The Western Standard

In this episode we discuss:The latest legal hurdle for Keystone XLPoll numbers for leaders, and Jason Kenney's being uniquely lower compared to his peers.The phenomenon of bureaucrat celebrities.When does the economy reopen?Should leaders be bound by the same rules as the rest of us?Mullets Related News and Opinion:Related News - Keystone XL hits another legal roadblock in the U.S.Related News - BC MP says Covid-19 mainly hits seniors in care – and asks if it’s time to reopen the economyRelated Opinion - For the sake of our mental health, it’s time to let people get outdoorsThe Pipeline is The Western Standard's weekly national affairs program, focusing particularly on issues that affect Western Canada.Derek Fildebrandt, PublisherDave Naylor, News EditorDeirdre Mitchell-MacLean, Senior ReporterPaul Holmes, Digital EditorLinks:Western Standard websiteWestern Standard on TwitterWestern Standard on FacebookWestern Standard on YouTubeMembership InformationCopyright Wildrose Media Corp.

Recorded at 10am on March 11th, 2020: In this episode of The Pipeline, Paul, Derek and Dave discuss the very latest developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, including analysis of media and government responses, and examining the social and economic consequences.We also discussed the somewhat-related oil price plunge, the production battle between Russia and Saudi Arabia, and the latest from other OPEC countries, including the U.A.E.While the World Bank ranked Canada as the 22nd most oil-dependent country in the world in a 2012 study, this dependency is significantly amplified zooming in on Alberta's economy. On the podcast, we discuss Alberta's recently announced budget, and the significance these latest oil price moves will have on the plan.Related News - Coronavirus confirmed as pandemic by World Health OrganizationRelated News - OPEC members announce production increases as Russia prepares for long gameRelated News - UCP plans to pass budget with oil projected at twice current pricesRelated News - Kenney says government may not keep balanced budget pledgeRelated Opinion - FILDEBRANDT: Alberta’s budget is shot, and will need a new one entirelyThe Pipeline is The Western Standard's weekly national affairs program. Each week, The Western Standard Publisher Derek Fildebrandt and Digital Editor Paul Holmes break down the issues from the week, discuss them in-depth and examine some of the broader implications, focusing particularly on how they affect Western Canada. We were also joined this week by Dave Naylor, News Editor.Links:Western Standard websiteWestern Standard on TwitterWestern Standard on FacebookWestern Standard on YouTubeMembership InformationCopyright Wildrose Media Corp.

In this episode of The Pipeline, Paul, Derek and Deirdre discussed the Alberta Budget.At the end of the episode, we talked about the latest around COVID-19, and Deirdre's Western Standard breaking story about a plane from Vancouver to Winnipeg with a fever-stricken "unresponsive" passenger.In between that, we intended to talk about the Conservative Party leadership race. We did a little bit, but mostly we talked about (1) that Peter MacKay has probably already won, (2) abortion, and (3) why we can't talk about abortion.It ended with some agreements ... (1) that abortion will continue to be an issue that Canada will probably never legislate on, and (2) the new Conservative Party leader's opinion on the issue, and the perception of their opinion and intentions on the issue, will matter a fair bit in the future success or failure of the Conservative Party of Canada.For an apparently "long decided" issue, abortion will continue to haunt political debate in Canada for the foreseeable future.Related News - WestJet 448 passenger tests negative for coronavirusRelated News - UCP says it will balance budget with no tax increases, while it increases taxesRelated News - UCP Budget 2020: Debt will continue to soarRelated News - Thousands gather at Alberta legislature to protest budget cutsThe Pipeline is The Western Standard's weekly national affairs program. Each week, The Western Standard Publisher Derek Fildebrandt and Digital Editor Paul Holmes break down the issues from the week, discuss them in-depth and examine some of the broader implications, focusing particularly on how they affect Western Canada. We were also joined this week by Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean, Senior Reporter.Links:Western Standard websiteWestern Standard on TwitterWestern Standard on FacebookWestern Standard on YouTubeMembership InformationCopyright Wildrose Media Corp.

