The UCP’s decision to reject a bi-partisan commission’s report and order a do-over of riding maps has ignited a firestorm over the usually sleepy issue of electoral boundaries.

Is this meddling or giving rural Alberta fair representation?

Meanwhile, a separatist group is in court to avoid opening its books, Premier Danielle Smith’s new website is pushing her own referendum questions, and many clicks are going to a series of AI “slopaganda” online videos that stoke worries about foreign interference.

And do we have to change the clocks to squeeze in a discussion about Alberta’s move to permanent daylight time?

West of Centre guest host Jason Markusoff speaks with three Alberta-based journalists: Alex Boyd from the Toronto Star, Falice Chin from the Hub and Matthew Scace from the Globe and Mail.

• Host: Jason Markusoff
• Guests: Alex Boyd, Falice Chin, Matthew Scace
• Producer: Diane Yanko

Separatism is in court (again), as several First Nations try to thwart a referendum on Alberta independence. The group collecting signatures to trigger a referendum on separation says it already has more than the required number of signatures. It expects the Smith government to put its question on the ballot, even if a judge rules against the petition.

Meanwhile, Alberta’s education minister has tabled a bill aimed at getting politics and ideology out of the classroom. It mandates that teachers present all issues in a neutral and unbiased way, and limits the display of flags in schools.

And an effort to redraw Alberta’s electoral ridings is drawing criticism. Two commissioners appointed by the UCP have mapped out boundaries of their own that are vastly different from the commission’s majority report. It has both the Alberta NDP and the judge who chaired the commission warning the government not to go there.

Jason Markusoff is in the West of Centre host chair this week. Joining him are Erika Barootes, former principal secretary to premier Danielle Smith; Annalise Klingbeil, who worked in Rachel Notley's government; and University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young.

• Host: Jason Markusoff
• Guests: Erika Barootes, Annalise Klingbeil, Lisa Young
• Producer: Diane Yanko

As members of the NDP celebrate new leader Avi Lewis and his vision to revitalize their party, there’s skepticism in Alberta that Lewis’ federal victory will put the New Democrats back on the road to relevancy.

Two NDP insiders, Shannon Phillips, a former Alberta NDP cabinet minister, and Keith McLaughlin, who was chief of staff to several ministers in Rachel Notley’s government, join West of Centre host Kathleen Petty to offer their analysis on the impact that Lewis will have in Alberta — and they’re blunt in their assessment.

Neither see a clear path for the federal NDP to become relevant in the near future. And as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith weaponizes the tie between the New Democrats’ federal and provincial wings -- pointing to the party’s constitution as proof that their federal and provincial policies are one and the same -- the panel is brushing off the document as meaningless. They say what the federal NDP is doing doesn’t matter to Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, as his focus is on the politics in his province, and his opponent is Smith.

For his part, Nenshi tells the podcast his priority isn’t on the federal party and convincing them to change their policy on natural resource development and expansion. He shrugs off the division, and says his attention is on the future of Alberta.

• Host: Kathleen Petty
• Guests: Keith McLaughlin, Shannon Phillips
• Producer: Diane Yanko