Does Canada Need A "Centrist" Political Party?

Another wild week in Alberta politics, as Premier Danielle Smith's government introduces sweeping changes to how city and town councils are elected, operate, and are held accountable. The UCP's Bill 20 opens the door for municipal political parties, restores union and corporate donations, and empowers the province to remove elected councillors (when it's "in the public interest"). Question is, are the changes good or bad for democracy? What do they mean for the average Albertan? Back by popular demand...it's our Group Chat Round Table!  2:10 | Jenny Adams, Sarah Hamilton, and Jarrett Campbell take on municipal political parties (10:00), the return of union and corporate donations (26:05), the power to fire city councillors (29:00), Bill 18 - the Provincial Priorities Act (31:10), Pierre Poilievre's roadside photo op (34:00), and the Alberta NDP leadership race (48:30).  57:00 | Gabriel sounds off on 15 Minute Cities, James is nervous about the feds selling TMX, and Angela has a message for Alberta's duly-elected mayors and councillors. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!   FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected]  When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, tell 'em Real Talk sent you!  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Are you better off with partisan politics at the local level? Will Alberta benefit from its provincial government inserting itself into funding agreements between municipalities and the feds? As Premier Danielle Smith's UCP government rolls out Bill 18 - the Provincial Priorities Act - and opens the door for municipal political parties, we ask, "What does it all mean for YOU?" 3:05 | Alberta Municipalities president Tyler Gandam and past presidents Cathy Heron and Lisa Holmes discuss how Alberta's most prominent new legislation will impact everyday service delivery and infrastructure development in communities across the province.  LEARN MORE: https://www.abmunis.ca/news/bill-18-what-municipalities-need-know 39:15 | Lisa Holmes responds to Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton's assessment of (Lisa's boss) Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's "defiant and aggressive" Twitter posts aimed at Premier Smith. Lisa and Cathy go on to discuss Andre Corbould's seemingly sudden departure as Edmonton city manager, security threats facing politicians and public figures, and the upcoming wildfire season. MISSED MAYOR CLAYTON ON REAL TALK? WATCH NOW: rtrj.info/042324GP TALK TO US: [email protected]  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Claire Porter Robbins is just back from Jerusalem, where she's been covering the Israel-Hamas war for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Globe & Mail. Prior to that, she worked for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza.  2:15 | Claire tells us about the grim state of healthcare in Gaza, including reports of mass graves at the Nasser and al-Shifa hospitals. She talks about the psychological impact of war on children, Canada's military presence in Israel/Palestine, and whether or not there's any hope for peace in the region. CHECK OUT CLAIRE'S WORK: https://www.claireporterrobbins.com/ 52:35 | Ryan reads an email from Real Talker "Selinger" about bias and opinion in interviews.  EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected]  1:02:25 | The Fairmont Jasper Park Golf Course opens May 10! If you're looking to get your swing ready for opening day, we've got you covered in #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper.  BOOK YOUR JPL GOLF GETAWAY: https://www.jaspermountaingolf.com/ 1:05:15 | Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton raised more than a few eyebrows with her assessment of Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's social media posts aimed at Premier Danielle Smith during our April 23 interview. Ryan and Johnny get into some of your feedback.  MISSED MAYOR CLAYTON ON REAL TALK? WATCH NOW: rtrj.info/042324GP FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

All eyes are on Grande Prairie as the northern Alberta city bids adieu to the RCMP and welcomes its own municipal police service. "GP" becomes the first Alberta city since Camrose in 1956 to introduce a new police service, and both proponents and critics of Premier Danielle Smith's plan to establish a provincial police force will be paying close attention to how the transition plays out.  2:30 | Mayor Jackie Clayton explains the move away from the RCMP, how she thinks the Provincial Priorities Act will impact Grande Prairie (19:00), municipal political parties (26:17), GP's approach to clearing homeless encampments (34:30), cost of living and skyrocketing utilities (41:55), her take on the future of hydrogen (45:30), Premier Danielle Smith's musings about Red Deer as a city of million people (47:40), the Alberta is Calling campaign (51:00), her hesitation around "15 Minute Cities" (52:40), and the looming wildfire season (57:20).  LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE INTERVIEW: [email protected]  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

