Balance of Power: Solving the Wrong Problem

Balance of Power: Solving the Wrong Problem

From The Strategists by Stephen Carter, Zain Velji

April 22, 2026 · 32 min

About this episode

The episode discusses whether current policy decisions are addressing the right problems, focusing on daylight saving time, fertility issues, and public consultation in Alberta.

If the problems keep getting worse, are we even solving the right one? This week on Balance of Power , Annalise Klingbeil and Leah Ward take on a set of decisions that feel increasingly out of step with how people actually live. From time changes to family planning to public consultation, they walk through what happens when policy targets miss the mark. First: daylight saving time. Alberta is moving toward making it permanent—but what does that actually mean for winter mornings, daily routines, and how people function? Is this about convenience, or are we ignoring what the research says? Then: fertility in Alberta. A new report lays out the cost, access, and emotional toll of treatment, raising bigger questions about population growth, affordability, and what actually drives people’s decisions to have kids. And finally: the Alberta Next survey. After a long fight to release the data, what do the responses actually show? And what’s the point of consultation if the outcome is already decided? Policy, incentives, and what happens when we keep solving the wrong problem. Welcome to Balance of Power . Have a comment or idea? Email us at suggestionbox@balanceofpowerpod.ca Join the…

People in this episode

Hosts: Stephen Carter, Zain Velji

Guests: Annalise Klingbeil, Leah Ward

Topics covered

  • policy decisions
  • daylight saving time
  • fertility treatment
  • public consultation
  • population growth
  • affordability
  • policy incentives

Keywords

  • daylight saving time
  • fertility
  • Alberta
  • public consultation
  • policy
  • population growth
  • affordability

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Alberta, Alberta Next, Balance of Power, Strategists Podcast Network, Acast

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