Real Talk Ryan Jespersen Relay

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!  
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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
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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.

Claire Porter Robbins is just back from Jerusalem, where she's been covering the Israel-Hamas war for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Globe & Mail. Prior to that, she worked for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza. 
2:15 | Claire tells us about the grim state of healthcare in Gaza, including reports of mass graves at the Nasser and al-Shifa hospitals. She talks about the psychological impact of war on children, Canada's military presence in Israel/Palestine, and whether or not there's any hope for peace in the region.
CHECK OUT CLAIRE'S WORK: https://www.claireporterrobbins.com/
52:35 | Ryan reads an email from Real Talker "Selinger" about bias and opinion in interviews. 
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
1:02:25 | The Fairmont Jasper Park Golf Course opens May 10! If you're looking to get your swing ready for opening day, we've got you covered in #MyJasper Memories presented by our friends at Tourism Jasper. 
BOOK YOUR JPL GOLF GETAWAY: https://www.jaspermountaingolf.com/
1:05:15 | Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton raised more than a few eyebrows with her assessment of Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's social media posts aimed at Premier Danielle Smith during our April 23 interview. Ryan and Johnny get into some of your feedback. 
MISSED MAYOR CLAYTON ON REAL TALK? WATCH NOW: rtrj.info/042324GP
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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.

All eyes are on Grande Prairie as the northern Alberta city bids adieu to the RCMP and welcomes its own municipal police service. "GP" becomes the first Alberta city since Camrose in 1956 to introduce a new police service, and both proponents and critics of Premier Danielle Smith's plan to establish a provincial police force will be paying close attention to how the transition plays out. 
2:30 | Mayor Jackie Clayton explains the move away from the RCMP, how she thinks the Provincial Priorities Act will impact Grande Prairie (19:00), municipal political parties (26:17), GP's approach to clearing homeless encampments (34:30), cost of living and skyrocketing utilities (41:55), her take on the future of hydrogen (45:30), Premier Danielle Smith's musings about Red Deer as a city of million people (47:40), the Alberta is Calling campaign (51:00), her hesitation around "15 Minute Cities" (52:40), and the looming wildfire season (57:20). 
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE INTERVIEW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: @realtalkrj 
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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.

When you think of the state of Planet Earth, do you feel optimism or dread? We couldn't blame you for having a bit of a pit in your stomach, considering everything we see in the news. We humans are tough on our home planet. Is it possible to reverse the negative impacts we create, and preserve a healthy future for generations to come? In this special Earth Day episode of Real Talk, we hear about amazing research being done in Alberta that could address our plastic problem in particular (56:45), but also oil spills and other environmental catastrophes. 
2:50 | But first...federal Jobs Minister Randy Boissonnault joins Ryan in studio ahead of his address to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. We talk about the Canadian Hydrogen Convention, carbon capture, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith telling Ottawa to stay in its lane re: federal funding for housing, healthcare, and research. Plus, Ryan asks Randy about the rumour a car's been parked outside his house for the past week with "Axe the Tax" signs. 
25:45 | Charles Adler tells us what he thinks the cops need to do about the protestor parked outside Minister Boissonnault's house. We talk about a protest outside Parliament over the weekend, where demonstrators chanted "October 7th, we're almost free...long live October 7th!"
56:45 | It's Earth Day! What're we going to do about our plastic problem? Microplastics are being discovered on Mount Everest, the deepest depths of the ocean, and in placentas. Athabasca University researcher Dr. Srijak Bhatnagar tells us how microbes could be a big part of the solution, and not just for plastic waste. 
LEARN MORE: https://www.athabascau.ca/news/research/microbes-environment
REAL TALK WORLD WATER DAY ROUND TABLE: rtrj.info/032124Water
1:42:20 | Our hearts are full after the Evening of Hope Gala. Ryan gives a special shout out to Real Talker AJ and everybody who's signed their organ donor card in this week's Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Renewable Energy. 
GET A FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
SEND US YOUR POSITIVE REFLECTION: 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.

Dwayne says Danielle Smith is a threat to medical research in Alberta, KP and Rene say Premier Smith's bang on with Bill 18, and Gabe has a bone to pick with Charles Adler. 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!