Rob Breakenridge Show

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we’re joined by Heather Exner-Pirot, Senior Fellow and Director of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Now that Mark Carney and the Liberals now have their majority government, we’ll look at the important decisions they now must make at what has become a pivotal moment for Canada in being able to move forward o...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we’ll break down the latest floor crossing in Canadian politics: the shocking defection of Marilyn Gladu from the Conservatives to the Liberals. How does an ardent social conservative and harsh critic of the Liberal government - not to mention, a critic of previous floor-crossers - suddenly find herself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Prime Minister...

In this episode of Rob Breakenridge Show, we’re joined by Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi. We’ll get his reaction to the victory of Avi Lewis in the Federal NDP Leadership race, and what the hard-left turn of the federal New Democrats means for the Alberta version of the party. Is it time to sever ties (I argue ‘yes’ in my latest column )? Plus, a closer look at how the NDP is trying to hold the...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a closer look at the link between oil & pipelines and our trading relationship with the United States. Recent headlines would suggest that a new pipeline to the U.S. may be back on the table and that this could play a key role in CUSMA re-negotiations. We’re joined in this episode by Adam Waterous , CEO of Waterous Energy Fund and Executive Chairman at...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a closer look at two major challenges affecting Canada right now: the political challenges around national unity and the potential return of high inflation, driven by surging oil prices,. We’ll hear from Mark Milke, founder and president of the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy - they’ve released new polling and a new analysis of how Canadians per...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a deep dive on the conflict that is dominating global headlines and rattling global markets - how does this all end for Iran’s regime and the Iranian people? We’ll speak with Kaveh Shahrooz - he’s a lawyer and human rights activist and also a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. We’ll hear his case for why this military intervention was mo...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a closer look at the of the recent surge in oil prices driven by the conflict in Iran and what it all means for Canada and Alberta in particular. The US-Israeli attack has dealt quite a blow to the Iranian regime, much uncertainty remains in terms of what happens next and how long this conflict could drag on for. One thing is for sure: it’s all certain...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we’ll look at the bleak state of Alberta’s finances in the aftermath of a new budget awash in red ink. The new budget forecasts a deficit of $9.37-billion followed by subsequent deficits for the foreseeable future - all of which violates the government’s own fiscal framework. Spending has reached a record level of almost $84-billion and the budget has...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we’re joined by Edmonton-based Postmedia columnist Lorne Gunter to take a closer look at some major political developments this week. We start with some reaction and analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down many of Donald Trump’s tariffs. How excited or relieved should Canadians be and what next for the Canada-U.S. relationship and the...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, the latest on the Canada-U.S. relationship amid new threats from Donald Trump and a hopeful sign in the U.S. Congress as the House of Representatives voted to end tariffs on Canada. Of course, this doesn’t end all of this trade drama and it may not even end these specific tariffs. There is still a pending U.S. Supreme Court decision on the legality and...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a conversation with widely followed political commentator and analyst Spencer Fernando . We’ll take a closer look at how U.S. President Donald Trump continues to turn Canadian politics on its head and how Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre needs to speak to this challenge and confront this threat. Also, we’ll discuss former Prime Minister Stephen Har...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we’ll take a closer look at the state of the Conservative Party of Canada and the leadership of Pierre Poilievre. Conservatives are gathering in Calgary this weekend for their annual convention, which will feature an important speech from Poilievre before a leadership review. We’ll speak with Ben Woodfinden, who’s a senior advisor with Meredith, Boesse...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we look back on a dramatic and consequential week for Canada. Following the announcement of a Canada-China trade deal in Beijing, Prime Minister Mark Carney was off to Davos and the World Economic Forum, where he delivered a speech of considerable significance - one that did not go unnoticed by U.S. President Donald Trump. We’re joined by Globe & Mail...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a conversation with Kaveh Shahrooz about the protests in Iran and whether this constitutes a new revolution that could finally spell an end to the Khomeinist Islamic Republic. Kaveh is a lawyer and human rights activist, as well as a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and has been closely following events in Iran. After more than two wee...

Welcome to this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, as we delve into the biggest story of the new year: the American intervention in Venezuela and the US president’s desire to dramatically ramp up Venezuelan oil production and exports. Given that Venezuela’s heavy crude is very similar to the product Canada exports, could this represent a threat to Canada’s market share in the US? We’ll get some...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show: * A closer look at the challenges facing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as 2025 draws to a close. Two MPs have defected to the Liberals and rumours continue to swirl about further floor-crossings. Poilievre, of course, is set to face a leadership review next month in Calgary. We’ll hear from conservative political strategist Cole Hogan. * We’ll d...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show: * An eventful and contentious fall session of the Alberta Legislature comes to a conclusion with no shortage of lingering controversies. We’ll have the latest on the debate over Bill 14 and the latest changes to referendum petition rules. Plus, the list of recall campaigns expands - including a recall attempt in the premier’s own riding. * The energy a...

In this episode of The Rob Breakenridge Show, a look at the ongoing debate over direct democracy and elections rules in Alberta - and the changes now being made through the government’s new Bill 14 . Introduced on Thursday, the bill - among other things - gives the Alberta government more control over referendum petitions and clears a path now for the separatist side to start gathering signatures....

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we delve into an important and timely new book. Globe & Mail writer-at-large John Ibbitson and Ipsos Public Affairs Global CEO Darrell Bricker join us to discuss their new book “Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk” We’ll explore some of the significant shifts in Canada over the last decade, and the growing divides we’ve seen withi...

It was a day of great significance Thursday in Calgary as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney signed off on a new memorandum of understanding (MOU). In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we’ll take a closer look at this energy agreement and what it all means. The MOU identifies a proposed new pipeline to the west coast as being a project that’s in the national int...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a closer look at the debate around Alberta’s coal policy and why this could be one of the ballot issues Albertans vote on next near. Alberta county music artist Corb Lund has deep roots in this province and a deep connection to the ranching industry. He’s found himself at the forefront at the debate around coal development along the Eastern Slopes of t...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, a closer look at an eventful week in Alberta - starting with the latest on pipeline talks between Alberta and Ottawa and the latest on the expanding recall campaign now targeting several UCP MLAs. Is the Alberta government now looking to neuter their own direct democracy laws? We’ll also dive into one of the biggest stories of the week: confirmation th...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show, we take a closer look at the latest batch of Major Projects announced by the prime minister. On the energy front, there’s support for the Ksi Lisims LNG project on the west coast, but there was nothing announced about a new pipeline. We’ll discuss all of this with Heather Exner-Pirot, who’s a senior fellow and Director of Energy, Natural Resources, and...

In this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show - a closer look at Budget 2025, both in terms of whether it will pass the House of Commons (failure to do so meaning another election, of course) and whether it’s the right budget for the economic challenges facing Canada at the moment. We’ll get some economic analysis from Trevor Tombe, professor of economics at the University of Calgary and director o...

Welcome to this episode of the Rob Breakenridge Show - a very busy week this week in Alberta: We’ll hear from Thomas Lukaszuk, former MLA and cabinet minister, and founder of the Forever Canadian campaign . Their petition campaign - posing the question: “‘Do you agree that Alberta should remain within Canada?” - appears to have far exceeded the minimum necessary for success. We’ll discuss the camp...