In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge highlights a couple of unique perspectives on the question of Alberta’s nuclear future.

Alberta's premier has launched a new process to explore the possibility of adding nuclear capacity to Alberta's power mix. Between a growing population and expanding electrification, Alberta’s power demand is growing. But with the province’s ambition to be a hub for AI data centres - and with Ottawa’s Clean Electricity Regulations - Alberta needs to somehow balance a massive expansion to the power grid while also keeping emissions in check. That’s where nuclear energy could come in.

We’ll be joined by Scott Henuset, president and CEO of Energy Alberta - they’re hoping to build a standing nuclear power facility in northeastern Alberta. We’ll find out why they’re so optimistic about the potential for nuclear power in this province - and how they plan to overcome some of the resistance and concerns that still exist around this technology.

Plus, we’ll hear from Dr. Duane Bratt, professor of political science at Mount Royal University. Part of his research focuses on Canadian nuclear policy and he also teaches on the science and politics around nuclear energy. We’ll look at the history around this conversation in Alberta and get his perspective on whether the government is really serious this time about jumping on the nuclear bandwagon.

In this episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge is joined by Dr. Kent Fellows, assistant professor of economics at the University of Calgary and fellow-in-residence at the C.D. Howe Institute.

Sagging oil prices have once again highlighted the perils of Alberta’s over-reliance on energy revenues, even if the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has helped to provide a revenue boost. This fiscal uncertainty comes at a time when Alberta is hoping Ottawa can deliver on some major new energy infrastructure - including, of course, a new pipeline - and potentially help pave the way for economic and energy corridors that could allow such projects to be fast-tracked in the future.

We’ll get some insight from Prof. Fellows on the economics underlying all of this: the implications of fluctuating oil prices on Alberta’s budget, the challenges of pipeline capacity and infrastructure development, as well as the political factors in the energy debate that often cloud what economic considerations.

In this episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge delves into the future of policing in Alberta and whether that will - or should - involve the creation of an Alberta Provincial Police Force.

The RCMP contract for community policing ends in 2032, and we may see the RCMP exit community policing altogether in favour of a more focused, national mandate. At the same time, however, the idea of Alberta shedding a federal institution in favour of something Alberta-made and Alberta-branded has taken on added political significance. The UCP government is keen on establishing greater autonomy for Alberta and this change is seen as one way of accomplishing that.

We’ll hear in this episode from Kara Westerlund, president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta. They’re worried about the impact such a change could have on their communities and their budgets, and they feel like their voices are not being heard in this debate. Plus, we’ll also get some perspective from Mount Royal University criminology professor Dr. Kelly Sundberg who has been following and studying this issue for years - what are the costs and benefits of establishing an Alberta Provincial Police Force?

In this episode of The Line: Alberta, Rob Breakenridge and Bonnie Critchley discuss the byelection campaign in the Alberta riding of Battle River - Crowfoot. Bonnie is a resident of the riding and a 22-year veteran of the Canadian Forces. She has stepped forward as an independent candidate in this byelection, and has made quite an impact on the race.

Critchley shares her thoughts on how voters feel about going back to the polls so soon, how they feel about Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre landing in the riding after losing his own seat, the antics of the Longest Ballot Committee, and the issues that are dominating the conversation among folks in this sprawling east-central Alberta riding.

In this conversation, Rob Breakenridge and Martin Belanger delve into the complexities surrounding Alberta's push for separation from Canada. They explore the historical context, personal experiences, and the evolving political landscape that has led to a growing sentiment for independence among Albertans. Belanger shares his journey from being an outsider to embracing Alberta's culture, while also discussing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the separatist movement. The conversation touches on the potential for a referendum, the role of leadership, and the economic implications of separation, all framed within the broader narrative of Alberta's identity and future.

In this conversation, Rob Breakenridge and Trevor Tombe discuss Alberta's current fiscal challenges, including the pressures from fluctuating oil prices and the implications of potential independence from Canada. They explore the motivations behind the independence movement, particularly economic factors, and clarify misconceptions about the equalization system. The discussion also covers the financial responsibilities that would come with separation, the impact
on trade, and the importance of informed decision-making in light of historical precedents like Brexit.

Hear Jen Gerson and Rob Breakenridge, the host of The Line: Alberta Podcast, talk about this exciting new expansion for The Line.