A northern Alberta First Nations leader is raising concerns about a proposed $16-billion carbon capture project, warning his community could pursue legal action if the federal government fails to properly consult Indigenous groups.

In an interview on West of Centre Short, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam said his community has not received credible information about the environmental risks of the Pathways Alliance project — particularly the injection of carbon into underground salt plains.

Adam also criticized the Carney government’s Bill C-5, which aims to fast-track infrastructure projects deemed to be in the national interest. He’s so opposed to the bill, he’s opted not to attend the prime minister’s meeting with fellow chiefs in Gatineau this week.

At the heart of Adam’s concerns is a long-standing call for revenue sharing. He said that unless First Nations are offered a more equitable stake in resource development, especially on Treaty land, conflict and legal challenges will continue.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Allan Adam

Can Pierre Poilievre survive the summer — and is a new oil pipeline imminent? Those questions are fuelling chatter on rooftop patios, at pancake breakfasts and in political backrooms across Calgary during 10 days of Stampede networking.

On this week’s episode of West of Centre, conservative strategist Tom Olsen shares what politicians and staffers are really saying — and whether they believe Poilievre deserves another shot after losing the federal election. Jessie Chahal, a former adviser to prime minister Justin Trudeau, thinks Conservatives across Canada are more divided than they let on. And NDP strategist Cheryl Oates argues the party is doing everything it can to tip the scales in Poilievre’s favour — including, in her view, the decision to hold the leadership review in Calgary.

First, though, Poilievre must win his byelection in Battle River–Crowfoot. Victory is expected, but the panel debates what kind of margin he needs to maintain the confidence of his party.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney is signalling a shift on energy policy, calling a new oil pipeline proposal “highly likely.” That statement comes just as the premiers of Alberta and Ontario sign memorandums of understanding aimed at boosting interprovincial trade — and reviving the idea of an east–west pipeline. But how close are we to a private-sector proponent stepping forward and shouting, “Yahoo!”?

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guests: Tom Olsen, Jessie Chahal, Cheryl Oates

Despite wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, a resurgent Donald Trump threatening global trade, and the world increasing supply, crude prices haven’t swung wildly like they once did. In fact, 2024 marked one of the most stable years for oil prices in decades, and the first half of 2025 has more or less followed suit.

So what’s behind this unusual calm in a chaotic world?

On this episode of West of Centre Short, energy analyst Susan Bell of Rystad Energy breaks down what’s anchoring post-pandemic global oil prices — and why Canada has proven more resilient than expected. From OPEC’s evolving playbook to U.S. shale discipline and the impact of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, we unpack the new rules of the game. That includes the political calculus behind Saudi Arabia’s more cautious approach, as it balances domestic reforms, regional influence and long-term energy strategy.

But the era of stability may not last. Bell flags the early warning signs — and what could trigger the next big shift.

Host: Rob Brown | Producer & editor: Falice Chin | Guest: Susan Bell