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The Brief: What would a Federal Conservative government mean for Canada?

BCA Podcasts

Release Date: 11/20/2024

The Brief: Is Flying Canada's Ticket to Affordable Transportation? (with Richard Bartrem) show art The Brief: Is Flying Canada's Ticket to Affordable Transportation? (with Richard Bartrem)

BCA Podcasts

As the world’s second-largest country by landmass, but ranked 188th in population density, Canada depends on air travel as a crucial part of its transportation infrastructure. BCA's economists recently unpacked the issue of why flying costs more in Canada than elsewhere in their latest commentary, so podcast host Scott Crockatt invited former WestJet executive and airline industry expert Richard Bartrem onto the podcast to dive into the findings and hear some of Richard's own insights. Richard argues that while airline fares have fallen in half, government fees have increased more, and...

info_outline The Brief: Mike Holden on why Bill C-5 is a good start, but not a complete strategy show art The Brief: Mike Holden on why Bill C-5 is a good start, but not a complete strategy

BCA Podcasts

Bill C-5 — otherwise known by its full name, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act — is now officially law. While the name may be a mouthful, its goal is clear: to finally fix what Canada has long struggled with, which is getting major projects approved and built faster. But is C-5 just what the economy ordered, or will it struggle to achieve its intentions and become another overpromised, underdelivered piece of policy? Scott Crockatt is joined by BCA's VP of Policy and Chief Economist Mike Holden to answer this very question.  ...

info_outline The Brief: Tyler Meredith and a Liberal Government Temperature Check show art The Brief: Tyler Meredith and a Liberal Government Temperature Check

BCA Podcasts

In this episode of The Brief, host Scott Crockatt is joined by Tyler Meredith, founding partner of Meredith Boessenkool and Phillips and a leading Canadian policy and economic advisor who served eight years in the Canadian government.  Meredith, a former Canadian government advisor, highlights three key issues: managing the threat of Donald Trump, addressing economic concerns (particularly underinvestment and promoting competition), and fostering national unity. He emphasizes Carney's market-based progressive approach, focusing on solving macroeconomic problems. Regarding energy...

info_outline C-Suite Unplugged: Rich Kruger, President & CEO of Suncor show art C-Suite Unplugged: Rich Kruger, President & CEO of Suncor

BCA Podcasts

BCA President Adam Legge is joined by one of the most iconic leaders in Canada's energy sector, Rich Kruger, President and CEO of Suncor Energy, for a very special interview on C-Suite Unplugged. Rich talks about a career in the oil and gas industry that spans over 40 years and some of the roles that took him from Minnesota to Texas to the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and now here in Alberta.  Adam and Rich talk about philosophies of life and leadership, including lifelong learning, embracing similarities across continents and cultures, and the 'living organism'...

info_outline The Brief: Assessing Alberta’s Economy - The good, the bad, and the urgent show art The Brief: Assessing Alberta’s Economy - The good, the bad, and the urgent

BCA Podcasts

Host Scott Crockatt sits down with BCA's economists Mike Holden and Alicia Planincic to discuss the good, the bad, and the uncertain of BCA's recently-released Spring 2025 Economic Snapshot. In an episode filled with anecdotes, analogies and silver linings, the group chats about what it takes to build an Alberta economic outlook at a time when uncertainty seems to be the only certainty in global markets.  This edition of the bi-annual Alberta Economic Snapshot comes at a time of both strength and strain. Alberta continues to lead Canada in population growth, but even with that, most...

info_outline C-Suite Unplugged: Adam Waterous and Build Canada Now show art C-Suite Unplugged: Adam Waterous and Build Canada Now

BCA Podcasts

In this episode of the C-Suite, Adam Legge is joined by Adam Waterous, Chief Executive Officer of the Waterous Energy Fund, to discuss his "Build Canada Now" initiative, a collaborative effort among numerous leaders in Canada's energy industry. Waterous advocates for doubling Canada's oil and gas production to help alleviate global energy poverty, citing 8.3 million annual deaths linked to the lack of access to basic energy needs such as heating and non-toxic cooking fuels. He details the initiative's priorities: repealing restrictive legislation like Bill C-69 and Bill C-48, removing...

