The Press Gallery: Inside Alberta politics

Which candidate did the United Conservative Party parachute into the Edmonton-Meadows riding for the spring provincial election? What government bills prompted the NDP to mount filibusters, and how many hours did the longest marathon debate take? Who bragged about laying pipe during the televised leaders' debate? Join legislature columnist Keith Gerein, managing editor Dave Breaken

Thank goodness that’s over. Hansard scribes, security guards, clerks, press gallery members and, likely, many others are in for some relief after an intense fall sitting of the 30th legislature ended at about 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Join reporter Lisa Johnson, managing editor Dave Breakenridge, legislature columnist Keith Gerein and host Janet French as they review a jammed eight-wee

Cupcake, anyone? We're celebrating an unbelievable 300th episode of the Press Gallery today, which adds up to at least 6,000 hours of Alberta politics analysis since this podcast began in 2013. Profuse thanks to all the listeners who have stuck with us through these whiplash-inducing six years in the legislature and beyond. This week, join legislature columnist Keith Gerein, busine

It had a benign-sounding name: the Reform of Agencies, Boards and Commissions and Government Enterprises Act. But Bill 22 caused a real ruckus this week, including allegations of government corruption and orations about threats to democracy. Among the reforms in this omnibus bill of administrative changes meant to save the government money was the termination of Alberta’s electio

It may have been constituency week at the legislature, but things didn’t slow down for a moment in politics. Join legislature columnist Keith Gerein, National Post Alberta correspondent Tyler Dawson, managing editor Dave Breakenridge and host Janet French as they dissect Premier Jason Kenney’s announcement of a panel that will test Albertans’ appetites for more autonomy, incl

It was another breakneck week in Alberta provincial politics, and Premier Jason Kenney hit some turbulence on Thursday when the opposition revealed Albertans had paid more than $16,000 to fly him, three other "like-minded premiers," and some of their wives and staff on a charter plane from a Calgary meeting to the Council of the Federation gathering in Saskatoon last July. Join leg

It's been a trying week for Alberta's public sector unions. The United Conservative Party government wants to make changes to their pension plans, amend the law to allow replacement workers, and cut 7.7 per cent of the public service by 2023. Then on Tuesday, Finance Minister Travis said public sector employers like Alberta Health Services and the government would be seeking wage c

There was practically no news in Alberta this week: A little federal election here, a long-awaited provincial budget there. Join legislature columnist Keith Gerein, reporter Moira Wyton, managing editor Dave Breakenridge and host Janet French as they catch their breath from a week of sprinting between political news events. They'll talk about what Edmonton and Alberta voters chose

A packed week in Alberta politics culminated with a huge climate protest at the Alberta legislature as international figure and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg came to speak about the science of climate change. Join reporters Anna Junker and Jason Herring, managing editor Dave Breakenridge and host Janet French as they discuss the politics behind the climate protest, the la

The Alberta legislature grounds had a back-to-school feel this week as MLAs returned to the capital for the fall sitting of the government’s first session. As colourful leaves fluttered down, so did a few new pieces of legislation, with House Leader Jason Nixon pledging to introduce between 14 and 17 bills during the next nine weeks. Join reporter Moira Wyton, managing editor Dav