy Council Office spending $6 million on consultants despite having more than 300 staff, B.C.’s $370,000 in executive vehicle leases, and reports that Ottawa is considering a new pipeline route from Alberta through southern British Columbia to the Port of Vancouver.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor breaks down a new report warning that more than two million foreigners will be living temporarily in Canada this year. He also covers Alberta’s possible shift on daylight saving time, Dana White stepping in to help the young girl wounded in the Tumbler Ridge shooting get treatment in the United States, and fresh polling shows more party supporters want Pierre Poilievre replaced.

Dave Naylor breaks down the latest headlines in this Western Standard News Update, from Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government buying a $29 million private jet, to Canada Post ending door-to-door delivery for 136,000 households. He also covers the Liberals taking dairy supply management off the table in U.S. trade talks, a media union pushing for online censorship of criticism against journalists, and a look at identical twin hockey prospects from the Okanagan who could both go in the first round of the NHL Draft.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers the latest headlines from across Canada. Naylor looks at the Liberal government spending $1.2 million on a project giving cameras to gay homeless veterans for an art exhibit. He also covers the backlash and sales surge surrounding actress Sydney Sweeney’s latest American Eagle campaign, a massive recall of 7-Eleven sandwiches across Alberta and British Columbia, Alberta’s new law tightening vaping rules, the UCP throwing out an electoral boundaries report and ordering a new one, and U.S. President Donald Trump approving permits for a Calgary-based Enbridge pipeline between Canada and the United States.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers the latest headlines from across Canada. Naylor looks at infighting in the BC Conservative leadership race, which one report says looked like an all-out WWE brawl. He also covers backlash after the deputy minister of defence allegedly helped a relative land an $80,000-a-year government job they were not qualified for, a massive recall of 7-Eleven sandwiches across Alberta and British Columbia, Alberta’s new law tightening vaping rules, and growing questions about what could happen inside British Columbia’s NDP if Premier David Eby steps down.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers the latest headlines from across Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ottawa will remove the federal gas tax next week as fuel prices climb amid the Iran war, a move expected to save consumers 10 cents a litre. Naylor also looks at a deputy minister facing backlash for an ethics breach tied to helping a relative land an $80,000-a-year government job, an RCMP warning in Lloydminster after five overdoses linked to tainted drugs, Alberta’s new law tightening vaping rules, and growing questions around what could happen to British Columbia’s NDP if Premier David Eby steps down.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers the CRA spending $202,000 on a poll confirming Canadians do not like filing taxes. He also looks at Donald Trump taking aim at Pope Leo, the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation calling for MP recall legislation after Pierre Poilievre backed the idea, and Deputy Defence Minister Christiane Fox refusing to resign after an ethics violation tied to a government hiring scandal.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor looks at Marilyn Gladu’s past positions after her move to the Liberals, highlighting votes that run counter to current party policy. He also covers a family accepting Dana White’s offer to fund rehabilitation for a young B.C. shooting victim, an audit raising concerns over oversight in Global Affairs, Pierre Poilievre calling for a probe into property rights after a B.C. court ruling, and a record-breaking $6 million raised at the Calgary Stampede chuckwagon canvas auction.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers Elon Musk weighing in on Alberta independence after posting “Canada is cooked,” as debate grows over the country’s direction. He also looks at the Liberals’ renewed push for internet regulation after two failed attempts, an ethics ruling against a senior defence official over a controversial hiring decision, and an RCMP warning following the release of a high-risk offender.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers the latest headlines from across Canada. Another federal Conservative MP has crossed the floor to the Liberals, leaving the government just one seat short of a majority. Naylor also looks at growing controversy around Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and the $90 billion high-speed rail project, a disturbing human trafficking case in Edmonton, and backlash over a University of British Columbia job posting restricted to an Indigenous disabled woman.

In this Western Standard News Update, Leah Mushet covers growing scrutiny over Ottawa’s draft citizenship guide after reports it elevated Liberal appointees and activist figures while leaving out widely recognized Canadian icons. She also looks at resurfaced social media posts from Liberal candidate Doly Begum criticizing her own party before seeking a seat in Parliament, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s dramatic warning of a potentially historic development involving Iran.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers the latest headlines from Canada and abroad. Israel is accusing Canada of foreign interference over its response to Israeli justice policy, while Calgary property taxes are set to rise 8.1 per cent amid a sharp increase in the education portion of the bill. Naylor also reports on encouraging news for Tumbler Ridge school massacre victim Maya Gabella, Pierre Poilievre’s pledge to scrap a proposed $90 billion high-speed rail project, and the launch of Artemis II, which will carry Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen toward the moon.Follow Western Standard on Spotify, YouTube Music and Apple Podcasts, and visit westernstandard.news for more news and analysis.

In this Western Standard News Update, the latest headlines from across Canada include Alberta independence advocates saying their petition has passed 177,000 signatures, enough to trigger a referendum if verified. The update also covers a court order forcing the CBC to release records under access to information law, though much of the material was heavily redacted, Prime Minister Mark Carney avoiding questions on forced labour concerns tied to China, Lethbridge police announcing the city’s largest fentanyl bust, and the launch of Artemis II as man prepares to return to the moon.Follow Western Standard on Spotify, YouTube Music and Apple Podcasts, and visit westernstandard.news for more news and analysis.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers the latest headlines from across Canada. Air Canada’s CEO is set to retire after controversy over his lack of French while addressing last week’s LaGuardia crash. Naylor also looks at the UCP targeting Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi over his ties to new federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis and Lewis’s anti-pipeline stance, the Liberals raising taxes on alcohol while also giving themselves raises effective April 1, and a Saskatchewan national historic site shifting its focus away from European settlers to highlight what it calls inequities on the Prairies tied to Indigenous issues.

In this Western Standard News Update, Dave Naylor covers the latest headlines from across Canada. The Liberals have introduced a bill to block the use of Bitcoin during election campaigns, saying the move is aimed at stopping foreign interference. Naylor also looks at Finance officials claiming Canadians are seeing rising incomes despite reports to the contrary, Alberta’s new report saying its proposed Care First auto insurance plan could save drivers $366 per vehicle, a human trafficking charge laid in Calgary against a Montreal man, and backlash after former Conservative MP Michael Ma questioned whether Uyghurs in China are being used as slave labour.