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. 5d ago

    PODCAST: Corb Lund responds to Elections Alberta; How Albertans feel about the October referendum questions

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a look back on a very busy week in Alberta. We start with a re-cap of the string of major announcements from the premier, including more pipeline projects and a major data centre investment in the province. What does this all mean for the economic and political climate in Alberta? Also, we check back in with Alberta country music artist Corb Lund to get the latest on where things stand with the Water Not Coal movement. Elections Alberta has announced that their analysis suggests that the group’s petition - which aims to ban coal development along the eastern slopes of the Rockies - has fallen just short of the threshold to trigger a referendum. This comes after the premier had already indicated that it would be too late to put the question on the ballot. Lund, though, has some serious questions and concerns about this entire process - we’ll find out more. Plus, a closer look at the questions that will be on the ballot in the fall - how Albertans are feeling about these issues and what the questions themselves reveal. New polling from the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) shows that Albertans are expressing their Canadian pride at levels as high or higher than other provinces, which is an interesting backdrop to a question related to separation. A separate ACS poll shows that Albertans - and other Canadians - are supportive of the government’s other questions on immigration and constitutional reform. However, given the wording of the questions and the desired outcomes, it’s less clear where public opinion is really at on these matters. We’ll speak with Jack Jedwab, President and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies . Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Jul 3

    PODCAST: Pipeline Progress? Unpacking Carney and Smith’s West Coast Deal

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show: a closer look at Thursday’s big pipeline announcement and whether a new west coast pipeline has truly taken a major step toward becoming reality. Following announcements and agreements with the premiers of both B.C. and Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney looks to have laid the groundwork for a west coast pipeline to be approved and fast-tracked under the Major Projects Office. B.C. will get billions in support for new energy projects and infrastructure and Ottawa has agreed to keep the tanker ban in place for B.C.’s northern coast. In return, B.C. will not challenge the new pipeline project The Alberta pipeline proposal will instead take a southern route to the coast, similar to the route of the Trans Mountain expansion. That’s likely the quickest path to building a new pipeline, and the route that would face the least amount of opposition. There’s much more to be sorted out, however, including how this pipeline will be paid for, and how the other pieces will fit in. Premier Danielle Smith says more details are forthcoming about an agreement with the Oilsands Alliance to both increase production to fill this pipe and to move forward with the Pathways carbon capture and storage project. We’ll dive into all of it, as we’re joined this week by Heather Exner-Pirot, Senior Fellow and Director of Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and special advisor at the Business Council of Canada. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Jun 25

    PODCAST: Signatures Ignored? Corb Lund on Alberta’s Coal Petition and Premier's Referendum Hypocrisy

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a conversation with Alberta country musician and Water Not Coal petition organizer Corb Lund. The goal of the petition campaign was to force a referendum on banning coal mining projects in the eastern slopes of the Rockies. After months of hard work, the petitions have been submitted to Elections Alberta. Based on their count, Lund says they cleared more than 200,000 signatures - well above the legislated petition threshold. Yet, after previous reassurances that the question would appear alongside the ten others on the October ballot, Premier Danielle Smith is now saying that’s too late to include the Water Not Coal question. Lund shares his thoughts on the journey to this point, his frustration over the lack of transparency around the process and the disappointment stemming from previous assurances he received directly from the premier. Plus, where does this all go from here? Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

  4. Jun 19

    PODCAST: Lorne Gunter on the premier's gas tax flip flop and whether her case for Canada is landing

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, veteran political columnist Lorne Gunter joins Rob to break down another fascinating political week in Alberta. We start with the announcement this week from Premier Danielle Smith that the province is forsaking a mandate gas tax cut and instead opting to send $100 rebates to over three million Albertans. While affordability remains a top concern in the province, the announcement has not gone over well. We’ll also take a look at the latest on the separation debate and whether the premier’s referendum strategy - and the case she’s making against separation - is landing with Albertans. A couple of recent polls show that support for separation appears to be softening. But we also had a new report out this week detailing the significant contribution Alberta makes to Confederation. Gunter says this remains a key frustration for many Albertans and it’s important for federalists to understand where that frustration comes from. The case against separation cannot simply be an endorsement of the status quo. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Jun 12

    PODCAST: Protecting Kids or Compromising Privacy Rights? Unpacking the Unintended Consequences of Bill C-34

