West of Centre

Premier Danielle Smith joins host Kathleen Petty after a divisive Alberta referendum. Albertans are clear on their desire to remain a province of Canada. But parts of the province, and Smith’s own party, remain at odds. Separatists still hold United Conservative Party memberships. The premier says they should find a new party. But can she kick them out? And will she?

Also, Smith did not get a mandate on the four referendum questions on constitutional reform, and she failed to get a strong mandate on the other five questions on immigration. There's a clear divide between urban and rural voters. Will she push ahead with planned legislation to remove some social services for temporary residents? And how do conservatives address sagging support in the big cities?  

CBC projects a clear majority of Albertans have voted to remain a province of Canada, rejecting a second, binding referendum on separation. The results were delayed to around 11 p.m. MT, as some polling stations were open later than expected. 

Host Kathleen Petty is joined by CBC senior reporter Alex Boyd to break down what is known about the early, unofficial results. They look at the perceptions around the energy and enthusiasm of both the federalist and independence campaigns. Plus, where it leaves Premier Danielle Smith in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Front Burner host, Jayme Poisson travels to Edmonton to take you inside two rallies where campaigners for a united Canada – and campaigners for Alberta independence – make their last pitch to voters before Monday's referendum. 

Plus, what we know about the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta that left four service members dead and at least 19 in critical condition. 

Front Burner is a daily news podcast that takes you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Each morning, from Monday to Friday, host Jayme Poisson talks with the smartest people covering the biggest stories to help you understand what’s going on.

More episodes of Front Burner are available wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/FBxWOC

Premier Danielle Smith says she’s heard plenty from pundits, commentators and political actors ahead of this referendum. Now it's time to hear from Albertans themselves. This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty talks with voters about the process and their feelings as they cast their ballots.

One voter, who works in the energy sector, says she is done with Confederation and ready for an independent Alberta. A social worker says the current government is failing when it comes to cost of living, but wonders if an independent Alberta could do any better. And a former U.K. resident warns about the big Brexit mistake and urges Albertans to vote to remain in Canada.

Premier Danielle Smith wants to “vote and move on” but is that even possible? For separatists like Mitch Sylvestre, this referendum on Alberta’s future might not be the end. With an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots requested, Sylvestre says he has cause to be suspicious if his side doesn’t get at least 40 per cent support. Host Kathleen Petty and CBC senior reporter Julia Wong look at the stakes and what could come after the vote.

Plus, conservative strategist Michael Solberg and political science professor Clark Banack weigh in on the trouble brewing for Smith. Half of United Conservative Party supporters are considering a vote in favour of a second binding referendum on separation. Is Smith’s leadership on the line if they don’t get what they want? And how does a divided governing party move forward after this vote?

Background listening:

For more on the parallels between Alberta and a promised future referendum in Quebec, check out West of Centre’s interview last year with Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. Here’s the link: https://link.mgln.ai/RPeKzE

The Carney government says a West Coast pipeline — now called Pacific Link — is a key nation-building project and essential to the country’s economic future. It's a hard-won victory for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. But what’s in it for the rest of Canada? Are they buying what Mark Carney is selling? 

West of Centre host Kathleen Petty hears from residents in the heart of oil country — Fort McMurray — who want to avoid boom-time growing pains. Plus, energy industry experts Emma Graney and Gitane De Silva on the tricky negotiations for a permit. There’s a lot to get through before shovels can go into the ground, including Indigenous consultations, route mapping, ecological surveys, cost estimates and workforce planning. 

Background listening:

Here’s a link to a previous episode where we talk to a citizen’s panel and industry insiders on the prospect of a West Coast pipeline.

https://link.mgln.ai/energy

New polling shows AI data centres in Alberta are a political problem for the UCP government. We hear from voters in the heart of conservative country who are saying “no” to these mega-projects near their farmland. As Technology Minister Nate Glubish tries to sell Albertans on the strategy to woo tech giants – including Meta – at a series of hostile town halls, many voters aren’t buying into the plan. 

Host Kathleen Petty is joined by political watchers Jason Markusoff and Trevor Harrison, who dive into new data from Janet Brown Opinion Research that shows only seven per cent of voters in Alberta strongly support data centre projects. These numbers come as support for the UCP is slipping and Naheed Nenshi’s NDP are riding higher than ever. West of Centre dives into how the UCP can manage this shifting public opinion, just weeks out from the Alberta referendum.

It’s crunch time to sway conservative voters ahead of Alberta’s referendum. But are federalist leaders doing enough? So far, separatists have reported raising nearly three times as much money as federalists and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pushed the unity file to another Alberta MP. Host Kathleen Petty and former Conservative MP Damien Kurek look at what needs to happen in the final weeks and what’s at stake if federalist get-out-the vote efforts fall flat.

Plus, journalists Alex Boyd and Matthew Scace on why separatists seem to be more organized when it comes to fundraising, online dialogue and big public events — and, how getting out the vote could matter more than any of that. And will a new ad campaign championed by Premier Danielle Smith do anything to sway voters ahead of the referendum?

Separatists think they’ll win a vote they’re poised to lose by a wide margin, according to an exclusive new poll. With a little more than five weeks to go before Alberta’s fall referendum, host Kathleen Petty explains how the heck we got here and where we’re headed next.

David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, does a deep dive into Alberta public opinion. His numbers say if the referendum was held today, Albertans would vote decisively to remain. Motivations for the other side aren’t clearcut. Do they actually want to leave? How many just want to send Ottawa a message? Danielle Smith says she wants to have this vote and move on, but can we?

University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young has also been tracking the rise of separatist sentiment and western alienation in Alberta since it flared up following the 2019 re-election of Justin Trudeau. She helps analyze the data, and questions whether polls might be systematically under-estimating separatist support. 

Background listening:

Here’s a link to the episode we mentioned: “Is a trade war good for separatists?” — we interview one Alberta separatist leader, Keith Wilson, on why not everyone voting Option 2 is looking for full independence.

https://link.mgln.ai/P987Bo

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are using very different tactics in the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war. As Smith travels to Nashville, we ask whether her kill them with kindness approach is working. And Alberta’s senior representative in Washington, Nathan Cooper, weighs in on the delicate dance of diplomacy in Donald Trump’s America.

To put it all in context, two conservative insiders join host Kathleen Petty. Evan Menzies worked with the United Conservative Party, and before that with Smith during the early days of the Wildrose Party. Cole Hogan helped get both Doug Ford and former Alberta premier Jason Kenney elected. Together, they break down the politics behind the premiers' actions and whether these strategies will make headway toward renewed trade talks or at least less punishing tariffs.

New to West of Centre? Start here to hear what we're all about.

An exciting announcement about a new way to listen to West of Centre, starting this fall.

Putting oil and gas on the bargaining table as the U.S.-Canada trade war heats up would pour gasoline on Alberta’s fall referendum. At least that’s what one separatist leader, Keith Wilson, is arguing. This week we ask Wilson why he thinks the trade war means Albertans should push for a binding referendum on separation in October.

After that, journalists Tyler Dawson from the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star’s Richard Warnica weigh in with host Kathleen Petty on some major questions: how will the trade war influence the referendum campaign? What's the likelihood oil will be used as a cudgel in this dispute? And who comes out ahead when everyone from Doug Ford to Mark Carney to Danielle Smith is talking trade and unity?

From how we entered confederation to how Alberta is debating its future within it, a new book tries to anticipate where the province is headed.

"The Dawn of Competitive Party Politics in Alberta: An End To Solitude" explores the enigma that is Alberta and pulls back the curtain. Anthony Sayers, David Stewart and Royce Koop provide a revelatory journey through how the province has defined itself politically over the years, what that tells us about what makes Alberta tick and how that may be changing.

Sayers joins host Kathleen Petty to explore how Alberta is unique among the provinces and why, more than ever, it's important to understand its influence in Canada.

**New episode drops Friday, August 21**

ENCORE PRESENTATION 

There’s great concern that people in Ottawa aren’t taking what’s happening in Alberta seriously enough. With national unity at stake, some Senators are looking west from the upper chamber and acknowledging there are indeed structural issues at the federal level that’s fueling frustration.

This week on West of Centre, Kathleen Petty welcomes a panel of Prairies senators. Alberta Senator Paula Simons, who was appointed in 2018 and sits in the Independent Senators Group; Saskatchewan Senator Pamela Wallin, appointed in 2008; and Manitoba Senator Charles Adler, who was appointed in 2024. Both sit in the Canadian Senators Group.

The panel pulls no punches in questioning whether Canada has done the work it needs to become a true energy superpower. For them, it’s time to turn words into action. As trade tensions with the U.S. simmer, they’re blunt on CUSMA: Canada can’t take its own self-interest out of the equation because negotiations are not about love, but business. And while they disagree on the strategy for a potential fall referendum on separation, they also tackle another referendum question about Senate abolishment. 

**New episode drops Friday, August 21**

ENCORE PRESENTATION 

Back in January 2001, six influential Alberta conservatives sent then premier Ralph Klein the now famous 'firewall letter.' Under the heading 'Alberta Agenda,' the letter proposed withdrawing from the Canada Pension Plan, establishing a provincial police force, bypassing the Canada Revenue Agency in favour of the province collecting its own income tax, and Senate reform. These ideas were seen as fringe. Extremist even. But with the passage of time, some of the key measures in the firewall letter have influenced conservative policy in Alberta, and are now being set in motion 25 years later by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

This week, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty gets the inside story on the firewall letter, straight from two of its signatories. Ted Morton, an executive fellow at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy and a former PC cabinet minister; and Ken Boessenkool, a longtime policy advisor who worked with former prime minister Stephen Harper (credited as the catalyst for the letter, and another one of its six signatories).

