Mark Carney’s steady economic message resonated with voters, helping the Liberals secure a fourth consecutive term — though still a minority. But the results have stirred fresh tensions with Alberta, where Premier Danielle Smith is moving ahead to lower the bar for referendums as talk of separatism re-emerges. In this episode of West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty explores what the outcome means for Canada’s future — and Alberta’s increasingly restless role within Confederation.Three Calgary voters — Darryl, Sunil and Chelsea — offer raw, personal reflections. While Chelsea calls the election a rejection of Trumpism, Sunil, a disappointed Conservative supporter, questions whether his party can ever win under the current political setup. The panel debates Carney’s appeal to centrists, the collapse of the NDP, and whether Alberta’s political class is rallying voters or fanning division.Later, former Conservative cabinet minister Monte Solberg and political strategist Stephen Carter join for a spirited post-mortem. Carter jokes about his Strategists podcast partner Corey Hogan’s surprise win in Calgary Confederation, while both guests assess Carney’s leadership, Pierre Poilievre’s limits and Smith’s political calculations. Despite their differences, they agree: if the Liberals want to ease Western alienation, Alberta needs a real voice in cabinet — and Smith has a window to show she can build bridges, not just burn them.

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