PODCAST: Corb Lund responds to Elections Alberta; How Albertans feel about the October referendum questions

PODCAST: Corb Lund responds to Elections Alberta; How Albertans feel about the October referendum questions

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a look back on a very busy week in Alberta. We start with a re-cap of the string of major announcements from the premier, including more pipeline projects and a major data centre investment in the province. What does this all mean for the economic and political climate in Alberta? Also, we check back in with Alberta country music artist Corb Lund to get the latest on where things stand with the Water Not Coal movement. Elections Alberta has announced that their analysis suggests that the group’s petition - which aims to ban coal development along the eastern slopes of the Rockies - has fallen just short of the threshold to trigger a referendum. This comes after the premier had already indicated that it would be too late to put the question on the ballot. Lund, though, has some serious questions and concerns about this entire process - we’ll find out more. Plus, a closer look at the questions that will be on the ballot in the fall - how Albertans are feeling about these issues and what the questions themselves reveal. New polling from the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) shows that Albertans are expressing their Canadian pride at levels as high or higher than other provinces, which is an interesting backdrop to a question related to separation. A separate ACS poll shows that Albertans - and other Canadians - are supportive of the government’s other questions on immigration and constitutional reform. However, given the wording of the questions and the desired outcomes, it’s less clear where public opinion is really at on these matters. We’ll speak with Jack Jedwab, President and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies . Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe [https://robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

PODCAST: Pipeline Progress? Unpacking Carney and Smith’s West Coast Deal

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show: a closer look at Thursday’s big pipeline announcement [https://nationalpost.com/opinion/rob-breakenridge-ok-carney-now-approve-the-pipeline-for-real] and whether a new west coast pipeline has truly taken a major step toward becoming reality. Following announcements and agreements with the premiers of both B.C. and Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney looks to have laid the groundwork for a west coast pipeline to be approved and fast-tracked under the Major Projects Office. B.C. will get billions in support for new energy projects and infrastructure and Ottawa has agreed to keep the tanker ban in place for B.C.’s northern coast. In return, B.C. will not challenge the new pipeline project The Alberta pipeline proposal will instead take a southern route to the coast, similar to the route of the Trans Mountain expansion. That’s likely the quickest path to building a new pipeline, and the route that would face the least amount of opposition. There’s much more to be sorted out, however, including how this pipeline will be paid for, and how the other pieces will fit in. Premier Danielle Smith says more details are forthcoming about an agreement with the Oilsands Alliance to both increase production to fill this pipe and to move forward with the Pathways carbon capture and storage project. We’ll dive into all of it, as we’re joined this week by Heather Exner-Pirot [https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/cm-expert/heather-exner-pirot/], Senior Fellow and Director of Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and special advisor at the Business Council of Canada. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe [https://robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

PODCAST: Signatures Ignored? Corb Lund on Alberta’s Coal Petition and Premier's Referendum Hypocrisy

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a conversation with Alberta country musician and Water Not Coal [http://WaterNotCoal.ca] petition organizer Corb Lund. The goal of the petition campaign was to force a referendum on banning coal mining projects in the eastern slopes of the Rockies. After months of hard work, the petitions have been submitted to Elections Alberta. Based on their count, Lund says they cleared more than 200,000 signatures - well above the legislated petition threshold. Yet, after previous reassurances that the question would appear alongside the ten others on the October ballot, Premier Danielle Smith is now saying that’s too late to include the Water Not Coal question. Lund shares his thoughts on the journey to this point, his frustration over the lack of transparency around the process and the disappointment stemming from previous assurances he received directly from the premier. Plus, where does this all go from here? Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe [https://robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

PODCAST: Lorne Gunter on the premier's gas tax flip flop and whether her case for Canada is landing

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, veteran political columnist Lorne Gunter [https://edmontonjournal.com/author/lgunter/] joins Rob to break down another fascinating political week in Alberta. We start with the announcement this week from Premier Danielle Smith that the province is forsaking a mandate gas tax cut and instead opting to send $100 rebates to over three million Albertans. While affordability remains a top concern in the province, the announcement has not gone over well. We’ll also take a look at the latest on the separation debate and whether the premier’s referendum strategy - and the case she’s making against separation - is landing with Albertans. A couple of recent polls show that support for separation appears to be softening. But we also had a new report [https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/illustrating-albertans-contribution-to-the-rest-of-canada] out this week detailing the significant contribution Alberta makes to Confederation. Gunter says this remains a key frustration for many Albertans and it’s important for federalists to understand where that frustration comes from. The case against separation cannot simply be an endorsement of the status quo. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe [https://robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

PODCAST: Protecting Kids or Compromising Privacy Rights? Unpacking the Unintended Consequences of Bill C-34

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a closer look at Ottawa’s new Bill C-34, also known as the Safe Social Media Act. The bill including a new ban on social media for children under 16 (with some exceptions), and also creates the new Digital Safety Commission to over see the newly created ‘duty to act responsibly” “duty to protect children” that the bill imposes on social media companies. To better understand what this might all mean in practice, we’re joined by one of Canada’s leading experts on digital law and policy: Dr. Michael Geist, law professor at the University of Ottawa and Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law. Prof. Geist outlines his concerns with the bill, especially when it comes to the privacy implications of the age verification requirement that the social media ban will require. Overall, though, Prof. Geist says there are many unanswered questions with this bill, especially given that many of the details will be sorted out in regulations only after the bill is passed. We’ll also look at why so much seems to be happening all at once on this front, with Bill C-34, Bill C-22 (lawful access bill), the new A.I. strategy, and the new CRTC rules and culture requirements on foreign streaming companies. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe [https://robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]