This week Mattea Roach, is joined by Ziya Jones, Riley Yesno, and Frances Bula, to talk about public safety. A few weeks ago unhoused folks in Vancouver were met with displacement and decampment by police and bylaw officers. Who is this supposed solution meant for? AND, transgender and queer people have been facing a new wave of violent attacks globally. What kinds of protections might actually help?

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Ziya Jones, Riley Yesno, Frances Bula

Background reading:

• Vancouver police, city staff begin removing encampment on East Hastings Street
• lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/N-11.2/FullText.html">National Housing Strategy Act
• Ontario NDP urges legal protections for drag performances
• Drag events in Canada are facing a ‘crisis’ of hate, advocate warns. What can be done?
• Anti-gay activists target children’s libraries and drag queen story hours
• Canada’s federal budget promises anti-hate action, but can the government actually do anything?

Sponsors: Athletic Greens, BetterHelp

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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It’s that time of the year again! Budget season… AND, the story about Chinese government influence just keeps getting even more complicated. This week Mattea Roach is joined by Murad Hemmadi, Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Stuart Thomson to unpack how the complex issue of government interference is being seized on by various parties, and how feasible Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland’s proposed budget is for this country’s future. 

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Murad Hemmadi, Nick Taylor-Vaisey, Stuart Thomson 

Background reading:

• Freeland's green economy spending aimed at competing with U.S. Inflation Reduction Act
• freeland-to-unveil-federal-budget-today.html">Chrystia Freeland's federal budget throws new spending at inflation-weary Canadians
• en.html">Chapter 3: A Made-In-Canada Plan: Affordable Energy, Good Jobs, and a Growing Clean Economy | Budget 2023
• Highlights from the 2023 federal budget | CBC News

Sponsors: Douglas, PSAC, Athletic Greens, Images Festival

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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The Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, marking it as the biggest bank failure in the United States since the 2008 Financial Crisis. AND, our three top grocers testified at the House of Commons recently, but Canadians learned very little. This week host Mattea Roach is joined by Murad Hemmadi, Meagan Simpson, and Arshy Mann to unpack the future of the bank and tech industries, and why many Canadians are feeling the strain every time they step into a grocery store, all while grocers are making record profits. 

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Murad Hemmadi, Meagan Simpson, Arshy Mann

A full list of background reading can be found on our website.

Sponsors: Rotman, Bryce@100, Athletic Greens

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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Host Mattea Roach is joined by Emilie Nicolas, Stuart Thomson and Les Perreaux to talk about the latest at Roxham Road, the irregular border crossing where thousands of asylum seekers flock to Canada. What’s bringing them here and what’s happening once they arrive? 

And a subset of Google users in Canada have discovered a bunch of Canadian news mysteriously disappearing from their search results… whose fault is this, and should we be concerned? We unpack the Online News Act, Bill C-18.

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Stuart Thomson, Les Perreaux

Background reading:

• migrants-immigration.html?partner=slack&smid=sl-share">Canadians Fume as Migrants Surge at Their Border - New York Times
• It’s time to close the breach at Roxham Road and enforce Canada’s borders - Globe and Mail
• Niagara Falls facing 'limits' in accommodating influx of asylum seekers, mayor says - CBC News
• Roxham: The little country road that became a big political headache for the Trudeau government - CBC News
• Google threatens Canada, because it can - Globe and Mail
• The Bill C-18 Reality: Everyone Loses When the Government Mandates Payments for Links - Michael Geist

Sponsors: Douglas, Bryce@100, Athletic Greens

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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Host Mattea Roach is joined by Nick Taylor-Vaisey, David Moscrop and Sandy Garossino to talk about the two objects shot down over Canada. Is this a question of national security? Or a weather monitoring program gone wrong? It’s probably not aliens, right? 

Also, the Rouleau Report was released shortly after RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki announced the end of her tenure. The RCMP has felt the impact of scandal after scandal, so what kind of leadership is required to move forward and build better?

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Nick Taylor-Vaisey, David Moscrop, Sandy Garossino

Background reading:

• U.S. fighter jet shoots down ‘cylindrical object’ flying over Yukon on orders from Trudeau, Biden
• Objects shot out of North American skies likely not used for spying, Biden says
• A hobby club in Illinois is missing a balloon. Was it shot down over Yukon?
• The timing of Brenda Lucki's RCMP departure
• After year of scandals, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki announces retirement
• RCMP’s Brenda Lucki says she will retire next month: ‘I did my best’

Sponsors: Rotman, Athletic Greens

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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A proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit has been reached between the federal government and 325 First Nations, which applies to Indigenous children who attended residential schools during the day—students who were left out of the 2006 residential schools settlement. This episode gets into the legal elements of this lawsuit, how we got here, and what impacts it might have going forward. 

