Western Standard Shows

As the Americas become the new centre of world oil, Alberta could boom — if federal policy finally aligns with economic reality.

In this episode, Marty looks at the pros and cons of a leaderless grassroots and the role of public institutions in Alberta’s independence push. He also covers the petition handoff and next steps, Mark Carney’s trip to Europe, Louise Arbour as the new governor general, the 2026 census, AirAsia’s Airbus order, a hantavirus outbreak and Honda cancelling its EV plant.

In this episode of The Pipeline, Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan and Dave Naylor discuss Alberta’s elector list data breach, Stay Free Alberta submitting more than 300,000 petition signatures to Elections Alberta, and Louise Arbour’s appointment as Canada’s next governor general.

Cory talks about how the alleged misuse of electors lists by the Centurion Project and David Parker has cost the movement credibility.

In this episode, Marty covers Elections Alberta’s legal action against an independence advocacy group and the latest on Alberta’s independence movement. He also looks at Mark Carney’s so-called sovereign wealth fund, the spring economic report, the Bank of Canada holding its key rate at 2.25%, Shell’s purchase of ARC Energy, the UAE leaving OPEC, King Charles’s visit with Trump, and Alberta’s push for 120 km/h speed limits.

In a wide-ranging interview on Hannaford, Kent Priebe, recently appointed lead pastor of Calgary’s Centre Street Church (reputedly Canada’s largest church) expresses deep concern over the vagueness of Bill C-9, which was at second reading in the Senate on April 30, 2026. He warns the legislation’s hate speech provisions could be used against churches for teaching, preaching, or discussing Scripture.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan, Dave Naylor and Alex Zoltan take on Mark Carney’s $25-billion sovereign wealth fund. They also discuss Frances Widdowson’s arrest at the University of Lethbridge, and the BC Conservative leadership race as candidates face questions over land acknowledgements, DRIPA and the future of the party.

Cory talks about how the Carney government would rather sink Canadians further into debt than address the issues hampering the economy.

In this episode, Marty Up North covers Elections Alberta’s continued scrutiny of the Alberta Prosperity Project and the latest petition update. He also looks at Mark Carney’s new U.S. trade delegation, Canada Post’s $1.6 billion loss, inflation at 2.4%, and an RCMP gun violence report that creates more problems for the Liberals. Marty also covers rising mortgage pressure as 14% of new loans involve parent co-signers, Alberta’s move to stop changing the clocks, and a leaked memo suggesting a pipeline route to the coast through southern British Columbia.

Tonight on Hannaford, a Victoria man talks about his experience of it at the University of Victoria. George Ramsay, a recent kinesiology grad, had to endure years of ritualistic indigenous land acknowledgements and instruction that looked more like indoctrination. He had the courage to refuse to give in to what he calls ‘compelled speech.'

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan and Dave Naylor, joined by B.C. reporter Alex Zoltan, break down David Eby’s deepening DRIPA crisis in British Columbia, Doug Ford’s botched gravy plane fiasco in Ontario, and the growing debate over Ottawa leaning on permanent residents to fill the ranks of Canada’s Armed Forces.

Cory talks about how the government program to bring high-speed internet to rural homes costs as much as $30,000 per household.

Marty Up North breaks down the Ontario and Quebec byelections, where the Liberals secured a majority, and what comes next for Mark Carney. He also looks at Ottawa dropping the federal gasoline tax while Edmonton keeps its own, plus the latest from the Liberal convention in Winnipeg. The show also covers the independence movement update, Danielle Smith’s Bill 30 to fast-track major project approvals, and RBC’s warning that $1 trillion in capital has left Canada over the last decade.

If Joseph Varner is right, the most important battlefield in the current confrontation with Iran may not be in the air or at sea — but in oil storage tanks. On this week’s episode of Hannaford, the former defence policy adviser and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute laid out a stark timeline. Iran, he argues, may soon face a logistical crisis that could prove more decisive than any missile strike.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan and Dave Naylor take on the Carney's successful scheme to get to a majority, the growing questions surrounding Pierre Poilievre’s leadership, and dig into the legal battle facing the independence movement - the courts and the chiefs.

Cory talks about how the independence movement is too far along as are the opponents. The issue must be resolved through an open vote now.

Marty Up North breaks down the latest MP floor crossing and whether politicians should face a by-election after switching parties, along with what it could mean for Mark Carney as majority talk grows. He also covers the Liberal convention in Montreal and mounting pressure on Pierre Poilievre after his communications director’s resignation. The show also touches on Carney’s $51 billion “Build Communities Strong Fund,” concerns over federal overreach, and the latest update on the independence petition.

Historian and political strategist Michael Bonner believes the federal government is engaged in something more ambitious than updating a handbook for new citizens. In his view, the project amounts to an attempt to reshape the national story itself — to substitute a political vision of Canada for a historical one.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan and Jackson Loy take on the fragile Iran armistice, the latest Conservative floor crossing to the Liberals and the growing questions around Pierre Poilievre’s hold on his caucus. The panel also digs into Western Standard’s Alberta telehealth investigation, where sick notes and addictive prescriptions appeared to be available with alarming ease.

