The official podcast for the Western Standard The Western Standard is an independent source of news and commentary fighting for a strong and free Western Canada, committed to the truth even when it hurts, and forever pledged to refuse government funding. Hosted by Cory Morgan covering news of the week along with analysis from guests.
Prime Minister Mark Carney was elected in large part as the experienced deal-maker who could manage US President Donald Trump. Perhaps the idea of “managing” President Trump was always presumptuous. Nevertheless, eighteen months ago, that was the expectation and the prime minister allowed it – even encouraged it. But, it’s not happened yet.
Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan and Dave Naylor break down Elections Alberta’s handling of the independence referendum campaign, Jason Kenney’s possible path back into federal Conservative politics, and the growing Canada-U.S. trade fight under Trump.
Marty breaks down Trump’s latest tariff hit on Canada, why Mexico was spared, and the calls for unity coming out of the First Ministers’ meeting in PEI. He also weighs in on Doug Ford’s latest shots at Trump, secrecy around the Gordie Howe Bridge agreement, Smith’s “fascist pancakes” controversy, inflation climbing to 2.8%, GoodLife gyms, Stats Canada’s crime numbers, and Elections Alberta opening mail-in ballots for the referendum while facing new attacks.
“Instead of taking computer science, get a trade.” That's Gwyn Morgan’s blunt advice for young people watching their career plans collapse under the advance of artificial intelligence. The former EnCana president, a man who built one of North America’s largest natural-gas producers, is not known for soft talk. In this week’s Hannaford, he delivered the line with the same directness that once defined his corporate career: AI is already wiping out the need for legions of programmers.
Cory Morgan is joined by Lindsay Wilson, Nigel Hannaford and Dave Wiechnik to discuss Corus moving Alberta news production to Toronto, media trust, free speech, the “fascist pancakes” controversy, Trump’s tariff pressure, Carney’s secret bridge toll deal, and Doug Ford’s comments on using Western resources in Canada-U.S. trade talks.
The Assembly of First Nations is a lobby group getting over 90% of its funding from taxpayers only to blow most of it on salary and travel. Let them fund their group themselves.
The Western Standard hosts an Independence vs. Federalism Debate at the Glenmore Inn & Conference Centre, bringing together two opposing views on Alberta’s future in Canada. The debate is moderated by Fair Deal Panelist and former Calgary-Varsity MLA Donna Kennedy-Glans. Western Standard Publisher, President and CEO Derek Fildebrandt makes the case for Alberta independence, while Mount Royal University political science professor Dr. Duane Bratt argues in favour of federalism.
Marty breaks down Ontario’s wildfire troubles, Alberta’s low fire season, stubborn inflation, Carney’s new COO, Corus moving Alberta news production to Toronto, Trudeau’s TikTok return, Jeff Rath’s frozen assets, First Nations pushback on major projects, Alberta’s rebate flop, and Canada pausing parent and grandparent sponsorship applications.
Alberta must fiercely defend provincial control over its electricity system against federal proposals for a centrally organized national grid. Thus utilities economist Edgardo Sepulveda, tonight's guest on Hannaford. The Trudeau-Carney government recently released a national electricity strategy to promote the idea of shifting power flows from traditional North-South trade to what Ottawa is pitching as greater East-West integration.
Cory Morgan fills in as host with Dave Naylor and Nigel Hannaford to discuss Jeffrey Rath’s legal troubles and their impact on Alberta’s independence movement, renewed calls to cut Alberta’s health transfers, and Alberta driving nearly eight in 10 new jobs across Canada. The panel also examines Mark Carney’s unusual American COO hire, First Nations opposition to major project approvals, and Ottawa’s struggle to get big infrastructure built.
Marty breaks down Canada’s strange turn from pipelines to submarines, as Ottawa eyes new energy projects while buying German subs and sending $900 million to Ukraine. He weighs in on pipeline proposals, Carney’s trouble with his base, and Canada’s lack of shovel-ready projects. He also looks at Alberta’s independence push, signature counting and Cory Morgan’s July 18 telethon, plus manufacturing jobs, climate ideology and Europe’s driver monitoring push.
Over the past three years, the Government of Canada has passed six new laws to restrict and diminish your freedom to say out loud what you think and believe. This is not opinion. This is fact. Every one of these new laws promises something good. But, hidden in every bill is something you should never see in Canadian democracy. It is classic bait-and-switch.
Derek Fildebrandt, Nigel Hannaford, Cory Morgan and Dave Naylor break down the latest pipeline push from Alberta to the West Coast and Ontario, the state of Alberta’s independence campaign, and Corb Lund’s failed anti-coal mining petition.
Marty returns this week to break down the USMCA trade deal being on life support, Mark Carney’s housing bailout, the decline of public services in British Columbia, and the latest win for Alberta independence supporters as petition signatures are cleared to be counted. He also weighs in on a possible pipeline announcement, Alberta’s $100 energy rebate and concerns about digital ID, the Snowbirds skipping Ottawa, and Canada advancing to the World Cup round of 16.
Canada Day came and went, but some Albertans struggled to feel the Canada Day glee. Not all, to be sure. But for some, it was hard to listen to Prime Minister Carney uttering patriotic banalities... “When we are Canadian, Canada grows. That’s our conviction. And it has never been stronger.” Really? That’s it? Trust and believe?
Derek Fildebrandt and Cory Morgan, joined by David Wiechnik and Josh Andrus, break down a court win for Alberta independence supporters, whether Pierre Poilievre has lost his political mojo, and the growing backlash against politicians attending increasingly extreme Pride parades.
