By the time most of us fall asleep tonight, we'll know which party will form the next government in Alberta. Will it be Premier Danielle Smith or Premier Rachel Notley we're talking about tomorrow morning? It's looking like this could wind up as the closest election in Alberta history. This episode of Real Talk, we talk about the x-factors that could contribute to a UCP or NDP win.  8:45 | Talk radio legend Charles Adler was one of the first high-profile Canadians to offer an endorsement, backing Rachel Notley's NDP on New Year's Eve. Since then, former PC cabinet ministers Thomas Lukaszuk and Doug Griffiths, and former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi have followed suit. Meantime, former PM Stephen Harper, current CPC leader Pierre Poilievre, and Rebel Media founder Ezra Levant have endorsed Danielle Smith's UCP. How much do endorsements actually matter? Can they hurt more than help?  37:30 | Real Talker Scott supported the Reform Party growing up, campaigned for Ted Morton in 2006, and voted for Jason Kenney's UCP in 2019. He tells us why he "never thought (he'd) be here" as he prepares to vote in the 2023 Alberta election. EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected]  40:30 | Which ridings could come down the wire tonight? Which ones might swing? Will the NDP sweep Edmonton? Will the UCP hold onto their key Calgary ridings? What about Banff-Kananaskis, Red Deer, and Lethbridge? Political blogger and podcaster Dave Cournoyer tells us which races he's paying close attention to. CHECK OUT DAVEBERTA: https://daveberta.substack.com/ 1:18:30 | It's a special election edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy, as Ryan shoots from the hip and speaks from the heart.  GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Lauren says it's gotta be people ahead of profits, and Catalina didn't love the tone of one of our interviews this week. Both Real Talkers sound off in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services!  KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

The Alberta election is just days away. More than a half-million people have already voted in advance polls, suggesting this election could see record-setting turnout. It's a hotly contested race, with the UCP and NDP polling neck and neck. This episode is dedicated to those of you still making up your mind.  3:25 | Economist Dr. Trevor Tombe, journalist Drew Anderson, and Alberta Chambers CEO Shauna Feth form our Real Talk Round Table intended to Inform Your Vote. Our panelists dig into the policy of both leading parties, evaluating their plans for Alberta's economic, environmental, and energy future. What impact will raising the corporate tax rate have on jobs? Is a rate cap the best way to navigate rising electricity costs? Is carbon capture smart policy or a scam? Our experts hash out these questions and more. READ DREW'S PIECE IN THE NARWHAL: https://thenarwhal.ca/alberta-election-platforms/ CHECK OUT ALBERTA CHAMBERS' "VOTE PROSPERITY" CAMPAIGN: https://www.abchamber.ca/our-priorities/vote-prosperity-ab/ 1:04:25 | Lauren says it's gotta be people ahead of profits, and Catalina didn't love the tone of one of our interviews this week. Both Real Talkers sound off in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services!  KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

It's a helluva thing for a high-profile Progressive Conservative cabinet minister to go on the record endorsing the New Democrats. But that's exactly what former Minister of Municipal Affairs Doug Griffiths is doing. In an exclusive interview with Real Talk, Griffiths explains how he got here.  4:00 | Doug Griffiths played a big role in Alberta's Progressive Conservative governments between 2002-2015. The veteran cabinet minister grabbed a whole bunch of attention a few days ago, when he endorsed Rachel Notley and several of her NDP candidates. He tells Ryan why he went public in such a significant way, and what he makes of today's United Conservative Party.  41:00 | If political leaders and everyday Albertans aren't talking about climate policy during an election campaign running parallel to the worst wildfire season on record, when will we? Green Party of Alberta leader Jordan Wilkie talks about how the fires have affected the 2023 Alberta election, and what he wishes voters would consider. HERE'S THE GO FUND ME FOR FRANKIE PAYOU: https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-heartbroken-alberta-wildfire-burns-home?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR1GZjsbEMLbs3FRbv0kj6harq9jvkPwpjJHprc8P1uM0QojKtyoUJ8cHfI WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Alberta's making national news on two fronts this month. With more than a million hectares already burned before June (that's 2.5 million football fields!), the province is trending toward its worst wildfire season on record. Meantime, candidates in 87 ridings are campaigning for votes as the May 29 election looms.  2:40 | Why is this spring so bad for wildfires? What are the most significant contributing factors? How much of what we're seeing (and breathing) is the "new normal"? Weather expert and videojournalist Kyle Brittain shows us mind-blowing footage from the front lines, and explains what we can expect for the remainder of this summer and over the years to come.  FOLLOW KYLE ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KyleBrittainWX 35:30 | Ian Donovan is best known in provincial political circles for crossing the floor from the Wildrose Party to the Progressive Conservatives in November of 2014. He compares the conservative movement from ten years ago to today, and explains how he's seen Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley evolve as leaders, too.  FOLLOW IAN ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/IanDono99330524 1:04:30 | Calling all cyclists and runners! The Jasper Gran Fondo and Banff Jasper Relay are just a couple weeks away. We feature these super cool ways to explore Jasper National Park in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper.  PLAN YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/ WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.