West of Centre

What the heck is going on in Alberta? Host Kathleen Petty and her guests hunt for the reasons behind political upheaval in the province during this CBC Calgary Facebook Live event. Whether it’s protest rodeos or vaccine debates, political infighting and polarization are leading to exhaustion. Is it COVID fatigue, or is something else going on? Kathleen breaks it down with Janet Brown and John Santos of Janet Brown Opinion Research, Duane Bratt from Mount Royal University, Melanee Thomas at the University of Calgary, and Jen Gerson, editor of The Line.

Alberta’s premier says we can get back to normal this summer with outdoor events, including the Calgary Stampede if vaccines beat the COVID-19 variants. But expectations are waning in the face of a brutal third wave. Jason Kenney has responded to demands from concerned Indigenous leaders and others calling for help with more vaccine eligibility and mandatory restrictions, including curfews. Meanwhile outspoken protesters rail against the prospect of tighter pandemic measures, even calling for Kenney’s resignation. Kathleen Petty looks at how the premier is managing it all with columnist Kelly Cryderman of The Globe and Mail, columnist Jason Markusoff of Macleans and independent columnist Graham Thomson.

Premier Jason Kenney is learning how hard it can be to dance with the ones who brought him to power. A new in-depth and wide-ranging CBC poll from Janet Brown Opinion Research shows Alberta voters are fickle and not reliable for Kenney, or his federal Conservative counterpart. Kathleen Petty teases out what’s driving public opinion as politicians lead and follow through the pandemic, economic crisis and the challenges for oil and gas, the country’s biggest industry. And what’s with that swath of undecided wall flowers? Her guests are lead pollster Janet Brown, political scientists Melanee Thomas of the University of Calgary and Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University.

The federal government’s commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 has people in the energy sector worried. The natural resources minister says creative approaches such as developing hydrogen and even SMRs (small modular nuclear reactors) can help meet that goal. Seamus O’Regan insists achieving net zero must include pipelines and leave no one behind. Meanwhile, the Conservatives have released their climate change plan and it includes a price on carbon. Kathleen Petty sits down with Minister O’Regan, and then looks at the impact and politics for Alberta, the country’s biggest oil and gas producer. Her guests are University of Alberta economist Andrew Leach and columnist Kelly Cryderman of the Globe and Mail.

The Alberta NDP is gaining political advantage as the UCP fights a giant political dumpster fire. Rachel Notley’s poll numbers are on the rise while Jason Kenney’s are tanking. The premier is fighting a caucus rebellion spurred on by his pandemic response. Meanwhile, Notley is a headline speaker following Jagmeet Singh at this weekend’s federal NDP convention - an interesting lineup given their past disagreements. Kathleen Petty looks at the many political fires burning with her guest, Brian Topp, Notley’s former chief of staff, and this week’s panel - University of Alberta political scientist Jared Wesley, conservative strategist Erika Barootes of Enterprise Canada, and National Observer columnist, Max Fawcett.

Alberta’s premier is facing pressure to open up the economy while doctors call for more pandemic restrictions. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases are rising again, and the contract deal with the doctors has crashed. Add to that, new strategies on coal and the proposed school curriculum have sparked criticism. Alberta MLAs are getting an earful during their Easter break. And some are getting an ear worm because of a song that surfaced from Jason Kenney’s grandfather, who is part of the new curriculum. Kathleen Petty breaks it down and sings a few bars with University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young, Macleans western columnist Jason Markusoff and Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell.

Conservative political leaders lost their fight against the federal carbon tax at the Supreme Court. In a 6-3 ruling the court said the tax is constitutional. Alberta’s premier calls it a clear intrusion into provincial jurisdiction and is now considering his options. Kathleen Petty looks at what happens next with federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, and then with University of Alberta economist Andrew Leach, Globe and Mail columnist Kelly Cryderman, and oil and gas writer and oilfield services executive David Yager.

Conservatives at the federal and provincial levels in Alberta are looking for a win. Erin O’Toole is speaking to his first Conservative Party convention as leader in a likely election year. Meanwhile the UCP’s war room has tracked down Bigfoot and the world is paying attention. But going after a Netflix cartoon about fighting Big Oil is only one issue dividing Albertans. Premier Jason Kenney has introduced a direct democracy bill in a week that shows his government losing more ground to the NDP. Kathleen Petty takes a closer look with guests Melissa Caouette of the Canadian Strategy Group, political scientist Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University and Corey Hogan of The Strategists podcast.

There’s some optimism in Alberta for the first time in a long while thanks to rising oil prices and the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines. That hasn’t translated into higher approval ratings for Alberta’s premier. Jason Kenney also continues to cope with UCP caucus rebels and grass roots anger toward his pandemic strategy. Kathleen Petty looks at what’s at play and how the opposition is capitalizing, with Globe and Mail columnist Kelly Cryderman, independent journalist Graham Thomson and Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell.

Alberta is on the verge of losing its spot as Canada’s wealthiest province.That could affect federal transfers for the entire country. Premier Jason Kenney wants a referendum on one of those transfer programs - equalization. It’s an idea Ken Boessenkool calls “dumb." Kathleen Petty looks at the fickle fiscal formula with tax and fiscal policy reporter Patrick Brethour of the Globe and Mail. Then she's joined by University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe, Fraser Institute senior fellow Ben Eisen, and Ken Boessenkool, with the C.D. Howe Institute.