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...
Mar 07, 2025•42 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Mar 05, 2025•23 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Mar 03, 2025•19 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Feb 28, 2025•58 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Feb 21, 2025•57 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Feb 14, 2025•47 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Feb 11, 2025•19 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast For years, Canadians have listened to Trump supporters boasting: “Make America great again.” And most have sat quietly and done nothing. Not anymore. Threats of U.S. tariffs and annexation have sparked a wave of patriotism across Canada. Former Alberta premier and federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney joins West of Centre to reflect on this moment, discussing with host Jason Markusoff what it reveals about nation-building, national security, Canada's economic strengths, and the steps needed to m...
Feb 07, 2025•43 min•Ep 205•Transcript available on Metacast Tariffs today, tariffs tomorrow, or tariffs on April 1? As Donald Trump keeps Canada guessing, Ottawa scrambles to prepare a response. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is spotlighting border security, while federal leaders hint at a bailout package for businesses and workers — echoing pandemic-era relief. Speaking of pandemic flashbacks, Alberta’s COVID response task force report is stirring old debates on masking, vaccines and government overreach. This week, conservative policy advisor Ken Boess...
Jan 31, 2025•50 min•Ep 204•Transcript available on Metacast What might a federal relief package for industries and workers look like if Ottawa is preparing for devastating U.S. tariffs? Federal Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc visited Calgary to meet with business leaders and Premier Danielle Smith. In this new supplemental segment called West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown asks LeBlanc how a federal plan might take shape, whether the Liberals are rethinking regulatory hurdles for oil and gas infrastructure, and sneaks in a...
Jan 28, 2025•25 min•Ep 203•Transcript available on Metacast Political and business leaders are expressing caution about Canada’s potential use of retaliatory tariffs in response to Donald Trump’s renewed trade threats. Critics warn that Canada’s economic leverage may fall short, risking significant harm to key industries. The premiers appear divided on the issue, despite Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s insistence that “country comes first.” In Trump’s first week as the 47th president of the United States, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty explores the impli...
Jan 24, 2025•42 min•Ep 202•Transcript available on Metacast Danielle Smith charts her own path through choppy waters. Ahead of the first ministers' meeting in Ottawa, the Alberta premier heads to Mar-a-Lago to meet Donald Trump, then refuses to back a united Canadian response to a potential trade war. While Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls for the country to use “every tool in our toolbox" against the proposed American tariffs on Canadian goods, Smith draws a hard line — Alberta won’t agree to restrict energy exports. With national unity on the brink, Wes...
Jan 17, 2025•48 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast The Liberal Party of Canada is under immense pressure to select a new leader in record time — two months. Parliament is prorogued while Trump’s threats over tariffs and Canadian sovereignty ramp up. Who will actually want to lead a party in turmoil into what could be a massive defeat in the next federal election? Host Kathleen Petty is joined by Ian Brodie, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper; Martha Hall Findlay, who ran against Justin Trudeau in the last Liberal party leader...
Jan 10, 2025•49 min•Ep 200•Transcript available on Metacast A UCP leadership review. A shifting conversation on the border, brought on by Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Naheed Nenshi taking the reins of the NDP, and the new fight ticket heading into the next provincial election. And that’s just to name a few of the big Alberta political stories this year. Host Kathleen Petty is joined by Zain Velji from Northweather, Alex Boyd from the Toronto Star and the CBC’s Jason Markusoff to reflect on the dizzying pace of politics in 2024. Plus, conversation aroun...
Dec 19, 2024•42 min•Ep 199•Transcript available on Metacast When Donald Trump refers to the “great state “of Canada and threatens 25 percent tariffs, there’s bound to be a strong reaction. Ontario wants to retaliate. Alberta wants to negotiate. Also on the pod, Rachel Notley resigns her Edmonton seat and several bizarre references to “horse hands”.Panelists include Keith McLaughlin, Lisa Young and Erika Barootes.
Dec 13, 2024•43 min•Ep 198•Transcript available on Metacast Alberta appears finished with “cash cow” photo radar. The province announced a big cut in “fishing holes”. And the UCP government was fishing for support for a Sovereignty Act motion against the federal emissions cap. The NDP did not bite. West of Centre guests this week are Carrie Tait, Rick Bell and Lori Williams.
Dec 06, 2024•47 min•Ep 197•Transcript available on Metacast The President-elect has threatened a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods in an effort to stop illegal drugs and migrants from getting into the U.S. Danielle Smith has jumped on board. Also on the pod, the escalating battle between Alberta and Ottawa over the federal emissions cap and using the Sovereignty Act to fight it. West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Janet Brown, Alex Boyd and Corey Hogan.
Nov 29, 2024•46 min•Ep 196•Transcript available on Metacast A car insurance overhaul, a fiscal update, and the appointment of a new chair at AIMCo. Finance Minister Nate Horner is behind all of it. And he faced some tough questions about a big jump in insurance rates and a possible budget deficit next year. West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Emma Graney, Zain Velji and Evan Menzies.
