The Discourse

No MOU, No CUSMA, No Problem — If You're Not From Alberta

The April 1st deadline on the Alberta-Ottawa MOU came and went and Ottawa delivered nothing. No announcement, no framework, no signal that the federal government is taking Alberta's concerns seriously. This week Erika is joined by Gitane De Silva, former Deputy Minister of Alberta's International and Intergovernmental Relations, former CEO of the Canadian Energy Regulator, and Founder and President of GDStrategic, to break down what that missed deadline actually means for the relationship between this province and Ottawa. They dig into what federal ministers making the rounds in Calgary are really trying to accomplish, whether any of it moves the needle, and what a trade war layered on top of rising instability in Iran means for Alberta energy producers and agricultural communities that are already navigating an incredibly uncertain environment.

The UCP Telling You How to Live… Again

In this episode of The Discourse, Erika Barootes and Shannon Greer break down a busy week in Alberta politics, where the most talked-about moment didn’t come from the budget itself, but from a private plane.
They dig into the controversy around government travel and whether it’s a real issue or just political theatre, before turning to new legislation on medical assistance in dying (MAID) and the broader ethical and policy debates it’s set to ignite.
The conversation also looks at Alberta’s dual practice health-care model and why it’s drawing attention across the country, raising questions about capacity, fairness, and a potential doctor drain. Finally, they zoom out to the federal stage, where the NDP leadership race is less about a new leader and more about the party’s identity heading into 2026.
It’s a mix of optics, policy, and political positioning—and what actually matters to voters.

Rosé and Referendums

In this episode of The Discourse, Erika Barootes is joined by guest co-host Sabrina Grover for a candid, wine-in-hand conversation about what is really shaping Alberta politics right now. With the legislature back in session but little headline legislation on the table, the focus shifts to the bigger conversations happening outside the chamber.
Erika and Sabrina unpack Alberta’s referendum debate, rising separation rhetoric, immigration pressures, pipeline politics, and the growing tension between provincial priorities and national unity. Drawing on their very different political journeys, they also debate the future of conservatism in Alberta, Mark Carney’s appeal to red Tories, and whether Naheed Nenshi has capitalized on his early momentum.
It’s equal parts political analysis and spirited debate between friends who don’t always agree—but aren’t afraid to dig into the issues shaping Alberta’s next chapter.

Red Ink and Red Flags: Alberta Budget 2026

In this episode, Erika Barootes and Keith McLaughlin break down Alberta’s latest budget, tackling the growing deficit, tax strategy, and what it all means for healthcare, education, and frontline services. They dig into the pressure immigration places on public systems, debate the future of the Heritage Savings Trust Fund, weigh in on minimum wage, and unpack the shifting political dynamics shaping Alberta’s next moves.

Immigration, Alienation, and the Fracturing of Canada

In this episode of The Discourse, Erika Barootes is joined by guest co-host Supriya Dwivedi for a sharp, no-nonsense conversation on Canada’s growing immigration and separation tensions. Together, they unpack rising separatist sentiment in Alberta, strained federal-provincial relations, and the hard questions around immigration levels, integration, and economic capacity. From Alberta to Quebec, this episode confronts the leadership vacuum, policy contradictions, and public frustration shaping Canada’s next chapter — and asks what it will take to hold the country together.

Immigration, Alienation, and the Fracturing of Canada

In this episode of The Discourse, Erika Barootes is joined by guest co-host Supriya Dwivedi for a sharp, no-nonsense conversation on Canada’s growing immigration and separation tensions. Together, they unpack rising separatist sentiment in Alberta, strained federal-provincial relations, and the hard questions around immigration levels, integration, and economic capacity. From Alberta to Quebec, this episode confronts the leadership vacuum, policy contradictions, and public frustration shaping Canada’s next chapter — and asks what it will take to hold the country together.

What Really Divide Us - With Ryan Jespersen

In our final episode of 2025, we’re joined by Ryan Jespersen of Real Talk for a deeper conversation about what’s really driving political division in Canada. We start with the latest floor crossing from the Conservatives to the Liberals and what it means for parliamentary math, stability, and the way political “inside baseball” often matters a lot more to partisan circles than it does to people outside them.
Then we zoom out to the bigger forces underneath the headlines: the Liberal move toward the centre under Mark Carney, what that opens up for the NDP, and how labels like “conservative” and “progressive” have shifted in meaning. We also get into the real-world stakes behind ideological debates on health care and public services, then close with practical advice for navigating political conversations over the holidays.

The Truth About the UCP AGM (And What It Means for Danielle Smith)

Danielle Smith gets booed at her own victory lap. This week on The Discourse, Cheryl and Erika unpack the UCP AGM drama: the pipeline MOU that was supposed to unite the party, the organized but noisy independence faction, and what the board results actually say about Smith’s grip on her base. Erika talks about being in the room and how Mark Carney’s pipeline deal has even her backing away from independence talk.
Then they dive into the resolutions and red meat: abortion and public funding in the third trimester, flag bans dressed up as “neutrality,” fights over fluoride, a revolt against the government’s own no-fault insurance plan, and the UCP’s apparent obsession with stopping the Progressive Conservative Party resurection. Cheryl rants about Smith’s new two-tier healthcare model as the beginning of the end of Canadian medicare, and the two clash over the government’s latest “stand your ground”-style gun motion under the Sovereignty Act. It’s one part governance nerd, one part convention gossip, and one part very real warning about where Alberta politics is headed next.