Edmonton Journal

The Press Gallery #132: The Everything Old is New Again edition After a few technical difficulties, we are back with a new edition of Alberta’s best politics podcast (as we like to say). Just like old times, Press Gallery founder Sarah O’Donnell is back in the host’s chair this episode, guiding a recap of another interesting week in provincial politics. MLAs were away from the legislature dome for their final constituency break of the spring session, but plenty of action was still happening in Washing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Manitoba NDP going down to defeat this week, Premier Rachel Notley has become the last New Democrat premier standing. What does that mean for Alberta's government and does this increase the pressure on Notley to achieve what her counterparts - and predecessors - couldn't when it comes to pipelines? Then, Health Minister Sarah Hoffman faced some questions this week reports that sick leave and long-term disability among hundreds of Alberta Health Services employees have seen a steady spike over the Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta NDP government released its 2016 budget on Thursday, and while the government spilled plenty of secrets before the document was finally made public, it still included a few bombshells: $57 billion in operational and capital debt is expected by 2019 and Finance Minister Joe Ceci says the province won't like get its books back in balance until 2024. All of this, of course, comes amid a prolonged collapse in world oil prices that has had a drastic effect on Alberta's revenue streams. Then, the panell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the economy slumping and oil prices barely improving, Premier Rachel Notley delivered a televised address this week in which she tried to reassure Albertans her government is doing everything it can to create jobs and lift the economy out of this slump. But does this tactic work? Then, an incredible and somewhat disturbing story from The Canadian Press about a man facing charges after he phoned environment Minister Shannon Phillips’ office and allegedly made threats because he disagrees with govern Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The long-awaited deadline for Alberta school boards to submit their LGBTQ guidelines to Education Minister David Eggen arrived this week. Nearly all 61 boards made a submission, making for a large stack of homework for the minister to peruse as he tries to determine how to take the next steps in this sometimes contentious process to ensure no student or teacher is discriminated against at school. Then, the panel look at the issue of gender in politics after a Journal story this week revealed that while Pr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new federal Liberal government released its first budget this week and it makes good on some pledges to extend a helping hand to Alberta as the economy struggles with some infrastructure cash and extended employment insurance benefits. But why was the Edmonton area left on the list? Then, the Progressive Conservative party proved it still holds political relevance in Alberta after it won the Calgary-Greenway byelection this week. What do the results mean for the future of that party and the unite the Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta MLAs have been freed from the legislature as they set off on their two-week constituency break, just in time for political parties to make their final push for votes in the Calgary-Greenway byelection on Tuesday. It was pretty uneventful, policy-wise, but that doesn't mean the proceedings were free from controversy. The Edmonton Catholic School Board has passed its diversity policy as the deadline for all Alberta school boards to submit their own fast approaches. We'll discuss the challenges Edu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta's New Democrat government launched its spring session with a new speech from the throne this week that had a heavy focus on energy, the economy and the need to spur job creation across the province. And as the ceremony unfolded inside the legislature, the long-awaited 'kudatah' anti-NDP rally happened outside. The government found itself in the middle of a chaotic first vote as the New Democrats found themselves nearly outnumbered by opposition members as the legislature voted for a new deputy cha Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new legislature session kicks off this Tuesday with a speech from the throne to lay out the government's priorities amid a climate of economic doom and gloom. Meanwhile, candidates in Calgary-Greenway are gearing up for the byelection on March 22. The race has already been punctuated by cries of electioneering from the Wildrose opposition. Premier Rachel Notley was in Vancouver last week to talk about climate change with her counterparts and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and to nobody's surprise, p Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta's political scene blew up with cries of government censorship this week after a showdown between Premier Rachel Notley's office and Rebel Media, the perpetual thorn in the NDP's side, over access to legislature press conferences. The government quickly retreated