When you think of the state of Planet Earth, do you feel optimism or dread? We couldn't blame you for having a bit of a pit in your stomach, considering everything we see in the news. We humans are tough on our home planet. Is it possible to reverse the negative impacts we create, and preserve a healthy future for generations to come? In this special Earth Day episode of Real Talk, we hear about amazing research being done in Alberta that could address our plastic problem in particular (56:45), but also oil spills and other environmental catastrophes.  2:50 | But first...federal Jobs Minister Randy Boissonnault joins Ryan in studio ahead of his address to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. We talk about the Canadian Hydrogen Convention, carbon capture, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith telling Ottawa to stay in its lane re: federal funding for housing, healthcare, and research. Plus, Ryan asks Randy about the rumour a car's been parked outside his house for the past week with "Axe the Tax" signs.  25:45 | Charles Adler tells us what he thinks the cops need to do about the protestor parked outside Minister Boissonnault's house. We talk about a protest outside Parliament over the weekend, where demonstrators chanted "October 7th, we're almost free...long live October 7th!" 56:45 | It's Earth Day! What're we going to do about our plastic problem? Microplastics are being discovered on Mount Everest, the deepest depths of the ocean, and in placentas. Athabasca University researcher Dr. Srijak Bhatnagar tells us how microbes could be a big part of the solution, and not just for plastic waste.  LEARN MORE: https://www.athabascau.ca/news/research/microbes-environment REAL TALK WORLD WATER DAY ROUND TABLE: rtrj.info/032124Water 1:42:20 | Our hearts are full after the Evening of Hope Gala. Ryan gives a special shout out to Real Talker AJ and everybody who's signed their organ donor card in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy.  GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/ SEND US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected]  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Dwayne says Danielle Smith is a threat to medical research in Alberta, KP and Rene say Premier Smith's bang on with Bill 18, and Gabe has a bone to pick with Charles Adler. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!  FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected]  When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, tell 'em Real Talk sent you! 

