The Discourse

After a week off, The Discourse is back, and Alberta politics is as chaotic as ever. We break down Alberta MLA Scott Sinclair’s budget rebellion and why getting booted from the UCP was inevitable, the RCMP’s deep dive into the AHS scandal (sorry, “The Allegations”), and the looming federal election now that Mark Carney has taken the Liberal helm. With caucus drama, corruption probes, and a political reset in Ottawa, there’s no shortage of hot takes.
Segment 1: The Scott Sinclair Situation
An MLA Rebels – Scott Sinclair, Lesser Slave Lake MLA, was booted from the UCP caucus after saying he wouldn’t support the budget.
What Went Wrong? – We dig into how caucus discipline works and why his decision was a political no-go.
Optics vs. Reality – Did he have a point, and could the government have handled this differently?
Comparing to Guthrie – Why did Pete Guthrie survive his controversy while Sinclair got the boot?
Indigenous Representation – The UCP now has zero Indigenous MLAs. What message does that send?
Segment 2: The AHS Scandal – Or Should We Call It “The Allegations”?
RCMP Investigation Begins – Was this inevitable, and what does it mean for the government?
What About the Internal Review? – Will Albertans even care about the government’s own investigation now that the RCMP is involved?
Rolling Crisis – No matter what happens, this is a PR nightmare that will keep dragging the UCP into the headlines.
Statement of Defense Incoming – What will the government argue, and who else might submit one?
Will Cheryl Finally Get an Answer on the 12%? – The most pressing question of our time.
Segment 3: Are We Heading to the Polls?
Mark Carney Takes the Liberal Leadership – A landslide 86% victory makes him Trudeau’s successor.
How Will This Play in Alberta? – Can Carney win over Western Canada, or is he just Trudeau 2.0?
Election Timing – Will the Liberals pull the trigger before the Conservatives define Carney?
What Will This Election Be About? – Carbon taxes? Economic management? Who do Canadians trust more?
What’s Next for the NDP? – Can Jagmeet Singh hold off an election, or is his party stuck in limbo?
We’re back to weekly episodes, so make sure you subscribe on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify to stay up to date. Follow us on X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest takes. See you next Thursday at 5 AM! 🚨

Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes break down Alberta’s 2025-26 budget, tackling its $5.2B deficit, tax cut, healthcare, and education spending. Is this truly a conservative budget (Erika says no!), and what does it mean for Albertans?
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Erika and Cheryl break down the latest developments in the UCP procurement scandal. Former Infrastructure Minister Pete Guthrie has resigned, citing concerns about government transparency. A lucrative land deal and more details about private surgical contracts are raising more questions. 
Plus, questions are swirling about UCP influence over the Edmonton Police Commission, and the Premier’s handling of the controversy (or lack thereof).
🔹 Key topics in this episode:
Pete Guthrie’s bombshell resignation—what it means and what’s next
The land deal linked to the procurement scandal
New data showing private surgeries costing double AHS rates
UCP’s quiet moves to take control of the Edmonton Police Commission
The government’s next steps—and how this scandal might shape the narrative
New episodes drop every Thursday at 5 AM—follow, subscribe, and stay tuned for our Budget Special on February 28!
📢 Join the conversation: What should this scandal be called? Comment below or hit us up on X, Instagram, and TikTok.
🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts!

It’s been a rough week for the Alberta government. The former CEO of Alberta Health Services, Athana Mentzelopoulos, has filed a $1.7 million lawsuit against the province, setting off a chain reaction that now includes cabinet ministers breaking ranks and a major press conference from Premier Danielle Smith.
In this episode, Erika and Cheryl break down:✅ What the lawsuit means for the government’s credibility✅ Health Minister Adriana LaGrange’s future – is she on the chopping block?✅ Pete Guthrie’s bold cabinet confidentiality leak – calculated or accidental?✅ The political fallout: villains, victims, and strategic missteps
🎧 Plus: What does this mean for the UCP’s healthcare reforms? Are they losing momentum just as they try to reshape the system? And Erika dives deep into changes the government is making to the way mental healthcare is delivered and opens up about her own struggles.  
📌 Also in this episode:📢 Smith’s last-minute decision to pull out of Washington – is it about the budget, or is she dodging bad press?💰 Alberta’s $10M eating disorder funding – are recovery centres really the best option?🔮 Can the government recover from this, or is the damage done?
👀 Next week: Special Pre & Post Budget Episodes!We’re doubling up with two episodes next week—before and after the budget drops. Don’t miss our analysis and hot takes!
🔔 New episodes every Thursday at 5 AM.📲 Follow us on X, Instagram, and TikTok for updates.👍 Like & subscribe on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts!

The AHS bombshell that could bring down Alberta's Premier.
Plus, US tariffs are coming for your wallet: Hidden costs in your grocery cart and a hit to Alberta businesses.
Join us as we expose the explosive AHS scandal threatening the government, and get expert insights from Alberta Food Producers Association Executive Director, Bianca Parsons, on how tariffs will affect you and local industries.
 
Want to support local businesses? 
 
Go to madeinalberta.co and localizeyourfood.com to learn how.

In a surprising twist, this episode explores how Premier Danielle Smith's diplomatic dance intersects with Justin Trudeau's unexpected moment of diplomatic finesse. Our hosts reveal a rare moment of cross-party solidarity, where even New Democratic and Conservative voices grudgingly acknowledge Trudeau's strategic tariff negotiations. 

Dive into the chaos of Alberta politics as we unpack the controversial COVID-19 report and explore Alberta’s uneasy ties with the Trump era. Plus, we dig deep into coal mining drama and the UCP’s policy flip-flops.

We dive into Premier Danielle Smith's US strategy, her approach to President Trump’s tariff threat and what it reveals about her political calculus and end goals.
Tune in for sharp analysis, a few laughs, and some unexpected common ground.