Canada’s new disability benefit gets massively underfunded, Alberta will be getting municipal political parties, and a carjacker in Victoria gets caught and released several times. Also, Poilievre visits an anti-carbon tax protest. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 50:06 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Trudeau’s 2024 budget features billions in new spending, Champagne tries to lure foreign grocers to Canada, and Alberta keeps its default electricity rate. Also, the federal government halts the deportation of a law-breaking climate activist. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 52:31 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

BC gets another credit downgrade, Alberta battles the federal government over municipal control, and Trudeau’s South-East Asia trip cost $2M. Also, the CSIS director testifies that the Trudeau government did know about foreign interference. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 51:55 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

A majority of Canada’s premiers align against Trudeau’s carbon tax, BC sees open drug use in hospitals, and Edmonton’s rolling blackouts show Alberta’s energy vulnerabilities. Also, MP Han Dong’s testimony shows the extent of Chinese foreign interference. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 55:49 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

Canada 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.

The 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.

Alberta 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.

BC 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.

The 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.

Trudeau 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.

Steven 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.

Bell 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.

Danielle 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.

A 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.

Canada’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.

Trudeau’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.

We 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.

Canada’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.

UVIC’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.

Speaker 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.

BC’s Unexplained Wealth Order claims its first forfeiture candidate, the UCP invoke the Sovereignty Act on provincial power generation, and BC’s healthcare is likened to a 3rd world country. Also, Google makes a deal with Trudeau on C-18. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 56:38 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

A leaked memo shows the BC NDP’s inner thoughts, Huawei invests in Alberta AI research, and the Liberals’ fall economic statement gives more money for journalists. Also, Edmonton’s mayor asks Trudeau for support in the battle against hate crimes. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:03:20 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The Federal Court overturns the single use plastics ban, Trudeau and Eby’s battery plant announcement may cost more than expected, and Alberta calls for a balance between health and rights. Also, Iranian agents are operating in Canada with impunity. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 1:02:40 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.

The UCP convention showcases policy futures for Alberta, the UK says a terror attack in Canada is very likely, and Alberta is overhauling its healthcare system. Also, a Brampton food bank is banning international students. Hosts: Shane and Patrick Duration: 59:36 For detailed show notes visit westerncontext.ca.