Does Don Cherry Deserve the Order of Canada?

Few figures in Canadian broadcasting spark debate like Don Cherry. Now, a push to see the former Coach’s Corner star appointed to the Order of Canada—championed by voices in the Conservative Party of Canada, including MP Andrew Lawton and backed by Alberta premier Danielle Smith—is reigniting old arguments about one of the country’s most polarizing personalities. Cherry is celebrated by supporters as a hockey icon and outspoken patriot, but critics point to years of controversial comments about immigrants, Indigenous people, and women in sports media—controversies that ultimately ended his run on Hockey Night in Canada. The proposal is already drawing criticism, including from Conservatives in Quebec, setting up a national debate: should a cultural lightning rod like Cherry receive one of Canada’s highest honours? We get into it with Supriya Dwivedi (3:15) in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected]  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD MOVES FAST, BUT YOUR TRUST IN AN EXCHANGE SHOULDN'T BE A GAMBLE. RapidEX IS SECURE, FINTRAC-REGISTERED, AND NON-CUSTODIAL. SAVE 50% ON FEES ON ONLINE INTERAC E-TRANSFER TRADES WITH PROMO CODE RYAN50 AT https://rapidexfinancial.com/. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ 49:30 | Did you hear Manitoba premier Wab Kinew's comments about the war in Iran and the Epstein files? We get Supriya's take on it before covering MP Lori Idlout crossing the floor from the NDP to the Liberals (53:20), Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein poking fun at former Alberta cabinet minister Shannon Phillips (59:30), and Edmonton police chief Warren Driechel's controversial trip to Israel (1:05:00).  1:18:30 | Real Talkers chime in on Don Cherry's legacy in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.  SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk 1:28:00 | We love stories like this! Real Talker Aubrie shares about Edson's Abilities Hockey Program in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.  SHARE YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected] GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Felicia is blown away by the White House's AI video portraying the Iran war as a video game, Michael's done with Trump insulting Canadians, Janelle wants to thank Alberta separatists, Katie doesn't recognize Alberta anymore, Annie's got a message for trolls telling her to "go back where (she) belongs," and Rodger wants more photo radar. 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU! FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Young people today are more anxious and depressed - and less resilient - than generations past. Why? Is it social media? Screens? A troubling news cycle? Are we bad parents?  Athabasca University professor and registered psychologist Dr. Caroline Buzanko gets into it all in our feature interview (4:00) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY -- EDMONTON'S ORIGINAL DISTILLERY. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THEIR NEW, LIMITED-RELEASE "MINI YEGGS" MILK CHOCOLATE CREAM LIQUOR, NOW AVAILABLE AT https://hansendistillery.com/. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ DISCOVER the AU ADVANTAGE: https://www.athabascau.ca/index.html 1:46:00 | We're in love with a Real Talker's 3D-printed gift for displaying our bottle of Hansen Distillery Mini Yeggs! Jespo shows some love to Brisch 3D Creations: https://www.brisch3d.com/ 1:54:00 | Real Talk is proud to support the Ben Stelter Foundation's Hearts & Hands Poker Tournament on April 16 and 17.  REGISTER to PLAY and/or SPONSOR: https://benstelterfoundation.com/ 1:55:15 | Felicia is blown away by the White House's AI video portraying the Iran war as a video game, Michael's done with Trump insulting Canadians, Janelle wants to thank Alberta separatists, Katie doesn't recognize Alberta anymore, Annie's got a message for trolls telling her to "go back where (she) belongs," and Rodger wants more photo radar. 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU!  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

It's very possible the Iranian regime could survive this war, and if so, there would be dire consequences for Iranians in Iran and around the world. Dr. Thomas Juneau is a former analyst for the Department of National Defence, and a professor at the University of Ottawa specializing in Middle East (Iran, Yemen) security and intelligence. He talks to us about justification for war (intelligence vs. politics), potential outcomes, and implications including here in Canada in our feature interview (3:15) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD MOVES FAST, BUT YOUR TRUST IN AN EXCHANGE SHOULDN'T BE A GAMBLE. RapidEX IS SECURE, FINTRAC-REGISTERED, AND NON-CUSTODIAL. SAVE 50% ON FEES ON ONLINE INTERAC E-TRANSFER TRADES WITH PROMO CODE RYAN50 AT https://rapidexfinancial.com/. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ 47:30 | Jespo and Johnny debrief after the Juneau interview, and reflect on our March 11 Iranian-Canadian Round Table. Real Talkers chime in via the Live Chat powered by Park Power.  SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ 1:16:00 | Four MPs - three Conservatives and now a New Democrat - have crossed the floor to Mark Carney's Liberal government. What do you think about Nunavut MP Lori Idlout's move?  SEND US AN EMAIL: [email protected]  BUY YOUR FULL HOUSE LOTTERY TICKETS TODAY: https://bit.ly/4sWLHOz FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Watching coverage of the war in Iran can feel complicated, distant, and hard to follow. We see reports about strikes on military targets, escalating tensions, and global powers trying to prevent a wider conflict. But for millions of people around the world (and tens of thousands in Canada), this story isn’t abstract. It’s personal. In our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West, we’re joined by three Iranian-Canadians from our home city of Edmonton: Reza Akbari, Pegah Salari, and Nooran Ostadeian (4:00). Each has deep ties to Iran. Each has friends or family who are still there. And like many in the Iranian diaspora, they know speaking publicly can come with real risks for the people they love. For them—and for many others—the biggest fear right now isn’t just the bombs falling on military targets. It’s what might happen if the regime survives this crisis. They explain why in one of the most informative and powerful Real Talk Round Tables we've ever presented. THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY -- EDMONTON'S ORIGINAL DISTILLERY. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THEIR NEW, LIMITED-RELEASE "MINI YEGGS" MILK CHOCOLATE CREAM LIQUOR, NOW AVAILABLE AT https://hansendistillery.com/. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwes... TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] THE FULL HOUSE LOTTERY BONUS DEADLINE is TODAY (MARCH 11) at MIDNIGHT! GET YOUR TICKETS: https://bit.ly/4sWLHOz 1:32:15 | The Jasper Pride & Ski Festival is less than a month away! We celebrate the only Pride ski week in the Canadian Rockies in this edition of #MyJasper Memories proudly presented by Tourism Jasper. MORE DETAILS: https://www.jasperpride.ca/ PLAN YOUR JASPER ADVENTURE: https://www.jasper.travel/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