Kathleen Ganley's team is fed up with Jespo talking like their campaign's cooked. They say while the former Justice Minister might not be the favourite (or the biggest name) in the Alberta NDP leadership race, she's far from out of it. She argues her case - and tells us where she thinks the Hoffman and Nenshi campaigns are missing the mark - in a special episode of Real Talk.  2:50 | Team Ganley debuts its new campaign video exclusively on our show. Ryan asks Kathleen about the elephant in the room (6:00), opposing Danielle Smith (12:20), allegiance to "The Left" (15:22), raising minimum wage (17:20), reforming the Alberta Energy Regulator (19:20), private service providers in healthcare (28:50), the Hoffman campaign (33:30), divorcing from the federal NDP (38:20), increasing Alberta's corporate tax rate (46:00), the Nenshi disadvantage (49:14), fundraising (52:10), and a rumour the ban on union and corporate donations to political parties may be reversed (54:54).  1:06:17 | Did you know Real Talk Patrons receive exclusive perks, like whiskey tastings, film festival passes, VIP election night viewing parties, and Real Talk branded socks? Ryan gives a shout out to the Real Talkers that support us every month via Patreon. Thank you! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen 1:09:05 | Dwayne says Danielle Smith is a threat to medical research in Alberta, KP and Rene say Premier Smith's bang on with Bill 18, and Gabe has a bone to pick with Charles Adler. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!  FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: [email protected]  When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, tell 'em Real Talk sent you!  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Millions of Canadians are feeling the effects of a serious housing crunch. And every single one of us is feeling the effects of climate change. The federal governmen't spending billions and billions of dollars to address these very real issues - but is it working? Are we getting bang for our (billions of) bucks? We take a closer look at Ottawa's plans for housing and the carbon tax (28:45) in this episode of Real Talk.  5:00 | Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities responds to Pierre Poilievre calling him "the worst Immigration Minister in Canadian history," tells us how record numbers of new Canadians are impacting the housing crunch, and tells us how the feds are approaching existing housing deals with Alberta's big cities in light of Premier Danielle Smith's "Stay Out of My Backyard" bill (Bill 18).  22:58 | Real Talker Sarah, a lawyer, tells us why she's nervous about Bill 18 and how it might impact medical research in Alberta.  CHECK OUT SARAH'S "CAR FREE" APPEARANCE ON REAL TALK: https://rtrj.info/011524MommyPedals 28:45 | Is the carbon tax ACTUALLY effective? Like, is there proof it's actually lowering emissions in Canada? University of Ottawa economist Nic Rivers takes us into what we know (and what we don't).  1:04:45 | Ryan and Johnny are just a liiiiiiittle bit excited about the Real Talk Golf Classic presented by CWB Wealth on Thursday, June 20! Have you registered yet to play, volunteer, or sponsor this annual fundraiser for the Real Talk Julie Rohr Scholarship?  SIGN UP TODAY: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-g... 1:08:10 | STOP THE PRESSES: former UCP president Erika Barootes agrees with Rachel Notley on something! We take a quick look at the newest episode of The Discourse.  SUBSCRIBE TO THE DISCOURSE: https://www.youtube.com/@UC1WjKtBGH6U0S6HDePuLjkw  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch QUALIFY FOR EXCLUSIVE PERKS! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

There's a lot to understand in Budget 2024, delivered April 16 by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Are you a renter hoping to buy your first home? An entrepreneur getting ready to sell the business you built? An average Canadian struggling to make your payments, including that cell phone bill? Whether you obsess over politics or pay no attention whatsoever, we all want to understand how the budget affects our own bottom line. We talk to three experts from three different angles in this post-Budget episode of Real Talk.  2:25 | The Pembina Institute's Scott MacDougall and The Fraser Institute's Jake Fuss dig into the details of Budget 2024.  38:00 | Spring is one of the most magnificent times to visit Jasper! We feature a new culinary and cultural celebration - Taste of Spring - in this week's #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. BOOK YOUR JASPER GETAWAY: https://www.jasper.travel/taste-of-spring/ 40:10 | Does Budget 2024 go far enough for Canadians with disabilities? Don Slater from Disability Without Poverty gets real about the government's $6B Disability Benefit. MORE: https://www.disabilitywithoutpoverty.ca/ 1:03:33 | Smokers and vapers will pay more in 2024. Ryan and Johnny talk about the impact of that specific tax increase.  1:11:00 | Real Talker Garth says there will be electoral implications to this federal budget. Ryan reads his email to [email protected].  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj  REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC = JUNE 20: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-g... REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch QUALIFY FOR EXCLUSIVE PERKS! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

You've seen the headlines: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says all federal funding to universities, school boards, health and housing authorities, and other entities needs to flow through her office...or she'll take PM Justin Trudeau's government to court. Bill 18 - dubbed the "Stay Out of My Backyard" Bill by Premier Smith - seeks to ensure projects have Alberta's blessing before proceeding. The implications of the legislation are far-reaching, to say the least. In this episode, we find out how it could impact Alberta's post-secondaries, including research, reputation, and beyond.  3:18 | International Relations professor and researcher Dr. W. Andy Knight, PhD student Andrea Dekeseredy, and University of Alberta alum Andy Grabia dig into one of the top political stories in the country on a special edition of the Real Talk Round Table.  EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected]  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj  REAL TALK GOLF CLASSIC = JUNE 20: https://ryanjespersen.com/real-talk-g... REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch QUALIFY FOR EXCLUSIVE PERKS! BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.