Episode Overview

Podcast: Rebel News Podcast
Episode: "EZRA LEVANT | Will an oil pipeline actually be built under Liberal PM Mark Carney?"
Date: November 28, 2025
Host: Ezra Levant
Guests: Sheila Gunn Reid (Chief Reporter, Rebel News), Avi Yemini (Rebel News Australia)

This episode explores the political and economic implications of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Alberta and the federal Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney, potentially paving the way for a major oil pipeline to the West Coast. The Rebel News team dissects the skepticism around Carney’s change in stance on oil, Alberta’s willingness to compromise on environmental policies, and the feasibility of pipeline construction given the history of previous failed projects. The second half of the show pivots to Australia, where Avi Yemini discusses Pauline Hanson’s controversial anti-burqa parliamentary stunt and the climate of free speech Down Under.

Main Discussion: Alberta’s Oil Pipeline Gamble

The Calgary Announcement Context

• Ezra Levant and Sheila Gunn Reid report from the McDougal Center in Calgary, the provincial office of Alberta’s premier, following a high-stakes announcement about Alberta and Ottawa’s federal government signing an MOU on pipelines, carbon capture, and emissions targets. (00:00–01:05)

Key Discussion Points

• Skepticism About Carney’s Intentions

  • Ezra frames Carney, former head of the Bank of England and Sustainable Finance advocate, as a "notorious anti-oil extremist"—albeit of the suit-wearing, institutional variety, not an "eco-warrior" in the street. (01:05)
  • Quote: “He always wears the $5,000 suits ... But he’s actually been a far more effective anti-oil extremist for years.” (Ezra Levant, 01:15)
  • Discussion of Carney's leadership in "capital strike" efforts against oil via investment coalitions like GFANZ. (01:18)
  • Skepticism that a “smarter Stephen Guilbeault” (Canada’s notoriously green Environment Minister) could truly be an ally. (01:47)

• Concerns Over Private Sector Buy-In

  • Sheila points out that a key MOU condition is a private-sector partner, which does not yet exist. She doubts companies will invest amid rising carbon taxes and ongoing regulatory burdens when the US offers a friendlier climate. (02:59)
  • Quote: “There's no private sector partner right now and that's a key condition ... why would there be a partner when you have, you know, these upstream emissions [and] carbon taxes being slapped on these projects?” (Sheila Gunn Reid, 02:59)

• Canada Losing Investment

  • Cites Nutrien, which chose to export fertilizer through the US rather than Canada due to friendlier regulatory conditions, as a cautionary tale. (03:41)

Alberta's Position and the MOU’s Substance

• Premier Danielle Smith’s Remarks (04:38–06:08)

  • The agreement sets out to combine resource development with major carbon-capture and storage infrastructure, promising lower-emission oil and positioning Alberta as an environmental leader.
  • Emphasizes that trust “must be built and earned,” with indigenous and BC government consultation required. (04:38)
  • Quote: “A new relationship and a new beginning needs a starting point grounded in good faith. And today, I hope, is that new starting point.” (Danielle Smith, 06:02)

• Skeptical Journalism

  • Rebel News secures several questions at the press scrum, challenging government claims and the details of the MOU’s deadlines—especially the requirement for Alberta to raise carbon taxes as the first step, but with no pipeline in exchange until much later. (06:08–07:47)
  • Quote: “They're asking Alberta to raise carbon taxes now for a promise of an oil pipeline years or, even more than a decade, in the future. Does that really build trust?” (Ezra Levant, 07:35)

Premier Smith’s Responses

• On Carbon Taxes and Pipeline Timelines (07:47–10:10)

  • Smith notes the Supreme Court upheld the federal right to set carbon prices and that Alberta is trying to negotiate a slower escalation, currently freezing the tax at $95 pending more consultation.
  • Insists both the carbon-capture “Pathways” project and pipeline authorization must proceed together; one is contingent on the other.
  • “You don't always get 100% of what you want. But we addressed seven out of the nine bad laws ... I think this will allow us to see some substantial investments.” (Danielle Smith, 09:56)

• On Carney and Trust

  • Ezra asks what reassurances Smith got from Carney, whose past antagonism against oil is well documented. (10:10–11:14)
  • Smith responds that attitudes are shifting post-Ukraine war, with natural gas now recognized globally as essential, not transitional.
  • She implies even Carney may be “recalibrating” his views, but reiterates: “We will trust, but we will verify.” (Danielle Smith, 12:48)

• Skeptical Takeaway

  • “It’s my role to be a skeptic because we can’t all say, oh yes, I’m totally trustworthy that this lifelong, decades long enemy of the oil patch is suddenly our ally. ... A leopard doesn’t change his spots that quickly.” (Ezra Levant and Sheila Gunn Reid, 13:52–14:25)

Challenges from British Columbia and Legal Barriers

• BC’s Role and Possible Veto (14:47–16:41)

  • Sheila probes the uncertainty around BC’s approval, given Ottawa’s shifting language on Indigenous and provincial veto rights.
  • Smith reassures the MOU doesn't mention BC having a veto and highlights recent shifting attitudes towards LNG in BC, suggesting attitudes can change with genuine consultation.

• Legal Threats and the Notwithstanding Clause (16:41–17:09)

  • Sheila asks if the PM might override BC's opposition via constitutional powers. Smith says it's unneeded; federal jurisdiction on pipelines is clear and courts have ruled in favour before.
  • Emphasizes the new “major projects list” which is supposed to streamline approval to a 2-year window—again, “trust but verify.” (17:09)

The Canadian Regulatory Quagmire

• Discussion of how lawsuits, Indigenous consultations, and government roadblocks have led firms to invest in riskier foreign jurisdictions. (18:04–18:39)

• Warning that lack of meaningful progress will keep Canada uncompetitive, while entrenched anti-oil activism will revive to fight the pipeline. (20:33)

• Quote: “It’s easier to pay off the local warlord than to do business in Canada. And that’s just a fact of the oil and gas sector.” (Sheila Gunn Reid, 18:39)

Rebel News’ Editorial Position

• Both hosts stress “skeptical support” for Premier Smith’s efforts, but vow to scrutinize all federal and provincial promises.