These insiders describe how the hostile reaction to the letter came as a surprise, as the ideas contained in the letter were things other provinces were already doing. They talk about the visceral reaction 25 years ago to the word 'firewall,' and how it came to be added to the letter. And how the nine questions on a referendum that Albertans will vote on in the fall is seen as 'anti-firewall letter.'

**New episode drops Friday, August 21**

ENCORE PRESENTATION

What does a kid from Nanton, Alta., write in his private journals after spending his days influencing some of Pierre Elliott Trudeau's most controversial policies?

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty takes a peek into The Coutts Diaries: Power, Politics, and Pierre Trudeau 1973-1981, with the book's editor, Ron Graham. As the prime minister's principal secretary, Jim Coutts was said to have exercised more backroom power than anyone else in modern Canadian political history. He was everywhere that mattered during the Trudeau era 50 years ago, and then went home and wrote a lot of it down.

Just as you'd expect from a diary, Coutts' offers juicy insight into exactly what he thought of both Alberta premier Peter Lougheed and Progressive Conservative Party leader Joe Clark. His entries reveal how influential he was as the reviled National Energy Program was being devised in the spring of 1980. And his private anxieties about inflation, affordability, energy prices and Western alienation read like they could have been written today.

As Albertans' anger toward Ottawa reached a boiling point, Coutts understood the West's legitimate grievances. But his diaries show he was a strategist first, who prioritized his party's survival no matter the cost to his reputation back home. 

As Canada stares down the barrel of fresh U.S. tariffs (50 per cent), there is a realization that the counter-strategies that succeeded in President Donald Trump's first term won't cut it today. For our expert panel, the power to change Trump's mind won't come down to the federal government or Prime Minister Mark Carney. Instead, the pressure will come from America's voters, businesses and political funders.

What game is the U.S. playing in targeting products such as Christmas decorations, dog leashes, toilet paper and hockey sticks, while exempting crude oil, potash and critical minerals? Host Kathleen Petty has assembled a couple of the big guns to help make sense of the strategy:

As Canada contemplates how it may respond, the experts caution there's a big difference between standing strong and hitting back. They say our country needs to stop wishing the U.S. would play fair, and focus on what can actually be done about the trade relationship. They say Alberta is getting greater recognition thanks to the dispute, and that Albertans and Canadians are seeing how each province contributes to the country as a whole.

A non-binding trilateral agreement to advance the multibillion-dollarPathways Project, as part of the push to build a new bitumen pipeline to B.C.'s southwest coast, has now been reached. But in this episode of the podcast, there are serious questions about the math: on emissions, economics, and business case.

Host Kathleen Petty is joined this week by three journalists who have all been analyzing this latest MOU:

Along with some head-scratching when it comes to the math, the panel wonders about the ability to fill the new pipeline. They note the absence of oil company representatives alongside the prime minister and Alberta premier for these major announcements, and question how long the companies will sit on the sidelines.  

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and several prominent federal Conservatives, including leader Pierre Poilievre, had a showdown with Calgary's mayor over a local noise bylaw. It was a master class in political communication by Jeromy Farkas, according to one panellist, in a battle with the Conservative political machine over how long and how loudly people are allowed to party in the Stampede city.

Sounding off with host Kathleen Petty this week:

The panel also dissects the nine referendum questions on immigration and constitutional reforms on the fall ballot in Alberta, musing whether they're moot when voters are being asked to contemplate breaking apart the country.  

About 3.4 million Albertans are eligible to receive a $100 energy rebate. The provincial government says the cash will bring meaningful relief from the pain of the cost of living. But for some on this week's episode, the move doesn't cure what's causing affordability issues in the province.

This week, host Kathleen Petty is joined by The Hub's Alberta Edge podcast panellists.

Also on this episode: disagreement about where the heated rhetoric is headed around Alberta treaty chiefs calling for the RCMP and auditor general to investigate whether the fall referendum amounts to criminal treason by Premier Danielle Smith and her UCP government. However, all agree the option of an early election is a strategic necessity even if it's highly unlikely.

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.

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

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.

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. 

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. 

'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.  

Supporters of Alberta independence are celebrating this week after over 300,000 signatures calling for a referendum on separation were submitted to Elections Alberta. 

But it comes as another separatist group, the Centurion Project, is being investigated by the RCMP, Elections Alberta and Alberta’s privacy commissioner for its use of a voters list with the information of nearly three million Albertans. 

West of Centre guest host Jason Markusoff is joined this week by Tyler Dawson, an editor for the Globe and Mail’s opinion section and the author of the new bookThe Republic of Alberta, and Rob Breakenridge, a Calgary-based journalist and podcaster.

What you see is what you'd get if an election were held today in Alberta — except the United Conservative Party would have an even bigger majority government.

That's one of the findings from the latest poll by Janet Brown Opinion Research for the CBC.

Brown is one of Alberta's most respected pollsters. Her secret sauce when it comes to opinion research is Albertans talking to Albertans.

Brown joins West of Centre host Kathleen Petty this week to take a deep dive into the findings, along with data scientist John Santos, and CBC writer and producer Jason Markusoff.

Despite the fanfare that accompanied its signing, a majority of those polled are not confident the memorandum of understanding between Ottawa and Alberta will actually result in a new pipeline. But a majority approve of Premier Danielle Smith's efforts to reset the province's relationship with the federal government.

Meanwhile, the poll has found the most impressive politician in Alberta isn't Smith or federal Conservative leader and Battle River-Crowfoot MP Pierre Poilievre. The guy Albertans are giving the highest marks is Prime Minister Mark Carney.

And while the calls for independence are getting louder, it doesn't necessarily mean Albertans are being persuaded the province is better off going it alone. According to the data, support for separatism remains flat.

The UCP’s decision to reject a bi-partisan commission’s report and order a do-over of riding maps has ignited a firestorm over the usually sleepy issue of electoral boundaries.

Is this meddling or giving rural Alberta fair representation?

Meanwhile, a separatist group is in court to avoid opening its books, Premier Danielle Smith’s new website is pushing her own referendum questions, and many clicks are going to a series of AI “slopaganda” online videos that stoke worries about foreign interference.

And do we have to change the clocks to squeeze in a discussion about Alberta’s move to permanent daylight time?

West of Centre guest host Jason Markusoff speaks with three Alberta-based journalists: Alex Boyd from the Toronto Star, Falice Chin from the Hub and Matthew Scace from the Globe and Mail.

Separatism is in court (again), as several First Nations try to thwart a referendum on Alberta independence. The group collecting signatures to trigger a referendum on separation says it already has more than the required number of signatures. It expects the Smith government to put its question on the ballot, even if a judge rules against the petition.

Meanwhile, Alberta’s education minister has tabled a bill aimed at getting politics and ideology out of the classroom. It mandates that teachers present all issues in a neutral and unbiased way, and limits the display of flags in schools.

And an effort to redraw Alberta’s electoral ridings is drawing criticism. Two commissioners appointed by the UCP have mapped out boundaries of their own that are vastly different from the commission’s majority report. It has both the Alberta NDP and the judge who chaired the commission warning the government not to go there.

Jason Markusoff is in the West of Centre host chair this week. Joining him are Erika Barootes, former principal secretary to premier Danielle Smith; Annalise Klingbeil, who worked in Rachel Notley's government; and University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young.

As members of the NDP celebrate new leader Avi Lewis and his vision to revitalize their party, there’s skepticism in Alberta that Lewis’ federal victory will put the New Democrats back on the road to relevancy.

Two NDP insiders, Shannon Phillips, a former Alberta NDP cabinet minister, and Keith McLaughlin, who was chief of staff to several ministers in Rachel Notley’s government, join West of Centre host Kathleen Petty to offer their analysis on the impact that Lewis will have in Alberta — and they’re blunt in their assessment.

Neither see a clear path for the federal NDP to become relevant in the near future. And as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith weaponizes the tie between the New Democrats’ federal and provincial wings -- pointing to the party’s constitution as proof that their federal and provincial policies are one and the same -- the panel is brushing off the document as meaningless. They say what the federal NDP is doing doesn’t matter to Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, as his focus is on the politics in his province, and his opponent is Smith.

For his part, Nenshi tells the podcast his priority isn’t on the federal party and convincing them to change their policy on natural resource development and expansion. He shrugs off the division, and says his attention is on the future of Alberta. 

Back in January 2001, six influential Alberta conservatives sent then premier Ralph Klein the now famous 'firewall letter.' Under the heading 'Alberta Agenda,' the letter proposed withdrawing from the Canada Pension Plan, establishing a provincial police force, bypassing the Canada Revenue Agency in favour of the province collecting its own income tax, and Senate reform. These ideas were seen as fringe. Extremist even. But with the passage of time, some of the key measures in the firewall letter have influenced conservative policy in Alberta, and are now being set in motion 25 years later by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

This week, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty gets the inside story on the firewall letter, straight from two of its signatories. Ted Morton, an executive fellow at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy and a former PC cabinet minister; and Ken Boessenkool, a longtime policy advisor who worked with former prime minister Stephen Harper (credited as the catalyst for the letter, and another one of its six signatories).

These insiders describe how the hostile reaction to the letter came as a surprise, as the ideas contained in the letter were things other provinces were already doing. They talk about the visceral reaction 25 years ago to the word 'firewall,' and how it came to be added to the letter. And how the nine questions on a referendum that Albertans will vote on in the fall is seen as 'anti-firewall letter.'

There’s great concern that people in Ottawa aren’t taking what’s happening in Alberta seriously enough. With national unity at stake, some Senators are looking west from the upper chamber and acknowledging there are indeed structural issues at the federal level that’s fueling frustration.