info_outline The Brief: Panel Chat with the Western Business Coalition show art The Brief: Panel Chat with the Western Business Coalition

BCA Podcasts

This episode features a panel from the Western Business Coalition, a new alliance of top business association leaders from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. They dive into their joint report, Untapped Potential, outlining key policy recommendations for Canada’s resource sectors—energy, agriculture, mining, forestry, and aquaculture. The panel explores regulatory reform, infrastructure upgrades, Indigenous consultation, and Canada’s economic underperformance. They also tackle major policy issues like Bills C-69 and C-48, emissions caps, and greenwashing rules. Tune in for a...

info_outline The Brief: Canada and the Geopolitics of Energy show art The Brief: Canada and the Geopolitics of Energy

BCA Podcasts

In a special episode of The Brief, BCA President Adam Legge sits down with Robert "RJ" Johnston, Senior Director of Research at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, to discuss Canada's place in a dynamic and rapidly-changing energy landscape. As a leading expert in global energy markets, RJ discusses the impact of the U.S.-China trade war, the shifting dynamics of OPEC+, and the potential for a "Fortress North America" approach to energy security. Adam and RJ also dive into the importance of Canada's energy resources in supporting its manufacturing sector, which RJ...

info_outline C-Suite Unplugged: Terry Anderson, President & CEO of ARC Resources show art C-Suite Unplugged: Terry Anderson, President & CEO of ARC Resources

BCA Podcasts

C-Suite Unplugged host Adam Legge sits down with Terry Anderson, President and CEO of ARC Resources. Terry shares his journey from a farm boy in rural Saskatchewan to leading one of Canada's largest natural gas companies. He offers insights on the lessons he's learned along the way—about hard work, leadership, taking calculated risks, and the importance of making the right decision, even when it's not the most popular one. He highlights several mentors who shaped his path, including old hockey coaches and founding BCA Board Chair Hal Kvisle. Terry also walks listeners through some of...

info_outline The Brief: A Strong Canada. A Good Life. show art The Brief: A Strong Canada. A Good Life.

BCA Podcasts

How achievable is a good life in Canada? Less and less Canadians believe it's possible. Only 30% of Canadians feel the country is on the right track, and less than 5% believe the next generation will be better off. This means more Canadians believe Bigfoot is real than believe they'll be better off than their parents. It is becoming abundantly clear that Canadians want to see fundamental changes to put our country back on track and build real prosperity again, but where do we start? BCA President Adam Legge joins Vice President of Communications and External Relations Scott Crockatt on the...

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More Episodes

Ginny Roth, a prominent conservative voice and partner at Crestview, joins us to explore the potential future of a Conservative government in Canada. With her deep roots in political organizing and consulting, Ginny offers an insider's perspective on what a government under Pierre Poilievre might prioritize. We unravel the possible consequences a second Trump presidency could have on Canadian conservatives and examine Poilievre's distinctive protectionist approach on social media, diving into how these dynamics might reshape public affairs and policies north of the border.

Our conversation progresses into the intricate world of trade relations, with a spotlight on how a Trump electoral victory could shift Canada's economic ties with the US. From the prospects of renegotiating the USMCA to the strategic efforts Canada might employ to protect its interests, we cover it all. We touch on the potential impact of Trump's proposed tariffs and discuss influential figures like Marco Rubio who could play key roles in shaping future US-Canada relations. Through Ginny's insights, we gain a clearer understanding of Poilievre's leadership style, highlighting his data-driven strategies and his focus on aligning business interests with voter concerns.

The episode culminates in a detailed analysis of the challenges and opportunities a Conservative government might navigate. We explore pressing issues like housing affordability and economic innovation, and consider Poilievre's commitment to fiscal discipline and reducing government intervention. Drawing inspiration from political figures like Dominic Cummings, we discuss the hurdles a new administration would face in implementing rapid reforms within Canada's bureaucratic system. Join us for a comprehensive look at how a Conservative-led government might tackle the complexities of governance and drive effective policies amidst a shifting political landscape.

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