West of Centre

Danielle Smith uses the energy MOU has Exhibit A in her argument for remaining in Canada. Pierre Poilievre uses it as Exhibit A in making his case that the federal government is failing Alberta.

Our guests worry that divisions over how to battle separatism could fracture the provincial conservatives and even pose problems for federal conservatives.

Host Kathleen Petty is joined by two people with deep ties to the Conservative movement.
Ian Brodie is a former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a political science professor at the University of Calgary, and a senior advisor at New West Public Affairs.
Sean Speer served as senior economic policy advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and is editor-at-large at The Hub.

Both explore the perils of this debate within the broader Conservative movement.

Host: Kathleen Petty
Guests: Ian Brodie, Sean Speer
Producer: Diane Yanko

West of Centre's citizen panel is back, this time to weigh in on October's referendum, where Albertans will be asked to decide the future of their province within Confederation.

Returning to join host Kathleen Petty are Darryl Stanier, who runs a logistics supply chain business; Sunil Shah, an electrical engineer; and Chelsea Matisz, a research scientist.

The panel agrees Alberta has legitimate grievances within Confederation. But they disagree on whether the 10 questions Albertans will vote on are necessary. They have differing takes on whether the Alberta-Ottawa memorandum of understanding will lead to a new bitumen pipeline to B.C. One panellist says Premier Danielle Smith is losing the art of humility and the United Conservative Party is governing for its base rather than the majority of Albertans.

Host: Kathleen Petty
Guests: Chelsea Matisz, Darryl Stanier, Sunil Shah
Producer: Diane Yanko

As Albertans contemplate an October referendum that will see them choose between the province remaining in Canada or starting the process toward a future binding independence vote, the governing United Conservative Party is starting to show signs of internal strain and vulnerability of its leader, Premier Danielle Smith.

The political game in Alberta has changed. The debate around the future of the province has ignited emotion on all sides, and has morphed into "primordial politics," a deeply-entrenched, identity-based attachment to your side.

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty is joined by two long-time observers of politics in Alberta, with deep knowledge of how the political landscape has evolved. Anthony Sayers is a political science professor and director of Canadian governance policy in the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy; and David Stewart is a professor emeritus in the University of Calgary's political science department. Both are frequent collaborators who have co-authored a number of papers and academic book chapters, and they have a new book that will be published this summer, The Dawn of Competitive Party Politics in Alberta: An End to Solitude.

In this rare conversation, Sayers and Stewart tap into the past, where the governing Progressive Conservatives enjoyed little opposition until the Wild Rose Party came along and posed a credible threat. But the merging of the parties has pushed the UCP further to the right, forcing the party to keep its base motivated and ready to turn out in an election. They say the UCP is a different party from when Jason Kenney was leader, and even more difficult for Smith to manage.

Host: Kathleen Petty
Guests: Anthony Sayers, David Stewart
Producer: Diane Yanko

Let’s make a deal, Alberta! Will it be door No. 1 or door No. 2? Except there’s no zonk prize, and you’re not allowed to switch.

Alberta’s premier has put an end to the speculation about whether voters will get a say on the future of the province. Danielle Smith has announced a tenth referendum question on the ballot in October with two choices: should Alberta remain in Canada or should the provincial government start the process toward a binding referendum on separation? What is the premier’s wager, based on the design of the question? And will anyone be happy with this next move to try to settle an emotional debate happening in the province?

It’s one of the topics of discussion this week on West of Centre. Host Kathleen Petty is joined by Matthew Scace, a Calgary-based reporter for the Globe and Mail who covers politics and provincial affairs, and Jason Markusoff, a writer and producer for CBC.

Also in this episode, we’re drilling down on the landmark Alberta-Ottawa energy deal, which has now entered the implementation agreement phase. How will industry and investors feel about a referendum on the question of separation pushing uncertainty about the province's future well past October?

Amanda Stephenson, Canada energy correspondent for Reuters, and Robert (RJ) Johnston, director of energy and natural resources policy with the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, share their analysis.

Host: Kathleen Petty
Guests: Jason Markusoff, Matthew Scace; Amanda Stephenson, Robert (RJ) Johnston
Producer: Diane Yanko

'The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat'. It's an old chestnut that seems apropos in the blood sport of Alberta politics.

The victory is for the Alberta government, as it clears another hurdle in its landmark energy deal with Ottawa. The province has reached an agreement with the federal government on increasing the effective industrial carbon price to $130 per tonne by 2040. While the Pathways Project on carbon capture, utilization and storage, a potential pipeline route, and a private sector proponent are still to come, the agreement could see construction on an oil pipeline to British Columbia start as early as September 2027.

The defeat is for Alberta separatists hoping to see a question about independence on October's referendum ballot. A judge threw out a separatist petition, ruling that Elections Alberta should not have approved it and citing a failure to consult with First Nations. Premier Danielle Smith is now facing calls to put the separation question on the ballot herself.

Kathleen Petty is joined on West of Centre this week by Trevor Harrison, a political sociologist at the University of Lethbridge; Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University; and Jack Farrell, an Alberta legislative reporter for The Canadian Press.

Host: Kathleen Petty
Guests: Jack Farrell, Trevor Harrison, Lori Williams
Producer: Diane Yanko