This week on West of Centre, Kathleen Petty welcomes a panel of Prairies senators. Alberta Senator Paula Simons, who was appointed in 2018 and sits in the Independent Senators Group; Saskatchewan Senator Pamela Wallin, appointed in 2008; and Manitoba Senator Charles Adler, who was appointed in 2024. Both sit in the Canadian Senators Group.

The panel pulls no punches in questioning whether Canada has done the work it needs to become a true energy superpower. For them, it’s time to turn words into action. As trade tensions with the U.S. simmer, they’re blunt on CUSMA: Canada can’t take its own self-interest out of the equation because negotiations are not about love, but business. And while they disagree on the strategy for a potential fall referendum on separation, they also tackle another referendum question about Senate abolishment.  

The deadly U.S.- and Israel-led attack on Iran has given way to a cold economic reality. According to the International Energy Agency, the war in the Middle East has created the biggest oil supply disruption in history. With oil markets in turmoil and fears of export restrictions growing as the conflict enters its third week, Canada suddenly has more relevance in the conversation around energy security.

This week, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Gitane De Silva, the former CEO of the Canada Energy Regulator and Alberta’s former senior representative to the U.S.; and Heather Exner-Pirot, director of energy, natural resources and environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

When it comes to oil scarcity, both experts agree that Alberta has little to fear. While consumer prices are set to climb, the province’s abundance of oil and natural gas is critical to weathering the economic storm. And Canada’s reputation as a stable, reliable and predictable energy partner is becoming increasingly attractive to our global allies. As the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) comes up for review, Canada may find itself with a lot more muscle to flex at the table. 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the conflict underscores the need for a new bitumen pipeline to the northwest B.C. coast, but does the crisis actually make the project more urgent and, more importantly, viable? There are big hurdles for new energy infrastructure in Canada. And as the April 1 deadline approaches for the federal and Alberta governments to come to an agreement on methane, carbon pricing and carbon capture, the industry is spooked over some key conditions for the project’s approval.

For decades, Alberta’s federal politics has been a fortress. But the Conservative blue wall protecting the province is showing signs of cracking. And the colour seeping in? Liberal red.

To help understand the shift, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Éric Grenier, a premier Canadian polls analyst and founder of The Writ; and David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, whose latest online survey reinforces the idea that the increase in Liberal support in Alberta isn’t a blip.

Multiple polls since the start of the year show the gap between the federal Conservatives and the federal Liberals is narrowing. According to Grenier, it's a trend that’s leaving people scratching their heads.

Coletto outlines why Prime Minister Mark Carney’s popularity is a primary driver and marvels at the ‘bizarro world’ in which the country finds itself — with a prime minister from Alberta who speaks of the province’s virtues while selling Canada as a stable source of energy. If the numbers hold, he also wonders if Alberta could transition from a ‘flyover’ province to a potential federal battleground.

Buckle up and keep your hands on the bar, Albertans! The province’s ride on the resource revenue roller coaster continues, and the latest $9.4 billion drop is enough to make a staunch fiscal conservative lose their lunch. The latest budget update projects three consecutive years of red ink and increased borrowing to fund critical public services, with no clear track back to balance. 

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty has assembled three big brains to critique this latest dive loop in Alberta’s fiscal trajectory. Economist Trevor Tombe and political scientist Lisa Young from the University of Calgary join the CBC’s own writer and producer Jason Markusoff, a veteran of more than 20 provincial budgets. 

Tombe breaks down why the province is now more reliant on resource revenue than it has been since Don Getty’s days. Young explains why this year’s fiscal roadmap feels more like an election budget. And Markusoff analyzes why Albertans may be more receptive to deficits than in years past…and he learns about plosives! 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has some questions she wants Albertans to answer. Nine of them, to be exact.

That’s how many referendum questions Smith announced in a televised speech that she’s going to put to Albertans on Oct. 19.

They range from constitutional reform to abolish the Senate and change who picks judges, to several that would directly affect some immigrants and the services they receive.

To unpack the proposed immigration changes, host Jason Markusoff is first joined by Raj Sharma, an immigration lawyer based in Calgary. He argues many of the questions appear outside Alberta’s jurisdiction.

Then, the panel breaks down the rest of the premier’s address. Journalist Rob Breakenridge says the referendum could serve as a distraction in advance of a bad-news budget. Evan Menzies, a vice-president at Crestview Strategy and former head of communications for the United Conservative Party, says there are reasonable questions to be debated amongst the proposals. Finally, Shannon Greer, a senior consultant at New West Public Affairs, who worked in Rachel Notley’s NDP government, says the government is sending contradictory messages.

• Host: Jason Markusoff

• Guests: Raj Sharma, Rob Breakenridge, Evan Menzies and Shannon Greer

• Producer: Joel Dryden

What does a kid from Nanton, Alta., write in his private journals after spending his days influencing some of Pierre Elliott Trudeau's most controversial policies?

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty takes a peek into The Coutts Diaries: Power, Politics, and Pierre Trudeau 1973-1981, with the book's editor, Ron Graham. As the prime minister's principal secretary, Jim Coutts was said to have exercised more backroom power than anyone else in modern Canadian political history. He was everywhere that mattered during the Trudeau era 50 years ago, and then went home and wrote a lot of it down.

Just as you'd expect from a diary, Coutts' offers juicy insight into exactly what he thought of both Alberta premier Peter Lougheed and Progressive Conservative Party leader Joe Clark. His entries reveal how influential he was as the reviled National Energy Program was being devised in the spring of 1980. And his private anxieties about inflation, affordability, energy prices and Western alienation read like they could have been written today.

As Albertans' anger toward Ottawa reached a boiling point, Coutts understood the West's legitimate grievances. But his diaries show he was a strategist first, who prioritized his party's survival no matter the cost to his reputation back home. 

Grab your snacks and beverages and settle in for a West of Centre twofer, no coupon required.

First, host Kathleen Petty reconvenes our citizens’ panel — Chelsea, Darryl, and Sunil — to get their perspectives on the latest happenings in Alberta. Darryl, who identifies as "blue through and through" describes his recent trip to Ontario and how Alberta politics is perceived by some in the east (Hint: it isn’t flattering). Sunil, a disappointed Conservative supporter, feels that Alberta has legitimate issues within Confederation, but questions the premier’s current tactics. Meanwhile, Chelsea is struggling to connect the dots on how some of the moves the provincial government is making will benefit everyday Albertans.

And then, as the April 1 deadline approaches for the next step to getting approval on a new bitumen pipeline to B.C., two energy industry insiders offer new insight into who might step forward to build it. Ian Anderson, the former president and CEO of Trans Mountain, recounts his experience developing that project, and the specific challenges with both the Port of Prince Rupert and Roberts Bank. And Sonya Savage, the former Alberta energy minister, shares what she’s hearing from investors as they watch the ongoing drive to force a referendum on separation.

It’s a wrap for the Conservative Party Convention in Calgary. Leader Pierre Poilievre secured an 87.4 per cent vote of confidence. Now that he’s won over the delegates, the focus for him and the party becomes winning over Canadians.  

West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined this week by two Conservative insiders who were also at this weekend’s convention. Amber Ruddy, Alberta's national councillor for the Conservative Party of Canada and a vice-president at Counsel Public Affairs; and Ian Brodie, a University of Calgary political scientist, senior advisor at New West Public Affairs, and former chief of staff to prime minister Stephen Harper.

They muse about when Canadians might next go to the polls and whether the Conservatives are ready (they are); how much more explicitly Poilievre and Alberta’s premier will have to speak about the spectre of separatism if momentum continues to pick up in Alberta and Quebec (much, much more); and where Poilievre might run in the next election (Carleton again?! One panelist thinks so). 

The seeds of separation are being sown. Thousands have been braving January’s cold to put some heat on the effort for the province to become a free and independent country. 

This week onWest of Centre, host Kathleen Petty speaks with one of the campaign’s key proponents and head of the Alberta Prosperity Project, Mitch Sylvestre. Among many points in their conversation, he tells her there’s no U.S. funding involved in the effort, and that his sense is things would have been much different if Pierre Poilievre had won last spring’s federal election. 

Then, political pollster Janet Brown and Calgary-based Toronto Star reporter Alex Boyd join the table. They analyze the political calculation by Premier Danielle Smith in making it easier for a separation referendum to go to the people. And they break down the differing views on the separatist sentiment in Alberta — from those who are committed to the cause, to those who are more soft on the idea but want to keep the discussion going to negotiate a better deal with Ottawa.

Finally, as the rest of the country rubbernecks at what’s happening in Alberta, the panel cautions Canadians not to oversimplify the secession effort and its impact on national unity at a time when the country needs it most.

This week on West of Centre, guest host Jason Markusoff reconvenes the national political panel The House Party for a conversation about Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa. 

That historically difficult partnership has changed with a deal to pursue a pipeline to the B.C. coast, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s warmth towards this Liberal prime minister. But our panel wonders if that relationship is built to last.

Joining Jason are his two co-hosts from House Party: Catherine Cullen, host of CBC’s The House, and Daniel Thibeault, Radio-Canada’s Ottawa bureau chief, along with Falice Chin, the Alberta bureau chief for The Hub.

The geopolitical rules were rewritten this week as the U.S. moves beyond simply buying oil. It effectively took over the world's largest oil reserves in Venezuela — the same kind of heavy oil produced by Alberta. It's a threat that can't be dismissed.

This week, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Gitane De Silva, former CEO of the Canada Energy Regulator and Alberta's former senior representative to the United States; Martha Hall Findlay, who was Suncor Energy's first chief climate officer; and Sonya Savage, former Alberta energy minister.

With 10 per cent of Alberta's crude at risk of being displaced in the U.S. Gulf Coast and a big hit to the provincial budget at stake, the panel says Canada can no longer afford to be the 'boy scouts' of the global energy market.

