Explore every episode of the podcast The Line: Alberta Podcast

Hear Jen Gerson and Rob Breakenridge, the host of The Line: Alberta Podcast, talk about this exciting new expansion for The Line.

In this conversation, Rob Breakenridge and Trevor Tombe discuss Alberta's current fiscal challenges, including the pressures from fluctuating oil prices and the implications of potential independence from Canada. They explore the motivations behind the independence movement, particularly economic factors, and clarify misconceptions about the equalization system. The discussion also covers the financial responsibilities that would come with separation, the impact
on trade, and the importance of informed decision-making in light of historical precedents like Brexit.

In this conversation, Rob Breakenridge and Martin Belanger delve into the complexities surrounding Alberta's push for separation from Canada. They explore the historical context, personal experiences, and the evolving political landscape that has led to a growing sentiment for independence among Albertans. Belanger shares his journey from being an outsider to embracing Alberta's culture, while also discussing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the separatist movement. The conversation touches on the potential for a referendum, the role of leadership, and the economic implications of separation, all framed within the broader narrative of Alberta's identity and future.

In this episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge delves into the future of policing in Alberta and whether that will - or should - involve the creation of an Alberta Provincial Police Force. 

The RCMP contract for community policing ends in 2032, and we may see the RCMP exit community policing altogether in favour of a more focused, national mandate. At the same time, however, the idea of Alberta shedding a federal institution in favour of something Alberta-made and Alberta-branded has taken on added political significance. The UCP government is keen on establishing greater autonomy for Alberta and this change is seen as one way of accomplishing that.

We’ll hear in this episode from Kara Westerlund, president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta. They’re worried about the impact such a change could have on their communities and their budgets, and they feel like their voices are not being heard in this debate. Plus, we’ll also get some perspective from Mount Royal University criminology professor Dr. Kelly Sundberg who has been following and studying this issue for years - what are the costs and benefits of establishing an Alberta Provincial Police Force?

In this episode of The Line: Alberta, Rob Breakenridge and Bonnie Critchley discuss the byelection campaign in the Alberta riding of Battle River - Crowfoot. Bonnie is a resident of the riding and a 22-year veteran of the Canadian Forces. She has stepped forward as an independent candidate in this byelection, and has made quite an impact on the race. 

Critchley shares her thoughts on how voters feel about going back to the polls so soon, how they feel about Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre landing in the riding after losing his own seat, the antics of the Longest Ballot Committee, and the issues that are dominating the conversation among folks in this sprawling east-central Alberta riding. 

In this episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge is joined by Dr. Kent Fellows, assistant professor of economics at the University of Calgary and fellow-in-residence at the C.D. Howe Institute. 

Sagging oil prices have once again highlighted the perils of Alberta’s over-reliance on energy revenues, even if the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has helped to provide a revenue boost. This fiscal uncertainty comes at a time when Alberta is hoping Ottawa can deliver on some major new energy infrastructure - including, of course, a new pipeline - and potentially help pave the way for economic and energy corridors that could allow such projects to be fast-tracked in the future. 

We’ll get some insight from Prof. Fellows on the economics underlying all of this: the implications of fluctuating oil prices on Alberta’s budget, the challenges of pipeline capacity and infrastructure development, as well as the political factors in the energy debate that often cloud what economic considerations.

In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge highlights a couple of unique perspectives on the question of Alberta’s nuclear future. 

Alberta's premier has launched a new process to explore the possibility of adding nuclear capacity to Alberta's power mix. Between a growing population and expanding electrification, Alberta’s power demand is growing. But with the province’s ambition to be a hub for AI data centres - and with Ottawa’s Clean Electricity Regulations - Alberta needs to somehow balance a massive expansion to the power grid while also keeping emissions in check. That’s where nuclear energy could come in.

We’ll be joined by Scott Henuset, president and CEO of Energy Alberta - they’re hoping to build a standing nuclear power facility in northeastern Alberta. We’ll find out why they’re so optimistic about the potential for nuclear power in this province - and how they plan to overcome some of the resistance and concerns that still exist around this technology. 

Plus, we’ll hear from Dr. Duane Bratt, professor of political science at Mount Royal University. Part of his research focuses on Canadian nuclear policy and he also teaches on the science and politics around nuclear energy. We’ll look at the history around this conversation in Alberta and get his perspective on whether the government is really serious this time about jumping on the nuclear bandwagon.

In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge sits down for a wide-ranging conversation with Calgary Confederation Liberal MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Corey Hogan.

Despite hopes for a Liberal breakthrough in the recent federal election, Hogan was the only Liberal to prevail amid the blue Conservative sea that is Calgary and was one of only two Liberals elected in the province of Alberta.

We discuss his decision to enter that pivotal campaign and how they managed to grind out a victory. We also delve into the aftermath of the campaign and the sudden prominence and responsibility that landed on Hogan as the lone Liberal MP from Calgary. 

Hogan also shares his thoughts on the challenges facing Alberta and the rest of the country right now and the big decisions now facing the government. Plus, Hogan addresses the Alberta-Ottawa relationship and why he felt compelled to speak out against the separatists.

In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge is joined by Heather Exner-Pirot, a Calgary-based senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and the Institute’s Director of Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment.

We begin the conversation with some analysis of the recent announcement of five projects identified as being in the national interest and will now be advanced by the federal government’s new Major Projects Office. Does the inclusion of a major LNG project - and hints that a new pipeline could be in the works for the next phase of announcements - signal a new approach on energy from the federal government?

