Episode description

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 prompted calls from both the NDP opposition and a cabinet minister for Health Minister Adriana LaGrange’s removal. How much political fallout could this controversy create for Smith and LaGrange? And how is the NDP responding? Meanwhile, a new Leger poll suggests a Mark Carney-led Liberal Party could erase recent Conservative gains, shaking up the federal race. Host Jason Markusoff speaks with political strategists Cheryl Oates and Andrew Sennyah, with longtime journalist Graham Thomson providing historical perspective.