The panel explains why Canada isn't building refineries instead of pipelines. And they drill down on how this complicates the pursuit of a private proponent for a new bitumen pipeline to B.C.'s northwest coast. They argue while the Smith-Carney MOU is a start, it is no longer sufficient to de-risk the massive commercial uncertainty created by the 'might-makes-right' White House.

From a Trump trade war and a historic teachers' strike, to the UCP government’s use of the notwithstanding clause, 2025 has been a high-stakes whirlwind for Alberta.

This week on West of Centre, the CBC’s own Jason Markusoff swaps his producer and writer hat for a clipboard as quizmaster for our "not-quite-annual" quiz show. Testing their knowledge of the year's headlines: Falice Chin, Alberta bureau chief of The Hub; Alex Boyd, Calgary-based reporter for the Toronto Star; and pollster Janet Brown of Janet Brown Opinion Research. 

Think you can beat our political smarties?

Use our study guide to prep for a look back on such key topics as:

Test your knowledge, keep your own score, and stick around to find out which of the panellists wins bragging rights and the coveted ‘No. 1 Nerd’ trophy.

What if the biggest danger to Canada isn’t a foreign enemy or even U.S. President Donald Trump? Rather, poor policy decisions and decades of deferred leadership that have created deep regional resentments – including here in Alberta – that threaten to tear the country apart. And what if the greatest threat to Canadian unity now comes from the west?

John Ibbitson, veteran political journalist, and Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Global Public Affairs, join West of Centre host Kathleen Petty to discuss their third book together, Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk.

The book is an urgent, necessary sequel to The Big Shift, where the political realignment the authors predicted – the movement of power away from the Laurentian Elite toward the West and suburban immigrant voters. Only now, the country is at a critical juncture where national stability is at stake – and Alberta is at the centre. 

They argue the horizontal threat is the refusal to face the fact that Canada is fundamentally a resource-based economy that has created deep regional resentments that threaten to pull the country apart. 

But, Ibbitson and Bricker say, the growing cracks in the country’s foundation can be fixed, in part by radical federal decentralization, forcing the federal government to finally govern the country it claims to represent. 

• Host: Kathleen Petty

• Guests: Darrell Bricker, John Ibbitson

• Producer and editor: Diane Yanko

For the second time this year, Alberta’s UCP government is lowering the barriers for citizen-led referendum questions while also stripping the Chief Electoral Officer of many powers.

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty is joined by CBC writer and producer Jason Markusoff; Globe and Mail reporter Matthew Scace; and pollster and political analyst Janet Brown.

As the UCP tinkers with its legislation yet again, Brown wonders, did the provincial government not think this legislation all the way through? As Scace points out, the new legislation would allow a proposed referendum question to contravene the Canadian Constitution. The province says it is ‘restoring confidence in democratic processes’. To Markusoff, it’s the ‘La-La-La We Can’t Hear You’ Act of 2025.

And again, the panel is divided on the possibility of an early election next year in Alberta. But Brown, who for the past year has staunchly argued Premier Danielle Smith won’t pull the trigger before fall of 2027, has come around to the possibility that Smith is oiling the mechanism. 

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer and editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Janet Brown, Jason Markusoff, Matthew Scace

Alberta and Ottawa have sealed a new “grand bargain” – a long-awaited memorandum of understanding that could pave the way for a major new bitumen pipeline to B.C.’s remote northwest coast.

Joining West of Centre host Kathleen Petty to dissect this week’s deal are Gitane De Silva, former CEO of the Canada Energy Regulator; Emma Graney, Globe and Mail energy reporter; and Mike McDonald, former chief of staff to B.C. premier Christy Clark and co-host of Hotel Pacifico, a podcast focusing on politics on the West Coast.

They discuss the dramatic shift in the relationship between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ottawa; the MOU’s "impossible-is-now-possible" dynamic; a fascinating subplot that’s forming for the federal Conservatives, who represent the riding where a bitumen pipeline may end its long-distance run from Alberta; and why achieving this agreement was likely the easiest step in a marathon process.

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer and editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Gitane De Silva, Emma Graney, Mike McDonald

Health care in Alberta is getting a massive makeover, as the UCP government introduces what it calls a dual-practice surgery model. Critics fear that by allowing some surgeons to simultaneously practice in both the public and private system, a patient’s wait time will be determined by their wallet. The province says it wants to try something new to solve wait times, and at least one panelist contends it’s time Canadians destigmatize the word "privatize."

The plan comes as Alberta’s auditor general drops the receipts on the failed bid to privatize lab services in the DynaLife deal, and it is taxpayers who are on the hook for a tab worth over $100 million.

There are questions about the risk to Premier Danielle Smith and her government as they invoke the notwithstanding clause for a second time in less than a month to shield three pieces of legislation affecting transgender youth from legal challenges.

And as the federal and Alberta governments inch closer to reaching a memorandum of understanding on a new pipeline to the west coast, B.C.’s premier is shocked to find out he wasn’t invited to the party – but Saskatchewan’s premier was.

West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined at the table this week by Evan Menzies, a vice-president at Crestview Strategy and former head of communications for the United Conservative Party; Shannon Greer, a senior consultant at New West Public Affairs, who worked in Rachel Notley’s NDP government; and Lisa Young, a political science professor at the University of Calgary.

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer and editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Shannon Greer, Evan Menzies, Lisa Young

The Grey Cup deadline on a memorandum of understanding between the prime minister and the premier is about to come and go, but it’s not necessarily a disaster, as Danielle Smith works to secure a "new, grand bargain" for Alberta.

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty is joined by Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt; Alberta-based politics reporter for the Toronto Star, Alex Boyd; and the CBC's own writer and producer Jason Markusoff.

Are there finally signs of life from the Alberta NDP? After months of virtual silence, the panel breaks down a new ad from the Opposition many felt was missing in action.

The premier will be held to account for the United Conservatives’ member policy declarations at the party’s upcoming AGM, but in her bid to keep her base happy, one panellist asserts she may have created a poison pill for herself.

And a little bit of trivia about why you keep hearing the word “tranche” when it comes to the running list of nation-building major projects announced by the federal government. (Hint: it has to do with the background of a certain former central banker.) 

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer and editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Alex Boyd, Duane Bratt, Jason Markusoff

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget dropped this week, but it has been buried in the news by MP exits and mounting pressure from Albertans using the UCP’s own legislation to seek accountability.

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty is joined by longtime policy advisor Ken Boessenkool, who worked with former Prime Minister Stephen Harper; Zain Velji, one third of The Strategists podcast who has worked on campaigns for the Alberta NDP; and Globe and Mail energy reporter Emma Graney.

Listen as the panel explores how the biggest economic announcement of the year has been overshadowed by an internal crisis for the federal Conservative party and why “democratic reform is for losers." You'll also hear more sports analogies to describe current events than you thought possible, and learn about... Mr. Muffins?!

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Emma Graney, Ken Boessenkool, Zain Velji

Alberta’s UCP government used the biggest hammer in its toolbox this week to force teachers back to work.

The provincial government invoked the notwithstanding clause, arguing families needed certainty. The move has certainly raised the ire of many Albertans, along with the wider labour movement, which has promised consequences. Already, the education minister is the target of the first recall petition approved under Alberta’s Recall Act.

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty is joined by Colin Aitchison, press secretary to the education minister in Jason Kenney’s UCP government; former Alberta NDP cabinet minister Shannon Phillips; and University of Alberta political scientist Jared Wesley.

Together, they scratch their heads at how a grassroots effort to affirm Alberta’s place in Canada with the "Forever Canadian" petition outgrew every expectation. When combined with the teachers’ movement, the panel sees it as a shock to the political system in Alberta.

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Colin Aitchison, Shannon Phillips, Jared Wesley

With the ballots finally counted and the results official, Alberta’s 2025 municipal election cycle is one for the books. New regulations brought in by the provincial government for voters casting ballots for mayor, councillor and school trustee saw a requirement for a new attestation form, a ban on electronic tabulators in favour of hand counting, and the addition of political parties to Calgary and Edmonton. This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty is joined by journalist and editor of The Sprawl, Jeremy Klaszus; Edmonton Journal civic affairs columnist Keith Gerein; and Mount Royal University political science professor Lori Williams. With the elections in many cities and towns hampered by long lines and slow processing times, the panel suggests some of the changes amount to a real problem for democracy.

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Jeremy Klaszus, Keith Gerein, Lori Williams

No gold stars this week for either the Government of Alberta or the Alberta Teachers' Association, as both sides have failed to strike a potential deal on a labour dispute that has kept around 750,000 students out of class for the foreseeable future. This week on West of Centre, host Rob Brown, along with University of Calgary political science professor Lisa Young, Evan Menzies of Crestview Strategy and Cheryl Oates of The Discourse podcast delve into why this is not a normal strike, but is ultimately about the future of public education in Alberta. Also, a newly-released third-party investigation into procurement at Alberta Health Services has found no evidence of wrongdoing by anyone in government. But the judge who wrote the report acknowledged he couldn’t make any definitive statements based on the restrictions limiting the scope of his probe, and the panel believes there are still some outstanding questions. Finally, the panel weighs in on Alberta’s plans to leave Wild Rose Country in the dust in favour of the motto "Strong and Free" as it redesigns its licence plates, and whether this move is a matter of provincial pride or is steering attention away from bigger issues.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Cheryl Oates, Evan Menzies, Lisa Young

There are now two proposed pipelines without private proponents on the table. The first: Alberta's idea for a bitumen pipeline to northern British Columbia has become a political hot potato. The second, Keystone XL, may potentially be back from the dead (just in time for Halloween!) as possible leverage with U.S. President Donald Trump, to lubricate relief from steel and aluminum tariffs. On West of Centre this week, host Kathleen Petty is joined by Erika Barootes, who once served as the premier's principal secretary; Keith McLaughlin, who was chief of staff to several ministers in Rachel Notley's NDP government; and CBC producer and writer, Jason Markusoff. They dive into the possibility that the federal energy minister is dodging Ottawa's role in the Alberta-B.C. pipeline dispute, why pipeline politics are so intertwined with a new U.S. trade deal, and whether Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was right all along when it came to her honey versus vinegar approach to dealing with Trump. 

