The Discourse

Erika Barootes and Cheryl Oates are seasoned political insiders from opposite sides of the aisle — and they’re not afraid to disagree. The Discourse is your backstage pass to the biggest issues in Canadian politics, featuring sharp takes, real talk, and unexpected common ground. It’s proof that politics doesn’t have to be a shouting match — it can be a damn good conversation.
Podcast Description
Erika Barootes and Cheryl Oates are seasoned political insiders from opposite sides of the aisle — and they’re not afraid to disagree. The Discourse is your backstage pass to the biggest issues in Canadian politics, featuring sharp takes, real talk, and unexpected common ground. It’s proof that politics doesn’t have to be a shouting match — it can be a damn good conversation.
Episodes
Episodes



Dec 5, 2024
Alberta's great political unifier: Rats
Dec 5, 2024
Dec 5, 2024
26 min
On this episode of The Discourse we take you on a journey through history on the one thing Alberta political parties have agreed on for over 100 years, and it's not Taylor Swift! In a world where rats thrive almost everywhere, Alberta -on brand- stands as a defiant outlier. We talk to Alberta's rat control expert, Karen Wickerson about how and why.



Nov 28, 2024
Health care or health chaos?
Nov 28, 2024
Nov 28, 2024
44 min
In this episode of The Discourse, we take a hard look at the UCP's controversial restructuring of Alberta Health Services (AHS). What's driving these changes, and are they delivering results—or creating more problems? Tune in as we unpack the motives, the impact, and what it all means for health care in Alberta.



Nov 21, 2024
Nov 21, 2024
47 min
In this episode of The Discourse, we get honest about our own parties: what bugs us and what we wish they would do differently. Plus- how the two sides campaign and who is doing it better in 2024. The consensus may surprise you!



Nov 14, 2024
What the UCP hopes you won't notice
Nov 14, 2024
Nov 14, 2024
41 min
In this episode of The Discourse, we talk about what the Alberta UCP has been up to lately- things that seem boring but could have significant consequences for Albertans -- including firing the AIMCo board and CEO, interfering in professional bodies and messing with riding boundaries.



Nov 7, 2024
Nov 7, 2024
41 min
In this episode of The Discourse Podcast, Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes talk about the US election and what it means for Canada, Premier Danielle Smith's leadership review, Naheed Nenshi's leadership strategy and the shifting tides in Saskatchewan’s political scene.



May 30, 2024
Danielle Smith: "I have no regrets"
May 30, 2024
May 30, 2024
58 min
Don’t miss a minute of this episode, as Danielle Smith holds nothing back: answering her critics, assessing her biggest wins, and plotting out her next three years as premier.Thank you for subscribing to our YouTube channel and telling your friends and family to do the same!
We're proud to partner and be members of Pocket Lobbyist, an online, membership-based platform to anticipate, interpret, and mitigate political risk.
Visit www.pocketlobbyist.com to learn more.



May 23, 2024
Forget Pride: Erika Has No Shame!
May 23, 2024
May 23, 2024
39 min
Cheryl's still wrapping her mind around Erika's argument re: the UCP getting banned from Pride. Don't miss that exchange midway through this episode. But first, we take a look at renowned pollster Janet Brown's latest numbers. Stick around as Erika and Cheryl analyze the "new look" Alberta NDP.
Thanks for liking and sharing this episode, and subscribing to The Discourse on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts!
Don't forget to follow us on X @TheDiscourse__ and on Instagram @thediscoursepod
We're proud to partner and be members of Pocket Lobbyist, an online, membership-based platform to anticipate, interpret, and mitigate political risk.
Visit www.pocketlobbyist.com to learn more.



May 16, 2024
Another UCP Power Grab
May 16, 2024
May 16, 2024
1hr 55 sec
The UCP introduces yet another contentious bill aimed at municipalities. Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse joins Erika and Cheryl post-leadership debate…or was it the “hugging town hall”?








