Listen "Short: How the 'Calgary School' reimagined prairie politics to reshape Canadian conservatism"
Episode Synopsis
Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman spearheaded the Chicago School, popularizing free-market ideas that reshaped American conservatism. But Canada has its own counterpart: the so-called “Calgary School,” a loose group of University of Calgary academics whose ideas helped shape this country’s right-of-centre movement. Their influence can be seen in the policies and perspectives of conservative leaders ranging from Stephen Harper and Danielle Smith to Pierre Poilievre. In this episode of West of Centre Short, host Rob Brown speaks with Barry Cooper — the last active, original member of the Calgary School — about how this informal group challenged Canada’s traditional, "Laurentian" political and cultural mindset.
More episodes of the podcast West of Centre
Is 'pragmatism' good climate policy?
26/09/2025
Licence to divide
19/09/2025
Short: Party politics hits city hall
16/09/2025
No pipeline, no problem... For now
12/09/2025
West of Centre goes on summer break
04/08/2025
Buckle up, Alberta! 2025 ain't over yet
31/07/2025
Less fire and more finesse
25/07/2025
Short: The problem with GDP per capita
21/07/2025