In today’s Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor breaks down the top political and energy stories shaping Alberta and Canada. The federal Liberals are expected to vote against a Conservative motion supporting pipelines, even as the U.S. Ambassador praises the new Ottawa–Alberta memorandum of understanding, saying it will boost Alberta oil production and strengthen cross-border energy ties.New disclosures reveal Ottawa employs 577 civil servants dedicated entirely to DEI initiatives, raising questions about federal priorities. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney faces scrutiny after the Ethics Commissioner confirmed that his future earnings remain tied to Brookfield, where he holds roughly $10 million in shares.Plus, Elections Alberta has approved country star Corb Lund’s petition to halt coal mining in the province, setting the stage for a major political showdown.🎧 Follow the Western Standard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music.📍 For full stories and member-exclusive coverage, visit WesternStandard.news.

In today’s Western Standard News Update, host Dave Naylor breaks down the top stories shaping Canada: an RCMP employee is under scrutiny for alleged ties to a Palestinian activist network; the force has spent $48 million renting Black Hawk helicopters for border patrols following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump; and Immigration Canada is moving to fast-track citizenship for foreign doctors with at least one year in the country.Plus, don’t miss Cory Morgan’s latest column arguing it’s time to stop pretending Indigenous consent is required to build a pipeline from Alberta to northwestern B.C.Follow the Western Standard on Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Podcasts — and visit WesternStandard.news for full stories and member exclusives.

From the Western Standard newsroom, Chief Editor Dave Naylor brings you today’s top stories: the Liberals and Bloc Québécois have agreed to eliminate the religious exemption from Canada’s new hate-speech laws — a significant shift that critics say greatly expands federal control over expression. In Ottawa, thousands of federal civil servants were ordered to stop drinking coffee at work to accommodate roughly 100 Muslim colleagues observing Ramadan, a directive that has sparked widespread frustration. New payroll data also shows the federal bureaucracy continues to swell, with the number of employees earning at least $150,000 rising by 84% — now totalling nearly 13,000 staff. Plus, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is disputing a Radio-Canada report claiming she would target the pro-Canada side in any future sovereignty referendum, reiterating she would remain neutral. And Calgary MP Michelle Rempel Garner says she “will not be censored” after immigration officials complained that criticism of the system has led to civil servants being called names. Follow the Western Standard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music.For full stories and member-exclusive access, visit WesternStandard.news.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor breaks down today’s top stories: BC Conservative leader John Rustad is set to resign Thursday morning after initially vowing to stay on, even as a majority of his caucus demanded he step aside. Plus, a new food price report warns Canadian grocery bills will rise by more than $1,000 for the average family of four next year, former Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault declares that the proposed Alberta–BC pipeline will “never be built” and calls decarbonized oil a myth, and documents show Mark Carney’s recent Liberal cabinet meeting in Toronto cost taxpayers at least $530,000. Also, a heartwarming story from Arrowwood, Alberta: a woman’s diamond engagement ring—lost 55 years ago—has been found in her family’s garden by her grandson while digging in the carrot patch. Follow the Western Standard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music.For full stories and member-exclusive access, visit WesternStandard.news.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor breaks down today’s top stories: a 17-year-old Calgary high school student has been arrested after allegedly using AI to create child-pornography images of classmates, and a Brooks RCMP officer is suspended with pay following assault and choking charges from an off-duty incident. Plus, a recall petition in Premier Danielle Smith’s riding has succeeded, setting up a potential recall vote; a Calgary-to-Banff hydrogen rail proposal has been submitted to the Major Projects Office; and CBSA admits 726 foreign criminals are currently unaccounted for among 33,000 missing immigrants. Also, the Governor General is offering corporate tax credits to help build a skating pavilion on the Rideau Hall grounds, the Department of Finance says it never completed a cost-benefit analysis for the now-repealed luxury tax, and the JCCF launches a nationwide push urging provinces to restore professional regulators to overseeing competence—not policing speech. Follow the Western Standard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music.

