Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Millions of Canadians are feeling the effects of a serious housing crunch. And every single one of us is feeling the effects of climate change. The federal governmen't spending billions and billions of dollars to address these very real issues - but is it working? Are we getting bang for our (billions of) bucks? We take a closer look at Ottawa's plans for housing and the carbon tax (28:45) in this...

There's a lot to understand in Budget 2024, delivered April 16 by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Are you a renter hoping to buy your first home? An entrepreneur getting ready to sell the business you built? An average Canadian struggling to make your payments, including that cell phone bill? Whether you obsess over politics or pay no attention whatsoever, we all want to understand how the bud...

You've seen the headlines: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says all federal funding to universities, school boards, health and housing authorities, and other entities needs to flow through her office...or she'll take PM Justin Trudeau's government to court. Bill 18 - dubbed the "Stay Out of My Backyard" Bill by Premier Smith - seeks to ensure projects have Alberta's blessing before proceeding. The...

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says federal funding for things like housing, harm reduction, and research needs to flow through the province. Her government's introducing legislation that will force municipalities, housing and health authorities, and other entities to secure provincial approval before striking deals with Ottawa. Smith says the feds are operating outside their lane. Municipalities,...

Mike has a message for the "F Trudeau" crowd, Michael and Bob the Builder think Danielle Smith's out of line with the Provincial Priorities Act, dog lover Fiona says we need to crack down on dangerous canines, and Adam demands the right to purchase 4L milk jugs full of vodka for $49.95. It's The Flamethrower presented by the Dairy Queens of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park!   FIRE UP YOUR FLAM...

Are you a conservative turned off by the current tone of the Conservative Party of Canada? Are you a liberal who just can't support the Justin Trudeau-led government anymore? Or maybe you're somebody who hasn't voted in past, but you would if there was a party that felt like a fit? We look at the Canadian Future Party - a new "centrist" party - in this edition of the Real Talk Round Table.   2:40...

How bad is foreign election interference in Canada? What are we learning from the inquiry underway in Ottawa? Do polls even matter 18 months out from an election? What does Anthony Housefather's decision to stay a Liberal MP say about the future of that party, if anything? And, is it possible Naheed Nenshi isn't the saviour many are saying he'll be for the Alberta NDP?  5:15 | Political writer Eva...

"I'll literally find that grease ball and hook a chain around his ankle and drag him behind my pickup truck," reads a post from Liam Brennan on an Osoyoos community social media page, referencing the BC town's CAO Rod Risling in the context of a property tax increase. The threat - far from the only one - forced Mayor Sue McKortoff to take action. You'll find out how she and her colleagues are brin...

Justin Trudeau's said it a million times: eight out of ten Canadians receive more from the Canada Carbon Rebate than what they pay in carbon taxes. If that's true, why aren't more Canadians on board with the Liberal government's approach to climate action? Is it possible the rebate itself is actually the biggest problem with the carbon tax? Political columnist Jen Gerson makes that argument in thi...

An 11-year-old boy is dead after two Cane Corsos owned by his dad's roommate attacked him during a Spring Break visit. The dogs, subjects of two other police complaints in 2024 alone, were seized and euthanized. How should society handle tragedies like this? Ultimately, whose fault is it? And what does "justice" look like?  3:45 | Charles Adler talks it out with Ryan and Johnny (all three of them...

Real Talker Clyde is ALL fired up about the carbon tax increase, and has a message for his customers and fellow Canadians. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park: Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com

Within the next couple of years, people will be moving into new homes in the 100% Hydrogen-fuelled community of Bremner, just east of Edmonton. It'll be the first neighbourhood of its kind in North America. Planners are bullish, expecting close to 90,000 residents when it's all built out.  Bigger picture, what does the future of home hydrogen look like? How is it different than natural gas? Is it...

How do the Feds plan to invest their way out of a housing crisis? What proof do we have the $10/day childcare program is paying off? What does the future of pharmacare look like in provinces saying "No thanks" to the proposed plan? And how can Canadians trust the government's procurement process after that $60M ArriveCAN app debacle? We check in with Hon. Anita Anand (34:10) in this episode of Rea...

