Rob Breakenridge Show

Rob Breakenridge
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Veteran broadcaster and journalist Rob Breakenridge brings you important and fascinating conversations and offers an in-depth look at the major issues facing Alberta, the West, and Canada. robbreakenridge.substack.com

  1. 4D AGO

    PODCAST: Spending rises, deficit soars in bad news Alberta budget. Is fiscal conservatism dead?

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we’ll look at the bleak state of Alberta’s finances in the aftermath of a new budget awash in red ink. The new budget forecasts a deficit of $9.37-billion followed by subsequent deficits for the foreseeable future - all of which violates the government’s own fiscal framework. Spending has reached a record level of almost $84-billion and the budget has become even more reliant on resource revenues. Approximately $24-billion in resource revenue would be needed by next year just to balance the budget. Debt is set to surpass $100-billion, leaving a mounting annual cost of servicing that debt - now over $3-billion. So what’s become of the government’s commitment to fiscal conservatism and responsible fiscal management? What’s it going to take to bridge this huge gap between what the government believes it needs to spend versus what’s its prepared to raise in revenue? We’ll speak with Kris Sims, Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and get her assessment of this budget and where things are headed fiscally in Alberta. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

    33 min

  2. FEB 20

    PODCAST: Smith’s Gambit - Lorne Gunter on Alberta’s Referendum Strategy

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we’re joined by Edmonton-based Postmedia columnist Lorne Gunter to take a closer look at some major political developments this week. We start with some reaction and analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down many of Donald Trump’s tariffs. How excited or relieved should Canadians be and what next for the Canada-U.S. relationship and the prospect of saving the CUSMA trade deal. We’ll also delve into the televised address from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, which warned about a difficult upcoming budget, but also laid out plans for a number of referendum questions - specifically around immigration policy and constitutional reform - to be put to Albertans on October 19th? Is this smart strategy? A distraction or scapegoat? And could this take the wind out of the sails of separatists? Plus, as Canada seeks closer trade ties with China, a new report from the Montreal Institute for Global Security warns Canada not to be “naïve” about the threat posed by China. This report examines the phenomenon of transnational repression and the threat it represents to security and democracy in Canada. We’ll be joined by Phil Gurski, one of the report’s co-authors. He spent over 30 years in Canada’s intelligence community and is now a fellow at MIGS. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

    39 min

  3. FEB 13

    Symbolic Victory or Turning Point? The U.S. House Votes Against Tariffs, but CUSMA uncertainty remains

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, the latest on the Canada-U.S. relationship amid new threats from Donald Trump and a hopeful sign in the U.S. Congress as the House of Representatives voted to end tariffs on Canada. Of course, this doesn’t end all of this trade drama and it may not even end these specific tariffs. There is still a pending U.S. Supreme Court decision on the legality and constitutionality of many of Trump’s tariffs and there is also still the CUSMA/USMCA renegotiations. Trump’s sudden focus on the new Gordie Howe International Bridge shows the degree to which all of this is still very volatile and unpredictable. We’re joined in this episode by Bryan Riley, director of the Free Trade Initiative at the Washington, DC-based National Taxpayers Union. We’ll get his thoughts on the significance of this week’s developments, and also take a broader look at the negative impact of tariffs and trade barriers, why free trade is worth preserving, and whether it’s possible to rebuild a pro-trade consensus. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

    42 min

  4. FEB 6

    PODCAST: Spencer Fernando on Trump's shadow, Poilievre's dilemma, Harper's leadership, and Carney's maneuvering

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a conversation with widely followed political commentator and analyst Spencer Fernando. We’ll take a closer look at how U.S. President Donald Trump continues to turn Canadian politics on its head and how Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre needs to speak to this challenge and confront this threat. Also, we’ll discuss former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s re-emergence on the national political scene and the important words he offered for how Canada needs to respond to the external threat of Trump and internal threats to national unity. Plus, Prime Minister Mark Carney abandons yet another Trudeau-era policy as the Liberal government tries to navigate the new trade landscape. YouTube: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

    34 min

  5. JAN 30

    As Conservatives gather in Calgary, Pierre Poilievre takes centre stage

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we’ll take a closer look at the state of the Conservative Party of Canada and the leadership of Pierre Poilievre. Conservatives are gathering in Calgary this weekend for their annual convention, which will feature an important speech from Poilievre before a leadership review. We’ll speak with Ben Woodfinden, who’s a senior advisor with Meredith, Boessenkool, & Phillips and a former communications director for Pierre Poilievre. We’ll get his perspective on how secure Poilievre’s position in, how the leader has shaped the party and Canadian conservatism, and what to expect in 2026. Plus, the latest from the premiers’ gathering this week in Ottawa amid questions about Alberta separation, foreign interference, and the possibility of building a new pipeline to the west coast. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

    39 min

  6. JAN 23

    PODCAST: Andrew Coyne on Carney's Davos moment - and what it means for the Canada-U.S. relationship

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we look back on a dramatic and consequential week for Canada. Following the announcement of a Canada-China trade deal in Beijing, Prime Minister Mark Carney was off to Davos and the World Economic Forum, where he delivered a speech of considerable significance - one that did not go unnoticed by U.S. President Donald Trump. We’re joined by Globe & Mail columnist Andrew Coyne for a conversation about this new Carney doctrine, and what it means for our relationship with the U.S. - as well as our relationship with our NATO partners and European allies. Is this really a turning point? Has there really been a “rupture” in the rules-based international order? Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

    41 min

  7. JAN 16

    PODCAST: Could these latest protests spell the end for Iran's Islamic Republic?

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a conversation with Kaveh Shahrooz about the protests in Iran and whether this constitutes a new revolution that could finally spell an end to the Khomeinist Islamic Republic. Kaveh is a lawyer and human rights activist, as well as a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and has been closely following events in Iran. After more than two weeks of protests, the situation appears at a tipping point. The Iranian regime has cracked down hard on protesters, but is this movement now too big to stop? We’ll also have the latest on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s high-stakes visit to Beijing. Will Canada make a trade breakthrough with China? And, if so, at what cost? Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

    41 min

  8. JAN 9

    PODCAST: Why Venezuelan oil isn't a threat to Canada - for now

    Welcome to this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, as we delve into the biggest story of the new year: the American intervention in Venezuela and the US president’s desire to dramatically ramp up Venezuelan oil production and exports. Given that Venezuela’s heavy crude is very similar to the product Canada exports, could this represent a threat to Canada’s market share in the US? We’ll get some insight from commodity analyst Rory Johnston. We’ll also hear from Servus Credit Union chief economist Charles St-Arnaud, who argues in a new report that this should be a wake-up call for Canada and add further urgency to efforts to build the necessary infrastructure for Canada to diversify its trading partners and reduce its reliance on the US. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

    40 min
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About

Veteran broadcaster and journalist Rob Breakenridge brings you important and fascinating conversations and offers an in-depth look at the major issues facing Alberta, the West, and Canada. robbreakenridge.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Rob Breakenridge
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rob Breakenridge
  • Show Website
    Rob Breakenridge Show

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