Cory talks about how Canada’s high-speed rail project is certain to become an economic disaster.

Marty Up North talks about the Alberta independence petition hitting the signature threshold and what that means for the push toward a referendum. He also breaks down Bill 25-26 and what it means for Alberta, before turning to the 2026 NDP convention and what the spectacle revealed about the party’s direction.

Retired Lt. Col David Redman says 11 years of intentional erosion was meant to weaken Canadian unity and turn the country into a “post-national state.” He also slams Alberta’s COVID response for ignoring its own pandemic plan.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan and Dave Naylor break down Western Standard’s April Fool’s anthem story, the NDP convention spectacle and what Avi Lewis’s hard-left win means for Canadian politics. The panel also examines the Alberta independence campaign’s claimed signature threshold and what a fall referendum could mean for Alberta.

Cory talks about how socialists and governments can’t even run their own payroll. They can never be trusted with the food supply.

Marty Up North opens with the airplane tragedy in New York and the latest fallout from the disaster. He also takes on Ottawa’s official bilingualism regime, arguing it has become a political tool that drives up costs, limits access to federal jobs and leaves many Canadians paying for a system that does not reflect everyday reality.

Christians in the Holy Land are facing growing pressure, shrinking numbers, and daily restrictions on their lives, according to a Palestinian Christian advocate who appeared on Hannaford this week.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan and Dave Naylor break down Ottawa’s looming gun-confiscation deadline, the constitutional showdown over the notwithstanding clause and what both say about the federal government’s growing reach into rights and civil liberties. The panel also examines the missed first deadline in the Carney-Smith memorandum of understanding and whether Ottawa was ever serious about striking a deal with Alberta at all.

Cory talks about how dairy and poultry supply management policies are harming families.

Derek Fildebrandt interviews Austrian activist Martin Sellner on remigration, mass immigration, national identity and the growing political movement challenging Europe’s migration policies. Sellner explains how the movement spread in Germany and Austria, why the issue is gaining support, and what it could mean for the West.

Mark Carney promised growth, stability and a stronger economy. Instead, Canadians got more debt, weaker growth, rising unemployment and higher costs. Nigel examines the numbers behind Carney’s first year in office and why Ottawa’s spending-heavy approach is leaving the country poorer, more fragile and further from real recovery.

Marty Up North opens with a look at Alberta’s shrinking population, stalled job creation and slowing economy as pressure builds on affordability and growth. He also digs into changes to MAID requirements in Alberta, whether the province can ramp up oil production quickly, and what Danielle Smith’s Saudi trip could mean.

Liberals poised for snap election after NDP leadership race, says Western Standard commentator Josh Andrus.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan and Dave Naylor discuss the backlash over comments from Israel’s ambassador to Canada about limiting freedoms in response to antisemitism, and the controversy over how governments and police have handled protests. The panel also examines Ottawa’s appeal of court rulings against the Emergencies Act, the federal NDP leadership race and what it all reveals about civil liberties and political decline in Canada.

Cory talks about how the world must quit pussyfooting around and call out the extremism spawned by radical Islam.

Marty breaks down the growing anger and harassment aimed at the thousands of canvassers collecting signatures for the Stay Free Alberta independence petition. As Alberta separatism, petition politics and public backlash dominate the conversation, this episode looks at what the hostility on the ground reveals about Alberta’s political mood and the fight over its future.

Regime change must come from within, with signs like defections as critical indicators... Israel seeks more than temporary reprieve after years of trauma.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan and Dave Naylor discuss the political fallout from former CBC host Travis Dhanraj’s testimony before Parliament, raising new questions about bias and internal practices at Canada’s public broadcaster. The panel also examines an NDP MP crossing the floor to the Liberals, the implications of upcoming federal byelections and whether Mark Carney’s shifting position on the Israel-Iran conflict signals deeper uncertainty in Canada’s foreign policy.

Cory talks about how allowing democratic means of pursuing change prevents extremism.

It’s an ill wind that blows no man any good. And sure enough, the Alberta government is getting an immediate boost out of spiking oil prices consequent upon the war in the Middle East. Rob Anderson dismisses union threats, touts oil windfall from Iran war shrinking deficits; wide-ranging chat covers immigration, energy, education.

Cory talks about how Alberta must walk the fiscal responsibility talk.

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan, and Dave Naylor discuss Ottawa’s decision to grant expanded rights to the Musqueam First Nation around Vancouver and the growing uncertainty over property rights in B.C. They also debate the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, its geopolitical implications, and how rising oil prices could unexpectedly transform Alberta’s projected $9-billion budget deficit.

Alberta among best places in Canada to invest, if not the world, until we can enact deregulation and usher in economic certainty.'

Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan, and David Wiechnik break down Alberta’s upcoming slate of referendum questions, from immigration control and Senate reform to the looming independence vote. They examine new polling on Alberta separatism and federal voting intentions, debate controversial free speech rulings out of Quebec and B.C., and question whether Ottawa will ever agree to meaningful constitutional change.

Cory talks about how we can’t stop pressuring the government on the Kamloops hoax until exhumations are done and resolution found.

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.