Power & Politics

Prime Minister Mark Carney is Alberta making the case for a united Canada, campaigning against the province triggering a vote on separation. The Reporter Roundtable lays out the stakes as the referendum countdown enters the final days. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Calgary, making the case for a united Canada just four days until Albertans vote on whether they want to separate from the country. Power & Politics has the latest from our reporters on the ground. Plus, the federal government says everything is on the table as it considers legal action against Stelco steel layoffs. P&P hears from the union representing Stelco's workers on what action they'd like to see from Ottawa.

Get out the vote campaigns are in full swing in Alberta with just five days until the province's referendum on separation. Power & Politics hears from Forever Canadian founder and former Alberta deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk. Plus, a right-hand man for former British prime minister David Cameron talks about what lessons Canada should take from Brexit. The Power Panel weighs in.

Advance voting begins for Alberta's Oct. 19 referendum, with the question of separation on the ballot. That's as Prime Minister Mark Carney will be in Alberta this week pushing for a united Canada. Power & Politics hears from a pollster on how Albertans are feeling heading into that vote. Government House leader Steven MacKinnon joins P&P to talk foreign interference threats in Canada's elections. Plus, Stelco's U.S. owner could face legal action from the federal government for planned layoffs at its Hamilton plant. NDP Leader Avi Lewis makes his case for Ottawa to nationalize the steelmaker.

Premier Danielle Smith wants to “vote and move on” but is that even possible? For separatists like Mitch Sylvestre, this referendum on Alberta’s future might not be the end. With an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots requested, Sylvestre says he has cause to be suspicious if his side doesn’t get at least 40 per cent support. Host Kathleen Petty and CBC senior reporter Julia Wong look at the stakes and what could come after the vote.Plus, conservative strategist Michael Solberg and political science professor Clark Banack weigh in on the trouble brewing for Smith. Half of United Conservative Party supporters are considering a vote in favour of a second binding referendum on separation. Is Smith’s leadership on the line if they don’t get what they want? And how does a divided governing party move forward after this vote?Background listening:For more on the parallels between Alberta and a promised future referendum in Quebec, check out West of Centre’s interview last year with Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. Here’s the link:https://link.mgln.ai/RPeKzE Host: Kathleen PettyGuests: Julia Wong, Michael Solberg, Clark BanackProducers: Emily Senger, Emily Williams, Diane Yanko, Josh PagéCanada is complicated. Alberta has opinions. Ride shotgun with host Kathleen Petty on West of Centre for conversations about the state of politics in Canada, as power and influence shifts West. Whether you live here or just can't look away, you’ll get the no-nonsense analysis you need to make sense of it all. More episodes here: https://link.mgln.ai/PWcuMy