There are now two proposed pipelines without private proponents on the table. The first: Alberta's idea for a bitumen pipeline to northern British Columbia has become a political hot potato. The second, Keystone XL, may potentially be back from the dead (just in time for Halloween!) as possible leverage with U.S. President Donald Trump, to lubricate relief from steel and aluminum tariffs. On West of Centre this week, host Kathleen Petty is joined by Erika Barootes, who once served as the premier's principal secretary; Keith McLaughlin, who was chief of staff to several ministers in Rachel Notley's NDP government; and CBC producer and writer, Jason Markusoff. They dive into the possibility that the federal energy minister is dodging Ottawa's role in the Alberta-B.C. pipeline dispute, why pipeline politics are so intertwined with a new U.S. trade deal, and whether Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was right all along when it came to her honey versus vinegar approach to dealing with Trump. 

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Erika Barootes, Keith McLaughlin, Jason Markusoff

Alberta is laying the groundwork for a new bitumen pipeline to B.C.'s northwest coast. But Danielle Smith's government's plan isn't just about a pipeline -- it's a test of political will. 

In this week's episode of West of Centre, our panel digs into how this proposed project is a bold political play by the premier that's straight out of a "choose your own adventure" gamebook, with two very different endings. The push for a new West Coast pipeline and a new, grand bargain with Ottawa is Smith's preferred path. The premier expects that pipeline to be on the list of the next round of major projects that the federal government unveils by Grey Cup. But what happens if this plan fails? The push toward Alberta's sovereignty, an idea that's been getting new oxygen at the Alberta Next panel consultations, could be the next path. 

Host Kathleen Petty is joined this week by Rick Bell, a columnist with Postmedia; Rob Breakenridge, a columnist and podcast host at The Line; and pollster and political analyst Janet Brown. They break down how this isn't just a political story; it's about the very identity of Alberta. 

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Rick Bell, Rob Breakenridge, Janet Brown

Is “pragmatism” a good principle when it comes to tackling climate change? What does this big buzzword adopted by the Prime Minister and others in his government even mean, anyway? 

As the Canadian Climate Institute concludes there’s no way Canada will meet its emission reduction targets for 2030 or even 2035, our expert panel dives into the disconnect between the country’s net-zero targets and the lack of a clear, short-term plan to get there. 

West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Bill Whitelaw, executive director of Rextag; climate policy strategist Jeremy van Loon; and Globe and Mail energy reporter Emma Graney. They examine the effectiveness of key initiatives, including the Pathways Alliance carbon capture project, the evolution of industrial carbon pricing, and how the concept of “pragmatism” fits into the politics of it all. 

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Bill Whitelaw, Emma Graney, Jeremy van Loon

The Alberta government is making headlines with its plan to add a “CAN” citizenship marker to driver’s licences, a move Premier Danielle Smith says will safeguard elections and improve efficiency. At the same time, she’s pressing for greater provincial control over immigration, even as the province faces the threat of a teachers’ strike, a ballooning deficit and renewed talk of sovereignty.

West of Centre host Kathleen Petty explores whether Smith is energizing her base or distracting from core issues with Real Talk podcast host Ryan Jespersen, former Tory aide Tom Olsen, and ex-Trudeau adviser Jessie Chahal. The panel weighs whether the UCP government’s priorities align with what Albertans really want.

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Ryan Jespersen, Tom Olsen, Jessie Chahal

This fall, Calgary and Edmonton voters will face a first in Alberta history: municipal candidates backed by political parties.

The provincial government has launched the move as a pilot project, but it’s already stirring debate. Critics warn it could erode the independence of city politics, while supporters say it may bring clarity and accountability to local campaigns.

West of Centre Short host Rob Brown speaks with Kennedy Stewart, a former Vancouver mayor and longtime political science professor, who has run both as an independent and as part of a party slate. From spending caps and donor lists to door knockers and party discipline (or lack thereof), Stewart lays out how partisanship reshapes city campaigns and governance — for better and worse.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Kennedy Stewart

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first five “nation-building” projects are out — but there’s no oil pipeline, at least not yet. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s unusually upbeat response raised eyebrows, suggesting she may know something the rest of us don’t. Both she and Carney hint that bigger announcements could come by year’s end.

West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is back to dissect the politics behind the nudge-nudge, wink-wink with Zain Velji of The Strategists podcast, conservative strategist Amber Ruddy, and Toronto Star journalist Alex Boyd.

Together, they dig into what Carney’s cautious list means for Alberta, the federal government, and where it leaves Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

In the second half, Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon joins the conversation to explore why Alberta and Quebec may be more alike than different when it comes to their battles with Ottawa. Plamondon, who hopes to be Quebec’s next premier, has pledged to hold another referendum on separation by 2030 if his party forms government. 

After all, what’s more Albertan than obsessing about Quebec?

Even Alberta politics needs a pause now and then. While there are no new episodes in August, we'll be back in September, ready to dive headfirst into the political drama this province never fails to deliver. Enjoy the quiet while it lasts.

Please rate and review us if you can. It helps others discover the pod.

More than halfway through a turbulent political year, Alberta sits at the crossroads of a global trade war, a federal-provincial power struggle and a simmering separatism debate. This week on West of Centre, host Rob Brown brings together former federal cabinet minister Monte Solberg, political strategist Stephen Carter, and University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young to take stock of Canada and Alberta’s political landscape before the podcast breaks for the summer.

The panel sizes up three major players: rookie Prime Minister Mark Carney, who’s set an ambitious tone but faces high-stakes tests ahead; Pierre Poilievre, whose leadership hangs in the balance after his election defeat; and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who remains strong in the polls while stoking talks of sovereignty. The trio weighs in on their performance so far — and what could make or break them in the months ahead.

The episode wraps with a look at Alberta’s changing municipal politics, where party slates are on the ballot for the first time in Calgary and Edmonton. While voters claim to dislike partisanship in city hall, Carter argues party structures could either streamline councils or turn them into battlegrounds. With federal, provincial, and municipal politics all in flux, the rest of 2025 promises anything but quiet.

West of Centre has recorded its biggest audience and download numbers ever this year. Thank you for listening! We’ll be back in September with Kathleen Petty returning to the host chair.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Monte Solberg, Lisa Young, Stephen Carter

As the Aug. 1 trade deadline approaches, Donald Trump’s administration is threatening to hike tariffs on non-CUSMA-compliant Canadian goods from 25 to 35 per cent, while leaving existing levies on potash and energy unchanged. Gitane De Silva, former Canada Energy Regulator CEO and Alberta’s ex-representative in Washington, doubts a deal will be struck by Friday. She says Canada is smart to keep negotiations focused and quiet, while leveraging its deep economic integration with the U.S.

De Silva urges Ottawa to avoid broad retaliation but suggests targeted responses and shifts in consumer behaviour are already shaping U.S. decisions. She questions whether Trump even wants a short-term deal, given his push to renegotiate CUSMA. Canada, she argues, should aim for certainty in key sectors like autos and energy while being realistic about what it may need to concede. Despite the turbulence, she’s cautiously optimistic Canadians are adapting to a new era of trade uncertainty.

At home, De Silva weighs in on Alberta’s push for a new pipeline to Prince Rupert, B.C., calling it feasible but dependent on meaningful backing from both levels of government. She says regulatory clarity under Bill C-5 is lacking, and Indigenous consultation — especially in B.C.'s unceded territories — remains a key challenge. She suggests Ottawa could seek legal clarity via a Supreme Court reference. Despite the obstacles, she sees this as a moment for Canada to assert its value as a reliable supplier of food, fuel and stability in a shifting global landscape.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Gitane De Silva

In the dead of summer, a shift in tone appears to be taking hold between Canada’s premiers and the prime minister.

On this week’s West of Centre, three Alberta-based journalists examine what may be driving Premier Danielle Smith’s recent change in rhetoric. At the latest premiers’ summit, Smith downplayed talk of a new oil pipeline and instead emphasized on shared priorities with B.C. Premier David Eby — including ammonia exports, LNG expansion and increasing Trans Mountain’s capacity.

Meghan Potkins of the Financial Post offers a reality check on the private sector’s appetite for a new pipeline. Lisa Johnson of The Canadian Press and Alex Boyd of the Toronto Star explore whether more in-person engagement — and a new prime minister — may be shifting the dynamic among provincial leaders. And to what political end?

The panel also unpacks renewed controversy over coal payouts. The Alberta government is now facing millions more in potential liabilities after reversing its policy on coal development in the Rockies — raising the prospect of further legal and political fallout.

Attention then turns to the Battle River–Crowfoot byelection, where federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faces a ballot featuring some 200 names. Is it a genuine complaint, or a pre-emptive explanation for what could be a lower vote share in one of the country’s safest Conservative ridings?

The episode ends on a sobering note. Globe and Mail reporter Carrie Tait was recently targeted with surveillance. The panel reflects on rising hostility toward journalists, and how it threatens not just the press, but the public’s access to information.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Meghan Potkins, Lisa Johnson, Alex Boyd