And, all 13 provinces and territories are calling for “immediate action” to strengthen Canada’s bail system in the wake of the death of an Ontario Provincial Police officer in late December. What does the bail system look like in Canada? How is this specific moment being politicized?  And, what would the consequences of bail reform be?

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Riley Yesno, Karen Restoule, Patricia Barkaskas

Background reading:

• Canada’s $2.8 billion settlement with Indigenous Day Scholars is a long-time coming
• $2.8-billion settlement reached in class action lawsuit over residential schools
• How does Canada's bail system actually work? And where does it fall short?
• Premiers demand bail reform in letter to Trudeau after killing of OPP officer

Sponsors: Douglas, Athletic Greens

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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Armed conflicts across the world are increasingly demanding the attention of Canadians and prompting the federal government to get involved. This episode, host Mattea Roach is joined by Emilie Nicolas, Arshy Mann, and Steven Chase to talk about what Canadian intervention in Haiti could and should look like, and they also tackle the existential questions we have about our military: What is the state of our military? Are we prepared to take on an expanded role? Should we?

Host: Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Arshy Mann, Steven Chase

Background reading:

• Bob Rae: Major military intervention in Haiti would not have sustainable impact
• Adam Zivo: Is Canada not sending its tanks to Ukraine because they're broken?
• Fiscal watchdog raises concern about $15-billion in unexplained military spending in 2022 federal budget
• Current Operations and Joint Military Exercises list
• Canada’s military pulling back in Middle East as European, domestic needs rise
• Emilie Nicolas: What should Canada's involvement in Haiti look like?

Sponsors: Rotman, Athletic Greens

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts at our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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We tackle two crises facing our country – healthcare and climate change. Host Mattea Roach asks our panelists Riley Yesno, Drew Brown, and Sara Birrell about what we are doing to solve the major problems that exist in our splintered healthcare system and where we are really at when it comes to climate change policy. Does throwing money at the problem actually help?

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capachionne (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)

Guests: Riley Yesno, Drew Brown, Sara Birrell

Background reading:

Healthcare

• Canadian health-care systems 'strained, if not broken' | A Conversation with the Prime Minister 
• More money is a must, but health-care delivery also needs a major rethink, doctors say CBC News

Climate Change Policy

• An activist in office: Steven Guilbeault's first year as environment minister CBC News
• Trudeau announces $800M for Indigenous-led conservation initiatives CBC News
• 'Just transition' bill coming in 2023, natural resources minister says CBC News
• Federal government approves controversial Bay du Nord oil project CBC News

Sponsors: Douglas, Athletic Greens

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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On December 14th, we brought The Backbench to you LIVE and in-person from the Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto. It was an evening of “serious” political discourse and endless laughs. Our host Mattea Roach and our expert panelists, Emilie Nicolas, David Moscrop, and Murad Hemmadi unpacked the seriously eventful year that was 2022 – from faulty infrastructure, to the Pope’s visit, to our 2023 political wish list, and more. 

Taking inspiration from David Moscrop's powerful questions: Show of hands....is anyone here a supporter? 

If you want to hear a special and hilarious extended cut of the evening, which includes Mattea’s opening conversation with “political consultant” Dan Cashgrab, also known as comedian Miguel Rivas, you can become a supporter to get access to the exclusive convo.

Go to canadaland.com/join. 

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione  (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)

Guests:  Emilie Nicolas, David Moscrop, Murad Hemmadi

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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We want to warn listeners that segment one talks about suicide and may not be suitable for all listeners. If you'd like to skip it go to 23:37. If you’re struggling with mental health please connect with a crisis responder to get help without judgment: Call 1-833-456-4566 / Text: 45645 (4 pm – midnight ET). 

In this episode, host Mattea Roach, and panelists, Karen Restoule, Jaskaran Sandhu, and Arshy Mann, unpack the controversial expansion for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) set to change on March 17, 2023. Also, Canada is trying to re-establish itself on the international stage after announcing its Indo-Pacific Strategy in Beautiful British Columbia. Does Canada’s future lie in the Indo-Pacific?

