Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

Time To Step Down? David Johnston Says No Way

David Johnston says he's staying on as Special Rapporteur despite a House of Commons motion calling for his resignation (and a public inquiry). The former Governor General says questions around his integrity and independence are off base. With such loud criticism around Johnston's "so called" friendship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will the average Canadian trust his investigation into alleged foreign interference with our democracy? Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley joins us (23:50) to discuss.
7:20 | But first...did you know 82% of Prairie Grasslands in Canada have disappeared? Grasslands are one of the world's most threatened ecosystems, yet they remain the least protected. Why does it seem nobody cares? Nature Conservancy of Canada's Jeremy Hogan explains why native Prairie Grasslands are so important, what the world might look like without them, and what's being done to save them. 
CHECK OUT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CANADA: https://natureconservancy.ca/en/
23:50 | NDP, Conservative, and Bloc Quebecois MPs are sending a clear message to Special Rapporteur David Johnston: resign. But the former Governor General, appointed by the Liberals to investigate allegations of foreign interference in Canadian democracy, says he won't. Are the optics of Johnston's alleged longtime friendship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau enough to invalidate his efforts in this important role?  Plus, will Trudeau stay on to battle Pierre Poilievre in the next federal election? Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley lets us know what he thinks. 
CHECK OUT BRIAN'S PODCAST "FULL COMMENT": https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/full-comment/id1561204292
57:45 | We need to give doctors a pay raise. Ryan explains why.
1:05:50 | Would you pay $4,700 for Apple's new Vision Pro headset? Ryan and Johnny debate.
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
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The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Populism: Is What’s Good For Politicians Good For You?

Populist politicians like Danielle Smith, Doug Ford, and Ron DeSantis have won support by appealing to everyday people. But do average, ordinary folks actually benefit from this brand of politics? 
4:40 | Dr. Lisa Young's been writing about Danielle Smith's ascent to United Conservative Party leader and Premier of Alberta for the past six months. The political scientist joins Ryan to talk about populism, winning and losing campaign strategies, and her latest piece for Alberta Views. 
USE PROMO CODE "AVRJ" FOR 50% OFF A ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION OF ALBERTA VIEWS: https://albertaviews.ca/subscribe/
36:30 | Charles Adler will be the first to tell you the Alberta election didn't go the way he'd hoped. The Emmy Award-winning talk radio host tells Ryan about his hopes for Alberta moving forward. Chuck chimes in on recent comments about "cultural Marxism" by Florida governor Ron DeSantis, and a comment on trans youth by presidential hopeful Nikki Haley at a CNN town hall over the weekend. Finally, should Justin Trudeau be held responsible for killer Paul Bernardo's transfer to medium-security prison? Pierre Poilievre says yes. Find out what Charles has to say about that. 
1:14:00 | It's fascinating to see sights, sounds, or smells reignite the memory of someone living with dementia. We feature a heartwarming story out of Essex, UK over the weekend in this week's edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy. 
KUBY RENEWABLE ENERGY IS HIRING: https://kubyenergy.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

GIV’ER! A Post-Election Edition of Trash Talk

It's the first edition of Trash Talk since the Alberta election, and Real Talkers have a lot to say! Ryan busts out the flame thrower and gets into the hottest takes submitted to talk@ryanjespersen.com. Trash Talk is presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ 

Alberta & Ottawa: Bad + Bitchy Takes on a Big Week

What can we expect to see from Premier Danielle Smith, Rachel Notley (and the Alberta NDP), and Justin Trudeau vs. Pierre Poilievre? Find out from Bad + Bitchy podcast hosts Erica Ifill and Kristin Raworth in this crossover episode of Real Talk.
3:40 | But first...is Taylor Swift's boyfriend really a Nazi sympathizer?
9:30 | Erica, born and raised in Edmonton, now calls Ottawa home. She says national coverage of Alberta's election fell short. Is that a CBC issue, or something bigger? 
13:00 | What should we expect to see from Premier Danielle Smith and her UCP government? 
26:10 | How about Rachel Notley? What might her future look like, and could it include a run at the federal NDP leadership? 
42:35 | Will Danielle Smith survive a rumoured coup within her caucus? Can she outlast Jason Kenney, Jim Prentice, Dave Hancock, Alison Redford, and Ed Stelmach, and actually complete a full term? 
44:15 | We turn our attention to federal politics, and get Erica and Kristin's take on the Liberal affordable housing plan, the future of $10/day childcare, and more. 
52:00 | Did Pierre Poilievre cross the line with a blast aimed at PM Justin Trudeau in the House yesterday? Kristin explains why she's so turned off by the comment, and Erica chimes in on "unserious" people.
1:05:40 | It's the first edition of Trash Talk since the Alberta election, and Real Talkers have a lot to say! Ryan busts out the flame thrower and gets into the hottest takes submitted to talk@ryanjespersen.com. Trash Talk is presented by our friends at Local Environmental Services.
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/ 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Where Does Rachel Notley Go From Here?

