Western Context - News from Alberta, BC, and Canada
169 episodes - English - Latest episode: 26 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingRemoving bias and sensationalism from the news of Alberta, BC, and Canada. Providing the context and information needed to put you on the right side of the news.
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Episodes
Western Context 363 – Buyback Boondoggle
March 31, 2024 12:00 - 58 minutes - 26.7 MBCanada refuses to sell LNG to another NATO ally, BC’s Haida Nation will have title over all of Haida Gwaii, and a third of gig workers would consider tax fraud. Also, $42m has been spent on Trudeau’s nonexistent gun buyback. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 58:17 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 362 – Antagonizing Antics
March 24, 2024 12:00 - 49 minutes - 22.7 MBThe Conservative non confidence motion against Trudeau fails, the Liberals want to move the election date, and the Alberta NDP does not legally exist. Also, the RCMP warns that Canadians may revolt against the government. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 49:33 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Weestern Context 361 – Double Dipping
March 17, 2024 12:00 - 56 minutes - 25.8 MBAlberta moves to allow municipal political parties, the auditor general fires government employees getting money on the side, and Canada pauses non-lethal exports to Israel. Also, Toronto Police give bad advice to deter car thieves. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:22 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 360 – Safety First
March 10, 2024 12:00 - 56 minutes - 26.1 MBBC safe supply drugs are found in the hands of organized crime, we finally put the 2017 UCP leadership allegations to rest, and BC affordable housing is not going to intended buyers. Also, Canada restores its funding to UNRWA. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:59 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 359 – Phony Pharmacare
March 03, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 29.1 MBThe Liberals’ new online harms act includes heavy punishments, Alberta’s 2024 budget contains surprises, and the new pharmacare plan covers very little medications. Also, new documents reveal more on the Winnipeg lab scientist firings. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:03:32 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 358 – Guiding Our Future
February 25, 2024 13:00 - 57 minutes - 26.5 MBTrudeau and Singh reach a deal on pharmacare, BC’s budget introduces a flipping tax and lots of spending, and Danielle Smith wants to build up the Heritage fund. Also, the BC NDP wants us to stop using the term British Columbians. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 57:52 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 357 – Roads and Radicals
February 18, 2024 13:00 - 52 minutes - 24 MBSteven Guilbeault says the feds will stop investing in roads, the Alberta government improves the childcare system, and BC suspends the license of a company that drives into highway overpasses. Also, ArriveCan costs even more money than we thought before. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 52:25 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 356 – The Robinson Removal
February 11, 2024 13:00 - 56 minutes - 25.9 MBBell lays off more workers and asks for more money, a recall petition starts for Calgary’s mayor Jyoti Gondek, and Selina Robinson is removed from the BC NDP’s cabinet. Also, suspicious HSBC mortgages are fuelling the real estate crisis. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:32 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 355 – Equal But Separate
February 04, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 28.9 MBDanielle Smith debuts Alberta’s parental rights policy, the BC NDP quietly makes changes to the Lands Act, and the Trudeau Liberals give $48M to UNRWA. Also, segregation is on the rise in Canadian universities. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:03:07 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 354 – Pulp Manifesto
January 28, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 30.8 MBA terrorist shoots up Edmonton City Hall, car thefts spike in Canada, and a federal court judge finds the use of the Emergencies Act unjustified. Also, a paper mill closing on Vancouver Island leads to investigation into a Chinese funded forestry giant. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:07:22 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 353 – In The Cold
January 21, 2024 13:17 - 1 hour - 32.3 MBCanada’s cold snap raises questions of BC Hydro’s future, Rachel Notley is stepping down as Alberta’s NDP leader, and even Liberal ministers agree that immigration is out of control. Also, an opinion piece questions Poilievre’s commitment to queer issues. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:10:46 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 352 – Plays and Parks
January 14, 2024 13:00 - 58 minutes - 26.6 MBTrudeau’s Jamaica vacation causes a conflict of interest, Canada’s immigration isn’t helping the job market, and Banff’s pedestrian zone gets nixed by the National Park. Also, a Victoria theatre cancels a play set in Israel after being vandalized. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 58:11 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 351 – 2023 In Context
