Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not?
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look back at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list ...
8:30 – It’s been just two weeks since Ottawa struck a new trade deal with China, and already China is buying Canadian canola. Shipments are set to resume in February. The move is a major relief for Prairie farmers, signaling strong demand and renewed stability for canola exports. Stuart Smyth, professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan joins the show.
LQ: Does the return of canola exports feel like real relief, or are you still worried -how fragile trade relationships can be, Trump’s reaction, China’s unpredictability?
9:00 – Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what’s on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255.
9:30 – Conservative delegates have gathered in Calgary to debate more than 40 policy proposals and consider constitutional changes. Pierre Poilievre’s leadership review tonight is the headline event. Evan welcomes Andrew Scheer, member of Parliament for Regina—Qu’Appelle, former Conservative Party leader and former Speaker of the House to talk about the Conservative Convention.
LQ: If you were voting in Pierre Poilievre’s leadership review how would you vote and why?
10:00 – Bugs ‘n Hugs – Every Friday, we open the phone lines and give you a chance to call out or commend anyone you think deserves it. Call 1-877-332-8255 and join the conversation!
11:00 – What time is it? It’s Eatin’ Time! with Belton Johnson – powered by the Saskatchewan Cattle Association! Grillmaster Belton Johnson joins Evan with his recipe for Guinness and Beef Stew.
11:15 – Arsenic is naturally occurring in groundwater, and with the right infrastructure, it’s easy to remove. But the next problem is what can be done with the arsenic-rich sludge after it’s been removed? Research by Case van Genuchten, an Environmental Engineer working for the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland and co-author of the arsenic waste study, is hoping to answer that question. He joins Evan to talk about his research and share what’s next.
LQ: Have you or someone you know ever dealt with water quality issues where you live?
11:30 – Equalization — even the word sparks controversy. The program is meant to help provinces with lower fiscal capacity provide comparable public services, but in Western Canada it’s often seen as unfair, with Alberta, B.C., and Saskatchewan contributing far more to Ottawa than they receive back. For a deep dive into what equalization is, what it isn’t, and why critics say it may no longer be working, we’re joined by Mike Holden, VP of Policy and Chief Economist at the Business Council of Alberta.
LQ: Should equalization stay as it is, or is it time to rethink how it’s calculated? How?
12:00 – A major new resource discovery is set to shake up Saskatchewan’s economy — Canadian Energy Metals has found the world’s largest supply of alumina near Tisdale. Evan is joined by Christopher Hopkins, CEO of Canadian Energy Metals, to discuss the discovery and what it means for the province.
