Kathleen Petty sits down with politicians, pundits, and other thoughtful westerners for conversations about the priorities, preoccupations and politics of Alber...
For years, Canadians have listened to Trump supporters boasting: “Make America great again.” And most have sat quietly and done nothing. Not anymore. Threats of U.S. tariffs and annexation have sparked a wave of patriotism across Canada. Former Alberta premier and federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney joins West of Centre to reflect on this moment, discussing with host Jason Markusoff what it reveals about nation-building, national security, Canada's economic strengths, and the steps needed to make the country more resilient and independent.Later, a panel featuring journalist Alex Boyd, conservative strategist Evan Menzies, and former NDP aide Shannon Greer unpacks the ongoing shakeup at Alberta Health Services and the Alberta auditor general’s investigation into procurement and contracting practices related to the dismissal of former CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos.
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42:46
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
Tariffs today, tariffs tomorrow, or tariffs on April 1? As Donald Trump keeps Canada guessing, Ottawa scrambles to prepare a response. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is spotlighting border security, while federal leaders hint at a bailout package for businesses and workers — echoing pandemic-era relief. Speaking of pandemic flashbacks, Alberta’s COVID response task force report is stirring old debates on masking, vaccines and government overreach. This week, conservative policy advisor Ken Boessenkool and former NDP cabinet minister Shannon Phillips join host Jason Markusoff to unpack the political manoeuvring behind the tariff standoff and a pandemic reckoning five years in the making. Later, energy expert Jackie Forrest of the ARC Energy Research Institute challenges Trump’s claim that the U.S. doesn’t need Canadian oil — and explains why it’s not that simple.
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50:09
Short: If, if, if...
What might a federal relief package for industries and workers look like if Ottawa is preparing for devastating U.S. tariffs? Federal Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc visited Calgary to meet with business leaders and Premier Danielle Smith. In this new supplemental segment called West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown asks LeBlanc how a federal plan might take shape, whether the Liberals are rethinking regulatory hurdles for oil and gas infrastructure, and sneaks in a question about Donald Trump’s musings about annexation.
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Their sticks are so much bigger than ours
Political and business leaders are expressing caution about Canada’s potential use of retaliatory tariffs in response to Donald Trump’s renewed trade threats. Critics warn that Canada’s economic leverage may fall short, risking significant harm to key industries. The premiers appear divided on the issue, despite Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s insistence that “country comes first.” In Trump’s first week as the 47th president of the United States, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty explores the implications of his aggressive trade stance. Joining the conversation are Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce; Adam Legge, president of the Business Council of Alberta; and Gitane De Silva, Alberta’s former senior representative to the U.S. during Trump’s first term.
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41:49
Castaway island
Danielle Smith charts her own path through choppy waters. Ahead of the first ministers' meeting in Ottawa, the Alberta premier heads to Mar-a-Lago to meet Donald Trump, then refuses to back a united Canadian response to a potential trade war. While Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls for the country to use “every tool in our toolbox" against the proposed American tariffs on Canadian goods, Smith draws a hard line — Alberta won’t agree to restrict energy exports. With national unity on the brink, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty dives into the fallout with Heather Exner-Pirot of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Zain Velji of The Strategists podcast, and Gary Mar of the Canada West Foundation.
Kathleen Petty sits down with politicians, pundits, and other thoughtful westerners for conversations about the priorities, preoccupations and politics of Albertans and others who are West of Centre.