The Evan Bray Show

Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what's on their minds today

Keith Moen, Executive Director of the North Saskatoon Business Association, joins us to talk about some of the issues facing Saskatchewan businesses right now. We’ll get his perspective on major economic and infrastructure projects, trade uncertainty and our trade relationship with the U.S. We’ll also discuss the impact of changes to the minimum wage and what businesses are seeing on the ground.

Canada’s proposed West Coast oil pipeline is now the first project designated in the national interest under the Building Canada Act, fast-tracking the approval process. Heather Exner-Pirot, Director of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, joins Evan to break down what yesterday’s announcement means and whether Canada can actually get the pipeline built.

Trends can be hard to keep up with... and what was once considered grandpa food is now trendy for its affordability and health benefits: canned sardines. Despite the trend, Evan refuses to be influenced, drawing his line in the sand on the tiny fish.

Minimum wage is up today in Saskatchewan, rising to $15.70 an hour — but that still leaves the province with the second-lowest minimum wage in Canada, ahead of only Alberta. A new report says a living wage is considerably higher at $22.50 in Regina and $21.50 in Saskatoon, and report author Simon Enoch, senior researcher for Saskatchewan issues and policies at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, joins Evan to talk about the growing gap.

Evan catches up with Regina's Chief of Police, Lorilee Davies, to talk about local crime statistics, how the city is doing and what information people in Regina should be aware of.

Alberta is less than three weeks away from a referendum that includes a the question about whether to remain a province and a part of Canada. Tyler Dawson, an Edmonton-based editor with The Globe and Mail and author of The Republic of Alberta, joins Evan to talk about why he believes the pro-Canada side hasn’t approached the campaign with the same urgency as the separatist movement.

Open phones - Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what's on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255.

The DEED continues to spark debate, with questions about the cost, potential benefits, and what it could mean for the city's already existing SaskTel Centre. John Howden, CEO of the SaskTel Centre and Troy Davies, Saskatoon Ward 4 city councillor and City Council Board representative on the SaskTel Centre and DEED Advisory Group, Co-Chair, join the show to share their thoughts and what information they think the public needs to know.

The recently announced nuclear project could reshape Saskatchewan’s energy future, but it also raises big questions about cost, timelines, construction and who will ultimately pay for it. Minister Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan Minister of Crown Investments Corporation, joins the show to explain what these plans mean and what needs to happen before the province can move forward.