West of Centre

Ralph Klein's favourite mythical Alberta couple are causing headaches for Jason Kenney. Despite spiking COVID-19 cases and deaths, and news the province is planning indoor field hospitals, today's versions of Martha and Henry are showing up at anti-mask rallies and demanding their personal freedom. Meanwhile, the premier’s support continues to drop according to recent polls. Guest host Jim Brown explores what’s going on with Ken Boessenkool, a senior research fellow at the CD Howe Institute, (and the author of an article about Martha and Henry 2.0 @the_lineca,) pollster Janet Brown, founder of Janet Brown Opinion Research, and political strategist Zain Velji of Northweather, and host of The Strategists podcast.

Alberta’s premier is defending his response to the second wave of the pandemic amidst growing criticism and news of tension with the chief medical officer of health. Jason Kenney declared a state of emergency but said he would not bow to political pressure or ideology and lock down the economy. This on the same day the province released a financial update reflecting Alberta’s economic crisis. Kathleen Petty assesses the government’s approach with two economists: Trevor Tombe and Lindsay Tedds of the University of Calgary, and political scientist Jared Wesley of the University of Alberta.

Alberta’s premier is coping with spiking COVID-19 cases, deepening economic turmoil and more unfavorable polls. Instead of changing course, Jason Kenney is doubling down on his anti-Trudeau, pro-pipeline rhetoric, and resisting tougher measures to fight the pandemic in favor of “personal responsibility.” Kathleen Petty examines what’s driving Kenney’s strategy with political scientist Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University, energy reporter Emma Graney of the Globe and Mail and Macleans columnist Jason Markusoff.

Some doctors in western Canada are calling for lockdowns or short-term “circuit breakers” to stop the spike in COVID-19 cases. But the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan say they favor voluntary measures over strict rules. After trying that approach, Manitoba is now enforcing bans on social gatherings, non-essential shopping, and gym and salon visits. B.C. is threatening similar measures if case numbers don’t slow down. Guest host Jim Brown looks at how the provinces are handling COVID-19 and whether politics is playing a role. His guests are Globe and Mail health columnist Andre Picard, University of Manitoba associate professor and former chief medical officer of health Dr. Joel Kettner, and political strategist Melissa Caouette of the Canadian Strategy Group.

New research suggests more than half of Albertans believe the province’s best days are behind it. It’s one of several themes that emerged in a new survey from the Common Ground research initiative at the University of Alberta. Political scientist Jared Wesley at the U of A discusses his data and the parallels with the U.S. election results, with Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt and host Kathleen Petty.

The results of the British Columbia and Saskatchewan elections during the pandemic are historic, with implications far beyond their boundaries. B.C. voters have given NDP leader John Horgan a second term with more NDP MLAs than ever before. In Saskatchewan Scott Moe has continued his Saskatchewan Party’s streak with a fourth consecutive win. Geographically, Alberta is in the middle, but politically premier Jason Kenney is strongly aligned to Moe. Kathleen Petty looks at the implications of these elections with three journalists: Vancouver Sun provincial affairs columnist Vaughn Palmer, Murray Mandryk, political columnist for the Regina Leader-Post and Saskatoon StarPhoenix, and Kelly Cryderman, a reporter and columnist with the Globe and Mail.

The CBC’s Allison Dempster explores the powerful legacy of the National Energy Program and how Alberta sees itself in Canada 40 years after the program was introduced.

Episode 3 A Toxic Legacy

The National Energy Program’s introduction helped sew the seeds of western alienation and spark a raucous and short-lived separatist movement in Alberta. In this episode, Alberta’s boom goes bust when the N.E.P meets a global recession and slumping oil prices.

The CBC’s Allison Dempster explores the powerful legacy of the National Energy Program and how Alberta sees itself in Canada 40 years after the program was introduced.

Episode 2 Alberta Fights Back

A 14-year-old Joe Lougheed recognizes the look in his father’s eye during a televised address to Alberta in the fall of 1980, and the look means business. Premier Peter Lougheed embarks on a high stakes political gamble with Alberta oil and federal-provincial relations.

The CBC’s Allison Dempster explores the powerful legacy of the National Energy Program and how Alberta sees itself in Canada 40 years after the program was introduced.

Episode 1: The Original Sin

The N.E.P. was introduced on October 28, 1980 at a time of international oil price shocks and Alberta’s black-gold rush. The program set the stage for a showdown between two political giants, Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed and Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

Americans head to the polls in less than three weeks, and it’s not just the future of the United States that’s at stake. With Democratic nominee Joe Biden promising to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline, Albertans have a lot riding on the election results. But would another four years of Trump be any better? Host Kathleen Petty digs into that question and more with a panel of cross-border experts: Carlo Dade from the Canada West foundation, political scientist, Duane Bratt, and Washington strategist, Maryscott Greenwood.