The Press Gallery podcast is back for another year of weekly Alberta politics analysis, reflection and rumours. This week, join host Emma Graney with guests Dave Breakenridge, Paula Simons and Clare Clancy to take a look at the new entrants in the Alberta Party leadership race — including former Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel — and how that contest is going. The team also goes over recent social media gaffes (it might be a new year, but they just keep happening) and makes some predictions for wha...
Jan 12, 2018•35 min
As is tradition on The Press Gallery podcast as each year draws to a close, the team fires up its synapses for its annual Alberta politics news quiz. Join host Emma Graney as she takes Dave Breakenridge, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson back through some of 2017 biggest (and some of the most obscure) stories, and find out who goes home as ultimate Press Gallery news quiz victor. The team will be back in January for another year of analysis, hot takes and commentary of everything Alberta politics....
Dec 22, 2017•21 min
The fall 2017 session of the Alberta legislature wrapped up Wednesday — yet it was anything but a quiet week in provincial politics. Before MLAs all said "bye-bye" and headed home to their constituencies, Derek Fildebrandt landed in hot water over saying farewell to a white-tail deer on private land, and Premier Rachel Notley demanded Jason Nixon kiss goodbye to his position as UCP house leader over a sexual harassment case. There was also a byelection in Calgary-Lougheed, won by UCP leader Jaso...
Dec 15, 2017•32 min
The Press Gallery team loves a good interprovincial spat, so this week's offering from Saskatchewan banning Alberta licence plates on worksites was an obvious choice for the weekly politics wrap. Join host Emma Graney with guests Clare Clancy, Graham Thomson and Paula Simons to discuss the great plate debate, as well as new legislation regulating political action committees and movement on the Kinder Morgan pipeline. Good stuff from the Gallery Clare's pick: The Heaven's Gate podcast, about the ...
Dec 08, 2017•32 min
The fall 2017 session has seen bill after bill after bill after bill after bill after... well, you get the picture. In this episode of the weekly Press Gallery podcast, join host Emma Graney with guests Dave Breakenridge, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson to discuss two whopping huge bills that were tabled this week. One reforms WCB and OHS, the other includes a swath of new rules to protect consumers and outlaw online ticket bots. The team also takes a look at another set of bills — the ones faci...
Dec 01, 2017•40 min
Pipelines and parties -- what more could you ask for in a week of Alberta politics? Join Press Gallery host Emma Graney with guests Clare Clancy, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson — who are sadly all without party hats — as they talk about Alberta Party politics and the premier's cross-country pipeline promotion tour. The team also touches on a private member's bill set to be introduced in the house Monday, to help protect recipients of the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program. Good...
Nov 24, 2017•31 min
With the Alberta government announcing rules around legal marijuana legislation this week, we finally we get to use this much-awaited pun for the podcast title. Join Press Gallery host Emma Graney with guests Dave Breakenridge, Paula Simons and Clare Clancy to talk all things weed, from retail sales plans to new legislation around impaired driving. The team also asks what on earth former Alberta Party leader Greg Clark was smoking when he stood down, and the newly announced byelection (or high-e...
Nov 17, 2017•37 min
Using the term "mansplaining" in the Alberta legislature was ruled just fine on Wednesday, so let the Press Gallery team podsplain this week in Alberta politics. Join host Emma Graney with guests Clare Clancy, Graham Thomson and Paula Simons to talk banned words in the house, the ongoing debate on gay-straight alliances in schools, and the province's plans for legal pot. Good stuff from the Gallery Clare's pick: This new podcast from Gimlet called Uncivil. It takes listeners back to the time Ame...
Nov 11, 2017•37 min
Monday marked the beginning of fall session at the Alberta legislature. But the Press Gallery podcast team heads back in time, two days prior to that, when Jason Kenney was elected United Conservative Party leader. Join host Emma Graney with guests Clare Clancy, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson to discuss a chaotic week in Alberta politics which included the UCP election, a floor crossing, a resignation, applause (or not) in the house, and the Alberta Party asking for official party status. Educa...
Nov 03, 2017•38 min
From the UCP leadership race to the Sturgeon River-Parkland federal byelection, this week was all about casting votes for some Albertans. The Press Gallery podcast team takes a look at both those ballots, as well as a flying visit by the Prime Minister, which didn't seem to leave much of a dent in the support for Conservative candidate Dane Lloyd. The team also mulls over the kerfuffle surrounding a sex ed learning plan proposed by Alberta's catholic schools, and the resulting political fallout....
Oct 27, 2017•39 min
It's all about crossing boundaries in this week's Alberta politics Press Gallery podcast. Join host Emma Graney with guests Sarah O'Donnell, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson as they take a look at the sexiest report to hit politics this week — The electoral boundaries commission final report, and what it means for Alberta. Speaking of crossing boundaries, the former PC MLA who crossed over to the NDP was this week promoted to Infrastructure Minister, and the team delves into the crossover between...
Oct 20, 2017•35 min
In this special edition of the podcast, David Staples, Paula Simons, Janet French and Elise Stolte join host Emma Graney for a quick and dirty look at Edmonton's municipal election results as the final tally rolled in late Monday night. From the mayoral race to school board and some upsets on the ground, the team looks at what Monday night's results mean for Edmonton city council — and whether the new councillors will be able to play nicely together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...
Oct 17, 2017•25 min
We've got a fitting episode of the Press Gallery for Friday the 13th, with the panel discussing some scary new polling numbers for the NDP, and how tensions are rising in the leadership contest for the United Conservative Party. Join guest host Keith Gerein as he chats about those developments with panellists Clare Clancy, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson. The group also examines the NDP's dilemma around whether cannabis should be sold through a public agency or private businesses. And Paula weig...
Oct 13, 2017•37 min
From the canned Energy East pipeline to politicians carrying policy, join The Press Gallery team for a look at all things conduit-related this week. That includes former UCP leadership candidate Jeff Callaway throwing his support behind Jason Kenney, and Calgary NDP MLA Karen McPherson leaving her party to sit as an independent. The team also talks about the legal cannabis rules proposed by the Alberta government. Join Press Gallery host Emma Graney with guests Paula Simons, Graham Thomson -- an...
Oct 06, 2017•40 min
With the province in the middle of civic elections, the Press Gallery podcast team takes a departure from its regular programming to zoom in on local politics. Join host Emma Graney with guests David Staples, Janet French and Paula Simons as they talk mayoral races in Edmonton and Calgary, the big issues for voters in the City of Champions, and what's happening in the race for school board trustees. Good stuff from the gallery David's pick: The Rubin Report podcast, hosted by comedian Dave Rubin...
Sep 30, 2017•42 min
The Press Gallery podcast team takes its weekly look back at Alberta politics, which this week seemed to include an awful lot of nest-leaving. First off, United Conservative MLA Rick Fraser left the nest of the new party to sit as an independent. Join host Emma Graney as she chats about that development with guests Dave Breakenridge, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson, as well as the political implications of 123 birds that left their nests and ended up dead in a tailings pond in Northern Alberta. ...
Sep 22, 2017•35 min
This week on the Press Gallery podcast, the team talks rules — the so-called Fildebrandt Rule passed this week, who'll be ruler of the United Conservative Party, and a cabinet meeting that was ruley, ruley far away. Join host Emma Graney with guests Dave Breakenridge, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson as they take their weekly look back at all things Alberta politics. You'll also find out which Edmonton building Paula loves and Graham's MLA housing solution. Good stuff from the gallery Dave's pick...
Sep 15, 2017•34 min
In our latest episode of the Press Gallery podcast, our pundits pontificate pointedly on the future of pupils plus politics, a poll with a proviso, and a paused pipeline. Join guest host Janet French — who is not-at-all sorry about all those Ps in the last sentence — with guests Clare Clancy, Paula Simons and Dave Breakenridge to discuss what Premier Rachel Notley said at a St. Albert school that set off her political foes, and what a stalled Energy East pipeline to New Brunswick would mean for ...
Sep 09, 2017•45 min
Premier Rachel Notley has lost another chief of staff, this time back to British Columbia, from whence he came. Join the Press Gallery for a chat about John Heaney's departure as the team takes its weekly look back at Alberta politics. Host Emma Graney also chats with guests Janet French, Clare Clancy and Paula Simons about the lack of rules around United Conservative Party's leadership race and the giant whack of cash it's taking to run for the UCP crown. Also, with Alberta students heading bac...
Sep 01, 2017•33 min
Not the most original Press Gallery podcast title, we grant you, but it sure is fitting as the team takes a look at the United Conservative Party's looming $337,000 caucus deficit. Join host Emma Graney with guests Clare Clancy, Keith Gerein and Dave Breakenridge to talk about that deficit, and the far larger $10.5 billion one presented by the government this week in its first quarter financial report. Speaking of cash, the team also addresses the free — FREE! — concert tickets kd lang offered t...
Aug 28, 2017•31 min
After a week of controversies, the former United Conservative Party member for Strathmore-Brooks, Derek Fildebrandt, resigned from caucus Tuesday night, leaving him all by himself as an independent MLA. Join Press Gallery podcast host Emma Graney with guests Graham Thomson, Dave Breakenridge and Clare Clancy about what it means for the new party and the 31-year-old politician. The team also takes a look at provincial drunk driving laws the government is taking its sweet time to change, despite t...
Aug 18, 2017•35 min
The title of this week's Press Gallery podcast is, of course, an homage to the Airbnb listing for the apartment of United Conservative Party MLA Derek Fildebrandt, following revelations he rented it out while claiming an accommodation allowance from taxpayers. Join host Emma Graney with guests Janet French, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson to talk about the latest expense controversy in Alberta politics, as well as Premier Rachel Notley's pipeline tour and B.C. doubling down on its pledge this we...
Aug 11, 2017•37 min
The days after the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties voted to merge last weekend have been filled with policies, a leadership bid, and "no" voters threatening to shard off and create their own parties. Naturally, the Press Gallery team will tell you all about it in this week's podcast. Join host Emma Graney with guests Sarah O'Donnell, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson to talk the vote, and what happens now in Alberta politics. Good stuff from the gallery Sarah's pick: These Toronto St...
Jul 28, 2017•37 min
As the clock ticks down to the vote that could unite Alberta's conservative parties, the Press Gallery team weighs in on the outcome (while safely hedging their bets, of course). Join host Emma Graney with guests Dave Breakenridge, Janet French and Graham Thomson as they talk unity, the million-dollar Progressive Conservative leadership race, and the outcome of this week's premiers' meeting in Edmonton. Good stuff from the gallery Dave's pick: Not far from home this week, Graham Thomson's look a...
Jul 21, 2017•34 min
Summer in Alberta means it's time for Calgary Stampede — and the government just can't seem to get enough of it. Join Press Gallery podcast host Emma Graney with guests Graham Thomson, Paula Simons and Janet French to talk about another week in Alberta politics, including why so many NDP MLAs are flipping pancakes and milking cows. Speaking of sunshine, the province's sunshine list was updated recently, but the podcast team explains why it remains oh-so-very cloudy. Also, there ain't no sunshine...
Jul 14, 2017•32 min
Uniting conservatives, combating hate — so many things were worked on this week in Alberta politics. Join Press Gallery podcast host Emma Graney with guests Dave Breakenridge, Paula Simons and Janet French as they talk unity, racism, and a review about the Workers' Compensation Board that was more than one year in the making. Good stuff from the gallery Dave's pick: This piece from the National Post taking a look back at the Jordan decision, one year on. Paula's pick: Also from the National Pos ...
Jul 07, 2017•36 min
After a brief summer hiatus, the Press Gallery is back to talk about another couple of weeks in Alberta politics. Join host Emma Graney with guests Dave Breakenridge, Sarah O'Donnell and Graham Thomson to talk Alberta's $10.8-billion deficit, and how a movement to unite the centre of Alberta's politics is coming along. After yet more developments in politics in B.C., the team also takes a brief look at what on earth is going on over there. Good stuff from the gallery Dave's pick: Janet French's ...
Jun 30, 2017•34 min
Alberta politics nerds commiserate — the spring sitting of the legislature is, after three months, over. Join Press Gallery podcast host Emma Graney with guests Stuart Thomson, Dave Breakenridge and Paula Simons to discuss the session that was. The team also takes a look at the Fort McMurray wildfire report, released in haste this week after it was leaked to media. Good stuff from the gallery Dave's pick: The fantastic American epic The Given Day, by Dennis Lehane. Paula's pick: This speech by C...
Jun 10, 2017•39 min
Another week in Alberta politics and another squabble about pipelines. This week, as British Columbia tries to sort out who's going to run the province, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley doubled down on her commitment to getting the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion built. Join host Emma Graney with guests Stuart Thomson, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson to talk about the implications of the B.C. election, and an unemployed oil worker protest this week that had some interesting political asides. The t...
Jun 02, 2017•39 min
From labour law to electoral boundaries, Alberta politics saw a whole range of change thrown at it this week. Join Press Gallery host Emma Graney with guests Stuart Thomson, Paula Simons and Keith Gerein to take a look at a swath of updates to Alberta's labour legislation, the Auditor General's report outlining overhauls for the health system, and how voting might change in the next election. Good stuff from the gallery Stuart's pick: This profile about political reporter Maggie Haberman, in Ell...
May 26, 2017•41 min