December 31, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 33.9 MBWe look at 2023’s news stories, including an Alberta election, changing BC political landscapes, and multiple crises like healthcare, housing and affordability getting worse. We also go over our favourite pictures, quotes, words and episodes of the year. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:14:07 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 350 – Immigrants and Intervenors
December 24, 2023 13:00 - 54 minutes - 25.1 MBCanada’s population increases like never before, the CBC writes fake news about Deena Hinshaw, and the Trudeau Liberals phase out gas car sales by 2035. Also, an investigation into Yuen Pau Woo reveals our cabinet may be compromised. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 54:51 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 349 – Spring Smiles
December 17, 2023 13:00 - 52 minutes - 23.9 MBUVIC’s equity hiring policy raises ire on social media, Alberta’s low income tax cut is nowhere to be seen, and the Liberals roll out the federal dental program. Also, Champagne looks at grocery competition to lower prices. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 52:10 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 348 – Hampered and Divided
December 10, 2023 13:00 - 59 minutes - 27.3 MBSpeaker Greg Fergus’ impartiality is put to question, COP28 highlights the opposition to Canada’s new emissions cap, and the BC NDP finish 2023 with a divided opposition. Also, the mainstream media completely ignores the foreign interference inquiry. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 59:35 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 290 – Friends and Foes
October 16, 2022 12:00 - 59 minutes - 27.4 MBDanielle Smith takes a trip to the recent past, Canada finally replaces the army’s WW2-era sidearms, and Saskatchewan asserts its economic autonomy. Also, MPs visit Taiwan while China continues to infiltrate Canadian society. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 59:52 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 289 – Taxes and Tags
October 09, 2022 12:00 - 52 minutes - 23.9 MBDanielle Smith becomes the new Premier of Alberta, BC is capping food delivery fees, and ArriveCan cost $54M to create. Also, a YouTube tag and MP swearing distract from Trudeau raising taxes again. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 52:14 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 288 – A Slow Bicycle
October 02, 2022 12:00 - 56 minutes - 25.7 MBThe Prairie provinces join against Trudeau’s gun ban, we compare the opioid crisis approach of BC and Alberta, and people are moving from Ontario to the West. Also, Canada might be in a recession soon. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:11 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 287 – Precarious Problems
September 25, 2022 12:00 - 55 minutes - 25.5 MBIrving is hiring foreign workers to build warships, Alberta media tries to change the topic from energy to climate change, and the BC repeat offender expert panel advocates for stronger mental health support. Also, ArriveCAN is no more. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 55:45 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 286 – Hackers and Hecklers
September 18, 2022 12:00 - 47 minutes - 21.9 MBAn NDP MLA crashed the UCP’s vaccine website, a holiday for only some shows division between the public and private sectors, and Trudeau’s inflation relief only furthers the problem. Also, Pierre Poilievre gets heckled by the media during a speech. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 47:56 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 285 – Ending One Era, Beginning Another
September 11, 2022 12:00 - 46 minutes - 21.1 MBWe talk about what the Queen meant to Canada, UCP candidates denounce Danielle Smith’s Sovereignty Act, and Pierre Poilievre becomes the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 46:06 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 284 – Simplifying Discourse
September 04, 2022 12:00 - 53 minutes - 24.7 MBAlberta projects a $13.2b surplus, Pierre Poilievre wants to simplify government language, and we discuss the untold economic impacts of cancelled energy projects. Also, the new federal luxury tax may backfire on the Trudeau Liberals. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 53:57 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 283 – System Overload
August 28, 2022 12:00 - 50 minutes - 23.3 MBRussia’s actions show how important Canada’s Arctic is, BC spends $118M to support family doctors, and half of international students are still waiting for their visas. Also, an anti-semite is hired by the Trudeau government to preach anti-racism. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 50:57 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 282 – Strike One
August 21, 2022 12:00 - 47 minutes - 21.9 MBAlberta is Calling for people to move to the province, electoral redistricting could see Toronto lose a seat, and the BCGEU strike forces rationing at BC liquor stores. Also, the Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem blames worker wages for inflation. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 47:51 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 281 – Charging Forward
August 14, 2022 12:00 - 56 minutes - 25.8 MBA BC NDP MLA faces a recall petition, sparse reasons emerge for the Emergencies Act, and Telus wants to charge consumers even more. Also, the RCMP has used spyware for decades to track Canadians. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:27 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 280 – Travel and Bans
August 07, 2022 12:00 - 57 minutes - 26.2 MBCourt documents reveal no basis for Trudeau’s travel ban, Canada bans the importation of handguns, and fake outrage emerges over Alberta’s provincial police future. Also, while Trudeau is on vacation, there are plenty of other things to criticize him for. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 57:10 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 279 – Delays and Deflation
July 31, 2022 12:00 - 48 minutes - 22.4 MBThe cost of Coastal Gaslink rises to $11.2B, Travis Toews highlights economic policy in the UCP leadership race, and a climate activist group deflates SUV tires in Victoria. Also, Toronto and Montreal airports are named the worst in the world for delays. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 48:55 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 278 – A Glitch in the System
July 24, 2022 12:00 - 56 minutes - 26 MBDanielle Smith’s leadership campaign could change the UCP and Alberta, BC Ferries fires its CEO after many cancelled sailings, and Trudeau pushes for a reduction in fertilizer usage. Also, glitches in the ArriveCAN app cause more delays for travellers. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:50 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 277 – A Leadership Outage
July 17, 2022 12:00 - 50 minutes - 23.2 MBA Rogers outage shows the need for telecom stability, Jean Charest promises a fair deal for Alberta, and the Premier’s summit provides no fix for healthcare. Also, Trudeau’s internet censorship Bill C-11 gets opposed by the US. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 50:38 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 276 – New Leaders and Taxes
July 03, 2022 12:00 - 46 minutes - 21.4 MBWe celebrate Canada Day when the media doesn’t, BC Premier John Horgan is retiring, and Alberta posts a $3.9B surplus. Also, a new online tax in BC could make businesses uncompetitive. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 46:49 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 275 – Government vs. Progress
June 26, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 28 MBGovernment plans have stalled Lytton’s rebuild, the Trudeau Liberals refuse to lift the gas tax, and the Chinese state maybe interfered in the 2021 election. Also, the RCMP commissioner tried to compromise the 2020 Nova Scotia shooting investigation. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:01:10 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 274 – Saturated with Corruption
June 19, 2022 12:00 - 53 minutes - 24.5 MBHealth Canada plans to label ground beef, the Alberta UCP leadership race begins, and no link is found between BC money laundering and political corruption. Also, we determine whether or not the Trudeau government lied about the Emergencies Act. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 53:38 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 273 – The Greatest Gun Salesman
June 12, 2022 12:00 - 57 minutes - 26.5 MBBill C-11 allows the CRTC to regulate user content, Alberta NDP volunteers are demeaned, and panic buying ensues after Trudeau’s gun freeze. Also, Trudeau trolls Canadians by creating policy in response to the US. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 57:52 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 272 – Afraid of the Truth
June 05, 2022 12:00 - 49 minutes - 22.7 MBThe Supreme Court of Canada rules that life without parole is ‘cruel’, small possession of drugs is decriminalized in BC, and the Tim Hortons app invades Canadians’ privacy. Also, the Trudeau government has created 72 secret orders in council. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 49:35 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 271 – A $3.5M Teardown
May 29, 2022 12:00 - 51 minutes - 23.4 MBA family from China is tracked for money laundering, Edmonton needs to come up with a transit safety plan, and Poilievre fights off the little coalition of Charest and Brown. Also, the media and government imports the US gun control issue once more. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 51:12 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 270 – The Angry Whistle
May 22, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 31.1 MBCanada bans Huawei and ZTE from 5G networks, BC will spend $800m to replace the Royal BC Museum, and Jason Kenney will resign after a new UCP leader is chosen. Also, the media and Pierre Poilievre go to war. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:08:01 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 269 – Track and Release
May 15, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 28.5 MBThe Competition Bureau wants to block the Rogers-Shaw merger, the BC NDP creates a committee to study crime, and the Edmonton Blatchford community lags behind. Also, the PHAC has been tracking Canadians’ cell phones without consent. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:02:25 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 268 – Surveying the Issues