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchionne (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)

Guests: Karen Restoule, Jaskaran Sandhu, Arshy Mann

Background reading:

• Canada will soon allow medically assisted dying for mental illness. Has there been enough time to get it right? in The Globe and Mail
• Medical experts call on government to delay expansion of MAID for mental illness in The Globe and Mail
• Call to Action re:March 2023 MAiD Expansion by the Society of Canadian Psychiatry
• launches-indo-pacific-strategy-to-support-long-term-growth-prosperity-and-security-for-canadians.html">Canada launches Indo-Pacific Strategy to support long-term growth, prosperity, and security for Canadians by the Government of Canada
• Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy by the Government of Canada
• Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy sees China as a ‘disruptive global power’ in The Globe in Mail
• SIKHS WEARY OF INCREASED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN WAKE OF CANADA’S INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY by the World Sikh Organization
• Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy ‘long overdue,’ shows ‘radical change’ on China: experts by Rachel Gilmore from Global News

Sponsors: Douglas, oxio, Athletic Greens

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events. 

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The six weeks of dramatic testimony have officially come to an end with testimony from the Prime Minister himself. Join our host, Mattea Roach, and an exceptional panel with Stuart Thomson, David Moscrop, and Sandy Garossino for a deep retrospective on Trudeau’s invocation of the Emergencies Act against the 'Freedom Convoy' this past February. Also, the Green Party has a “new” leader. Welcome back Elizabeth May. This episode Mattea and our panelists discuss the future of the Green Party. 

If you want to support this show go to https://canadaland.com/join

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)

Guests: Stuart Thomson, Sandy Garossino, David Moscrop

Background reading:

• and-hate-are-threats-to-public-safety-why-havent-we-heard-this-during-the-emergencies-act-inquiry.html">Racism and hate are threats to public safety. Why haven’t we heard this during the Emergencies Act inquiry? by Amira Elghawaby from the Toronto Star
• Trudeau 'serene' about invoking Emergencies Act, says police plan to clear protest 'wasn't a plan at all' by Catharine Tunney from CBC News
• 'Bad humour' and short fuses: How politicians' texts played out at the Emergencies Act inquiry by Joseph Tunney from CBC News
• The Green Party has two new leaders. Will their shared vision get the party back on its feet? by Natasha Bulowski from the National Observer 
• Political insider breaks down Green Party of Canada co-leadership win, potential trouble ahead by Gregor Craigie from CBC News

Sponsors: Douglas, oxio

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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Financial Minister Chrystia Freeland’s mini-budget is at your service to save us from inflation. Or is it Justin-flation? This week our host, Mattea Roach, is joined by Emilie Nicolas, Murad Hemmadi, and Nick Taylor-Vaisey to talk about the effectiveness of the proposed budget, the impending recession, and the “costly-coalition.” They also tackle the increasingly common use of the notwithstanding clause—what does it mean, and should we be worried?

Get tickets to The Backbench live show on December 14. Support Canadaland to get your free tickets.

Host: Mattea Roach (Recorded via personal microphone. Audio quality may differ.)

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)

Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Murad Hemmadi, Nick Taylor-Vaisey

Background reading:

• Highlights of the 2022 Fall Economic Statement
• things-you-need-to-know-about-the-liberals-fall-economic-update.html">Five things you need to know about the Liberals’ fall economic update
• In defence of the notwithstanding clause: Why Canada should hold onto it
• What Ottawa should say to the provinces: See your notwithstanding clause, raise you disallowance
• Three cheers for the notwithstanding clause

Sponsors: Oxio

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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BC NDP leadership candidate Anjali Appadurai had the rug pulled out from under her. This week Mattea Roach is joined with Stuart Thomson, Jaskaran Sandhu, and Arno Kopecky to talk about how and why the BC-NDP ended up disqualifying Appadurai, leaving David Eby to be sworn in as Premier of British Columbia. Also, this week the backbenchers talk about the Federal handgun freeze that is supposedly the strongest action in a generation. We’ll see about that…

Host: Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)

Guests: Stuart Thomson, Jaskaran Sandhu, Arno Kopecky

Background reading: 

Chronicle of a death foretold by Arno Kopecky in Canada’s National Observer

The desperate disqualification of Anjali Appadurai by Avi Lewis in Canada’s National Observer

BC NDP Investigative Report by BC NDP Table Officer

on-handgun-sales-in-canada-comes-into-effect-friday.html">Freeze on handgun sales takes effect as Liberals face criticism they interfered in the probe of Canada’s deadliest shooting by Stephanie Levitz in the Toronto Star

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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Meet David Wallace, political fixer. After decades in the game he says he’s getting out, telling all, and dumping his files in public. The result is the viral "Klondike Papers" theory of conspiracies, conservatives, and cults. But are the allegations true? And why is he really implicating himself, and so many others? A wild, true story.

Series launches October 31st.

Subscribe now (link).

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What is going on in the Wild Rose Country? Mattea Roach is joined by experts Catherine Griwkowksy, Emilie Nicolas, and David Moscrop. Together they unpack the implications of Alberta’s new premier's calls for more sovereignty and the possible unravelling of our beloved Canadian federalism. This week we also get into Canada’s complicated diplomatic response to the Iranian protests.

