PODCAST: More LNG, No Pipeline - Are the Major Projects moving the economic needle?
In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we take a closer look at the latest batch of Major Projects announced by the prime minister. On the energy front, there’s support for the Ksi Lisims LNG project on the west coast, but there was nothing announced about a new pipeline. We’ll discuss all of this with Heather Exner-Pirot, who’s a senior fellow and Director of Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.Plus, the latest on the debate in Alberta around voter recall and citizen initiative and petitions proliferate and Albertans face the prospect of multiple referendums and recall votes. The UCP doesn’t seem happy about this, but they’re in no position to complain = they’re the ones who implemented the rules in the first place. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe
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PODCAST: Budget 2025 hype doesn't match reality; Ottawa's alternative to the notwithstanding clause
In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show - a closer look at Budget 2025, both in terms of whether it will pass the House of Commons (failure to do so meaning another election, of course) and whether it’s the right budget for the economic challenges facing Canada at the moment. We’ll get some economic analysis from Trevor Tombe, professor of economics at the University of Calgary and director of fiscal and economic policy at the U of C’s School of Public Policy.Plus, we’ll discuss the aftermath of a controversial Supreme Court decision last week and how the federal government might respond. In a 5 - 4 decision, the high court struck down Canada’s mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of possession of child p*rnography. There is considerable pressure on Ottawa to invoke the notwithstanding clause and set aside this ruling, although the government has ruled out such a step. We’ll hear from University of Alberta law professor Steven Penney who says there’s an alternative in between using the clause and letting this ruling stand. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe
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PODCAST: Forever Canadian exceeds expectations; ATA reacts to Bill 2; Notwithstanding clause heads to Supreme Court
Welcome to this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show - a very busy week this week in Alberta:We’ll hear from Thomas Lukaszuk, former MLA and cabinet minister, and founder of the Forever Canadian campaign. Their petition campaign - posing the question: “‘Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?” - appears to have far exceeded the minimum necessary for success. We’ll discuss the campaign and what comes next, including the big decision the premier will have to make.Also this week, the Alberta government introduced Bill 2, the Back to School Act, which invokes the notwithstanding clause to force teachers back to work and imposes a contract upon them - basically the same terms they overwhelmingly rejected in late September. We’ll get reaction from Alberta Teachers Association president Jason Schilling and find out whether he believes the strike was still worth it and what the ATA’s next moves might be in trying to convince the province to address these issues.Speaking of the notwithstanding clause, there’s an important case looming at the Supreme Court of Canada that could affect how governments use this power and whether there should be further limits or constraints. We’ll discuss that case with law professor and constitutional law expert Dwight Newman, and also get his thoughts on a potentially significant aboriginal titles case in B.C. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe
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PODCAST: Teachers strike looms large as Alberta Legislature kicks off fall sitting
In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a closer look at what to expect as the Alberta Legislature kicks off what is sure to be a dramatic and consequential fall sitting.Thousands of teachers rallied at the Legislature on Thursday as the premier made it clear that back-to-work legislation will be tabled on Monday to end this strike and get kids back into the classroom. Further discussion and debate is expected in the coming weeks around health care, Alberta’s finances and sovereignty-related issues. It’s also NDP leader Naheed Nenshi’s first opportunity to stand in the Legislature as the Official Leader of the Opposition.We unpack it all in a conversation with political veterans and political insiders Erika Barootes and Cheryl Oates - they’re also the co-hosts of The Discourse podcast. They’ve both got plenty to say about all of these debates. YouTube:Spotify:Apple Podcasts:Don’t forget, you can follow our work and subscribe here at our Substack page (robbreakenridge.ca), which is where the podcast is hosted. You can also listen and subscribe on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms. Check out our YouTube channel, as well. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe
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PODCAST: Obstacles to Alberta's pipeline ambitions; Teachers' strike - latest; Preserving the Canada-US relationship
In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a closer look at Alberta’s pipeline ambitions and the obstacles that still need to be overcome. We are one month away from Grey Cup, which is to serve as the platform for the prime minister to announce the next phase of projects under the Major Projects Office. Is it realistic for Alberta’s pipeline proposal to be in the mix? And what about the possible revival of the Keystone XL pipeline? We’ll look at the economics and legalities surrounding this debate as we chat with Andrew Leach, energy and environmental economist and professor at the University of Alberta.Speaking of Keystone XL, we’ll look at the state of the trading relationship between Canada and the United States. New polling done for the Montreal Economic Institute finds that a solid majority of Canadians still see jobs and growth linked to trade with the U.S. and see reaching an agreement as a top priority for the Carney government. So how should Canada approach these negotiations? We’ll speak with MEI’s Renaud Brossard.Plus, the latest on Alberta’s teacher strike, as little progress seems to be happening at the bargaining table and possible back-to-work legislation looming as the Alberta Legislature is set to resume later this month.YouTube:Spotify:Apple Podcasts:Don’t forget, you can follow our work and subscribe here at our Substack page (robbreakenridge.ca), which is where the podcast is hosted. You can also listen and subscribe on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms. Check out our YouTube channel, as well. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe
Veteran broadcaster and journalist Rob Breakenridge brings you important and fascinating conversations and offers an in-depth look at the major issues facing Alberta, the West, and Canada. robbreakenridge.substack.com
Canada - english