Open Sources Guelph #33 - August 5, 2021

This week on Open Sources Guelph, it's a Canadian affair. We're digging into matters of provincial interest with the a new plan for a favourite old school tourist attraction, and the potential courting of COVID disaster in the Wildrose province. In national matters, we'll consider the latest rumours around the possibility of a fall election, and that cold chill you're feeling might be connected to Trudeau's immediate predecessor.

This Thursday, August 5, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss:

Warn to Run. August is here, and that means we're getting down to the wire in terms of a potential fall election call. There's a Governor General in place ready to receive the PM's request to dissolve Parliament, the Liberals have been giving out money from one coast to the other and the other, and the number of pieces about opposition parties in shambles has gone up precipitously. So what about it, are we close to an election call?

A Place in the Stun. Last week, Premier Doug Ford took up a matter of major importance beyond the fourth wave and re-opening schools: the future of Ontario Place. Predictably, critical mass was less than enthusiastic about the Ford government's ambitions, and among their concerns are the loss of valuable public space, and the privatization of Ontario Place facilities and attractions. But Ford wouldn't do that, would he?

Typhoid Kenney? While the rest of the country is working to avoid a fourth wave, it feels like Alberta is wholeheartedly embracing it. Alberta is lifting all COVID restrictions in the next few weeks, and that's a concern because the Delta variant is making the rounds, while at the same time the Alberta government is cutting the salaries of healthcare workers and losing doctors and nurses. Is this the perfect storm for Alberta?

Don't Call it a Comeback. From just beyond the black gates of Mordor, something is stirring... Look, former-Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not the most popular guy in the world, or Canada for that matter, but he's been back in the news lately criticizing the current government's COVID response, while a poll shows Conservative Party members would be more excited about Harper's return as leader than voting for their current leader. Is this Harper's time to shine?

Open Sources is live on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca at 5 pm on Thursday.