Canadians have re-elected a Liberal government — proof that a few months, a new leader, and a dose of Trump panic can shift the political winds. On this special late-night edition of West of Centre: After Dark, host Rob Brown convenes Liberal strategist Sabrina Grover, conservative strategist Sarah Biggs and NDP strategist Cheryl Oates for hot takes, hard truths and a touch of political therapy.

Running on election night pizza and too much caffeine, the panel unpacks how the Liberals pulled off a surprise comeback, why the Conservatives might be in turmoil despite a historic share of the vote, and what’s left for the NDP after a crushing collapse. From Pierre Poilievre potentially losing his seat, to who might be plotting to replace party leaders, to Danielle Smith preparing for another round with Ottawa — this episode has it all, except the final results. (Note: This conversation was recorded at 11 p.m. MT on election night, with several key ridings still undecided.)

Correction: In this episode, we mistakenly said that Jamil Jivani was a former Ontario PC MPP who served under Doug Ford. In fact, he was an advisor to Premier Ford, not an elected member of the Ontario legislature.

As the 2025 federal election barrels toward the finish line, three generations of Prairie political minds sit down for a lively conversation about the campaign's final stretch. West of Centre guest host Jim Brown is joined by Shannon Greer, a Calgary-based strategist and proud millennial; Malcolm Bird, a Gen X political science professor from Winnipeg; and Douglas Richardson, a Saskatoon lawyer, grandfather and former chief of staff to John Turner. Together, they hand out "report cards" to the major party leaders, assessing everything from campaign vibes to how effectively they've targeted different generations of voters. From young voters swinging Conservative to baby boomers sticking with the Liberals, the panel debates whether these shifting allegiances are rooted in hope, anger or economic anxiety.

The Conservative Party has dubbed the past nine years of Liberal rule a “lost decade” — a period defined by stagnating wages, soaring debt and declining productivity. But Alberta Central's chief economist Charles St-Arnaud says the story is more complicated — and more alarming. In this wide-ranging and insightful interview with host Rob Brown on West of Centre Short, St-Arnaud traces Canada’s economic malaise back not just to 2015, but to structural problems that have been festering for 25 to 30 years. He argues that the oil and gas boom of the early 2000s papered over deep weaknesses in manufacturing and exports. Since the 2014 oil crash, Canada has seen a collapse in investment, rising household debt and a disturbing lag in productivity. With GDP per capita now lagging behind that of peer nations, he says the country faces a pivotal moment: one that calls for renewed investment in infrastructure and productive capital, a rethink of immigration and regulatory frameworks, and a broad effort to strengthen non-energy sectors — or risk a future defined by economic stagnation.

West of Centre hits the road for a special live show from Medicine Hat — Canada’s sunniest city and the backdrop for big questions about energy, identity and the future of the West. Host Kathleen Petty is joined by a panel featuring former Alberta Party leader Barry Morishita, former UCP MLA Michaela Frey and pollster Janet Brown for a wide-ranging conversation on Western alienation, interprovincial trade and the role of mid-sized cities in provincial and national politics. Rochelle Pancoast, the City of Medicine Hat’s managing director of energy, land and environment, also joins the discussion. The event wraps with a lively Q&A with the audience.

This episode of West of Centre was made possible through a partnership with the Medicine Hat Public Library, and marks a preview of CBC’s future expansion into the "Gas City" with the launch of a new local bureau.

From method acting to music stands doubling as podiums, debate prep is part serious business, part political theatre. Ahead of the highly anticipated federal debates — the first major showdown between Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre — CBC’s Rob Brown gets the inside story from two political strategists with firsthand experience. Shannon Andrews helped Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe prepare his talking points against NDP leader Carla Beck, while Jean-Marc Prevost channelled his inner B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad to help Premier David Eby get debate-ready. In this episode of West of Centre Short, the two self-described political nerds pull back the curtain on what really goes on behind the scenes — and offer some candid advice for the federal party leaders.

Crowd sizes have suddenly become a talking point in the federal election, with many comparing Pierre Poilievre’s massive rally in Edmonton to Mark Carney’s smaller, but still maxed-out, event in Calgary. Meanwhile, polls suggest the Liberals are holding a steady lead over the Conservatives. Are the Tories in serious trouble? And how many gaffes can Carney make before one finally sticks? Past midway through the campaign, is it too soon to call him a ‘Teflon’ candidate? West of Centre host Kathleen Petty explores these questions with political strategists Michael Solberg and Zain Velji, and freelance journalist Kathy Kerr from Edmonton. They also discuss how much weight should be placed on reports of half a dozen or so ridings in play across Alberta.

*Please note this episode contains explicit language.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman spearheaded the Chicago School, popularizing free-market ideas that reshaped American conservatism. But Canada has its own counterpart: the so-called “Calgary School,” a loose group of University of Calgary academics whose ideas helped shape this country’s right-of-centre movement. Their influence can be seen in the policies and perspectives of conservative leaders ranging from Stephen Harper and Danielle Smith to Pierre Poilievre. In this episode of West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown speaks with Barry Cooper — the last active, original member of the Calgary School — about how this informal group challenged Canada’s traditional, "Laurentian" political and cultural mindset.

Everything we know about “the West” seems to be shifting this week. On a global scale, the U.S. has upended the post-war international order by slapping tariffs on dozens of countries, effectively shredding free trade. Closer to home, former Reform Party leader Preston Manning warns of a potential “West wants out” scenario if the Liberals form government again. How real are these threats? West of Centre host Kathleen Petty talks with three everyday Albertans about navigating this highly unusual election. Journalists Rob Breakenridge and Lisa Johnson then weigh in on whether these pressures could redefine the upcoming election — and Canada’s political landscape at large.

West of Centre is hitting the road to Medicine Hat for a special live show at the Esplanade centre on April 16! Join host Kathleen Petty and producer Falice Chin, along with a lineup of insightful guests, as they delve into the city’s “Gas City” reputation and the challenges of transitioning away from local natural gas. The conversation will also tackle issues like Western alienation in Premier Danielle Smith’s home riding — and we want you to be part of it. Presented in partnership with the Medicine Hat Public Library, this event is free to attend: reserve your tickets now at cbc.ca/mycalgary. For VIP tickets, email [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

For the first time in months, U.S. President Donald Trump isn’t calling Canada’s prime minister the “governor of the 51st state.” But Prime Minister Mark Carney insists the “old relationship” between Canada and the United States — anchored by deep economic, security and military ties — has come to an end. Meanwhile, the first week of the election campaign has been consumed by tariff tensions, eclipsing tax-cut promises and prompting concern among conservative stalwarts that Pierre Poilievre’s CPC could be losing focus. An apparent collapse in NDP support and a last-minute scramble to confirm candidates add to the drama of an already unpredictable race. Join Kathleen Petty on West of Centre as she delves into these shifting dynamics with Rob Russo from The Economist, Shannon Waters from The Narwhal, and the CBC’s Jason Markusoff. *Note this episode contains explicit language