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Erika Barootes, Keith McLaughlin, Jason Markusoff

Alberta is laying the groundwork for a new bitumen pipeline to B.C.'s northwest coast. But Danielle Smith's government's plan isn't just about a pipeline -- it's a test of political will. 

In this week's episode of West of Centre, our panel digs into how this proposed project is a bold political play by the premier that's straight out of a "choose your own adventure" gamebook, with two very different endings. The push for a new West Coast pipeline and a new, grand bargain with Ottawa is Smith's preferred path. The premier expects that pipeline to be on the list of the next round of major projects that the federal government unveils by Grey Cup. But what happens if this plan fails? The push toward Alberta's sovereignty, an idea that's been getting new oxygen at the Alberta Next panel consultations, could be the next path. 

Host Kathleen Petty is joined this week by Rick Bell, a columnist with Postmedia; Rob Breakenridge, a columnist and podcast host at The Line; and pollster and political analyst Janet Brown. They break down how this isn't just a political story; it's about the very identity of Alberta. 

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Rick Bell, Rob Breakenridge, Janet Brown

Is “pragmatism” a good principle when it comes to tackling climate change? What does this big buzzword adopted by the Prime Minister and others in his government even mean, anyway? 

As the Canadian Climate Institute concludes there’s no way Canada will meet its emission reduction targets for 2030 or even 2035, our expert panel dives into the disconnect between the country’s net-zero targets and the lack of a clear, short-term plan to get there. 

West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Bill Whitelaw, executive director of Rextag; climate policy strategist Jeremy van Loon; and Globe and Mail energy reporter Emma Graney. They examine the effectiveness of key initiatives, including the Pathways Alliance carbon capture project, the evolution of industrial carbon pricing, and how the concept of “pragmatism” fits into the politics of it all. 

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Bill Whitelaw, Emma Graney, Jeremy van Loon

The Alberta government is making headlines with its plan to add a “CAN” citizenship marker to driver’s licences, a move Premier Danielle Smith says will safeguard elections and improve efficiency. At the same time, she’s pressing for greater provincial control over immigration, even as the province faces the threat of a teachers’ strike, a ballooning deficit and renewed talk of sovereignty.

West of Centre host Kathleen Petty explores whether Smith is energizing her base or distracting from core issues with Real Talk podcast host Ryan Jespersen, former Tory aide Tom Olsen, and ex-Trudeau adviser Jessie Chahal. The panel weighs whether the UCP government’s priorities align with what Albertans really want.

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Ryan Jespersen, Tom Olsen, Jessie Chahal

This fall, Calgary and Edmonton voters will face a first in Alberta history: municipal candidates backed by political parties.

The provincial government has launched the move as a pilot project, but it’s already stirring debate. Critics warn it could erode the independence of city politics, while supporters say it may bring clarity and accountability to local campaigns.

West of Centre Short host Rob Brown speaks with Kennedy Stewart, a former Vancouver mayor and longtime political science professor, who has run both as an independent and as part of a party slate. From spending caps and donor lists to door knockers and party discipline (or lack thereof), Stewart lays out how partisanship reshapes city campaigns and governance — for better and worse.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Kennedy Stewart

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first five “nation-building” projects are out — but there’s no oil pipeline, at least not yet. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s unusually upbeat response raised eyebrows, suggesting she may know something the rest of us don’t. Both she and Carney hint that bigger announcements could come by year’s end.

West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is back to dissect the politics behind the nudge-nudge, wink-wink with Zain Velji of The Strategists podcast, conservative strategist Amber Ruddy, and Toronto Star journalist Alex Boyd.

Together, they dig into what Carney’s cautious list means for Alberta, the federal government, and where it leaves Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

In the second half, Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon joins the conversation to explore why Alberta and Quebec may be more alike than different when it comes to their battles with Ottawa. Plamondon, who hopes to be Quebec’s next premier, has pledged to hold another referendum on separation by 2030 if his party forms government. 

After all, what’s more Albertan than obsessing about Quebec?

More than halfway through a turbulent political year, Alberta sits at the crossroads of a global trade war, a federal-provincial power struggle and a simmering separatism debate. This week on West of Centre, host Rob Brown brings together former federal cabinet minister Monte Solberg, political strategist Stephen Carter, and University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young to take stock of Canada and Alberta’s political landscape before the podcast breaks for the summer.

The panel sizes up three major players: rookie Prime Minister Mark Carney, who’s set an ambitious tone but faces high-stakes tests ahead; Pierre Poilievre, whose leadership hangs in the balance after his election defeat; and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who remains strong in the polls while stoking talks of sovereignty. The trio weighs in on their performance so far — and what could make or break them in the months ahead.

The episode wraps with a look at Alberta’s changing municipal politics, where party slates are on the ballot for the first time in Calgary and Edmonton. While voters claim to dislike partisanship in city hall, Carter argues party structures could either streamline councils or turn them into battlegrounds. With federal, provincial, and municipal politics all in flux, the rest of 2025 promises anything but quiet.

West of Centre has recorded its biggest audience and download numbers ever this year. Thank you for listening! We’ll be back in September with Kathleen Petty returning to the host chair.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Monte Solberg, Lisa Young, Stephen Carter

As the Aug. 1 trade deadline approaches, Donald Trump’s administration is threatening to hike tariffs on non-CUSMA-compliant Canadian goods from 25 to 35 per cent, while leaving existing levies on potash and energy unchanged. Gitane De Silva, former Canada Energy Regulator CEO and Alberta’s ex-representative in Washington, doubts a deal will be struck by Friday. She says Canada is smart to keep negotiations focused and quiet, while leveraging its deep economic integration with the U.S.

De Silva urges Ottawa to avoid broad retaliation but suggests targeted responses and shifts in consumer behaviour are already shaping U.S. decisions. She questions whether Trump even wants a short-term deal, given his push to renegotiate CUSMA. Canada, she argues, should aim for certainty in key sectors like autos and energy while being realistic about what it may need to concede. Despite the turbulence, she’s cautiously optimistic Canadians are adapting to a new era of trade uncertainty.

At home, De Silva weighs in on Alberta’s push for a new pipeline to Prince Rupert, B.C., calling it feasible but dependent on meaningful backing from both levels of government. She says regulatory clarity under Bill C-5 is lacking, and Indigenous consultation — especially in B.C.'s unceded territories — remains a key challenge. She suggests Ottawa could seek legal clarity via a Supreme Court reference. Despite the obstacles, she sees this as a moment for Canada to assert its value as a reliable supplier of food, fuel and stability in a shifting global landscape.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Gitane De Silva

In the dead of summer, a shift in tone appears to be taking hold between Canada’s premiers and the prime minister.

On this week’s West of Centre, three Alberta-based journalists examine what may be driving Premier Danielle Smith’s recent change in rhetoric. At the latest premiers’ summit, Smith downplayed talk of a new oil pipeline and instead emphasized on shared priorities with B.C. Premier David Eby — including ammonia exports, LNG expansion and increasing Trans Mountain’s capacity.

Meghan Potkins of the Financial Post offers a reality check on the private sector’s appetite for a new pipeline. Lisa Johnson of The Canadian Press and Alex Boyd of the Toronto Star explore whether more in-person engagement — and a new prime minister — may be shifting the dynamic among provincial leaders. And to what political end?

The panel also unpacks renewed controversy over coal payouts. The Alberta government is now facing millions more in potential liabilities after reversing its policy on coal development in the Rockies — raising the prospect of further legal and political fallout.

Attention then turns to the Battle River–Crowfoot byelection, where federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faces a ballot featuring some 200 names. Is it a genuine complaint, or a pre-emptive explanation for what could be a lower vote share in one of the country’s safest Conservative ridings?

The episode ends on a sobering note. Globe and Mail reporter Carrie Tait was recently targeted with surveillance. The panel reflects on rising hostility toward journalists, and how it threatens not just the press, but the public’s access to information.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Meghan Potkins, Lisa Johnson, Alex Boyd

Canada’s sluggish gross domestic product (GDP) per capita has been branded an economic “emergency.” Yet the headline figure could soon rise even if Prime Minister Mark Carney does little to spur productivity. Ottawa is slashing the intake of international students and temporary foreign workers — a move that will shrink the population denominator and nudge the stat upward, even as total output may slip and social programs face restraint.

In this episode of West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown asks University of Calgary economist Gillian Petit to dissect the metric politicians love to wield. GDP measures total output, while GDP per capita divides that sum by the population. Petit says the simple math offers an easy snapshot but can mislead when used alone.

For a true read on prosperity, Petit argues Canada needs a broader dashboard that weighs productivity, fairness and long‑term well‑being. Building that tool, she warns, will be a lot tougher than quoting a single number.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Gillian Petit

The Alberta Next tour is only two stops in and critics already say it feels less like a neutral consultation than a sales exercise for provincial moves, including setting up an Alberta pension plan, a provincial police service and a homegrown tax collection agency.