In this episode of The Pipeline, Paul, Derek and Deirdre discuss the latest with the blockades happening around the country, and the non-confidence vote that was (almost) introduced as a result.We also look at The Western Standard's biggest story this week - the Bloc's motion on the Teck mine approval.We delve into the befuddling state of the gaffe-prone propaganda tool of the Alberta government, the Canadian Energy Centre.And we wrap up with the story about the Edmonton Eskimos professional football team, and their recent efforts to clear their name - literally - with the Inuit of Canada.The Pipeline is The Western Standard's weekly national affairs program. Each week, The Western Standard Publisher Derek Fildebrandt and Digital Editor Paul Holmes break down the issues from the week, discuss them in-depth and examine some of the broader implications, focusing particularly on how they affect Western Canada. We were also joined this week by Dierdre Mitchell-McLean, Senior Reporter.Related News - Bloc Quebecois to propose motion to kill TeckRelated News - Tories back down on no-confidence motion against TrudeauRelated News - Edmonton Eskimos keeping their historic nameLinks:Western Standard websiteWestern Standard on TwitterWestern Standard on FacebookWestern Standard on YouTubeMembership InformationCopyright Wildrose Media Corp.

In this episode of The Pipeline, Paul, Derek and Dave discuss the various blockades happening around the country, the impasse between the sides, and the tepid response by law enforcement. From trains to bridges to legislatures, there are a lot of angry protesters who seem ready to stop at nothing to prevent the CoastalGasLink from being built.We also examine the latest developments on the Teck federal approval situation, and the unrest this situation has stirred in Alberta.And finally, Dave pays tribute to a giant of journalism in Canada who passed away today.The Pipeline is The Western Standard's weekly national affairs program. Each week, The Western Standard Publisher Derek Fildebrandt and Digital Editor Paul Holmes break down the issues from the week, discuss them in-depth and examine some of the broader implications, focusing particularly on how they affect Western Canada. We were also joined this week by Dave Naylor, News Editor.Related Editorial - EDITORIAL: Canada’s leaders fail as blockades spread lawlessnessRelated News - Trudeau says spreading pipeline blockades a ‘concern’Related Opinion - MCCAFFREY: Teck rejection could be the last straw for AlbertansRelated News - WEXIT calls for merger of Alberta’s independence groups

In this episode of The Pipeline, Paul, Derek and Dave discuss the shocking interview with Canada's Heritage Minister alleging that the Federal Government was looking at licensing Canadian media.We also cover the latest (and possibly final) Trans-Mountain Pipeline lawsuit and what the fallout from that looks like.Finally we rejoice in how much smoother elections are in Canada as compared to the way things are ran in the Democrat's Iowa Caucus. Who was the big winner there? And what are the possibilities of a second Trump term?The Pipeline is The Western Standard's weekly national affairs program. Each week, The Western Standard Publisher Derek Fildebrandt and Digital Editor Paul Holmes break down the issues from the week, discuss them in-depth and examine some of the broader implications, focusing particularly on how they affect Western Canada. We were also joined this week by Dave Naylor, News Editor.Related News - Media to be forced to obtain government licenses: Liberal ministerRelated Editorial - Western Standard will never comply with government media licencingRelated News - Federal courts dismiss TMX challenge as “posturing”Related News - Trump acquitted

This week: Just how heavily armed Canadian civilians are, how energy projects in Alberta are always on the minds of the Federal Government, which Conservative leadership candidate can out-Pride the other, and how the Corona virus has nothing to do with the beer.Join the Western Standard's Derek Fildebrandt, Paul Holmes and Dave Naylor.Editor's note: With apologies, the audio quality this episode was below the usual standard.

Paul sits down for a conversation with UBC Free Speech Club Executive Director Angelo Isidorou about UBC suddenly canceling their event featuring Andy Ngo of Portland, Oregon, speaking on the topic of Antifa and violence.His group previously brought in noted speakers like Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro.With the JCCF, the UBC Free Speech Club is now suing UBC - a precedent setting case which may answer the question "how free is speech in Canada?"

This week: the Regina Unifor/Co-op labour dispute escalates, a BC Ferries blockade, Harry and Meghan's "backwater" Vancouver Island home, and the Tory leadership race sans Jean Charest.Join the Western Standard's Derek Fildebrandt, Paul Holmes and Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean.

Paul, Derek and Dave discuss trouble in the Royal Family, as Meghan Markle and Harry plan to depart the UK for Canada (which is way better, of course), and quite possibly Paul's neighbourhood. We also discuss Harper's statement on "regime change" in Iran, and the Tory leadership race: Rona's out, Peter McKay's in.Each week on The Pipeline, The Western Standard's Derek Fildebrandt and Paul Holmes discuss recent issue in-depth. We were also joined this week by Dave Naylor, News Editor.