West of Centre

It’s part of our identity here in Alberta to bicker with whomever is in the Prime Minister’s office, especially if their last name is Trudeau. Stealing a sentiment from Ronald Reagan, the province’s often fear the words; I’m from Ottawa and I’m here to help. But does Alberta’s contentious relationship with Ottawa help or hurt us? West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Ian Brodie from the University of Calgary, David Coletto of Abacus Data and Kelly Cryderman of the Globe and Mail.

The UCP government’s Bill 20 could give the province the power to repeal bylaws and remove city councillors from office. On West of Centre with Kathleen Petty, we explore the question of who’s the boss when it comes to how our cities are run? Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter join us from The Strategists podcast. And Emma Graney from the Globe and Mail holds her own.

A big spike in membership sales, the leadership debates ahead, and ,for some, a new era for the NDP. This week’s panel believes the party is no longer competing with local bake sales! West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by political strategists Cheryl Oates and Keith Mclaughlin and the Toronto Star’s Alex Boyd.

Danielle Smith introduced what she calls the "stay-out-of- my-backyard bill " this week. If passed, it will allow the UCP government to kill federal deals not approved by the province. It’s the latest of many federal-provincial battles. West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is back! Joining her is Kelly Cryderman from the Globe and Mail, pollster Janet Brown, and CBC Calgary's Jason Markusoff.

Hundreds are dying from drug overdoses in Alberta. This week, the UCP government announced it will rebrand mental health and addiction services as Recovery Alberta, in line with its preferred approach to the crisis. And the podcast will also tackle Calgary’s mayoralty recall petition. West of Centre guest host Jason Markusoff is joined by journalists Alanna Smith of the Globe and Mail, Rick Bell of the Calgary Sun and Keith Gerein of the Edmonton Journal.

Rakhi Pancholi is out. And Naheed Nenshi is in and the apparent frontrunner in the NDP leadership race. But Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP is ready to defend a much bigger lead than it won in last year’s election,at least according to a new poll. Guest host Jason Markusoff sorts through the numbers with pollster David Coletto. Then, our panel weighs in. It is made up of Lisa Young, a University of Calgary political scientist, freelance columnist Graham Thomson and the Toronto Star’s Alex Boyd.

A new police agency. Political parties in the cities. An Alberta pension plan. By all accounts, fairly unpopular initiatives driven by Premier Danielle Smith. So, what are the policy and political motivations behind them? Guest host Jason Markusoff is joined by Cynthia Moore, former UCP president, Feodor Snagovsky, a University of Alberta political scientist, and Janet French from CBC’s legislature bureau.

There are now six in the race to replace Rachel Notley. Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi joined the race on Monday, confirming weeks of rumours. So how does this shake up the race, and how might each candidate bid to stand out in the weeks ahead? Host Kathleen Petty is joined by pollster and political analyst Janet Brown of Janet Brown Opinion Research, Keith McLaughlin, political strategist and former chief of staff to Notley government ministers, and Cheryl Oates, a former advisor to Rachel Notley and co-host of The Discourse podcast, to discuss what issues might define the race and what members are likely to prioritize in the weeks ahead.

The Saskatchewan government is breaking the law by refusing to remit the natural gas portion of what is commonly known as the carbon tax. And the provincial minister in charge has hired a lawyer! West of Centre explores the politics around the unprecedented decision and looks at the parallels with Alberta. Host Kathleen Petty is joined by CBC Reporters Adam Hunter and Sam Samson and political columnist Murray Mandryk.

The UCP government brings down a budget that is both about saving AND spending .So is anyone happy? West of Centre host Kathleen Petty and guests sort out Alberta’s finances, described by our finance minister as “champagne tastes on a beer budget." Economist Trevor Tombe is back again this week. Also at the table are political scientist Duane Bratt and the Globe and Mail’s Emma Graney.

The signature campaign promise by Danielle Smith was tax cuts. But in her pre-budget , tv address this week, she put those cuts on hold. Instead, the premier is focusing on bulking up the Heritage Fund to offset volatile oil prices. Where have we heard that before? West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by economist Trevor Tombe , Kelly Cryderman of the Globe and Mail and political scientist Lori Williams.

The controversial carbon tax is under attack from all sides, including from provincial NDP leadership candidates.The federal government took a shot at rebranding it this week. But will the Trudeau Liberals kill the unpopular tax before the Conservatives can? And how can we fight climate change without it? On the West of Centre podcast, guest host Jason Markusoff is joined by former conservative cabinet minister Gary Mar, energy economist Andrew Leach and Cheryl Oates, former advisor to Rachel Notley.

We hear the latest episode in the CBC podcast 'This is Calgary' - can Calgary charge one million electric vehicles at once?

On the West of Centre podcast, the race to replace Rachel Notley is on! So far, two candidates have officially launched their campaigns but more are expected. One outstanding question is whether Alberta’s NDP will sever ties with the federal party in an effort to rebrand itself. Host Kathleen Petty is joined by former Calgary city councillor Jeromy Farkas, pollster Janet Brown and political strategist Keith Mclaughlin.

Premier Danielle Smith believes she has the backing of Albertans with the controversial gender identity policy introduced this week. Is the Premier playing politics or depoliticizing the protection of children, as she says. West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Corey Hogan of The Strategists podcast ,Globe and Mail reporter Emma Graney and CBC reporter Janet French .

Premier Danielle Smith sat down with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson this week. They criticized solar power and the federal environment minister. So, was it a great political strategy or a gamble she’ll regret? Join West of Centre host Kathleen Petty along with strategists Erika Barootes and Zain Velji and the CBC’s Jason Markusoff.

Rachel Notley changed politics in Alberta when the NDP won the 2015 election. After two subsequent election losses, she’s done as leader. This week, host Kathleen Petty talks about that legacy, the potential pitfalls and opportunities for her party and what may come next with the outgoing NDP leader. Plus, political strategists Keith McLaughlin and Christine Myatt add their analysis.

It’s shaping up to be another packed year for politics in Alberta. The United Conservatives are in the midst of a full reset on healthcare, all of the feuding between the provincial and federal governments will hit a new gear, plus, the NDP will likely have their turn to look for a new leader. This week, host Kathleen Petty talks to journalists Kelly Cryderman, Jason Markusoff and Graham Thomson about what to expect in politics in 2024.

What do you remember about the big political stories of 2023? West of Centre launches its inaugural year-end game show and quizzes the panel on the top stories of this year. Michael Solberg from New West Public Affairs, Zain Velji from Northweather and Alex Boyd from the Toronto Star join host Kathleen Petty.

The federal government has finally unveiled its proposed cap to reduce emissions. It sets targets lower than initial goals for 2030, but Alberta says that doesn’t matter and it wants Ottawa out of the oil patch. Host Kathleen Petty is joined first by Federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, then by a panel of reporters including the CBC’s Jason Markusoff and Marieke Walsh from the Globe and Mail.