For full stories and member-exclusive access, visit WesternStandard.news.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor breaks down today’s top stories: newly released federal statistics show more than 16,000 Canadians died through medically assisted suicide in 2024, continuing a sharp year-over-year increase. Plus, the Governor General’s office is facing criticism after seeking corporate sponsorship to help finance a multi-million-dollar hockey rink at Rideau Hall; the RCMP is under scrutiny for buying 973 Chinese-made drones now labeled high-security risks—replacements could cost up to $34 million; and U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the nation at noon MST with an expected update on potential military action in Venezuela. Also, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to speak at the Assembly of First Nations annual meeting in Ottawa, where pipelines and energy policy are expected to dominate discussions. Follow the Western Standard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music.For full stories and member-exclusive access, visit WesternStandard.news.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor breaks down today’s top stories: Alberta and Ottawa have struck a sweeping new energy accord that Premier Danielle Smith calls “a starting point for nation building,” with the Carney government agreeing to shelve oil and gas emission caps, suspend clean power rules, and ease the West Coast tanker ban.Plus, new details are emerging from Washington, D.C., after two National Guardsmen — sworn in just 24 hours earlier — were shot in a horrifying attack; Vancouver firefighters responded to a record 54 overdoses in a single day as the department scales back shifts to reduce stress; and the Speaker of the House of Commons shut down Tory questions surrounding alleged corruption in the Quebec Liberal Party.Also, the Waterloo School Board is facing a legal challenge over forced land acknowledgements, launched by the JCCF and a local parent.Follow the Western Standard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music.For full stories and member-exclusive access, visit WesternStandard.news.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor breaks down today’s top stories: a massive blaze in Hong Kong where more than 700 firefighters are battling a “towering inferno” across seven high-rises, leaving 13 people dead, including one firefighter; a controversial move in British Columbia where MLA Dallas Brodie has introduced a bill to ban Pride flags and all foreign flags from public buildings — a proposal that failed at first reading but still earned support from half of the Conservative caucus; and Conservatives in Ottawa accusing Liberals of inflating youth job numbers by offering positions that last only half the summer.Plus, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is under fire after admitting she never read the $15-billion Stellantis contract — a deal now collapsing and leaving 3,000 workers out of a job; the Carney government is facing embarrassment after acknowledging it staged a fake housing announcement, spending $30,000 to build a temporary “house” shell for a press conference before tearing it down immediately afterward; and our energy expert Dave Winnick warns that a looming coup in Venezuela could spell bad news for Alberta’s energy sector.Follow the Western Standard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music.For full stories and exclusive member access, visit WesternStandard.news.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor breaks down today’s top stories: Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to deliver a luncheon speech Thursday at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, where he is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with Alberta on a bitumen pipeline to northwest British Columbia; chaos in the capital as Pokémon fever hits Ottawa, with crowds lining up for the hottest new card and a fight breaking out outside a local shop; and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is rumored to be heading to Paris to become Canada’s next Ambassador to France as Trudeau-era cabinet ministers continue to be shuffled out. Plus, Carney’s ties to Brookfield are under scrutiny again, with critics highlighting that the financial giant owns more than 2,000 companies, and the National Research Council is facing backlash after spending $61,000 on a rooftop patio upgrade because the president didn’t want picnic tables. Follow the Western Standard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music.For full stories and exclusive member access, visit WesternStandard.news.

In this Western Standard News Update, Chief Editor Dave Naylor breaks down today’s top stories: a major snowfall slowing Calgary to a crawl — from dangerous road conditions to a temporary shutdown at the Calgary International Airport while crews worked to clear the runways; a transparency fight at Frog Lake First Nation as an Indigenous activist working with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation wins a court injunction to review the band’s financial records; and new concerns at Canada Post as the Crown corporation warns of more stamp hikes next year after losing nearly $1 billion in the last quarter.Plus, Naylor looks at a shakeup inside the Conservative campaign as Jenni Byrne steps aside and veteran strategist Steve Outhouse — known for recent Tory wins including Danielle Smith’s 2023 UCP victory — takes over, and an Alberta Serious Incident Response Team investigation into the death of a Calgary man who died after being tasered during a police welfare check.Follow the Western Standard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music.For full stories and exclusive member access, visit WesternStandard.news.