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PODCAST

West of Centre

Kathleen Petty sits down with politicians, pundits, and other thoughtful westerners for conversations about the priorities, preoccupations and politics of Albertans and others who are West of Centre.

news politics

All Episodes

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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00:39:38

Not a normal strike

West of Centre ·

2025/10/18

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

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00:42:06

Dodging and diplomacy

West of Centre ·

2025/10/10

There are now two proposed pipelines without private proponents on the table. The first: Alberta's ideafor 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. OnWest of Centrethis week, host Kathleen Petty is joined by Erika Barootes, who once served as the premier's

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00:40:17

Danielle Smith's 'choose your own adventure'

West of Centre ·

2025/10/03

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

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00:42:59

Is 'pragmatism' good climate policy?

West of Centre ·

2025/09/26

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

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00:36:18

Licence to divide

West of Centre ·

2025/09/19

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

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00:19:34

Short: Party politics hits city hall

West of Centre ·

2025/09/16

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,

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00:49:19

No pipeline, no problem... For now

West of Centre ·

2025/09/12

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

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00:00:42

West of Centre goes on summer break

West of Centre ·

2025/08/04

Even Alberta politics needs a pause now and then. While there are no new episodes in August, we'll be back in September, ready to dive headfirst into the political drama this province never fails to deliver. Enjoy the quiet while it lasts.Please rate and review us if you can. It helps others discover the pod.

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00:52:16

Buckle up, Alberta! 2025 ain't over yet

West of Centre ·

2025/07/31

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

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00:29:52

Short: Deal or no deal in Trump's new world order

West of Centre ·

2025/07/28

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

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00:49:04

Less fire and more finesse

West of Centre ·

2025/07/25

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

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220 results

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