Real Talk Ryan Jespersen Relay

Did Pierre Poilievre deserve to get kicked out of the House of Commons for calling Justin Trudeau a "wacko PM"? Should Greg Fergus resign as Speaker of the House? How much responsibility should the Prime Minister take for the tone of today's politics? We get into gamesmanship, theatre, and communication strategy in this episode of Real Talk.  
8:35 | But first...was anybody surprised to see the Alberta government walk back its plan to defund public transit supports for seniors and low-income Albertans? We sure weren't. The biggest question now is, who thought that was a good idea in the first place? 
17:40 | Pierre Poilievre was kicked out of the House of Commons this week after calling Justin Trudeau a "wacko PM". Did the Opposition Leader deserve the boot? Did he maybe kinda sorta get ejected on purpose? 
36:50 | Premier Danielle Smith is investing close to $10M to look at ramping up passenger rail in Alberta. Would you take a high speed train between Calgary and Edmonton? How about between Calgary and Banff, or Banff and Jasper? What about a super-network connecting Lethbridge all the way to Fort McMurray? 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
53:55 | Now this is REAL Talk. Ryan reads emails from Ian and Sheryl re: our March 19 interview with sex trade abolitionist Andrea Heinz. 
ANDREA ON REAL TALK: rtrj.info/031924Heinz
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.

Does shooting a puppy and writing about it in a book automatically kill South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's shot at the Vice Presidency? Does defunding a public transit program designed for low-income and senior Albertans make any sense - optically, politically, or otherwise - for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith? 
4:50 | Emmy Award-winning talk radio legend Charles Adler chimes in on Noem, the UCP's public transit cuts (26:20), Minister Randy Boissonnault's uncomfortable ethics predicament (37:15), the electoral future of the Edmonton-Centre federal riding (41:03), Ayahuasca and magic mushrooms for mental health (yeah, you read that right 46:55), Alberta's first municipal political party - TAPYEG (1:01:30), and the Edmonton Oilers matchup against the LA Kings (1:09:05). 
32:55 | May is a perfect time for rock climbing in the Rocky Mountains! In this episode of #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper, we introduce you to the crew at Rockaboo Mountain Adventures. 
GET CLIMBING: https://rockaboo.ca/
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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.

For the first time in Alberta's history, political parties will be players in the October 2025 municipal elections. TAPYEG is the first party to introduce itself to voters in Edmonton. In this episode, we meet some of the people behind TAPYEG, and hear why they believe they can do a better job than the current mayor and council. 
3:34 | TAPYEG board members Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, Naseem Bashir, and Al Amer tell us why they founded the political party/think tank, how they expect to disrupt City Hall, and how they'll pull off a promised tax cut within 100 days of forming municipal government. 
LEARN MORE: https://www.tapyeg.ca/
50:38 | Since Connie Walker's last Real Talk appearance, she's won a Peabody Award and a Pulitzer Prize, and she was just named to TIME's list of The 100 Most Influential People for 2024. We talk to her about the incredible global response to her "Stolen" podcast series, and what it was like to attend the TIME Gala in NYC alongside Dua Lipa, Michael J. Fox and Uma Thurman. 
WATCH CONNIE'S FIRST REAL TALK INTERVIEW IN 2022 | https://rtrj.info/071122Walker
CONNIE'S WORK: https://www.conniewalker.com/
1:28:16 | You have to see these STUNNING photos captured from the cockpit of Real Talker Jodi's plane as she flew over Slave Lake (there's an Edmonton Oilers playoff angle)! Jodi told us she thought they were perfect for Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy...and we agree! 
SUBMIT YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
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.

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: talk@ryanjespersen.com
When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, tell 'em Real Talk sent you!

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: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
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.