Nov 22, 2024•44 min•Ep 195•Transcript available on Metacast The Alberta government cleaned house at AIMCo by firing the board and putting itself in charge. What’s next for the pension fund that also manages the Heritage Savings Trust Fund? And we discuss shifting climate change policy with the election of Donald Trump. West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Lisa Young, Jason Markusoff and Michael Solberg.
Nov 15, 2024•45 min•Ep 194•Transcript available on Metacast What does a Trump presidency mean for Alberta? With talk of a 10 percent tariff on U.S. imports ,including Alberta energy and agriculture, many are wondering just how special our relationship is with our neighbours to the south. West of Centre host Kathleen Petty speaks with James Rajotte , Alberta’s Senior Representative in Washington.
Nov 08, 2024•45 min•Ep 193•Transcript available on Metacast On the West of Centre podcast, the federal Liberal’s pivot on immigration while Alberta calls for even larger cuts. And Danielle Smith is slalom skiing her way through both leading Albertans and trying to appease her party at a leadership review. Joining host and admitted snow plower Kathleen Petty are pollster Janet Brown, strategist Corey Hogan and writer Alex Boyd
Oct 25, 2024•47 min•Ep 192•Transcript available on Metacast West of Centre explores the Alberta campaign to scrap the federal cap on oil and gas emissions. Also on the pod, a Bloc Quebecois bill that’s got Alberta beef producers worried about trade negotiations, and election campaign rules are about to change under Bill 20. Joining host Kathleen Petty is Kelly Cryderman, Jason Markusoff and Stephen Carter.
Oct 18, 2024•47 min•Ep 191•Transcript available on Metacast Alberta is flanked on both sides by close elections. Saskatchewan and BC will vote soon. And there’s the possibility of a federal election at any time. What do all of these ballot battles mean to Alberta and how the UCP and NDP manage their messages?. West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by strategists Keith Mclaughlin and Evan Menzies and Carrie Tait of the Globe and Mail.
Oct 11, 2024•41 min•Ep 190•Transcript available on Metacast The premier's fall agenda includes boosting the rights of the vaccine-averse and a slew of new rules for transgender youth. But the idea that got Alberta talking this week was Danielle Smith's run-in with chemtrails at a party event. With a leadership review coming, is it all about the UCP base? Guest host Jason Markusoff is joined by Erika Barootes, Zain Velji and Emma Graney.
Oct 04, 2024•52 min•Ep 189•Transcript available on Metacast West of Centre takes a deep dive into the role of municipalities in confederation. Alberta’s cities may be booming, but are they getting the respect they deserve? Municipal politicians say they aren’t. One of them joins us - Edmonton's Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. Then Senators Paula Simons and Brent Cotter with details of a new report on the "constitutional Cinderellas of Canada".
Sep 27, 2024•50 min•Ep 188•Transcript available on Metacast Alberta called for newcomers, but too many answered. Is Trudeau to blame for a surging population and the need for more schools? Also, our amateur transit planners muse about a new name for the doomed Green Line. And speaking of doomed, the carbon tax has veered off the road into the ditch. West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Kelly Cryderman, Corey Hogan and Lisa Young.
Sep 20, 2024•47 min•Ep 187•Transcript available on Metacast Ms. Smith’s summer road trip took her across the province to town halls with UCP supporters. And we got some hints about her government’s direction this fall. But should big policy discussions be held behind closed doors?. Joining West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is Shannon Phillips, former Lethbridge NDP MLA and now with Meredith, Boessenkool and Phillips Policy Advisors. Evan Menzies is with Crestview Strategy and is former Director of Communications w...
Sep 13, 2024•40 min•Ep 186•Transcript available on Metacast Alberta's next provincial election is more than three years away, but with a new NDP leader, it's not going to be a quiet political summer. NDP strategists Keith McLaughlin and Cheryl Oates, along with CBC Calgary writer Jason Markusoff, join West of Centre host Kathleen Petty to discuss why “politics has no chill” in Alberta — especially now with Naheed Nenshi at the NDP helm. Nenshi is asked to clarify his position on federal climate policies and their impact in Alberta — including if he'd con...
Jun 28, 2024•47 min•Ep 185•Transcript available on Metacast As the provincial political campaign begins a slow burn toward the fall election in British Columbia, the governing B.C. NDP are heading into the summer with a comfortable lead in the polls ahead of their two rival, centre-right parties. But momentum is suddenly building for the B.C. Conservatives, with the party snatching candidates from the opposition B.C. United (formerly known as the British Columbia Liberal Party). What matters more to B.C. United, according to one of West of Centre’s guest...
Jun 21, 2024•51 min•Ep 184•Transcript available on Metacast Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre opposes the government’s capital gains inclusion rate increase, and he stands firm in his refusal to get a security clearance to review the unredacted national security report that’s causing a cloud of suspicion to hang over Parliament. CBC Parliamentary Bureau senior writer Aaron Wherry and University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young join West of Centre host Kathleen Petty to discuss the strategy behind Poilievre’s positions. But fir...
Jun 14, 2024•51 min•Ep 183•Transcript available on Metacast 