Former NDP staffer Shannon Greer likened the events to a timeshare presentation, citing high‑production videos, tightly managed messaging and survey questions that she said steered respondents. Former UCP staffer Colin Aitchison acknowledged some questions were leading but argued Premier Danielle Smith could have staged a purely partisan event or gone straight to a referendum if she wanted a predetermined outcome. Neither were surprised the town halls attracted separatists and federalists alike.

Meanwhile, NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi — newly sworn in as MLA for Edmonton–Strathcona — is launching a counter roadshow dubbed the “Better Together” summer tour built around a pro‑Canada message. Journalist Jason Markusoff questions whether either program will achieve its aims.

The competing tours unfold amid friction on two fronts: between Alberta and Ottawa, and between the province and municipalities — both centred on jurisdictional reach. While Smith accuses the federal government of overstepping, several mayors accuse her government of doing the same on local matters ranging from bike lanes to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Colin Aitchison, Shannon Greer, Jason Markusoff

A northern Alberta First Nations leader is raising concerns about a proposed $16-billion carbon capture project, warning his community could pursue legal action if the federal government fails to properly consult Indigenous groups.

In an interview on West of Centre Short, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam said his community has not received credible information about the environmental risks of the Pathways Alliance project — particularly the injection of carbon into underground salt plains.

Adam also criticized the Carney government’s Bill C-5, which aims to fast-track infrastructure projects deemed to be in the national interest. He’s so opposed to the bill, he’s opted not to attend the prime minister’s meeting with fellow chiefs in Gatineau this week.

At the heart of Adam’s concerns is a long-standing call for revenue sharing. He said that unless First Nations are offered a more equitable stake in resource development, especially on Treaty land, conflict and legal challenges will continue.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Allan Adam

Can Pierre Poilievre survive the summer — and is a new oil pipeline imminent? Those questions are fuelling chatter on rooftop patios, at pancake breakfasts and in political backrooms across Calgary during 10 days of Stampede networking.

On this week’s episode of West of Centre, conservative strategist Tom Olsen shares what politicians and staffers are really saying — and whether they believe Poilievre deserves another shot after losing the federal election. Jessie Chahal, a former adviser to prime minister Justin Trudeau, thinks Conservatives across Canada are more divided than they let on. And NDP strategist Cheryl Oates argues the party is doing everything it can to tip the scales in Poilievre’s favour — including, in her view, the decision to hold the leadership review in Calgary.

First, though, Poilievre must win his byelection in Battle River–Crowfoot. Victory is expected, but the panel debates what kind of margin he needs to maintain the confidence of his party.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney is signalling a shift on energy policy, calling a new oil pipeline proposal “highly likely.” That statement comes just as the premiers of Alberta and Ontario sign memorandums of understanding aimed at boosting interprovincial trade — and reviving the idea of an east–west pipeline. But how close are we to a private-sector proponent stepping forward and shouting, “Yahoo!”?

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Tom Olsen, Jessie Chahal, Cheryl Oates

Despite wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, a resurgent Donald Trump threatening global trade, and the world increasing supply, crude prices haven’t swung wildly like they once did. In fact, 2024 marked one of the most stable years for oil prices in decades, and the first half of 2025 has more or less followed suit.

So what’s behind this unusual calm in a chaotic world?

On this episode of West of Centre Short, energy analyst Susan Bell of Rystad Energy breaks down what’s anchoring post-pandemic global oil prices — and why Canada has proven more resilient than expected. From OPEC’s evolving playbook to U.S. shale discipline and the impact of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, we unpack the new rules of the game. That includes the political calculus behind Saudi Arabia’s more cautious approach, as it balances domestic reforms, regional influence and long-term energy strategy.

But the era of stability may not last. Bell flags the early warning signs — and what could trigger the next big shift.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Susan Bell

Aspiration is meeting reality for Prime Minister Mark Carney, as the pressures of governing expose the risks of his sky-high campaign promises.

The most immediate example is his abrupt reversal on Canada’s digital services tax, scrapped just before it was set to take effect after Donald Trump threatened to walk away from trade talks. Critics say Carney waved a red flag at a bull; supporters frame it as a strategic concession to get negotiations back on track. But if no deal materializes by the self-imposed July 21 deadline, the political cost could be steep — especially for a leader who built his brand on going “elbows up” with the U.S.

This week on West of Centre, trade expert Carlo Dade argued Canada could “rag the puck” and let U.S. court challenges to Trump’s tariff powers play out. But The Logic’s Laura Osman noted Carney is under immense pressure to secure a near-term deal. That urgency matches his government’s fast-paced push for quick wins — including tax cuts, moves to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, and the passage of Bill C-5 to fast-track infrastructure approvals.

But passing legislation is the easy part. Another round of reality checks is looming — including whether provinces will actually trade more freely, and whether a long-sought pipeline to the West Coast might finally materialize. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith continues to apply pressure through a list of demands and her new Alberta Next panel. Political columnist Graham Thomson says she’s also fending off threats from separatists on the right and watching for signs of a centrist revival under the old Progressive Conservative brand.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Carlo Dade, Laura Osman, Graham Thomson

Canada has yet to meet NATO’s two per cent defence benchmark, yet the federal government is already pledging to boost spending to five per cent of GDP by 2035. That target framed CBC host Rob Brown’s conversation with Arctic security scholar Rob Huebert, who says the figure is not arbitrary but reflects growing vulnerabilities exposed by Russian aggression, China’s rise and the uncertainty of a second Donald Trump presidency.

On this episode of West of Centre Short, Huebert notes Canada’s last major northern military hardware upgrade came in the 1980s. True modernization, he says, means over-the-horizon radar, new satellites, F-35 fighter jets and even submarines — assets he argues must be based in the North.

For Huebert, Arctic defence is less about troops and more about sensors and rapid response capability. He is pushing for a revamped North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), deep-water ports and says even a potential West Coast oil pipeline could be counted under NATO’s infrastructure allowance. Fund the full package, he contends, and Canada would sail past five per cent “without even breaking a sweat.”

But politics casts a shadow over every dollar. Huebert says Canadians have rallied before, but only when leaders are candid about the stakes. Without that clarity, he warns, Canada risks under-spending, under-preparing — and waking up as a vassal state to the United States.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Rob Huebert

Premier Danielle Smith is pitching her “Alberta Next” roadshow as a grassroots consultation, but critics say its six survey questions steer Albertans toward sovereignty-tinged answers. The travelling panel will study these topics: an Alberta police force, immigration, constitutional amendments, provincial tax collection, federal transfers and equalization, and a provincial pension plan.

On this week’s West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty asks former UCP staffer Karamveer Lalh, pollster Janet Brown and former NDP government top aide Keith McLaughlin whether the tour aims to placate United Conservatives rather than seek good-faith solutions.

The guests say the effort echoes Jason Kenney’s 2019 Fair Deal Panel and warn the framing could alienate moderates and newcomers. They note the Republican Party of Alberta’s 18-per-cent showing in the Olds–Didsbury–Three Hills byelection proves Smith can’t ignore separatist voters. At the same time, NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi now has a seat in the legislature — a development that complicates Smith’s push for any referendum as she works to keep her caucus united.

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Karamveer Lalh, Keith McLaughlin, Janet Brown

The results of Alberta’s three byelections delivered a largely status quo outcome, but with some notable undercurrents. In Edmonton-Strathcona, NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi secured a decisive win, surpassing former leader Rachel Notley’s vote share with 82 per cent. It marks his long-awaited entry into the legislature. The NDP also held Edmonton-Ellerslie, though with a slimmer margin — nearly 11 points down from 2023. That erosion raises questions about the party’s grip on “Fortress Edmonton,” particularly as polls suggest the UCP is gaining ground in the capital.

In Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, the UCP kept the rural stronghold but lost 15 points in vote share. The Republican Party of Alberta’s Cam Davies earned nearly 18 per cent — the strongest separatist showing in years. Still, Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt called the result underwhelming, noting it fell short of the one-third benchmark that would signal serious momentum. He called it a missed opportunity for Alberta’s separatist movement, which tends to rise and recede depending on leadership and political climate.

In this episode of West of Centre Short, Bratt argues the latest separatist push is less grassroots than previous waves and more top-down — driven in part by Premier Danielle Smith and her inner circle. While Smith says she supports a united Canada, critics point to her past reliance on the Sovereignty Act, efforts to create a provincial pension plan and police force, and paving the way for a potential independence referendum in 2026 as signs of a deeper, ambiguous agenda.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Duane Bratt

Ahead of three Alberta provincial byelections on June 23, West of Centre is sharing a special bonus episode from our colleagues at Front Burner.

They recently travelled to Three Hills — a town about 130 km northeast of Calgary — to explore why separatist sentiment continues to simmer in parts of rural Alberta. CBC Calgary’s Jason Markusoff joined them on the ground, attending a town hall on Alberta independence and speaking with locals about what’s fuelling the frustration with Ottawa.

In the riding of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, separatism isn’t just a talking point — it’s basically on the ballot. The Alberta Republic Party, which supports independence, is fielding a candidate with a fraught history with the UCP. This episode offers a revealing look at the political mood heading into Monday’s vote.

The federal election may be over, but Pierre Poilievre is not done campaigning. After losing his longtime seat in the Ottawa region, the Conservative leader is now focused on winning a byelection in rural Alberta—one of the party’s safest ridings. On this episode of West of Centre, three Conservative insiders discuss what this campaign could reveal about Poilievre’s political evolution. Can he adapt his tone and strategy to regain momentum and further expand support? Or will he double down on the populist messaging that’s defined his leadership so far?

Ben Woodfinden, Poilievre’s director of communications during the election, joins veteran political scientist Ian Brodie and disillusioned strategist Sarah Biggs to weigh the stakes—not just for Poilievre, but for the Conservative Party itself. How should he pitch his message in a riding that’s more sympathetic to separatist sentiment, while still maintaining credibility as a prime minister-in-waiting? And with a leadership review set for January, how much reflection and recalibration can he afford before time runs out?