In politics, is it possible to win and lose at the same time? You might describe the Alberta NDP's 2023 campaign in such a way. Rachel Notley's party lost the election, but there were gains in popular support, seats, fundraising, and overall momentum. How much of that actually matters? What's the right move for Notley and the party moving forward? 
3:50 | Max Fawcett says Rachel Notley's NDP needs to finish the job. The lead columnist for Canada's National Observer explains where the NDP campaign got it right and where it failed. Max and Ryan discuss whether or not Notley should stick around for another election, how Premier-elect Danielle Smith is likely to govern, and what the future of federal politics looks like. 
READ MAX'S COLUMN: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/05/31/opinion/rachel-notley-ndp-needs-finish-job
59:24 | The Maligne Lake Boat Cruise is now open! This week's #MyJasper Memories presented by Tourism Jasper highlights one of the most magnificent ways to explore the longest lake in the Canadian Rockies. 
CHECK OUT THE MALIGNE LAKE BOAT CRUISE: https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/maligne-lake-cruise/
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Why She Won: The Secret To Danielle Smith’s Success

The results are in: Danielle Smith and the UCP will form Alberta's next government. What can Albertans expect? What message does the election outcome send to the rest of Canada? What does the future look like for Rachel Notley and the NDP? 
2:20 | And what does the NDP sweeping Edmonton mean for Alberta's capital city? Councillor Sarah Hamilton joins Ryan in studio. 
15:30 | Will Danielle Smith's populist approach to campaigning continue into her first full term as premier? Calgary Sun scribe Rick Bell tells us what he's hearing. 
42:50 | Was this the NDP's last decent shot at winning an election in Alberta? Does the party need a rebrand? We check in with Athabasca University political science professor Dr. Mark Crawford. 
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Election Day in AB: Which Ridings Will Determine the Outcome

By the time most of us fall asleep tonight, we'll know which party will form the next government in Alberta. Will it be Premier Danielle Smith or Premier Rachel Notley we're talking about tomorrow morning? It's looking like this could wind up as the closest election in Alberta history. This episode of Real Talk, we talk about the x-factors that could contribute to a UCP or NDP win. 
8:45 | Talk radio legend Charles Adler was one of the first high-profile Canadians to offer an endorsement, backing Rachel Notley's NDP on New Year's Eve. Since then, former PC cabinet ministers Thomas Lukaszuk and Doug Griffiths, and former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi have followed suit. Meantime, former PM Stephen Harper, current CPC leader Pierre Poilievre, and Rebel Media founder Ezra Levant have endorsed Danielle Smith's UCP. How much do endorsements actually matter? Can they hurt more than help? 
37:30 | Real Talker Scott supported the Reform Party growing up, campaigned for Ted Morton in 2006, and voted for Jason Kenney's UCP in 2019. He tells us why he "never thought (he'd) be here" as he prepares to vote in the 2023 Alberta election.
EMAIL THE SHOW: talk@ryanjespersen.com 
40:30 | Which ridings could come down the wire tonight? Which ones might swing? Will the NDP sweep Edmonton? Will the UCP hold onto their key Calgary ridings? What about Banff-Kananaskis, Red Deer, and Lethbridge? Political blogger and podcaster Dave Cournoyer tells us which races he's paying close attention to.
CHECK OUT DAVEBERTA: https://daveberta.substack.com/
1:18:30 | It's a special election edition of Positive Reflections presented by Kuby Energy, as Ryan shoots from the hip and speaks from the heart. 
GET YOUR FREE SOLAR QUOTE TODAY: https://kubyenergy.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

We Deserve A Voice

Lauren says it's gotta be people ahead of profits, and Catalina didn't love the tone of one of our interviews this week. Both Real Talkers sound off in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/

Inform Your Vote: UCP & NDP Plans for Alberta

The Alberta election is just days away. More than a half-million people have already voted in advance polls, suggesting this election could see record-setting turnout. It's a hotly contested race, with the UCP and NDP polling neck and neck. This episode is dedicated to those of you still making up your mind. 
3:25 | Economist Dr. Trevor Tombe, journalist Drew Anderson, and Alberta Chambers CEO Shauna Feth form our Real Talk Round Table intended to Inform Your Vote. Our panelists dig into the policy of both leading parties, evaluating their plans for Alberta's economic, environmental, and energy future. What impact will raising the corporate tax rate have on jobs? Is a rate cap the best way to navigate rising electricity costs? Is carbon capture smart policy or a scam? Our experts hash out these questions and more.
READ DREW'S PIECE IN THE NARWHAL: https://thenarwhal.ca/alberta-election-platforms/
CHECK OUT ALBERTA CHAMBERS' "VOTE PROSPERITY" CAMPAIGN: https://www.abchamber.ca/our-priorities/vote-prosperity-ab/
1:04:25 | Lauren says it's gotta be people ahead of profits, and Catalina didn't love the tone of one of our interviews this week. Both Real Talkers sound off in this week's edition of Trash Talk presented by Local Environmental Services! 
KEEP IT LOCAL: https://localenvironmental.ca/
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Why PC Minister Doug Griffiths Is Backing the NDP

It's a helluva thing for a high-profile Progressive Conservative cabinet minister to go on the record endorsing the New Democrats. But that's exactly what former Minister of Municipal Affairs Doug Griffiths is doing. In an exclusive interview with Real Talk, Griffiths explains how he got here. 
4:00 | Doug Griffiths played a big role in Alberta's Progressive Conservative governments between 2002-2015. The veteran cabinet minister grabbed a whole bunch of attention a few days ago, when he endorsed Rachel Notley and several of her NDP candidates. He tells Ryan why he went public in such a significant way, and what he makes of today's United Conservative Party. 
41:00 | If political leaders and everyday Albertans aren't talking about climate policy during an election campaign running parallel to the worst wildfire season on record, when will we? Green Party of Alberta leader Jordan Wilkie talks about how the fires have affected the 2023 Alberta election, and what he wishes voters would consider.
HERE'S THE GO FUND ME FOR FRANKIE PAYOU: https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-heartbroken-alberta-wildfire-burns-home?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR1GZjsbEMLbs3FRbv0kj6harq9jvkPwpjJHprc8P1uM0QojKtyoUJ8cHfI
WEBSITE: https://ryanjespersen.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/RealTalkRJINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/RealTalkRJ/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@realtalkrj
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ryanjespersen
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors
The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.