Danielle Smith's 'choose your own adventure'

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