As Prime Minister Mark Carney carves out centrist ground—borrowing from the Conservative playbook while pushing his own agenda—Poilievre may need to pivot from ideological combat to a message of competence and readiness. This episode explores what that shift could mean for the Conservative movement—and for a political system now settling into a prolonged two-party race.

Alberta is facing the prospect of its largest coordinated public-sector labour disruption in decades, with tens of thousands of workers poised to strike. Teachers, health-care professionals and government employees have voiced growing frustration with stalled negotiations — including 95 per cent of Alberta Teachers’ Association members voting in favour of strike action. On this episode of West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown speaks with Jason Foster, a professor of human resources and labour relations at Athabasca University, about what’s driving the unrest.

Foster, who had previously worked as director of policy analysis at the Alberta Federation of Labour, says many public-sector workers have endured nearly a decade of stagnant pay, followed by surging inflation and the emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alberta’s teachers were once the highest paid in Canada, but have since fallen behind their counterparts in other provinces. Class sizes are also a growing concern as the province’s population continues to rise.

What’s different this time, Foster says, is that union members — not leadership — are driving the push for better deals. Workers are rejecting mediated agreements they see as inadequate and demanding more from the bargaining table.

Alberta’s economy looks strong on paper, but many residents don’t feel better off. Despite record oil production, rising exports and the highest GDP per capita in the country, wage stagnation and uneven wealth distribution have left many Albertans frustrated. In this episode of West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty speaks with economists Alicia Planincic of the Business Council of Alberta and Jim Stanford of the Centre for Future Work to unpack the province’s economic paradox: how can a place so rich feel like it’s falling behind?

The conversation explores deeper structural issues, including weak capital investment, declining real wages across multiple sectors and whether job growth is keeping pace with population gains. The panel questions whether producing more oil would actually ease Alberta’s economic challenges and examines the role of provincial and federal policy in shaping the province’s fortunes.

Looking beyond the oilpatch, the episode also considers Canada’s broader economic strategy — from global trade risks to competition in AI — and what it will take to strengthen long-term growth.

Alberta’s energy debate has long stretched beyond oil and gas, but in recent years, a wave of policy shocks has shaken investor confidence in the province’s renewable sector. And while Premier Danielle Smith is sprinkling in “clean power” in her public messaging, the surprise moratorium on new wind and solar approvals in 2022 — followed by a series of restrictive regulations — continues to cast a long shadow over the future of renewables in Alberta.

The government, meanwhile, says it has set out a sensible, balanced plan to grow renewables without compromising reliability or affordability. Last year, the Alberta Utilities Commission approved 24 new nenewable projects — outpacing the 12 approvals in 2023 but comparable to the 23 in 2022. The province’s emphasis on natural gas as a baseload electricity source remains at odds with what some clean-energy advocates are calling for.

In this episode of West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown speaks with Chris Severson-Baker, executive director of the Pembina Institute, about the fallout from Alberta’s shifting regulations — and the challenges facing the renewable sector as political leaders try to chart a path forward for Canada’s energy future.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is saying all the right things when it comes to building a new pipeline. He’s invoking “nation-building,” touting Canada’s potential as an “energy superpower,” and emphasizing the need for infrastructure to unlock economic growth. But squint at the details and contradictions emerge — most notably, the federal government’s insistence that any such project would require consensus from all provinces and Indigenous communities along the route.

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty tries to pick apart the Liberal government’s murky pipeline messaging with former Canadian Energy Regulator CEO Gitane De Silva, infrastructure economist Kent Fellows and Financial Post reporter Meghan Potkins. It’s not lost on the panel that even in Alberta — ground zero for pipeline advocacy — no private-sector player has stepped up with a new proposal.

Companies remain scarred by a decade of regulatory reversals, legal battles and shifting economic realities, making them hesitant to take the first step without clear political backing or financial incentives. And the hurdles don’t end there. From provincial resistance to port capacity to a cautious investment climate, the conversation lays bare just how far Canada may be from building another major pipeline.

The Carney era has officially begun. In his first week in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Mark Carney signalled a break from the performative theatrics that have defined federal politics in recent years. His new Liberal government is moving swiftly — scrapping the consumer carbon tax from law, cutting income taxes, and — more ambitiously — planning legislation to fast-track major national infrastructure projects.

But skepticism is already mounting. Some Indigenous and environmental groups are voicing early concerns about whether promised consultations will be meaningful. Carney may be extending an olive branch to Alberta, but whether it results in a new pipeline remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is grappling with growing separatist sentiment from within her own United Conservative Party. With party insiders pushing for a referendum on independence, Smith is walking a political tightrope. And she may not be the only one. As Pierre Poilievre campaigns to return to Parliament via a byelection in rural Alberta, could he face similar pressures?

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty speaks with Laura Osman of The Logic, Dave Cournoyer of the Daveberta podcast, and University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young.

Danielle Smith’s extended political honeymoon, Naheed Nenshi’s lukewarm debut, and Alberta’s identity crisis — all captured in a fresh batch of polling data commissioned by CBC Calgary. On this episode of West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown speaks with pollster Janet Brown and data scientist John Santos to explore where Alberta’s political winds are blowing at the halfway mark of the current UCP government’s mandate.

From voter impressions of the Alberta premier and her NDP challenger to shifting seat projections and separatist sentiment, the numbers tell a compelling story — one of “stick it to Ottawa” politics, polarization, and a province still wrestling with its feelings about Canada. 

*Note: This survey was conducted between May 7 and 21 with a representative sample of 1,200 Albertans. Margin of error is ±2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Fore more details, go to cbc.ca/calgary

When Tim Hodgson stepped up to the podium at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, he struck a tone rarely met with optimism in Alberta — especially from a Liberal cabinet minister.

In this episode of West of Centre, guest host Jim Brown breaks down the early signals from Canada’s new Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, as Hodgson attempts to reset Ottawa’s rocky relationship with Western Canada’s energy sector. A former chair of Hydro One and board member at MEG Energy, Hodgson brings both Bay Street credentials and oilpatch familiarity. He's leaning into both.

Panelists Grant Sprague, former Alberta deputy energy minister; Globe and Mail energy reporter Emma Graney; and Bill Whitelaw, chair of the Canadian Society for Evolving Energy, weigh in on whether Hodgson’s mix of financial savvy and prairie roots can translate into real results.

Canada’s measles elimination status is at risk for the first time in decades, with Alberta among the hardest-hit provinces. This week on West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown speaks with University of Calgary health law expert Lorian Hardcastle about why Alberta is seeing a significant resurgence in cases — and the political forces that may be influencing the response.

Hardcastle says Alberta’s delayed reaction and initial silence from key leaders point to a deeper shift in how public health is communicated post-COVID. She traces the province’s rising vaccine hesitancy to pandemic-era rhetoric about personal freedom and medical coercion, which she says has now extended to routine immunizations like the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot.

With vaccination rates below 30 per cent among school-aged children in some Alberta communities, the province remains especially vulnerable. And while awareness campaigns and extended clinic hours have now ramped up, Hardcastle warns the damage may already be done.

Will the Liberal government — somewhat refreshed with a few new faces — help reset Ottawa’s strained relationship with the West? That’s the central question in this episode of West of Centre, as host Kathleen Petty is joined by former Liberal MP and leadership contender Martha Hall Findlay, Saskatchewan political columnist Murray Mandryk, and Calgary Sun writer Ricky Leong for a wide-ranging conversation about federal-provincial fault lines, cabinet signals and the spectre of separatism.

The panel unpacks early reaction to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet — particularly the appointment of Tim Hodgson as energy minister, a move broadly welcomed by industry insiders. Hodgson’s background suggests a more pragmatic approach, but skepticism lingers, especially with former environment minister Steven Guilbeault still at the cabinet table, now overseeing culture and identity. The bigger mystery may be whether he’ll join Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe for an ATV ride.

The deeper tension, though, lies in Alberta’s newly lowered threshold for citizen-led referendums — widely seen as paving the way for a non-binding vote on independence. The panel explores how the strategy may allow Premier Danielle Smith to deflect accountability while channeling public anger. Still, there’s broad consensus that most Albertans and Saskatchewanians aren’t angry at Canada — they’re frustrated with the last federal government. Whether this becomes a moment for renewal or rupture will depend on what kind of leadership emerges on both sides of the divide.

Edmonton MP Heather McPherson says the federal NDP must reconnect with its working-class roots as it looks to rebuild after a historic election loss. In an interview with CBC host Rob Brown on West of Centre Short, McPherson acknowledged the sting of losing all but seven seats — five of them west of Ontario — but said the party can rebuild from its western strongholds. She pointed to Edmonton Strathcona’s long-standing legacy of NDP leadership, both federally and provincially, as a foundation for growth.

McPherson called for a pragmatic approach to energy and climate policy, stressing the need to reduce emissions while protecting jobs. While she didn’t rule out supporting future infrastructure such as an east-west pipeline, she said any such project would require consultation with Indigenous communities and other provinces.

The conversation also touched on leadership speculation. McPherson didn’t rule out a bid to replace Jagmeet Singh, saying she’s “getting asked a lot” and remains open to the idea. She dismissed suggestions that the Alberta NDP’s move to decouple provincial and federal memberships signals a deeper rift, describing the party as a “big tent” with shared values across the country. As for whether the next leader should come from the West, she said prairie pragmatism could help ground the party — but added the tone must also reflect the voices of grassroots members coast to coast.

Is Alberta inching closer to the exit door? Premier Danielle Smith insists she’s a federalist — but her government’s latest moves are making it easier for citizens to trigger a referendum on independence. With fresh polling from the Angus Reid Institute showing a majority of UCP voters in favour of holding a secession vote, the big question is: is this a tactical play to reset Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa, or a strategy to keep her party’s restless base onside?

This week, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty unpacks Smith’s political high-wire act: is she turning up the heat, or genuinely trying to cool things down? We also dive into growing speculation that the premier is laying the groundwork for an early provincial election.

Joining the conversation: former UCP executive director Brad Tennant, former Alberta NDP cabinet minister Shannon Phillips, and editorial writer Doug Firby. Plus, a look ahead to key byelections and whether Mark Carney’s new Liberal government might try to smooth things over with Alberta by handing one (or both) of its newly elected Liberal MPs a cabinet post.

Two-in-five Canadians think Alberta separation is a real possibility — even though most would reject the idea, new polling shows.

In the wake of the 2025 federal election, exit polling from Research Co. reveals that 40 per cent of Canadian voters believe Alberta separation could actually happen. That number jumps to 58 per cent within Alberta — though only a minority would welcome it. Speaking with host Rob Brown on West of Centre Short, pollster Mario Canseco says it’s the highest level of perceived plausibility his firm has ever recorded. He notes the framing of the question — posed in the context of a Liberal victory in provinces that overwhelmingly vote Conservative — may have nudged some respondents toward seeing separation as more likely. But with Donald Trump repeatedly invoking the idea of a 51st state and Premier Danielle Smith lowering the bar for referendums, Canseco defends the framing as realistic for a region where discontent runs deep.

Canseco says the broader trend is clear: younger voters and conservatives are more open to separation, and that aligns with other national data. This isn’t just post-election chatter, he argues — it’s a growing feeling of estrangement that Ottawa can’t afford to ignore. 

Note:No poll is absolute, especially one conducted amid the unique and evolving circumstances of a developing story. This online survey was conducted with 1,201 voters between April 27 and 29, 2025, and carries a margin of error of ±2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Mark Carney’s steady economic message resonated with voters, helping the Liberals secure a fourth consecutive term — though still a minority. But the results have stirred fresh tensions with Alberta, where Premier Danielle Smith is moving ahead to lower the bar for referendums as talk of separatism re-emerges. In this episode of West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty explores what the outcome means for Canada’s future — and Alberta’s increasingly restless role within Confederation.

Three Calgary voters — Darryl, Sunil and Chelsea — offer raw, personal reflections. While Chelsea calls the election a rejection of Trumpism, Sunil, a disappointed Conservative supporter, questions whether his party can ever win under the current political setup. The panel debates Carney’s appeal to centrists, the collapse of the NDP, and whether Alberta’s political class is rallying voters or fanning division.

Later, former Conservative cabinet minister Monte Solberg and political strategist Stephen Carter join for a spirited post-mortem. Carter jokes about his Strategists podcast partner Corey Hogan’s surprise win in Calgary Confederation, while both guests assess Carney’s leadership, Pierre Poilievre’s limits and Smith’s political calculations. Despite their differences, they agree: if the Liberals want to ease Western alienation, Alberta needs a real voice in cabinet — and Smith has a window to show she can build bridges, not just burn them.

In the wake of a federal election that saw the Conservatives defeated once again, despite a notable increase in support, political columnist and author John Ibbitson joins West of Centre Short to argue a deeper political realignment is underway.

In conversation with host Rob Brown, Ibbitson revisits the central thesis of The Big Shift — the 2013 book he co-wrote with pollster Darrell Bricker — which outlines how political power in Canada has been shifting away from the traditional “Laurentian elite” of central Canada toward a growing Conservative coalition rooted in the West and among suburban immigrant voters.

While the 2025 vote produced another Liberal minority, Ibbitson argues the result was less about domestic dynamics than about external disruption. He points to U.S. president Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs and annexation, which he says triggered a voter stampede — particularly among older suburban Canadians — toward Liberal leader Mark Carney, whom Ibbitson firmly places within the Laurentian tradition, despite his Edmonton roots.

Still, Ibbitson believes the demographic and cultural trends outlined in The Big Shift remain intact. In this episode, he explores the rising influence of Western Canada, evolving immigrant voter patterns in key regions like the 905, the weakening of the NDP, and the potential for a realigned progressive coalition. He argues these shifts could contribute to a growing instability in the country — marked by both horizontal divisions (regional discontent in Alberta and Quebec) and vertical ones (a widening generational split in political values).

Canadians have re-elected a Liberal government — proof that a few months, a new leader, and a dose of Trump panic can shift the political winds. On this special late-night edition of West of Centre: After Dark, host Rob Brown convenes Liberal strategist Sabrina Grover, conservative strategist Sarah Biggs and NDP strategist Cheryl Oates for hot takes, hard truths and a touch of political therapy.

Running on election night pizza and too much caffeine, the panel unpacks how the Liberals pulled off a surprise comeback, why the Conservatives might be in turmoil despite a historic share of the vote, and what’s left for the NDP after a crushing collapse. From Pierre Poilievre potentially losing his seat, to who might be plotting to replace party leaders, to Danielle Smith preparing for another round with Ottawa — this episode has it all, except the final results. (Note: This conversation was recorded at 11 p.m. MT on election night, with several key ridings still undecided.)

Correction: In this episode, we mistakenly said that Jamil Jivani was a former Ontario PC MPP who served under Doug Ford. In fact, he was an advisor to Premier Ford, not an elected member of the Ontario legislature.

As the 2025 federal election barrels toward the finish line, three generations of Prairie political minds sit down for a lively conversation about the campaign's final stretch. West of Centre guest host Jim Brown is joined by Shannon Greer, a Calgary-based strategist and proud millennial; Malcolm Bird, a Gen X political science professor from Winnipeg; and Douglas Richardson, a Saskatoon lawyer, grandfather and former chief of staff to John Turner. Together, they hand out "report cards" to the major party leaders, assessing everything from campaign vibes to how effectively they've targeted different generations of voters. From young voters swinging Conservative to baby boomers sticking with the Liberals, the panel debates whether these shifting allegiances are rooted in hope, anger or economic anxiety.

The Conservative Party has dubbed the past nine years of Liberal rule a “lost decade” — a period defined by stagnating wages, soaring debt and declining productivity. But Alberta Central's chief economist Charles St-Arnaud says the story is more complicated — and more alarming. In this wide-ranging and insightful interview with host Rob Brown on West of Centre Short, St-Arnaud traces Canada’s economic malaise back not just to 2015, but to structural problems that have been festering for 25 to 30 years. He argues that the oil and gas boom of the early 2000s papered over deep weaknesses in manufacturing and exports. Since the 2014 oil crash, Canada has seen a collapse in investment, rising household debt and a disturbing lag in productivity. With GDP per capita now lagging behind that of peer nations, he says the country faces a pivotal moment: one that calls for renewed investment in infrastructure and productive capital, a rethink of immigration and regulatory frameworks, and a broad effort to strengthen non-energy sectors — or risk a future defined by economic stagnation.

West of Centre hits the road for a special live show from Medicine Hat — Canada’s sunniest city and the backdrop for big questions about energy, identity and the future of the West. Host Kathleen Petty is joined by a panel featuring former Alberta Party leader Barry Morishita, former UCP MLA Michaela Frey and pollster Janet Brown for a wide-ranging conversation on Western alienation, interprovincial trade and the role of mid-sized cities in provincial and national politics. Rochelle Pancoast, the City of Medicine Hat’s managing director of energy, land and environment, also joins the discussion. The event wraps with a lively Q&A with the audience.

This episode of West of Centre was made possible through a partnership with the Medicine Hat Public Library, and marks a preview of CBC’s future expansion into the "Gas City" with the launch of a new local bureau.

From method acting to music stands doubling as podiums, debate prep is part serious business, part political theatre. Ahead of the highly anticipated federal debates — the first major showdown between Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre — CBC’s Rob Brown gets the inside story from two political strategists with firsthand experience. Shannon Andrews helped Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe prepare his talking points against NDP leader Carla Beck, while Jean-Marc Prevost channelled his inner B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad to help Premier David Eby get debate-ready. In this episode of West of Centre Short, the two self-described political nerds pull back the curtain on what really goes on behind the scenes — and offer some candid advice for the federal party leaders.

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.

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.

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.

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

After what feels like the longest federal election buildup in recent memory, the race is finally about to begin. New Liberal leader Mark Carney is barely out of the gate and already showing signs of impatience — and inexperience — under media scrutiny. With a compressed timeline and an unpredictable political climate, parties are scrambling to sharpen their messages and connect with voters. Just days before the expected election call, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty speaks with pollster Janet Brown, conservative strategist Colin Aitchison, and former Alberta NDP staffer Jean-Marc Prevost about the stakes, the strategies, and how to read this moment in public opinion polling.

The border between Canada and the United States may seem fixed today, but more than a century ago, it was anything but. In this episode of West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown explores the political storms of the 19th century — when Canadians feared American annexation, tariffs fueled tensions, and the idea of manifest destiny shaped expansionist ambitions. Historian Elizabeth Jameson explains how those forces continue to influence politics — and Donald Trump — today.

Canada has a new prime minister and a smaller cabinet with several familiar faces. As Mark Carney takes charge amid a trade war with the U.S., his first diplomatic stop isn’t Washington but France and the UK. Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford clash over whether to use oil exports as leverage. With an election looming, tensions rise between Carney and Pierre Poilievre, setting the stage for a heated campaign. Host Kathleen Petty returns to break it all down with former Conservative MP Monte Solberg, Liberal strategist Sabrina Grover, and economist Kent Fellows, exploring the new cabinet, Canada’s trade and energy challenges, and what "standing up to Trump" really means.