West of Centre

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 Meanwhile, Teck has withdrawn its $20 billion Frontier oil sands mine application, as Alberta wins its carbon tax challenge in court.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.

Two political strategists who worked for Stephen Harper explain why western voters may have to change their expectations when it comes to the next CPC leader. Ken Boessenkool is a founding partner at Kool Topp & Guy Public Affairs. Dennis Matthews is vice president of marketing and communications with Enterprise Canada.

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.

Andrew Nikiforuk and Dave Yager are two energy authors with different perspectives on fossil fuel development. They talk to Kathleen Petty about the immense challenges for jurisdictions hooked on oil.

Albertans are feeling misunderstood by the rest of the country. Many of them are angry. Kathleen Petty asks Brian Jean, former leader of Alberta's official opposition, writer Chris Turner, and political scientist Lisa Young what they want Canada to know about western alienation.

There is no consensus among Indigenous communities when it comes to energy mega projects, fossil fuel extraction, and pipelines. Kathleen Petty talks to two leaders about how to bridge the divide. Here's her conversation with businessman and former Fort McKay chief Jim Boucher, and Judith Sayers, elected president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and an adjunct professor of business and environmental studies at the University of Victoria.

Join host Kathleen Petty as she sits down with politicians, pundits, and other thoughtful westerners for conversations about the priorities, preoccupations and politics of Albertans.