Experts are predicting one of the worst wildfire seasons in Canadian history in 2024. We find out why (and what we can do about it) in this episode. But first, it's another scoop for Real Talk as NDP MLA David Shepherd tells us why he's endorsing "outsider" Naheed Nenshi as the next leader of the Alberta NDP, and sheds light on the personal health challenges that halted Shepherd's own plans to see...

A rough reception for Mayor Jyoti Gondek, booed during an appearance at centre ice during the Calgary Flames South Asian Celebration game. It's the latest challenge for Gondek, whose popularity has taken a significant hit in recent months, as evidenced by the recall petition we discussed during our March 25, 2024 episode.  5:30 | What does the heckling say about Calgarians, or even Canadians...if...

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's taking his "Axe the Tax" rallies across the country ahead of another carbon tax increase on April 1. Meantime, more than 200 economists have signed an open letter criticizing Poilievre's message and calling for "sound evidence and facts" in the debate around carbon pricing. Predictably, prominent Conservatives like Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe are questioni...

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's taking his "Axe the Tax" rallies across the country ahead of another carbon tax increase on April 1. Meantime, more than 200 economists have signed an open letter criticizing Poilievre's message and calling for "sound evidence and facts" in the debate around carbon pricing. Predictably, prominent Conservatives like Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe are questioni...

Were you shocked to see Rakhi Pancholi pull out of the Alberta NDP leadership race with three months to go? (We were!) Many people saw the popular Edmonton MLA as a legitimate successor to Rachel Notley, and a formidable candidate to be the next Premier of Alberta. So, what's up?  3:49 | Rakhi tells us when and why she decided to leave the leadership race and endorse Naheed Nenshi.  21:54 | First...

Gil's in, and Rakhi's out. On an eventful day in the Alberta NDP leadership race, we find out why the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour figures he's the best best to return the NDP to power. 2:00 | But first...Rakhi Pancholi's out of the NDP leadership race, withdrawing and endorsing Naheed Nenshi just moments before we record this episode. Ryan offers some initial thoughts (more at 1:...

Landon Johnston thinks Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek's doing such a lousy job, he organizes a petition to recall her from office. Instead of ignoring the petition, which is unlikely to succeed, Gondek invites Johnston to sit down one-on-one at City Hall and discuss his concerns. What was said during their brief meeting, and where do both parties go from here?  2:55 | Mayor Gondek tells us what she an...

This edition of The Flamethrower is a healthy mix of love letters and hate mail based on our recent Justin Trudeau and Danielle Smith interviews. Enjoy, courtesy of our friends at The Dairy Queens of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com

Have you been paying attention to what's going on in Alberta? Premier Danielle Smith's government is kinda sorta rolling out a provincial police force, and paving the way for municipal political parties. But is that what's best for Albertans?  4:10 | Alberta Municipalities president Tyler Gandam and director Tanya Thorn shoot straight on the proposed provincial police force, Alberta's crumbling in...

Is there anything more important to human survival than water? Water is everything - without it, ecosystems, industry, and individuals would die. So, why don't we talk about it more? In this episode of Real Talk, we examine the past, present, and future of water use (and conservation) in our own backyards and beyond. 2:45 | Canadians are bracing for the worst drought we've seen in 50 years. We've...

Leaked documents show a direct link between Take Back Alberta, the Recall Gondek campaign, and the push for municipal political parties in Alberta. What does it mean for you? We dig into it in this episode of Real Talk.  3:10 | Political scientist Dr. Duane Bratt connects the dots on our top story, then breaks down the NDP leadership race in light of Gil McGowan's pending announcement, and discuss...

Should prostitution be outlawed in Canada? Canadians are split on the issue: some believe sex work should be legalized, regulated, and taxed, while others say it's exploitation, and it needs to be stopped. Andrea Heinz sold sex for seven years before going in a completely different direction. Today, she's an author, filmmaker, and activist against sexual exploitation.  2:25 | Andrea explains how s...