from its position but not before igniting an outcry and sparking a nationwide discussion about journalism and access. The potential of uniting Alberta's right of centre political parties was in the news again, but can the Wildrose and Pro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta's Catholic bishops are making headlines again this week with a strongly worded statement denouncing pending right to die legislation, saying it amounts to "state-sponsored killing." Auditor General Merwan Saher had some criticism for the government in his February report that investigated several government departments, finding — of all things — piles of surplus funds the province seems to have no plans for. And finally, our province's on-again, off-again relationship with British Columbia is Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta's tiny cabinet grew this week after Premier Rachel Notley appointed six new ministers - and a deputy premier - to her team as the NDP government attempts to tackle a growing mountain of work ahead of this spring's legislative session and budget. All eyes were on the legislature as Justin Trudeau arrived for a meeting with Notley this week to quell growing discontent in the province as the economy tanks. But was it enough? And the NDP government is beginning to see some opposition from some unexp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Rachel Notley first pledge a review of Alberta's royalty system, oil was at $66 a barrel, and Albertans seemed eager and excited about a new kind of government. But this week, Notley's royalty review panel, headed by ATB president Dave Mowat, delivered its long-awaited report into a much different economy and a much different Alberta. What will the political fall-out from Friday's announcement be? In this edition of The Press Gallery, guest host Stuart Thomson asks Edmonton Journal business columni Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta is holding on to its triple-A credit rating, and Albertans are holding on, waiting - and waiting - for the legislature to resume sitting. Meanwhile, the mayors of Metro Montreal are triple-A angry about the prospect of the Energy East pipeline cutting under their turf. And Edmonton's Catholic school trustees are getting a very bad report card - not from Education Minister David Eggen, this time, but from their own Archbishop. In this week's edition of The Press Gallery, triple threats Graham Thoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The revolution will not be televised, but it’ll definitely be live tweeted. In this week's edition of the Press Gallery, host Brent Wittmeier speaks to provincial affairs columnist Graham Thomson, provincial affairs reporter Mariam Ibrahim and columnist Paula Simons about Kevin O'Leary and Kudatah, the silly meme spawned by a comment board and a badly butchered French expression. The ongoing retreat of oil prices has forced Rachel Notley's NDP government to follow her Progressive Conservative predecess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, this is the podcast you’re looking for. Calgary MLA Deborah Drever has been a lightening rod for public controversy, ever since she was first elected as a New Democrat this spring. Since then, she’s been forced to sit as an independent, waiting for redemption and a chance to rejoin the NDP caucus. In this week’s edition of the The Press Gallery, recording on Thursday morning, January 7, host Brent Wittmeier speaks to senior political reporter Sheila Pratt, provincial affairs reporter Mariam Ib Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Press Gallery #116: The Notley and the Ivy Edition A stunning election upset. The end of a political dynasty. New faces in the legislature. A bold direction on climate change. Controversy in the farm sector. It’s been quite an extraordinary year to say the least in Alberta politics, and our group of panellists has some fun looking back at many of the memorable moments from 2015. Guest host Keith Gerein then puts the group through our annual year-end quiz, testing their knowledge on the events and per Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fall sitting, the first for the new NDP government, wrapped up on Thursday and it was a session that wasn’t short on storylines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're talking turkey. Farmers and ranchers descended on the legislature this week to protest the government's proposed farm safety legislation. The farmers say they haven't been adequately consulted and that the new NDP government doesn't understand their way of life. Will Rachel Notley press on with this legislation or is it time for a pause? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Black Friday has a new meaning in Alberta. On Monday, Calgary-Greenview MLA Manmeet Bhullar was killed while trying to assist a motorist on the shoulder of Highway 2. This week on The Press Gallery, Edmonton Journal’s politics podcast, city columnist Paula Simons, and provincial affairs reporter Mariam Ibrahim join host Brent Wittmeier to talk about Bhullar's work and what his loss means for Alberta politics. Other topics of discussion include the NDP's climate change plans and federal revisions to pla Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices