Your holiday plans won't be interrupted by another federal election, as Mark Carney's minority Liberal government survives its third confidence vote in as many weeks, passing the federal budget by a vote of 170-168. We talk to Canada's National Observer lead columnist Max Fawcett (6:20 ) about the factors at play (including promises made), and where everything goes from here.

38:30 | Max argues Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's pipeline math doesn't add up. We take a quick look at Globe & Mail reporter Carrie Tait's exclusive on "flexibly-participating doctors" who'd work a parallel public/private format. 

READ MAX'S WORK: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/18/opinion/alberta-pipeline-economics-danielle-smith

1:19:15 | Adele was 24 weeks pregnant with identical twins when she was admitted to the Royal Alexandra Hospital's Antepartum Unit. For the next 62 days, amid considerable stress, she found something beautiful. Adele's story is this week's Echoes of the Alex presented by the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation. 

GIVE TO THE ROYAL ALEX: http://givetoroyalalex.org/

SHARE YOUR ECHO of the ALEX STORY: talk@ryanjespersen.com 

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen 

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen 

REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch

RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: 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.