Poutine Politics

Cell phones - what would we do without them? No, seriously, what WOULD we do without them, or perhaps more accurately, what COULD we do if we weren't always attached to them? Adam & Mike talk about their interactions with cell phone addiction (and electronics addiction in general) in this week's show.

Welcome to 2020 - new year, same problems. The opioid crisis continues to grow, despite (or because of) the "best efforts" of government and the health care industry, as well as an illegal black market that shows little sign of slowing down. Mike and Adam skim the surface of the epidemic with a brief overview of what's going on, what other options might be available, and an plan to dive a little deeper in the near future.

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?" Adam & Mike take a look back at 2019 through the lens of their released episodes and discuss follow-up to particular topics: Social Media & Censorship - 1:38 Electoral Reform - 7:34 Climate Change - 10:22 Housing - 13:32 Marijuana Legislation - 16:22 WEXIT - 21:12 Ontario Teachers' Strike - 25:00 Vaping - 29:54 Andrew Scheer - 32:00 Thanks To Our Listeners - 40:40

Mike has considered himself a right-leaning voter for a long time, but something seems different with the current trend of Conservative parties in Canada now. Has the party changed, or has he? Why did he used to resonate so well with the Conservative party when he was younger? There was only one way to find out - a comparison of our current Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, and the Premier when Mike was first able to vote (and while Adam was still in elementary and high school) - Mike Harris. Mike and Adam take a trip down Memory Lane to compare the Progressive Conservatives of Mike Harris against the Ontario PC Party of Doug Ford.

Vaping - it's all the rage! And now, people are starting to die, and others are flying off the handle, calling for a ban on e-cigarettes and other vaping products. Most of these health issues are being caused by black market products that are unregulated and uncontrolled. Does this really mean that an overall ban is necessary, or does more need to be done to combat the criminal activity involved? Sounds familiar... Mike & Adam blow a load of smoke (or water vapour...) through the current issues regarding vaping.

It's been just over three months since the collective bargaining agreements for the elementary and secondary school teachers' unions expired in Ontario, and as it stands, no new agreements have been signed. The negotiations between the Progressive Conservative government and the unions has reached a relative standstill. Teachers moved to Phase One of their strike action on November 26th 2019, and the secondary school teachers held a one-day strike on December 4th. With no end in sight to labour unrest, Phase Two actions are potentially on the table, which could result in schools being shut down as teachers move to full strike action. Adam & Mike review the bargaining positions of the teachers' unions, with a view of the government's reactions, and some suggestions that could make the negotiations go smoother (not necessarily for all parties involved, though).

We've been hearing a lot of noise recently about the equalization program. Some Albertans, with a push from their provincial government, argue that the equalization system is broken because the money is unfairly distributed. The question is, which province is really getting the raw deal from equalization? Mike delves into the numbers (while Adam attempts to understand them) to determine who's really got it bad in the equalization game.

I love the smell of corruption in the morning... With the passing of Bill 22 in Alberta, we could be seeing the forced end of the investigations into the United Conservative Party "kamikaze" campaign led by Jeff Callaway, along with a little help from his friends in Jason Kenney's camp. With over $200,000 in fines levied, and getting closer to the end of the story, the position of the Elections Commissioner has been terminated by way of legislation. Adam & Mike take you through the "Coles Notes" of the story and provide their opinion on the situation as a whole!

From the relative quiet of the backbenches, a United Conservative Party MLA introduced Bill 207, "Conscience Rights (Health Care Providers) Protection Act". With near unanimous support from the UCP, the bill has passed first reading and will most likely become law in the next few months. Worries have spread that this bill would allow physicians, pharmacists and other health care professionals to deny services based on their religious beliefs. This could have an affect on womens' rights and trans rights in particular as this bill moves forward. Adam & Mike discuss Bill 207, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and what it all could mean for the people of Alberta.

So, you've decided to separate from Canada. That's a very grown-up decision you've made for yourselves, and we're proud that you're really growing into your own. But separating from Canada isn't exactly as easy as you would think. just look at your cousin, Quebec. They've been down that road before, with the tattoos and the Harley and the partner with questionable morals. It was touch and go for a while, but we brought them back into the fold. Then we made some ground rules for the rest of your family members, in case they have any bright ideas... Mike and Adam take a trip through the process that WEXITers will have to wake up to if they decide to keep going down the path of separation.

It's time for WEXIT WEEK!!! The election's over, the Liberals have a minority, and ALBERTANS WANT TO SEPARATE FROM CANADA? What? Why? Of course, this is just another notch in the belt of "Western Alienation" in Canadian politics. In the first of a two-episode series, Adam & Mike provide a brief history of events that have stoked the flames of anger amongst some people in Alberta.

It's time for a little REEFER MADNESS! On October 17th 2018, Canada officially legalized marijuana for recreational purposes, and is now only one of four nations that has legalized in this way. It hasn't been without its hiccups, unfortunately, but just like any new business opportunity, there is bound to be growing pains. Adam & Mike delve into the numbers to provide a picture of cannabis in Canada!

With the election for the 43rd Parliament coming to a close, it's time to change our focus. This week, we're looking at past and current issues in the housing market in Canada. What have the parties pledged to do, and what do we think of them? What are the pressing concerns to the population regarding housing? Are short-term rentals partially to blame? Mike and Adam give you their take on the housing crisis sweeping the nation!

Promises made, promises kept! The last platform of the 2019 election has finally been released, and it’s the Conservative Party of Canada! Just as Canadians started to sit down for their Thanksgiving dinners, the Conservatives are hoping to turn more undecided voters and their way to take back power in Parliament after their loss in the 2015 election. Is their platform good enough to convince people to vote blue? Is releasing their platform nine days before the election long enough for people to make an informed decision? Adam (and a special guest host) review and provide opinion on how the Conservatives plan “for you to get ahead”. Also, we provide our final opinions on this election in anticipation of election night on October 21st!

It's time for another political platform! The Liberal Party of Canada make the third of our potential four-episode "series" on the political platforms for the 2019 Federal Election in Canada. As the governing party hoping to win another majority government, the Liberals have a lot of work ahead of them, as there are many people across the country that voted for them in 2015 that are disappointed in their results. Will it be enough to knock them off their platform? Is a minority government on the horizon? Take a listen as Adam and Mike provide their opinions on parts of the Liberal platform, and hopefully provide some insight for you in making your decision for the upcoming vote!