x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

West of Centre

We bring you into the Alberta state of mind, to explore how this province’s power is shifting and connect with the western voices driving national debate. Join Calgary’s Kathleen Petty every week as she helps decipher what"s happening in Alberta politics for the rest of Canada. Whether you live in the provinceor just can’t look away, join us every Friday as we goWest of Centre.

news politics

All Episodes

00:46:56

The Prairies senators: ‘We can’t do stupid stuff’

West of Centre ·

2026/03/20

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

en-ca

00:32:55

War in Iran: What does it mean for Canadian oil?

West of Centre ·

2026/03/13

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

en-ca

00:31:40

‘Bizarro world’: Why is Liberal support rising in...

West of Centre ·

2026/03/06

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

en-ca

00:43:29

Unpacking Alberta's 2026 budget

West of Centre ·

2026/02/27

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

en-ca

00:49:23

Referendum Madness!

West of Centre ·

2026/02/20

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

en-ca

00:35:10

The Coutts Diaries

West of Centre ·

2026/02/13

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

en-ca

00:53:41

A West of Centre twofer: the citizens’ panel, plus...

West of Centre ·

2026/02/06

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

en-ca

00:36:26

The road ahead for the CPC

West of Centre ·

2026/02/01

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,

en-ca

00:40:31

Alberta: destination separation

West of Centre ·

2026/01/23

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 on West 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

en-ca

00:53:14

Can the Carney-Smith good vibes last?

West of Centre ·

2026/01/16

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

en-ca

00:47:44

Venezuela fallout: 'We have to stop being such boy...

West of Centre ·

2026/01/09

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

en-ca

00:50:13

The Quiz Show

West of Centre ·

2025/12/19

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

en-ca

00:39:00

Breaking Point: ‘This is a very problematic time in...

West of Centre ·

2025/12/12

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

en-ca

00:46:55

The ‘La-La-La We Can’t Hear You’ Act of 2025

West of Centre ·

2025/12/06

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

en-ca

00:45:19

'What was impossible is now possible, if not yet...

West of Centre ·

2025/11/28

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

en-ca

00:45:58

Is it time to destigmatize the word 'privatize'?

West of Centre ·

2025/11/21

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

en-ca

00:44:59

‘Smith has created a poison pill for herself’

West of Centre ·

2025/11/14

The Grey Cup deadline ona 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

en-ca

00:46:56

'Democratic reform is for losers'

West of Centre ·

2025/11/07

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

en-ca

00:44:07

'A shock to the political system in Alberta'

West of Centre ·

2025/10/31

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

en-ca

00:39:09

'It's a real problem for democracy'

West of Centre ·

2025/10/24

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

en-ca

231 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS News

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci