Western Standard

The media industry is largely controlled by a handful of major companies, many of which are backed by significant Eastern and foreign corporate interests or are government-owned. As taxpayers, we contribute billions annually to fund the Liberal CBC. Additionally, even the mainstream media outlets that aren't government-owned are benefiting from substantial taxpayer support, receiving hundreds of millions of dollars each year in federal bailouts. This situation places even the rare independent voices in media at risk, as they now rely on government funding and may hesitate to express their views for fear of losing that financial support.

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Poll finds most Canadians uncomfortable with lobbyists campaigning then lobbying

5 days ago | westernstandard.news | Lee Harding

A national survey conducted by Nanos Research for Democracy Watch shows an overwhelming number of Canadians are uncomfortable about lobbyists campaigning for political parties that they subsequently lobby.
RCMP members who called for resignation of nine cabinet ministers explain motivations

6 days ago | westernstandard.news | Lee Harding

Two RCMP members who openly called for the resignation of nine cabinet ministers in a letter say they are motivated by patriotism, not politics. Sgt. Peter Merrifield and retired Detective Paul McNamara blew the whistle on what they describe as a catastrophic breakdown in Canada's national security infrastructure and shared their reflections on the YouTube podcast Northern Perspective.
Ontario government opens up interprovincial trade

6 days ago | westernstandard.news | Lee Harding

The Ontario government has tabled legislation to remove its Canadian Free Trade Agreement exceptions, adopt mutual recognition with reciprocating provinces, liberalize labour mobility, and allow direct-to-consumer sales of alcohol. The Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act will unlock free trade and labour mobility within Canada.
Poll finds majority of Canadians want more access to non-governmental healthcare providers

6 days ago | westernstandard.news | Lee Harding

Countries like Sweden and France combine universal coverage with independent providers and deliver faster, more accessible care. When informed about how these health systems run, nearly two in three Canadians (64%) favour adopting such models. The poll also finds that 73% of Canadians support allowing patients to receive treatment abroad with provincial coverage, which could help reduce long wait times at home.
HARDING: The English debate was tilted against Poilievre from the start

6 days ago | westernstandard.news | Lee Harding

Last night’s English debate was not some even-handed affair, designed simply to inform Canadians and leave them to their own conclusions. In subtle ways, viewers were set up to favour Mark Carney over Pierre Poilievre in ways most probably didn't realize. TV electoral debates are about impressions as much as facts. The very first U.S. presidential election debate in 1960 demonstrated that powerfully. Young, tanned Democrat candidate John. F.
NDP fuming after prominent MLA booted from UCP caucus in fallout of 'CorruptCare' scandal

1 week ago | westernstandard.news | James Westgate Snell

The controversy involves RCMP and auditor general investigations. The former AHS CEO is suing the province for $1.7 million for wrongful dismissal, alleging she was fired for investigating corruption and manipulation in health service procurement. Smith's former chief of staff Marshall Smith is implicated in the controversy, but has denied wrongdoing.
BREAKING: Expelled MLA said health minister, 'possibly' premier 'deliberately misled' in CorruptCare scandal

1 week ago | westernstandard.news | James Westgate Snell

Alberta MLA Peter Guthrie, expelled from the UCP caucus on Wednesday amid the “CorruptCare” scandal, released his executive council resignation letter dated February 25 — and it casts a shadow over Premier Danielle Smith, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, and the UCP government.
Maxime Bernier denies his party will split conservative vote — causing seat losses for Poilievre in election

1 week ago | westernstandard.news | James Westgate Snell

People's Party of Canada (PPC) leader was in Red Deer on Wednesday, a Conservative stronghold, speaking out against late-term abortion and medical assistance in dying — hot-button issues that could siphon votes from the Conservative Party of Canada in the April 28 federal election. The Western Standard asked Bernier if his advocacy for conservative values could create more harm than good within his movement, causing vote splitting on the political right — potentially costing Conservative seats.
BREAKING: Former UCP minister Peter Guthrie removed from caucus

1 week ago | westernstandard.news | James Westgate Snell

Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie has been expelled from the United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus. On April 14, Guthrie voted with the opposition NDP on a motion tabled by NDP health critic Sarah Hoffman calling for a judge-led public inquiry into Alberta Health Services (AHS) procurement allegations. Independent MLA Scott Sinclair, a former UCP member, also supported the motion. Guthrie, a former UCP cabinet minister, resigned as minister of infrastructure on Feb.
SNELL: Angry American millionaire hippie endorses Mark Carney

1 week ago | westernstandard.news | James Westgate Snell

An angry American millionaire hippie named Neil Young has endorsed Liberal Leader Mark Carney for prime minister. It’s no surprise. Young is known for beautiful artistry and appalling political judgment. He became an American citizen (now dual) in 2020 — presumably to validate his vociferous complaints about Donald Trump. Also, some of Young’s family are American. His career thrived in the United States. He is far removed from the economic and social devastation created by Liberals.