Real Talk Ryan Jespersen

We dig deeper into Ottawa's plan for affordable childcare with Federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development Maryam Monsef. What happens if provinces like Alberta say "No" to federal funding based on strings attached? Grain farmer Allison Ammeter, chair of the Plant Protein Alliance of Alberta explains why the provincial government's cancellation of a paltry $250k commitment means the collapse of their organization. We get into the significant economic implications of global demand for plant proteins, and what it could mean for agricultural producers on the Prairies. It's Canadian Infertility Awareness Week, so we check in with Dr. Alda Ngo, Kristina Melia, and Linda Hoang. What new options exist for Canadians hoping to start a family, what are some of the most significant barriers they'll face, and what proactive steps can people take to improve their chances? Plus, we recap yesterday's interview with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including childcare, travel restrictions, a looming federal election, and his strained relationship with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. 14:08 - Minister Maryam Monsef 30:47 - Allison Ammeter 49:44 - Infertility Round Table

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes his Real Talk debut the day after releasing the first federal budget in two years. Trudeau makes his first public statement on Derek Chauvin's murder conviction in the death of George Floyd, then he and Ryan get into budget talk. They cover the Liberals' national child care plan, a Universal Basic Income, business subsidies (and when to cut them off), whether or not there'll be an election this year, coal mining in the Rockies, the two Michaels (Kovrig and Spavor) detained in China, international travel restrictions, Trudeau's strained relationship with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, and 4/20.

On the heels of the Liberals' first federal budget in two years, we get into the numbers. Is this more of an election platform than a budget? Does it strike the right balance between investing in post-pandemic recovery and plotting a path back to balance? Jason Hatcher, Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean, and Semhar Tekeste dig into the details. Plus, it's April 20th - Happy 4/20! Our "Puff Puff Panel" - Jonas Jespersen, Lisa Campbell, Nathan Mison, and Akanksha Bhatnagar - sparks up conversation on the evolution of Canada's legal Cannabis industry, stigma that remains around Cannabis use, and where the trends are going in months and years to come. 33:10 - Budget 2021 Round Table 1:35:18- 4/20 Puff Puff Panel

Will Erin O'Toole's climate plan be enough to push the Conservative Party of Canada into government next federal election? Will support for carbon pricing be enough to convince swing voters? Will it alienate the base on the Prairies? Conservative strategist Melissa Caouette of Canadian Strategy Group gets into it. As China gets set to move forward with its digital yuan, there are questions around transparency, surveillance, prevalence, and potential impact on global currencies (most especially the US dollar). Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal correspondent James T. Areddy digs into the details, and provides valuable insight into what makes the Chinese government tick. Plus, it's Monday, so our friends at Kuby Energy present another inspiring edition of Positive Reflections! 14:57 - Melissa Caouette 38:10 - James Areddy 2:20:15 - Positive Reflections

Ryan rolls out the best rants of the week, as submitted to talk@ryanjespersen.com. Buckle up for another edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste.

With Grace Life churchgoers continuing to gather in "underground" fashion following the closure of their building by Alberta Health Services, Knox United Rev. Dr. Greg Glatz joins to explain why he called out the church in a scathing, open letter. As Albertans continue to demand their provincial government hit pause on problematic draft K-6 curriculum, University of Calgary's Dr. Yvonne Poitras Pratt, Alberta Teachers Association president Jason Schilling, and Edmonton Public School Board chair Trisha Estabrooks get into the nitty gritty of what's problematic, why, and what citizens can do about it. Plus, it's Friday, so buckle up for a supercharged edition of Trash Talk, presented by Local Waste! 11:02 - Rev. Dr. Greg Glatz 34:42 - Curriculum Round Table 1:46:33 - Trash Talk

"The West wants in" when it comes to meaningful investment from the federal government. With the Liberals' budget coming out on Monday, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Western Economic Solutions Taskforce (WEST) is honing in on specifics. Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark, Yorkton Councillor Randy Goulden, and Rural Municipalities of Alberta president Paul McLaughlin discuss the potential impact of expanding national trade corridors, improving rail safety, addressing costs facing Canadian farmers, and other proposals. Ask any rural resident or business owner in Canada: crime is often a very real and pervasive issue. Filmmaker Geoff Morrison, who just released season two of Farm Crime on CBC Gem, talks about some of the more remarkable stories and common sentiments he's seen. Ryan wraps up the show with a powerful follow-up to yesterday's discussion about Emily (and Colby) Cave. 20:51 - WEST panel 1:17:56 - Geoff Morrison

With Ottawa sending $6B to Air Canada (and other airlines looking for the same), what does this mean for the country's airline industry...and the millions of Canadians that endeavour to start travelling again ASAP? Are the federal Liberals really "nationalizing" Air Canada, and does this qualify as a "bailout"? Former Air Canada executive and business professor at McGill University, John Gradek, takes our coverage to new heights. (Sorry, we couldn't help ourselves.) It's hard to imagine a 45% tuition increase, but that's what future University of Alberta law students are looking at. Lawyer Amanda Hart-Dowhun and law students Denis Ram and Sarah Kreikle take us into their organized efforts to stop the increase, and explain why increased tuition might actually cost the University more than administrators realize. 21:55 - John Gradek 39:03 - Law School tuition panel

Professor Timothy Caulfield and Dr. Shazma Mithani fact check a viral video from "mental wealth coach" Kaylor Betts. Ryan debates "platforming," "de-platforming," and the premise behind what qualifies as "Real Talk". We get into your emails to talk@ryanjespersen.com, including commentary on Grace Life Church continuing to gather en masse in defiance of public health orders. With the price of Bitcoin surging again, and China unveiling its own digital currency, Bitcoin Well CEO Adam O'Brien checks in (and shows off his flamethrower...for real). 17:51 - Prof. Timothy Caulfield & Dr. Shazma Mithani 1:35:54 - Adam O'Brien

Ryan starts the show with commentary on Sunday's debacle at Grace Life Church. As demonstrators tore down fences erected by Alberta Health Services, where was the "rule of law" Premier Jason Kenney's called for in past? We open the show with another Real Talk Round Table: why are landowners forced to fund their own environmental studies on coal mining in the Rocky Mountains? What are researchers discovering, and what does the general public need to know? Dr. Brad Stelfox, Mandy Olsgard, and Colton Vessey continue our conversation. A recent survey commissioned by MNP shows 53% are within $200 of insolvency at any given moment. Personal finance educator and author Kelley Keehn has a few tips to keep you on the right track. Hundreds of people have donated to a fundraiser in honour of Rob White, who lost his life saving a dog on the North Saskatchewan River. Rob's wife Bobbi, his sons Strider and Alliance, and his best friend Chris Barrett share a few stores about the man described as "Father to a thousand people." Plus, it's Monday morning, so we read your inspirational messages for this week's Positive Reflections, presented by Kuby Energy!  17:24 - Coal Round Table 55:13 - Kelley Keehn 1:19:12 - The White family and Chris Barrett 1:57:19 - Positive Reflections