Smith sets a pipeline ambush

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on October 3, 2025, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson dive right into the top stories of the week — and a few other ones, too.

They start in Alberta, where Matt argues that Premier Danielle Smith has set a trap — and he says that with admiration. Jen agrees, but also notes how wearying it is to live in a province where recycling old grievances has become a stand-in for actual governance. Matt points out that many Albertans have long since insisted they need to be more like Quebec … and, well, they’re succeeding. Unfortunately, Alberta is turning into Quebec in all the worst ways.

This episode of The Line Podcast is brought to you by Forestry For The Future. Canadian forestry supports 200,000 workers, generates $87 billion in annual revenue, contributes $21 billion annually to our nation’s economy, and provides the products we need to build homes and drive economic growth. While trade barriers from the U.S. are siphoning jobs and investment away, Canada’s own approval processes and regulations are preventing critical projects that both prevent wildfires and boost our economic self-reliance.

We can and should have programs that expand domestic wood use, advance biomass use and pulp market opportunities, and cut red tape and regulatory barriers. The government of Canada has a clear opportunity to stand up for Canadian forestry at a time of growing global uncertainty. We need real action that puts Canadians first — supporting employees and their families, securing stability for our businesses, and protecting the long-term potential of our sector and its people. To learn more, visit ForestryForTheFuture.ca.

From there, the conversation shifts east to Toronto Metropolitan University (yes, formerly Ryerson), where there’s some drama in the progressive camp. A group of students is suing the school both for making them look anti-Semitic and for not being progressive enough, despite promising it would be. As you might imagine, Matt and Jen have some fun with that one.

This episode is also brought to you by the Daily Bread Food Bank. Working-age Canadians with disabilities experience poverty and food insecurity at twice the rate of the general population. The Canada Disability Benefit was designed to address this, but at $6.67 a day, it fails to cover essentials like food, housing, and medication. Daily Bread Food Bank and coalition partners urge the federal government to fully fund the benefit to lift those it was meant to serve out of poverty. Join thousands of Canadians calling for change to help ensure people with disabilities can live a life of dignity. Take action at FundTheBenefit.ca.

Last but not least, Matt shares — with absolute delight — another gem of Canadian military procurement excellence. But behind the humour, he offers a more serious warning: Canada is drifting toward a two-tier system of governance, and the irony is that it’s the Liberals who are making that happen.

All that and more in the latest episode of The Line Podcast. For more, check us out at ReadTheLine.ca.