West of Centre

• It's too early to call Mark Carney a 'Teflon' candidate

  Crowd sizes have suddenly become a talking point in the federal election, with many comparing Pierre Poilievre’s massive rally in Edmonton to Mark Carney’s smaller, but still maxed-out, event in Calgary. Meanwhile, polls suggest the Liberals are holding a steady lead over the Conservatives. Are the Tories in serious trouble? And how many gaffes can Carney make before one finally sticks? Past midway through the campaign, is it too soon to call him a ‘Teflon’ candidate? West of Centre host Kathleen Petty explores these questions with political strategists Michael Solberg and Zain Velji, and freelance journalist Kathy Kerr from Edmonton. They also discuss how much weight should be placed on reports of half a dozen or so ridings in play across Alberta.*Please note this episode contains explicit language.

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• Short: How the 'Calgary School' reimagined prairie politics to reshape Canadian conservatism

  Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman spearheaded the Chicago School, popularizing free-market ideas that reshaped American conservatism. But Canada has its own counterpart: the so-called “Calgary School,” a loose group of University of Calgary academics whose ideas helped shape this country’s right-of-centre movement. Their influence can be seen in the policies and perspectives of conservative leaders ranging from Stephen Harper and Danielle Smith to Pierre Poilievre. In this episode of West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown speaks with Barry Cooper — the last active, original member of the Calgary School — about how this informal group challenged Canada’s traditional, "Laurentian" political and cultural mindset.

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• The new normal is not normal, but are Albertans ready to separate?

  Everything we know about “the West” seems to be shifting this week. On a global scale, the U.S. has upended the post-war international order by slapping tariffs on dozens of countries, effectively shredding free trade. Closer to home, former Reform Party leader Preston Manning warns of a potential “West wants out” scenario if the Liberals form government again. How real are these threats? West of Centre host Kathleen Petty talks with three everyday Albertans about navigating this highly unusual election. Journalists Rob Breakenridge and Lisa Johnson then weigh in on whether these pressures could redefine the upcoming election — and Canada’s political landscape at large.

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• Coming soon: West of Centre live in Medicine Hat — how ‘Gas City’ is shaping Alberta’s future

  West of Centre is hitting the road to Medicine Hat for a special live show at the Esplanade centre on April 16! Join host Kathleen Petty and producer Falice Chin, along with a lineup of insightful guests, as they delve into the city’s “Gas City” reputation and the challenges of transitioning away from local natural gas. The conversation will also tackle issues like Western alienation in Premier Danielle Smith’s home riding — and we want you to be part of it. Presented in partnership with the Medicine Hat Public Library, this event is free to attend: reserve your tickets now at cbc.ca/mycalgary. For VIP tickets, email [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

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• Voting on anxiety

  For the first time in months, U.S. President Donald Trump isn’t calling Canada’s prime minister the “governor of the 51st state.” But Prime Minister Mark Carney insists the “old relationship” between Canada and the United States — anchored by deep economic, security and military ties — has come to an end. Meanwhile, the first week of the election campaign has been consumed by tariff tensions, eclipsing tax-cut promises and prompting concern among conservative stalwarts that Pierre Poilievre’s CPC could be losing focus. An apparent collapse in NDP support and a last-minute scramble to confirm candidates add to the drama of an already unpredictable race. Join Kathleen Petty on West of Centre as she delves into these shifting dynamics with Rob Russo from The Economist, Shannon Waters from The Narwhal, and the CBC’s Jason Markusoff. *Note this episode contains explicit language

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