October 19, 2026 will be a huge day in Alberta. A couple million people will vote on at least nine (and probably eleven) questions that could forever alter the province's future. There's a heavy focus on immigration policy, along with proposals for big changes to judicial appointments, federal funding transfers, and abolishing the Senate. And, of course, it's expected Albertans will vote on the province's future in (or outside of) Canada and coal mining in the Rocky Mountains. In this episode, we go through the list - question by question - with one of the sharpest observers of Alberta politics, political science professor Dr. Duane Bratt, in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY -- EDMONTON'S ORIGINAL DISTILLERY. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THEIR NEW, LIMITED-RELEASE "MINI YEGGS" MILK CHOCOLATE CREAM LIQUOR, NOW AVAILABLE AT https://hansendistillery.com/. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] THE FULL HOUSE LOTTERY BONUS DEADLINE is MARCH 11 at MIDNIGHT: https://bit.ly/4sWLHOz FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Pressure is mounting on Canada's Prime Minister as the US-Israel war on Iran enters its second week. Mark Carney's own MPs are reportedly concerned about the PM's initial support for the strikes, and confused by a shift over the following days. What's the right move for Carney...and for Canada? We get into it with Supriya Dwivedi in our feature interview (3:45) presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY -- EDMONTON'S ORIGINAL DISTILLERY. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THEIR NEW, LIMITED-RELEASE "MINI YEGGS" MILK CHOCOLATE CREAM LIQUOR, NOW AVAILABLE AT https://hansendistillery.com/. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ 37:30 | Where is the best or worst place to live in Canada as a woman? Ryan and Supriya dig into the data with researcher Katherine Scott from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. PANDEMIC IMPACT on WOMEN (2023): https://www.policyalternatives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/still-in-recovery-FINAL.pdf BEST/WORST PLACES in CANADA to be a WOMAN: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/the-best-and-worst-places-to-be-a-woman-in-canada-2019/ 1:12:30 | Jespo and Johnny chat about changing attitudes through generations. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 1:28:00 | Real Talker Marie shares what she's doing for community members in Tumbler Ridge, BC in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Solar by Kuby.  SHARE YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: [email protected] GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kuby.ca/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Gary's gonna wash a few mouths out with soap, Don's sick of Pete Hegseth's "dick measuring," Coreen and Sharon have very different takes on unions, and Minnie has a reality check on doctors' salaries. 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU! FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

What are you thinking about this International Women's Day? Ahead of March 8, we pick the brains of powerhouses Dr. Shazma Mithani and Jenny Adams in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West (2:30).  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY -- EDMONTON'S ORIGINAL DISTILLERY. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THEIR NEW, LIMITED-RELEASE "MINI YEGGS" MILK CHOCOLATE CREAM LIQUOR, NOW AVAILABLE AT https://hansendistillery.com/. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ 45:00 | Women still experience discrimination while navigating the healthcare system. Dr. Mithani gets into it.  SUBSCRIBE to THE DOC TALK: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-doc-talk-podcast/id1775772809 1:03:20 | Real Talk is proud to support the Ben Stelter Foundation's Hearts & Hands Poker Tournament on April 16 & 17.  REGISTER to PLAY or SPONSOR: https://benstelterfoundation.com/ 1:05:10 | Jespo, Johnny, and Real Talkers in our Live Chat share what they'll be thinking about on International Women's Day.  WATCH OUR MENOPAUSE EPISODE: https://rtrj.info/051325Schewchuk 1:39:00 | Gary's gonna wash a few mouths out with soap, Don's sick of Pete Hegseth's "dick measuring," Coreen and Sharon have very different takes on unions, and Minnie has a reality check on doctors' salaries. 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, or BASELINE ROAD, BE SURE TO TELL 'EM REAL TALK SENT YOU!  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.

Mark Carney and Danielle Smith have nothing to do with Donald Trump's war in Iran, but both leaders will feel the impact. Political commentator Rob Breakenridge gets into it all in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West (5:00). THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY -- EDMONTON'S ORIGINAL DISTILLERY. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THEIR NEW, LIMITED-RELEASE "MINI YEGGS" MILK CHOCOLATE CREAM LIQUEUR, AVAILABLE MARCH 6 AT https://hansendistillery.com/. CHECK OUT ROB'S SUBSTACK: https://robbreakenridge.substack.com/ MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ 1:03:45 | We debrief re: Naheed Nenshi's NDP leadership, Rakhi Pancholi's rise, Sec. Stephen Miller's comments about the "woke Pentagon," and more. Real Talkers have their say in our Live Chat powered by Park Power. SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ 1:30:00 | Pierre Poilievre says Net Zero is "all BS," and a conspiracy by "green grifters" to "take everybody's money away." Does the Conservative leader need to update his understanding to appeal to more voters?  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: [email protected] 1:42:30 | Real Talk is proud to support the Ben Stelter Foundation's Hearts and Hands Poker Tournament on April 16 and 17.  REGISTER to PLAY and/or SPONSOR: https://benstelterfoundation.com/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.