# 'It's always Band-Aids'

An episode of [West of Centre](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1496639620), 19 Jun 2026, 34 min.

Audio: https://mgln.ai/e/12/cbc.mc.tritondigital.com/CBC_WESTOFCENTRE_P/media/westofcentre/westofcentre-1XrG7Rdd-20260619.mp3

About 3.4 million Albertans are eligible to receive a $100 energy rebate. The provincial government says the cash will bring meaningful relief from the pain of the cost of living. But for some on this week's episode, the move doesn't cure what's causing affordability issues in the province. This week, host Kathleen Petty is joined by The Hub's Alberta Edge podcast panellists. • Falice Chin, Alberta bureau chief for The Hub. • Amber Ruddy, a former Conservative staffer and a vice-president at Counsel Public Affairs. • Keith McLaughlin, a former chief of staff for Alberta NDP cabinet ministers and a partner at New West Public Affairs. Also on this episode: disagreement about where the heated rhetoric is headed around Alberta treaty chiefs calling for the RCMP and auditor general to investigate whether the fall referendum amounts to criminal treason by Premier Danielle Smith and her UCP government. However, all agree the option of an early election is a strategic necessity even if it's highly unlikely. • Host: Kathleen Petty • Guests: Falice Chin, Amber Ruddy, Keith McLaughlin • Producer: Diane Yanko

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