  • “I want to be a supporter, but with a skeptical eye because somebody’s got to be.” (Ezra Levant, 19:53)

• Expectations of Escalating Opposition

  • “Today, all the forces of NO are going to mobilize against Daniel Smith ... all that foreign money flowing in ... to activate against any potential pipeline project.” (Sheila Gunn Reid, 20:33)

Speculation About United Conservative Party AGM

• Separatist Under-currents
  • Sheila predicts Alberta separatists will have a big presence at the upcoming party conference, reflecting deep regional alienation. (23:28)

International Focus: Pauline Hanson and Free Speech in Australia

Introduction of Avi Yemini (Australia Bureau Chief)

• Avi updates the audience on the political scene in Australia, focusing on Senator Pauline Hanson's protest against the burqa in Parliament, and how Australia’s system allows for controversial political figures to have an ongoing platform. (26:43–27:39)
• “She’s been around for decades. I’d say she’s one of the most consistent Conservative voices ... and just the Labor Party, the direction that they’ve taken Australia. But most importantly ... how consistent she’s been the whole time.” (Avi Yemini, 27:39)

Hanson's Anti-Burqa Stunt

What Happened? (31:20–33:42)

• Hanson attempted to table a motion to ban face coverings (including burqas) in public. When shut down, she donned a burqa and entered the Senate chamber herself, provoking outrage.

• “I came in here to debate banning this burqa ... instead of banning it, you ... refuse to discuss banning it, and then I walk in wearing it, and now you want to ban me for wearing it. So which way do you want to have it?” (Avi Yemini, paraphrasing Pauline Hanson, 33:42)

• Mainstream media and some politicians pounced on her as “racist,” but public reaction online was largely supportive of Hanson.

  • “If you look online ... the vast majority is in support of her ... she has wide public support.” (Avi Yemini, 36:49)

Penalty and Significance (37:52–39:59)

• Hanson was censured by Parliament, receiving the harshest penalty in history—banned from the Senate for seven sitting days.

• Quote: “It doesn’t bother me that you censure me. That only creates ... that messiah effect. I think the average Aussie sees what they’re trying to do and it’s not going to work. It’s only going to work in her favor.” (Avi Yemini, 38:46)

• Discussion on the chilling effect of refusing debate: “We can’t even debate it. ... If they just debated it and they banned it, it would’ve been illegal for her to enter the chamber wearing it. That’s why it was so masterful and so clever.” (Avi Yemini, 38:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He’s just a slightly smarter version of Stephen Guilbeault. I think he hates the oil patch as his life’s work.”
  — Ezra Levant, (10:10)

• “We will trust, but we will verify. We will make sure that he lives up to the commitments in this agreement.”
  — Premier Danielle Smith, (12:48)

• “A leopard doesn’t change his spots that quickly.”
  — Sheila Gunn Reid, (14:25)

• “It is easier to pay off the local warlord than to do business in Canada.”
  — Sheila Gunn Reid, (18:39)

• “I want to be a supporter, but with a skeptical eye because somebody’s got to be.”
  — Ezra Levant, (19:53)

• On Pauline Hanson’s Senate stunt:
  “She was ordered to leave the Senate chamber. ... My point being ... you refuse to discuss banning it, and then I walk in wearing it, and now you want to ban me for wearing it. So which way do you want to have it?” — Avi Yemini (33:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:05 – Setting up Calgary’s MOU pipeline announcement and skepticism
• 01:05–03:41 – Carney’s track record and investment barriers
• 04:38–06:08 – Premier Danielle Smith’s remarks on the MOU
• 06:08–10:10 – Ezra’s press questions: carbon tax and trust
• 10:10–12:48 – Carney’s private assurances and global context
• 13:52–14:25 – Skepticism of Carney’s drastic shift
• 14:47–17:09 – BC's veto threat and legal strategy
• 18:39–19:53 – Editorial take on government trust
• 20:33–21:31 – Anticipated escalation of activism
• 22:49–23:28 – Carney’s absence and visual implications
• 23:28–24:04 – UCP AGM, separatism speculation
• 26:43–27:19 – Australia check-in, Pauline Hanson’s consistency
• 31:20–33:42 – Hanson’s anti-burqa protest in Parliament
• 36:49–39:38 – Media backlash, Hanson's parliamentary censure

Episode Character & Tone

The tone is deeply skeptical, confrontational, and combative towards the Liberal government and environmentalist activists. Both Levant and Gunn Reid blend sarcasm with pointed analysis, repeatedly affirming their commitment to supporting Alberta’s interests but not at the cost of critique or vigilance.

Avi Yemini’s segment features wry humor, a libertarian streak, and admiration for Australia's more rambunctious, less censored political climate—juxtaposed against Canadian stifling of debate.

Conclusion

This episode encapsulates the core Rebel News ethos: defender of resource development, opponent of environmental regulation, and voice for Western alienation. It breaks down the latest Alberta-Ottawa oil pipeline pact with wary eyes, lays out the obstacles ahead—regulatory, political, and activist—and finds parallels with populist pushback in Australia. Whether you’re skeptical, hopeful, or simply intrigued by realignment in climate and energy policy, the show dissects the stakes with both detail and bombast.