The prime minister’s response to what he calls the “layers of calamity” in the energy sector include $1.7 billion for oil and gas workers to clean up abandoned and inactive wells, and $750 million for emission reductions. Kathleen Petty asks three key energy analysts what it will mean for a sector gutted by COVID-19 and cratering oil prices: Peter Tertzakian, executive director of ARC Energy Research Institute and the creator of Energyphile, Gary Mar, president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation and Rory Johnston, managing director and market economist at Price Street Inc.

Alberta’s premier has been battling what he calls a “triple whammy” of COVID-19, massive job losses and the price of oil falling off a cliff. Jason Kenney says it all adds up to an economic reckoning. Kathleen Petty looks at what the future holds for the province and the Kenney agenda with political analyst Graham Thomson, Globe and Mail columnist Kelly Cryderman and CBC provincial affairs reporter Janet French.

Alberta was already coping with job losses and falling oil prices when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. A CBC News poll was in the field during turbulent times in the province - the Teck Frontier decision, an austerity budget, a stock market crash and the early shock of COVID-19. Kathleen Petty takes the pulse of Alberta at a critical moment with lead pollster Janet Brown, data scientist John Santos and academic advisers Duane Bratt and Melanee Thomas.

Alberta’s premier is demanding the federal government help with the economic fallout from depressed energy prices and the coronavirus. Meanwhile, Jason Kenney’s Fair Deal panel is writing its report. The panel heard from thousands of Albertans on a range of life changing questions - from creating an Alberta pension plan to separation from Canada. Two panelists: United Conservative Party MLA Drew Barnes and former Progressive Conservative MLA Donna Kennedy-Glans say Albertans need a fair deal now more than ever.

Debates about taxes, climate change and fossil fuel development have become more polarized. Politicians and commentators use information often taken out of context, or simply wrong to promote a narrative. On social media, facts don’t seem to matter. Academics have become vigilantes in the fight against misinformation - economists like Andrew Leach, Lindsay Tedds and Trevor Tombe.

Alberta’s budget forecasts an improving economy from increased fossil fuel production and provides scant details about efforts to fight climate change. Meanwhile, Teck has withdrawn its $20 billion Frontier oil sands mine application, as Alberta wins its carbon tax challenge in court.

Independent pollster Janet Brown, journalist Jason Markusoff and political scientist Roger Epp take stock of what Alberta sees when it looks in the mirror, and how that’s reflected in the rest of Canada.

Former Saskatchewan premier Roy Romanow has witnessed and made history, from his early association with Tommy Douglas, to the patriation of the Constitution. Along the way he dug his province out of insolvency and advised Jean Chretien’s federal government on reforming Health Care. Kathleen Petty asked him how his experiences shape his view of today’s political challenges. (Recorded February 11.)

Barricades continue to disrupt rail service and Canadians want the blockades to come down. Are federal and provincial governments fueling the crisis, or lowering the temperature? Three political columnists in western Canada weigh in: Vaughn Palmer of the Vancouver Sun, Niigaan Sinclair of the Winnipeg Free Press and journalist Max Fawcett in Calgary. This was recorded on Friday, February 21st.

Rick Anderson has worked in the trenches of politics for decades. As a young Liberal, he campaigned for Pierre Trudeau, and worked and volunteered for the party for years. In the 90s Anderson headed to the Reform Party, and built bridges with provincial conservative governments across the country. He played a key role in the movement to unite the right in Canada. These days, Anderson continues to provide strategic advice with the Earnscliffe Strategy Group, but now as a committed independent.

Another court ruling has helped to clear the way for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. But public support for the project has faltered since the federal government bought it in June of 2018. Shachi Kurl, executive director of the Angus Reid Institute has been analyzing what's going on, and how the courts and protests may affect public opinion.