May 08, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 28.9 MBThe Liberals keep the status quo in the Senate, 93% of BC MLAs are homeowners, and US abortion issues get imported into Canada. Also, Canadian military surveillance gets overshadowed by Trudeau’s alleged f-bomb. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:03:12 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 267 – No One is Above the Law
May 01, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 30.3 MBDavid Lametti relied on fake news to invoke the Emergencies Act, a BC committee agrees to replace the RCMP, and the Winnipeg lab scandal documents are redacted. Also, the RCMP decided not to charge Trudeau with fraud because he is the Prime Minister. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:06:14 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 266 – Extreme Investments
April 24, 2022 12:00 - 58 minutes - 26.6 MBA religion poll unintentionally drives a wedge on culture, Alberta energy rates are heavily impacted by the NDP carbon tax, and BC faces a critical shortage of nurses. Also, many MPs owning rental properties could be fueling the housing crisis. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 58:10 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 275 – The Conservative Party Leadership Showcase
April 17, 2022 12:04 - 55 minutes - 25.4 MBWe profile the top four candidates likely to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, as we delve into the history, policies, and appeal of Patrick Brown, Jean Charest, Leslyn Lewis and Pierre Poilievre. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 55:27 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 265 – The Conservative Party Leadership Showcase
April 17, 2022 12:04 - 55 minutes - 25.4 MBWe profile the top four candidates likely to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, as we delve into the history, policies, and appeal of Patrick Brown, Jean Charest, Leslyn Lewis and Pierre Poilievre. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 55:27 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 264 – Prolific Problems
April 10, 2022 12:00 - 57 minutes - 26.2 MBTrudeau releases his 2022 budget, BC experiences an increase in crime, and the UCP makes healthcare changes. Also, the Newfoundland offshore oil project Bay du Nord has been approved. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 57:20 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 263 – Renos and Reactors
April 03, 2022 12:00 - 54 minutes - 25 MBTrudeau releases a plan to cut carbon emissions, the BC government gives back a gas rebate through ICBC, and four provinces are going ahead with nuclear SMRs. Also, the renovation cost on federal government residences continues to skyrocket. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 54:44 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 262 – Lunatics Running the Asylum
March 27, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 29.1 MBThe UCP April convention expands voting options, the BC government sprays herbicides on BC forests, and Canada’s oil export capacity is severely limited. Also, Jagmeet Singh will support Trudeau’s government until 2025 in return for dental and pharmacare. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:03:35 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 261 – Housing Immigrants
March 20, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 28.1 MBAlberta increases funding for charter schools, BC ties its minimum wage increase to inflation, and Quebec is forcing Ukrainian refugees into French schools. Also, the census data shows that Trudeau’s immigration plan negatively impacts the housing crisis. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:01:22 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 260 – The Elixir of Freedom
March 13, 2022 12:00 - 58 minutes - 26.5 MBTrudeau engages in photo-ops across Europe, Albertan oil becomes an elixir of freedom, and BC lifts its mandates while a convoy heads to Victoria. Also, Jean Charest and Patrick Brown enter the Conservative leadership race. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 58:01 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 259 – A Lack of Readiness
March 06, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 31.1 MBThe Alberta UCP stops municipalities from overstepping their boundaries, Canada’s military is not equipped to defend our Arctic sovereignty, and we debunk the idea of the Great Reset. Also, Canada’s energy infrastructure can’t export what we need it to. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:08:00 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.
Western Context 258 – A Tale of Two Budgets
February 27, 2022 13:00 - 55 minutes - 25.5 MBTrudeau’s small business subsidy actually went to large corporations, Alberta’s budget forecasts a surplus and investment, while BC’s budget forecasts a deficit and more taxes. Also, Trudeau’s new digital services tax faces backlash from the US. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 55:38 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.