CBC podcast heading to the Hat for live taping

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on April 5, 2025.

Hatters can now reserve free tickets to attend a live taping of CBC’s West of Centre hosted by Kathleen Petty who will speak with local officials about the election later this month.

The live taping of the political podcast is scheduled for April 16 for two hours beginning at 7 p.m. at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, and members of the public are able to reserve free tickets to be part of the live audience Q&A session.

Petty will be speaking with Rochelle Pancoast, managing director of energy, land and environment with Medicine Hat; Barry Morishita, former Alberta Party Leader and mayor of Brooks; Michaela Frey, former UCP MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat; and Janet Brown, an independent pollster.

“We’re bringing together an exceptional panel to discuss the federal election and the major economic and public policy issues shaping southern Alberta – everything from energy to western alienation,” reads a promotional ad.

The weekly podcast was launched in 2020 and “explores the voices, experiences and misunderstanding of the western part of the country,” reads an article published by CBC in 2020.

“West of Centre offers a unique insight into Western values, views, hopes and ambitions.”

Petty was one of the founding producers and hosts for the CBC News Network and is the executive producer of news for CBC Calgary.

An online link to reserve a free ticket to the live taping can be found by visiting the city’s website.