This week on West of Centre, guest host Jason Markusoff reconvenes the national political panel The House Party for a conversation about Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa.

That historically difficult partnership has changed with a deal to pursue a pipeline to the B.C. coast, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s warmth towards this Liberal prime minister. But our panel wonders if that relationship is built to last.

Joining Jason are his two co-hosts from House Party: Catherine Cullen, host of CBC’s The House, and Daniel Thibeault, Radio-Canada’s Ottawa bureau chief, along with Falice Chin, the Alberta bureau chief for The Hub.

• Host: Jason Markusoff
• Guests: Falice Chin, Catherine Cullen, Daniel Thibeault
• Producer: Carla Turner

The geopolitical rules were rewritten this week as the U.S. moves beyond simply buying oil. It effectively took over the world's largest oil reserves in Venezuela — the same kind of heavy oil produced by Alberta. It's a threat that can't be dismissed.

This week, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty is joined by Gitane De Silva, former CEO of the Canada Energy Regulator and Alberta's former senior representative to the United States; Martha Hall Findlay, who was Suncor Energy's first chief climate officer; and Sonya Savage, former Alberta energy minister.

With 10 per cent of Alberta's crude at risk of being displaced in the U.S. Gulf Coast and a big hit to the provincial budget at stake, the panel says Canada can no longer afford to be the 'boy scouts' of the global energy market.

The panel explains why Canada isn't building refineries instead of pipelines. And they drill down on how this complicates the pursuit of a private proponent for a new bitumen pipeline to B.C.'s northwest coast. They argue while the Smith-Carney MOU is a start, it is no longer sufficient to de-risk the massive commercial uncertainty created by the 'might-makes-right' White House.

• Host: Kathleen Petty
• Guests: Gitane De Silva, Martha Hall Findlay, Sonya Savage
• Producer and editor: Diane Yanko

From a Trump trade war and a historic teachers' strike, to the UCP government’s use of the notwithstanding clause, 2025 has been a high-stakes whirlwind for Alberta.

This week on West of Centre, the CBC’s own Jason Markusoff swaps his producer and writer hat for a clipboard as quizmaster for our "not-quite-annual" quiz show. Testing their knowledge of the year's headlines: Falice Chin, Alberta bureau chief of The Hub; Alex Boyd, Calgary-based reporter for the Toronto Star; and pollster Janet Brown of Janet Brown Opinion Research.

Think you can beat our political smarties?

Use our study guide to prep for a look back on such key topics as:

• The prime ministerial pivot (Justin Trudeau’s resignation).
• The Mar-a-Lago minute (Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s trip to Florida).
• The notwithstanding fall (when Albertans got a lesson on the Charter).
• The ‘La-La-La-We-Can’t-Hear-You’ Act of 2025 (Markusoff gave a certain piece of legislation a very catchy nickname).
• Mayoral shakeups (new faces in the big chair in Calgary and Edmonton).

Test your knowledge, keep your own score, and stick around to find out which of the panellists wins bragging rights and the coveted ‘No. 1 Nerd’ trophy.

• Host: Jason Markusoff
• Guests: Alex Boyd, Janet Brown, Falice Chin
• Producer and editor: Diane Yanko