Some Politics is Local

In this episode, for Canadian federal politics, we continue to observe the big moves being made by the major parties in our 'Election Watch' series. This week, the Liberals announced nailed down their fourth province to take part in their daycare strategy and also announced that there are vaccines for every Canadian; as well, we talk about how the increased natural disasters due to climate change will shape the campaign. For municipal politics, we talk about the Jeff Davison campaign's third party advertiser (TPA) issue and what it means for the race.

For Movie/HollywoodReport, David and Mike both watched Vice, a movie that seeks to turn the life of Dick Cheney into a fun and sometimes surreal journey.

In this episode, for Canadian federal politics, we continue to observe the big moves being made by the major parties in our 'Election Watch' series. This week the Liberals announced a bunch of money for Quebec's aerospace industry - is it good politics/policy? We'll discuss! For provincial/municipal politics, we talk about the issues that will be put on the ballot in Alberta municipal elections in the fall - and whether referendums are a good way to make decisions, more generally.

For PodReport, Mike listened to the first episode of the Foreign Desk's special series which examines big historical events in the same way they cover today's big events (you'll get it when you hear it!). The first one is on the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

In this episode, for Canadian Federal politics, we talk about the 'power moves' being made by Justin Trudeau and Erin O'Toole in the lead-up to the (increasingly likely) fall election. For Municipal (AKA Local) politics, we talk about how the developments in the big arena deal are playing in the Municipal election slated for October. Who is making hay and who is eating it, we'll discuss!

For Book/Movie Report, David read (with his eyes) Oh Canada, Oh Quebec by Mordechai Richler and Mike watched (with his eyes as well) what can be considered a 'companion piece' documentary called The Rise and Fall of Montreal from the National Film Board. Both pieces explore the contribution of the English Montrealers to the city, the language laws in place and the English exodus that has resulted from it.

In this episode, for US politics, we talk about the indictment of the Trump Organization's CFO. Is this the first step in the bringing-down of Donald J. Trump? We'll discuss! We follow this up with Canadian Federal politics and the sudden resignation of Liberal Cabinet Minister Catherine McKenna. What does this say about how good the job of an MP really is - and what does this portend for the future of the Liberals.

For PodReport this week, we both listened to the rest of Slow Burn Season 5: The Road to the Iraq War. In this segment, we'll answer the burning question in everyone's mind: did the pod continue on its streak of amazingness, or did it disappoint after high-expectations (much like the war itself)?

In this episode, for Global politics, we talk about the future of work after the pandemic - including how policies like CERB and UBI will play into how we live and work. For Federal politics, we talk about Erin O'Toole's speech on not canceling Canada Day. Will it be a much needed political winner for him? We'll discuss!

For PodReport this week, David listened to the final episode of Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast series on the Pacific front of the Second World War, called Supernova in the East.

In this episode, for Global politics, we discuss the G7 meeting that took place in England and also the bilateral meeting between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin. What came out of these get togethers and what is the politics behind it - we'll discuss! For Federal politics, Mike tries to convince David that the implosion of the Green Party (and its leader) actually matters in the grand scheme of things.

For (Hollywood) MovieReport this week, Mike watched the dramatized campaign drama/comedy Our Brand is Chaos, starring Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton. This movie, based on a 2005 documentary of the same name, tells the story of a critical election in Bolivia in 2002 - and the American political consultants that helped shape it.

In this episode, for US/Global politics, we discuss the big spending bill that was passed in the US Senate to fund research in strategic areas where China has upped their game of late. What does this say about the US/China relations and is this further evidence of a new kind of Cold War? For provincial politics, David and Mike debate whether Jason Kenney is 'hot or not' based on all of the weeks developments (politically-speaking...definitely not physically-speaking).

For PodReport this week, David listened to the 5-part American Scandal series on The Red Scare, which explores the hearings marshalled by former Senator (and ongoing historical pariah) Joseph McCarthy.

Note: the audio quality of this episode isn't great as we recorded it from Mike's Backyard, we assure you that the audio quality will be better next time.  

In this episode, for Federal politics, we talk about the horrible discovery of 215 indigenous children's graves in the Kamloops Residential School. What does this mean and will it impact the Federal government's response on First Nations issues? For Alberta politics, we talk about whether Jason Kenney's Sky Palace dinner was a big deal or not - and whether or not he broke his government's own rules.

For BookReport this week, Mike read (with his earns, of course) Whistlestop by John Dickerson, which explores the best US presidential and primary election stories of the past 250 years or so.

In this episode, for federal politics, we talk about NDP scion Avi Lewis getting into the family business, with a run in West Vancouver for the Federal NDP. What does this mean for the party and their likely future policy course? We'll discuss! For Alberta politics, we breakdown the policy and politics of Jason Kenney's aggressive re-opening plan for Alberta.

For PodReport this week, David listened to the latest season of Serial, called Improvement Association, which centers on the one case of proven voter fraud in Bladen County.

In this episode, for provincial politics, we talk about the Todd Loewan's 2am letter, the ejections of him and Drew Barnes from the UCP Caucus that came from it and what's next for Jason Kenney's UCP Party. On the local side of things, Jeff Davison, the city councilor from Ward 6, has entered the fray - we'll analyze the race...and offer an EXCLUSIVE announcement in relation to it!

For BookReport this week, Mike read (with his ears) Double Down by John Heileman and Mark Halperin about the 2012 GOP Primaries and Presidential election featuring President Barack Obama vs Mitt Romney.