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.

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Episodes

Welcome to Doug's world

What can Canadian conservatives learn from Doug Ford’s winning campaign? The Progressive Conservative leader won a second straight majority government on Thursday, a dramatic turnaround for a premier whose political future seemed far from certain during his first two years in office. What did Ford do right, and where did Alberta Premier Jason Kenney get it wrong? Host Kathleen Petty is joined by the Gandalf Group's David Herle, who also hosts The Herle Burly and Curse of Politics, pollster Janet...

Jun 03, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 107

Playing the field

Alberta conservatives are getting ready to leave Jason Kenney behind — but who will take the baton? There’s speculation that Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews may seek the UCP leadership, and he would join a field that already includes former Wildrose leader Danielle Smith and Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA Brian Jean. Host Jim Brown is joined by guests Melissa Caouette of Melissa Caouette Consulting, Blaise Boehmer from NATIONAL Public Relations and political columnist Jen Gerson from The L...

May 27, 2022•50 min•Season 3Ep. 106

The long goodbye

So … now what? On Wednesday, Jason Kenney announced he would resign as Alberta premier after receiving 51.4 per cent support from the party in a leadership vote. Host Kathleen Petty is joined by the CBC’s Jason Markusoff, Kelly Cryderman from the Globe and Mail and freelance columnist Graham Thomson to discuss what comes next for the United Conservative Party — and for the province.

May 20, 2022•51 min•Season 3Ep. 105

Moving from left to right

Saskatchewan has undergone a massive shift on the political spectrum over many decades. In it, there are some lessons for its neighbour to the west. Host Kathleen Petty is joined by Dale Eisler, author of From Left to Right, to talk about that political transformation and what Alberta and Canada can learn from it.

May 13, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 104

Leadership and liabilities

A leadership debate and a leadership review. Premier Jason Kenney came up at a conservative conference that was also hosting the first debate for Conservative Party leadership candidates – a debate full of attacks and acrimony. Host Kathleen Petty is joined by Alex Boyd from the Toronto Star, Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell and Corey Hogan from The Strategists to discuss how the events in the national party and Kenney’s provincial party reflect on the conservative movement.

May 06, 2022•46 min•Season 3Ep. 103

Selling south

Close friends and allies sometimes need a little push. A $3.7-million-dollar push, to be exact. Alberta’s government is spending that money on advertising, public relations and communications contracts south of the border. This week, Alberta’s representative to the U.S. James Rajotte and Maryscott Greenwood from Crestview Strategy and the Canadian American Business Council join host Kathleen Petty to talk about Alberta’s relationship with the U.S. and how that fits in with the political scene in...

Apr 29, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 102

Watching from the other side

Alberta’s premier and governing party have spent two years combating scandals, bad polling and a pandemic – but what has the official opposition been up to? This week, guest host Jim Brown is joined by Leah Ward from Metric Strategies, Keith McLaughlin from New West Public Affairs and Lisa Young from the University of Calgary to talk about Alberta’s NDP and what the party’s strategy is as we slowly tick down to the next election.

Apr 22, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 101

Should he stay or should he go

Premier Jason Kenney’s leadership review vote is underway and UCP members are sending in ballots to decide whether he stays or goes. This week, host Kathleen Petty is joined by Erika Barootes from Enterprise Canada and the former president of the UCP, and Vitor Marciano, a key advisor to former Wildrose leader Brian Jean, to debate the question of the party’s leadership and future.

Apr 14, 2022•48 min•Season 3Ep. 100

Barrel half empty or full

The federal budget contained billions in new spending on a carbon capture tax credit for the oil and gas industry – details released the same week as the kick-off for Premier Jason Kenney’s leadership review. This week host Kathleen Petty sits down with Gary Mar, president of the Canada West Foundation, Kelly Cryderman, a reporter at the Globe and Mail, and Lori Williams, a political scientist from Mount Royal University.

Apr 08, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 99

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