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a closer look at Ottawa’s new Bill C-34, also known as the Safe Social Media Act. The bill including a new ban on social media for children under 16 (with some exceptions), and also creates the new Digital Safety Commission to over see the newly created ‘duty to act responsibly” “duty to protect children” that the bill imposes on social media companies. To better understand what this might all mean in practice, we’re joined by one of Canada’s leading experts on digital law and policy: Dr. Michael Geist, law professor at the University of Ottawa and Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law. Prof. Geist outlines his concerns with the bill, especially when it comes to the privacy implications of the age verification requirement that the social media ban will require. Overall, though, Prof. Geist says there are many unanswered questions with this bill, especially given that many of the details will be sorted out in regulations only after the bill is passed. We’ll also look at why so much seems to be happening all at once on this front, with Bill C-34, Bill C-22 (lawful access bill), the new A.I. strategy, and the new CRTC rules and culture requirements on foreign streaming companies. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

    PODCAST: Protecting Kids or Compromising Privacy Rights? Unpacking the Unintended Consequences of Bill C-34

  6. Jun 5

    PODCAST: Is Canada in a recession? Or, is it a "technical" recession...

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, the latest on the state of the Canadian economy and the debate sparked this week over whether Canada has fallen into recession. We’ll hear from Charles St-Arnaud, Chief Economist with Servus Credit Union, who notes that while the last two quarters show a small contraction, the overall trend has been stagnant, dragged down by reduced population growth, lagging productivity, and stalled household purchasing power. We’ll find out whether there’s reason for optimism as to whether things can turn in the right direction. We’ll also have a closer look at the potential impacts of two key pieces of federal legislation. Bill C-22 (The Lawful Access Act) and Bill C-9 (The Combating Hate Act) are both on the verge of becoming law, but both could have major implications for privacy and free speech in Canada. We’ll hear from Josh Dehaas, Interim Litigation Director with the Canadian Constitution Foundation, about what the government is trying to accomplish through these bills, and what the concerns are. Plus, the latest on the debate in Alberta over separation and the province’s future in Confederation. Two new polls provide an interesting snapshot of where public opinion is at, and the premier ruffled some separatist feathers this week by laying out the significant costs that Alberta would bear if it chose to leave Canada. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

  7. May 29

    PODCAST: Why Alberta Needs to Lead, Not Leave

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, the debate around Alberta’s future is heating up amid the official announcement of the October 19th referendum. We’ll be joined by Ken Boessenkool, who’s one of the founders of a new group called Lead Not Leave, which also includes former Alberta finance ministers Jim Dinning and Travis Toews. Their goal is to make the case for keeping the province in Confederation, while at the same time advancing ideas to strengthen both Alberta and Canada. They argue that separation is not a solution. Plus, a new study from the Montreal Economic Institute examines the evidence for government-run grocery stores - an idea that seems to be catching on in both Canada and the United States. The study concludes, though, that such an approach won’t address the problem of high food prices, and will create other problems along the way. We’ll hear from study author and MEI senior fellow Charles Lammam. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

  8. May 22

    PODCAST: Referendum on a Referendum - A Muddled Question to Decide Alberta’s Future

    In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we’ll focus on the major development that occurred this week in Alberta: the announcemengt from Premier Danielle Smith of an October referendum on Alberta’s future. The question itself is controversial though: it's not one where the outcome means Alberta separates from Canada, but it’s not a meaningless question, either. It’s muddled enough that neither sides seems to happy. We’ll hear from Thomas Lukaszuk, founder of the group Forever Canadian. The first part of the premier’s question does mirror the Forever Canadian petition question, although Lukaszuk maintains their efforts were to head off a separatist referendum. We’ll get his thoughts on how we got to this point, the remarkable scenes this week at the committee tasked with reviewing his petition, and the campaign pivot for Forever Canadian now that this referendum campaign is underway. We’ll also find out how this is being received on the independence side of this debate and what now for the separation movement, as we’re joined by Derek Fildebrandt, president, publisher, and CEO of the Western Standard. We’ll get his reaction to Smith’s announcement and framing of the question and how this ensuing campaign is shaping up. Plus, we’ll look at the influence of the separatist movement within the UCP and how much of a threat now exists to Smith’s leadership. Get full access to Rob Breakenridge at robbreakenridge.substack.com/subscribe

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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
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rob Breakenridge
  • Show Website
    Rob Breakenridge Show

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