Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer discuss escalating Canada-U.S. trade tensions and whether Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's controversial comments on Alberta separation is foreign interference. They also question whether Prime Minister Carney's Davos speech was strategic or reckless given upcoming CUSMA negotiations, assess the growing gap between Carney's bold rhetoric and modest policy execution, and predict the likelihood of a spring federal election. In the second half, they discuss Pierre Poilievre's upcoming speech at the Conservative Party convention held in Calgary and the existential stakes facing his leadership.

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CREDITS:

Amal Attar-Guzman - Producer and Editor

Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer - Hosts

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Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best commentaries and analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go.

0:17 - Ontario's Progressive Conservatives need a wake-up call, by Matt Spoke

7:11 - Decoding the uncertainty in Canada's oil patch—and what it means for Carney's investment ambitions, by Alicia Planincic

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CREDITS:

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Conservative strategist Amber Ruddy and former Alberta NDP staffer Keith McLaughlin join The Hub's Falice Chin in downtown Calgary—just steps from the Conservative Party of Canada convention—for the inaugural episode of Alberta Edge's new cross-partisan political panel.

Recorded as delegates gather for Pierre Poilievre's leadership review, the conversation digs into how Conservative conventions actually work—from delegated voting and policy gatekeeping to coalition shifts, and the institutional durability of the modern Conservative Party. The episode offers a grounded look at how power, persuasion, and party machinery shape outcomes inside the movement.

This podcast is generously supported by Don Archibald. The Hub thanks him for his ongoing support.

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CREDITS:

Falice Chin - Host, Producer, and Editor

Keith McLaughlin - Panelist

Amber Ruddy - Panelist