Saskatchewan Survivor's Guide

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Been a busy summer for both Paul and I.

In this episode we covered:

* Regina City Council’s new budget process.

* How media coverage distorts municipal budgeting.

* Everyday challenges facing Saskatoon and Regina, from overdoses to late-night empty buses to the shifting Cathedral neighbourhood.

* The controversy behind the province’s $187-million water bomber purchase, conflict of interest allegations, and ongoing accountability gaps in government spending.

* Eroding Saskatchewan media coverage following Adam Hunter’s departure from CBC and increasing consolidation by private owners.

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In this episode, Tammy and Paul dive into the latest buzz around pop star Chappell Roan’s hit song “The Subway,” which unexpectedly put Saskatchewan on the pop culture map. We critically examine the disconnect between Roan’s celebratory tone and the province’s social realities, including human rights concerns.

We talk Saskatchewan politics, wildfire management, economic impacts, and Saskatchewan Party dynamics. Let’s just say we’re skeptical about the province’s prospects for opposition and reform from within.

Can celebrity activism ignite accountability where political will falters?

Or can pressure from outside forces bring about the changes Saskatchewan needs?

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We had an in-depth discussion on the leadership of Mark Carney: promises versus reality, federal austerity plans, and skepticism over dramatic cuts to CBC and Via Rail.

We also took an inside look at turmoil within the Saskatchewan Party following the abrupt exit of executive director Patrick Bundrock, including his rumoured tension with Premier Scott Moe and implications for Moe’s upcoming confidence vote fail.

Provincial wildfire mismanagement rages on, with impacts ranging from diminished tourism (Waskesiu) to skyrocketing crop insurance costs amid natural disasters. As usual, there is little to no national media coverage of this Saskatchewan crisis and its economic fallout.

We talked about the history of Country Thunder and other Saskatchewan music festivals, their importance to provincial identity, and under-promotion challenges.

Finally, Tammy talked about some of the dirty tricks she used to pull, in close cooperation with the Sask Party caucus, on the John Gormley Live Show, much to the shock, horror and dismay of Dechene.

I own every mistake I’ve ever made, but admittedly was surprised at Dechene’s reaction. I didn’t realize it was such a big secret. Of course we made s**t up all the time on that show, particularly those ‘Snap Polls’, or whatever they were called.

“Does the sun shine directly out of Brad Wall’s ass? 100% of Saskatchewan people say YES - news at the top of the hour.”

You thought that was real?

Oh honey.

Enjoy, T

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In this episode Paul and I try to clear our summer brain fog, nostalgic for a time when a relentless stream of wildfires and smoke didn’t define our glorious but brief reprieve from the snow in Saskatchewan.

But this is the new normal: earlier, longer wildfire seasons and the persistent haze of smoke blanketing yards, outdoor pools and playgrounds.

Meanwhile, as per normal in any kind of crisis, Scott Moe pretends nothing’s happening, downplaying climate change while crashing out elsewhere about something completely disconnected from the real life experience of Saskatchewan people.

Dechene is not super happy with Prime Minister Mark Carney and his recent policy decisions, including cuts to the public service and wobbly outcomes of trade talks with the U.S.

Premier Scott Moe’s horrific leadership has led him to believe his future rests in an exacerbated rural-urban political divide. He thinks we don’t notice his inability to manage his way out of a wet paper bag, as evidenced by the total failure of Regina’s new urgent care center, which has totally failed to deliver the promised 24/7 service.

Moe has to quit, now. Anyone who knows and loves that man should be begging him to do so for his own good, and that of so many others.

Enjoy, T

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Can’t actually believe it’s been six weeks since we released a podcast.

Apologies. There’s been a lot going on.

In this extended episode we discuss the Saskatchewan government’s handling of wildfires as well as their “decision” to continue burning coal.

After spending time in Regina for the first time in years, Tammy rants about the state of Regina’s downtown, road construction and its overall infrastructure. Paul has questions on the push for a new baseball stadium in that city.

Enjoy.

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In this episode…

* Regina’s Fluoridation Debate: Councillor Bezo’s anti-fluoride push pushed back when his expert was discredited right in front of him.

* Costco-GTH Controversy: Costco’s plan to build inside Regina city limits (and conveniently, on property owned by mega-Sask Party supporter Paul Hill) was threatened by a cheaper GTH deal, prompting Regina to pay $6.7M to keep them inside.

* Regina’s Leadership Crisis: The city lacks key leaders (city manager, police chief, REAL CEO).

* Scott Moe’s Flip-Flop: Premier Moe shifted from separatist rhetoric to pro-Canada stance amid NDP pressure and internal Saskatchewan Party unrest, with incoming leadership challenges from Jeremy Cockrill, Tim McLeod, and Bronwyn Eyre.

* Saskatchewan Party Turmoil: Caucus tension and Moe’s failures fuel speculation he may not survive a fall leadership review (spoiler alert: he will if he’s allowed to continue manipulating the Sask Party’s membership demographic).

* Polarization and Conservative Struggles: Conservative narratives, driven by CPC and media like Postmedia, creating fractured realities.

Enjoy, Tammy

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Paul and Tammy go over the federal election results and what they might mean for Saskatchewan, the Sask Party and Saskatchewan NDP.

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This was supposed to be an episode dedicated entirely to the REAL debacle, but we ended up working in a bit more federal election chat with the release of Rubicon Strategies, doing a bit deep dive on Saskatoon and Regina.

Then we get into REAL which to me is so representative of the expensive, publicly-funded chaos and dysfunction in Saskatchewan government circles right now. It’s just got everything, from whipped and unskilled board members to the Sask Party’s grubby fingers all over it.

An abject failure in leadership across the board, though to be fair I need to see more from Chad Bachynski before making a decision on his competencies. I can’t be impressed out of the gate by anyone who ran for an important role that he didn’t actually think he’d win.

Talk soon, T

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We recorded this episode on Friday evening, but my weekend got away from me.

In it we talk federal election politics in Saskatchewan, as well as this gong show involving Dollarama Donna Harpauer here, Sask Party MLA for Humboldt, Racquel Hilbert.

This is just an excerpt of her performance in the Leg that day, which I said I’d include in the show notes:

Enjoy, T

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