Power Lines

Award-winning author Chris Turner, whose book How to Be a Climate Optimist makes the case for hope in the face of the climate crisis, joins Max today.They discuss why clean technologies are spreading faster than many expected, even in places where climate policy isn't driving the change. They also examine what Canada's carbon tax debate has taught us about climate politics, whether Mark Carney can deliver on climate action and why selling people on the immediate benefits of clean technology may be more effective than warning them about the future.What did you think of this conversation? Let us know in the comments.Music credit: Energy Rock Bundle by Basspartout, via Envato

On Power Lines today, Sandy Garossino, former Crown prosecutor and columnist for Canada's National Observer, unpacks the B.C. election and the defeat of David Eby's NDP government. She and Max discuss how the Conservatives found success by moving toward the political centre and what the election means for Indigenous rights and resource development in the province. They also examine Alberta's referendum, the future of Western alienation and how Mark Carney's approach to pipelines and clean energy could reshape Canada's economic future. Music credit: Energy Rock Bundle by Basspartout, via Envato

What happens when the people who helped put you in power turn against you?Max Fawcett sits down with Dr. Lisa Young, a political science professor at the University of Calgary, to unpack the fallout from Alberta's referendum and what it means for Smith's political future.They discuss whether Smith can hold her party together, what the referendum results reveal about support for separatism, and how Alberta's political and business elites have helped fuel Western alienation. Lisa also explains what her research into populism reveals about Alberta voters, including some surprising findings about democracy.Music credit: Energy Rock Bundle by Basspartout, via Envato

Max Fawcett and former Alberta NDP MLA and environment minister Shannon Phillips unpack the fallout from the referendum and what comes next for the province.They discuss why Phillips believes Smith is facing pressure from within her own party, whether the province’s NDP missed an opportunity during the referendum campaign, and the serious concerns about proposed changes to Alberta's electoral boundaries.Music credit: Energy Rock Bundle by Basspartout, via Envato

Max Fawcett speaks with journalist Ali Amad, author of the Maclean's feature The Great Generational Rip-Off, to discuss why homeownership, starting a family and saving for retirement have become increasingly difficult for younger Canadians. They also explore potential solutions, including reforms to Old Age Security, taxing wealth and finding a fairer way to share Canada's resources across generations. Read Ali's Maclean's story, The Great Generational Rip-Off: https://macleans.ca/longforms/the-great-generational-rip-off/ Music credit: Energy Rock Bundle by Basspartout, via Envato

Who is Danielle Smith, really? And how did she make one of the most remarkable political comebacks in Alberta history? Max Fawcett sits down with Alberta journalist Jeremy Appel, author of the new book Dark Phoenix: The Rise, Fall, and Re-emergence of Danielle Smith, to unpack the political career of Alberta's premier. Music credit: Energy Rock Bundle by Basspartout, via Envato

Corey Hogan is a Liberal MP for Calgary Confederation and a former senior Alberta government official who has worked under both the NDP and UCP. He and Max discuss Alberta’s upcoming referendum -- including Danielle Smith’s approach to separatism and why conservative politicians have been “playing with the separatist live wires.” The two also dig into Western alienation and Hogan’s argument that Western Canada has too often been treated as an afterthought.Music credit: Energy Rock Bundle by Basspartout, via Envato

Max Fawcett sits down with Phil De Luna, co-founder and CTO of Alberta-based climate technology startup CURA, to discuss why he believes Canada's push to attract investment could also accelerate the country's clean energy transition. Music credit: Energy Rock Bundle by Basspartout, via Envato