Also, with word of a very productive meeting between the prime minister and Alberta’s premier, followed by word that the oil and gas emissions cap could be on the chopping block, we’ll also examine Ottawa’s evolving approach to environmental and energy policy. Alberta has repeatedly identified obstacles and irritants that need to be addressed - does Alberta have a point? And is Ottawa starting to concede that point?

In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge takes a closer look at a case in Edmonton that has made national headlines: the horrific murder of an eight-year-old girl and the very public - and controversial - opposition from Edmonton Police to a possible plea deal for the accused killer.

To some, including Alberta’s premier, it’s a welcome jolt to the system and an expression of the frustration that many are feeling about perceived leniency for serious crimes. To others, though, it’s a breach of the important lines of independence that exist in our system between crown prosecutors and police and a potential slippery slope.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Scott Newark, a former Alberta crown prosecutor and executive with the Canadian Police Association. We’ll also have some perspective from Deborah Hatch, an Edmonton criminal defence lawyer and Alberta director with the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers

In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge takes a closer look at the big pipeline announcement last week from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Basically, the Alberta government intends on acting as the main proponent in a pipeline application in the hopes that Ottawa will pick up the ball and green light such a project through the Major Projects Office. 

But there are a lot of specific details lacking here and a lot of questions as to how this will all work. There is no doubt, though, that there is a tremendous amount of political symbolism surrounding a new major project, and this all comes as the Alberta Next process winds down and other more domestic issues threaten the premier’s attempts to keep the relationship with Ottawa at the forefront.

In this episode, Rob chats with Max Fawcett, Calgary-based lead columnist for Canada’s National Observer. We’ll get his thoughts on the strategy behind the premier’s announcement and if her goal and preference is to get a deal with Ottawa or continue to clash with the feds. Plus, what next for Alberta Next as well as the possibility of a potential separation referendum?

In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge explores the politics and economics of the province’s minimum wage policy. 

Effective October 1st, Saskatchewan’s minimum wage rises to $15.35 per hour, leaving Alberta with the lowest minimum wage in the country. In fact, Alberta’s rate has been unchanged since 2018, when the Notley NDP completed their rapid push to $15 per hour. This roller coaster has seen Alberta quickly rise to having the highest minimum wage in the country, before sliding back down to now being the lowest.

But what should that number be, and how and when should the minimum wage change? Ultimately, what is the goal of minimum wage policy?

Our guest this week is Joseph Marchand, professor of economics at the University of Alberta and founding director of the Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research. In 2019, he was named chair of the province’s Expert Panel on Minimum Wage. We’ll get his insight on the impact of these big shifts in minimum wage policy and where we go from here. 

In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge takes a closer look at the debate around education funding in Alberta. The province-wide teachers’ strike has helped to illustrate some of the challenges and frustrations that have been building up in the public school system. Alberta’s population has risen rapidly in recent years, and it’s been a challenge for the system to keep up with sufficient space and teacher levels, leading to crowded classrooms and stressed out educators. Along the way, Alberta has seen its per-student education funding fall to the lowest of all the provinces.

Alberta is also unique in the public dollars that support private education. That funding follows the student and represents 70 per of what the per-student public funding. The broader debate around education policy has drawn in this particular aspect of the Alberta system - should Alberta continue to spend public dollars on private education.

In this episode, we’ll hear two different perspectives on that question. Alicia Taylor is a high school chemistry teacher in Calgary and is the organizer of a petition campaign that is hoping to use Alberta’s legislation to force a referendum on ending public funding of private schools. Meanwhile, Catharine Kavanagh is western stakeholder director at the think tank Cardus - they argue that Alberta’s emphasis on choice in education - and the diversity of options outside of the public system - delivers many benefits.

In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge takes a closer look at the controversy surrounding procurement at Alberta Health Services and what we learned last week with the release of a major report into the matter.


Retired Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant was brought in by the province to conduct a third-party investigation into the contract for the 2022 purchase of children’s pain medication, as well as contracts to conduct publicly-funded surgeries at private clinics.


The report concludes that there were conflicts of interest and that policies were not followed, but it also found no evidence of wrongdoing by any elected officials or any political staffers. The premier's former chief of staff, Marshall Smith, has also denied any wrongdoing.  

The opposition, though, has pointed to limits in the scope of this investigation and say the report only strengthens the case for a public inquiry.


In this episode, a conversation with Carrie Tait, reporter with the Calgary bureau of The Globe and Mail. She has done some important work on this story and helped bring many aspects of this controversy to light. We’ll get her insight on what this report uncovered, what questions remain unanswered, and where this whole scandal goes from here.

In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge takes a closer look at the Alberta government’s decision to introduce back-to-work legislation. 

Alberta teachers went on strike over three weeks ago and after virtually no progress was made at the bargaining table, the Alberta government has taken the opportunity with the fall sitting of the Legislature underway to use the metaphorical hammer to end the strike. Bill 2, the Back to School Act, was tabled in the Legislature Monday afternoon. The expectation is that classes will resume on Wednesday (Oct. 29). 

In bringing an end to the strike, the government is taking two very controversial steps: they’ll be invoking the notwithstanding clause to shield the back-to-work legislation from a Charter challenge and they’ll also be imposing a four-year contract on teachers - the terms of which are very similar to those contained in the offer that was widely rejected by teachers in late September. Suffice to say, this will not go over well.

In this episode, Rob speaks with Peter MacKay, an Alberta teacher who was previously lead negotiator for the Alberta Teachers Association. We’ll get his thoughts on how things got to this point, what led to the strike in the first place, and the pressures teachers are dealing with amid all of these unresolved issues.