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.
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 a...
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 shifti...
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...
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 c...
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 pan...
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 fo...
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 ho...
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 perc...
Kathleen Petty explores the implications of the recent election results, focusing on Mark Carney's win and its impact on Alberta and Canada. The episode features perspectives from Calgary voters and political strategists, discussing topics like Western alienation, Danielle Smith's strategies, and the potential for unity. Guests debate Carney's leadership and Alberta's role in Confederation, suggesting ways to bridge divides and address regional concerns.
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 el...
A panel of strategists dissects the Canadian federal election results, focusing on the Liberal's unexpected win, the Conservative's internal strife, and the NDP's dismal performance. Discussions include the impact of Donald Trump fears, leadership challenges for Poilievre, and potential shifts in Alberta's relationship with Ottawa under a new government. The episode provides deep insights into the political dynamics and future trajectories of Canada's major parties.
Three generations of Prairie political minds discuss the final stretch of the 2025 Canadian federal election, assessing party leaders, generational divides, and potential shifts in voter allegiances, while also addressing concerns about national unity and the influence of American politics. The panel debates whether voters' shifting allegiances are rooted in hope, anger, or economic anxiety, and how the election results might impact the country's future.
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...
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, th...
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 Prevo...
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 Kathlee...
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...
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 ...
West of Centre is hitting the road to Medicine Hat for a special live show at the Esplanade centre on April 16! Join host Kathleen Petty and producer Falice Chin, along with a lineup of insightful guests, as they delve into the city’s “Gas City” reputation and the challenges of transitioning away from local natural gas. The conversation will also tackle issues like Western alienation in Premier Danielle Smith’s home riding — and we want you to be part of it. Presented in partnership with the Med...
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 CP...
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...
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 w...
Donald Trump’s tariffs have triggered a political earthquake in Canada, rattling markets and forging a rare alignment among leaders from Doug Ford to Danielle Smith to Justin Trudeau. In response, Canada is pushing back with counter-tariffs, boycotts, and sharp rhetoric aimed south of the border. With public sentiment shifting and emotions running high, what opportunities and risks do these tensions create for politicians? And as the federal race heats up, who do Canadians trust most to steer th...
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump remain at odds over tariffs in what The Wall Street Journal labels the “dumbest trade war in history.” While automakers have secured a temporary reprieve, other sectors face an uncertain future. Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller responds to Trump’s accusation that Canada’s border-security and fentanyl efforts are “not good enough,” and speaks with host Jim Brown about operating under the new world (dis)order.
Political leaders across the spectrum are promising major infrastructure projects to strengthen Canada’s economy and sovereignty. In this West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown speaks with Zach Parston, a major projects advisor lead with KPMG Canada, about what it would take to modernize the country’s infrastructure. His plan includes a national corridor, preapproved industrial zones, expanded ports, Northern development and the removal of interprovincial trade barriers.
Alberta is back in the red, with the government forecasting a $5.2-billion deficit for Budget 2025 — its first in years. Finance Minister Nate Horner warns the financial picture could worsen, especially if Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs take effect. Despite the bleak outlook, the UCP government is introducing a personal income tax cut. Critics argue the budget lacks focus — or a real plan for the worst-case scenario. Host Jim Brown breaks down the numbers with political scientist Lisa Young, fo...
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith moves to regain control of the narrative after weeks of distancing herself from allegations of political interference — now at the center of a series of Globe and Mail reports and a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed by a former Alberta Health Services CEO. While the NDP brands the controversy "CorruptCare," Smith pushes back, arguing AHS resisted change and acted too slowly. With her health minister under fire, a top bureaucrat shuffled aside, and an internal review...
This week, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is juggling two battles—diplomatic in Washington and defensive at home. As she joins Canada’s premiers in efforts to counter looming U.S. tariffs, a political storm brews in Alberta. Former Alberta Health Services CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos has filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit, alleging she was fired for investigating what she believed were questionable private health-care contracts. The allegations have not been tested in court, but the case has prompt...
Across Canada, more young people are ditching progressive politics and embracing conservatism. In this West of Centre Short, host Anis Heydari explores why Gen Z is swiping right — politically. Calgarians Sally Zhou, 24, and Chase Zaba, 18, share what drew them to the Conservative Party of Canada.
