West of Centre

Political leaders across the spectrum are promising major infrastructure projects to strengthen Canada’s economy and sovereignty. In this West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown speaks with Zach Parston, a major projects advisor lead with KPMG Canada, about what it would take to modernize the country’s infrastructure. His plan includes a national corridor, preapproved industrial zones, expanded ports, Northern development and the removal of interprovincial trade barriers.

Alberta is back in the red, with the government forecasting a $5.2-billion deficit for Budget 2025 — its first in years. Finance Minister Nate Horner warns the financial picture could worsen, especially if Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs take effect. Despite the bleak outlook, the UCP government is introducing a personal income tax cut. Critics argue the budget lacks focus — or a real plan for the worst-case scenario. Host Jim Brown breaks down the numbers with political scientist Lisa Young, former NDP cabinet minister Deron Bilous, and conservative strategist Amber Ruddy. Later, economist Trevor Tombe weighs in on the province’s decision to run a deficit rather than balance the budget or reconsider its plans for the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith moves to regain control of the narrative after weeks of distancing herself from allegations of political interference — now at the center of a series of Globe and Mail reports and a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed by a former Alberta Health Services CEO. While the NDP brands the controversy "CorruptCare," Smith pushes back, arguing AHS resisted change and acted too slowly. With her health minister under fire, a top bureaucrat shuffled aside, and an internal review process underway, Smith manoeuvres to steady the UCP ship. Meanwhile, new polling shows rising support for the federal Liberals under Mark Carney among young voters. This week on West of Centre, host Jim Brown breaks it all down with conservative insiders Erika Barootes and Sarah Biggs, along with health policy expert Lorian Hardcastle.

This week, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is juggling two battles—diplomatic in Washington and defensive at home. As she joins Canada’s premiers in efforts to counter looming U.S. tariffs, a political storm brews in Alberta. Former Alberta Health Services CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos has filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit, alleging she was fired for investigating what she believed were questionable private health-care contracts. The allegations have not been tested in court, but the case has prompted calls from both the NDP opposition and a cabinet minister for Health Minister Adriana LaGrange’s removal. How much political fallout could this controversy create for Smith and LaGrange? And how is the NDP responding? Meanwhile, a new Leger poll suggests a Mark Carney-led Liberal Party could erase recent Conservative gains, shaking up the federal race. Host Jason Markusoff speaks with political strategists Cheryl Oates and Andrew Sennyah, with longtime journalist Graham Thomson providing historical perspective.

Across Canada, more young people are ditching progressive politics and embracing conservatism. In this West of Centre Short, host Anis Heydari explores why Gen Z is swiping right — politically. Calgarians Sally Zhou, 24, and Chase Zaba, 18, share what drew them to the Conservative Party of Canada.

For years, Canadians have listened to Trump supporters boasting: “Make America great again.” And most have sat quietly and done nothing. Not anymore. Threats of U.S. tariffs and annexation have sparked a wave of patriotism across Canada. Former Alberta premier and federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney joins West of Centre to reflect on this moment, discussing with host Jason Markusoff what it reveals about nation-building, national security, Canada's economic strengths, and the steps needed to make the country more resilient and independent.

Later, a panel featuring journalist Alex Boyd, conservative strategist Evan Menzies, and former NDP aide Shannon Greer unpacks the ongoing shakeup at Alberta Health Services and the Alberta auditor general’s investigation into procurement and contracting practices related to the dismissal of former CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos.

Tariffs today, tariffs tomorrow, or tariffs on April 1? As Donald Trump keeps Canada guessing, Ottawa scrambles to prepare a response. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is spotlighting border security, while federal leaders hint at a bailout package for businesses and workers — echoing pandemic-era relief. Speaking of pandemic flashbacks, Alberta’s COVID response task force report is stirring old debates on masking, vaccines and government overreach. This week, conservative policy advisor Ken Boessenkool and former NDP cabinet minister Shannon Phillips join host Jason Markusoff to unpack the political manoeuvring behind the tariff standoff and a pandemic reckoning five years in the making. Later, energy expert Jackie Forrest of the ARC Energy Research Institute challenges Trump’s claim that the U.S. doesn’t need Canadian oil — and explains why it’s not that simple.

What might a federal relief package for industries and workers look like if Ottawa is preparing for devastating U.S. tariffs? Federal Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc visited Calgary to meet with business leaders and Premier Danielle Smith. In this new supplemental segment called West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown asks LeBlanc how a federal plan might take shape, whether the Liberals are rethinking regulatory hurdles for oil and gas infrastructure, and sneaks in a question about Donald Trump’s musings about annexation.

Political and business leaders are expressing caution about Canada’s potential use of retaliatory tariffs in response to Donald Trump’s renewed trade threats. Critics warn that Canada’s economic leverage may fall short, risking significant harm to key industries. The premiers appear divided on the issue, despite Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s insistence that “country comes first.” In Trump’s first week as the 47th president of the United States, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty explores the implications of his aggressive trade stance. Joining the conversation are Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce; Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta; and Gitane De Silva, Alberta’s former senior representative to the U.S. during Trump’s first term. 

Danielle Smith charts her own path through choppy waters. Ahead of the first ministers' meeting in Ottawa, the Alberta premier heads to Mar-a-Lago to meet Donald Trump, then refuses to back a united Canadian response to a potential trade war. While Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls for the country to use “every tool in our toolbox" against the proposed American tariffs on Canadian goods, Smith draws a hard line — Alberta won’t agree to restrict energy exports. With national unity on the brink, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty dives into the fallout with Heather Exner-Pirot of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Zain Velji of The Strategists podcast, and Gary Mar of the Canada West Foundation.