Host: Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Nathan Burley (Music)

Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Catherine Griwkowsky, David Moscrop

Background reading:

• New Alberta Premier Danielle Smith dials back sovereignty pledge
• In reversal of policy, adviser says Danielle Smith's sovereignty act would respect Supreme Court decisions
• Opinion: Is Canadian federalism unravelling?
• GOLDSTEIN: Trudeau talks out of both sides of his mouth on Iran
• Stung by criticism, Trudeau government changes course on Iran
• Opinion: What Canadians are getting wrong about the hijab protests in Iran
• government-out-of-touch-on-dealing-with-iran.html">Opinion: Trudeau government out of touch on dealing with Iran

Sponsors: oxio

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. 

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Our host Mattea Roach, tackles the “new” and “exciting” Federal dental plan with Riley Yesno, Stuart Thomson, and Nick Taylor-Vaisey. The NDP are patting themselves on the back for getting something done in Ottawa—but how much have they really accomplished here? Speaking of “new” and “exciting” we need to talk about the IRCC’s new proposed immigration pathways that seem to be recycled old ones.

Links:

Dental:

• Politico piece re: dental

Immigration:

• CTV piece: Migrant workers continue to call for change after death of Jamaican worker at Ontario farm
• Toronto Star canadas-new-plan-to-help-foreign-students-and-workers-become-permanent-residents-some-say-it-isnt-nearly-new-enough.html">piece: Here’s Canada’s new plan to help foreign students and workers become permanent residents. Some say it isn’t nearly new enough

Sponsors: Douglas, oxio, Toronto Star Podcasts

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We’re thrilled to announce that Mattea Roach will be hosting the brand new season of the Backbench. She’s best known for her 23-game winning streak on Jeopardy!, but Mattea also has a keen interest in politics and has a background in sexual diversity studies, political science, and women and gender studies.

In this teaser episode, Mattea is joined with Backbench Producer Aviva Lessard and Associate Producer Noor Azrieh for a sneak peak at what they hope to accomplish in the new season. 

Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/join

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Where are the fresh faces in Canadian politics? Today, we dive into career politicians—the good the bad, and the ugly. Plus, why can’t our various levels of government just work together? It’s time to end the federal, provincial and municipal war.

Also, guest contributors join Fatima’s last episode for her last point of order segment.

Panelists: 

Emilie Nicolas, Murad Hemmadi, Stuart Thomson

Guest Contributors: 

Raisa Patel, David Moscrop, Jason Markusoff 

Links: 

https://www.keenan.ca/

Sponsors: 

Oxio, Douglas, The Peak

Additional music by Audio Network

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In this week’s episode, we talk about what constitutes good leadership, and why our leaders are struggling to meet the moment amid a global ripple of failed democratic leadership. Plus, is provincial immigration autonomy going to save us from the 2.7 million applicant backlog? Producers note: Due to technical difficulties, Fatima's voice may sound a little different.

Panelists: Drew Brown, Riley Yesno, Jaskaran Sandhu

Sponsors: Oxio, Douglas

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In this episode, Jerry DeMarco, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, delves into the Canadian federal response to climate change, and why our response is still insufficient. DeMarco unpacks 30 years of failed climate progress and offers an analysis of our government’s actions and inactions to deal with our seemingly impending doom.

Links:

bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/mr_20220426_e_44049.html">2022 Reports 1 to 5 of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to the Parliament of Canada

Federal environment commissioner presents his 2022 spring reports – April 26, 2022

Sponsors:

Oxio, The Peak, Calm, Douglas

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It’s 2022 and our politics remain dominated by men. We talked to three women who spent time in office to try to find out why.

We’re joined by former NDP MP Peggy Nash, current NDP MP Leah Gazan, and former Vancouver city councillor Andrea Reimer. 

This event was organized by Between the Lines, the publisher of Peggy Nash’s book Women Winning Office: An Activist’s Guide To Getting Elected.

Panelists: Peggy Nash, Leah Gazan, Andrea Reimer

Sponsors: Oxio, Douglas, Images

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Are our policing systems broken? Today, we dive into reimagining public safety following an array of policing scandals across the country. Plus, what did our government achieve and fail to achieve in Parliament this past year?

Sponsors: Images Festival, Calm, The Peak

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What is happening to the Canadian economy? Stephen Gordon, director of the department of economics at Université Laval, helps unpack the ins and outs of the Bank of Canada, an institution we know little about. He talks to Fatima about the worries of a hyper-politicized economy and helps us understand how the next months under this economic turmoil will unfold.

Sponsors: Oxio, 22 Murders

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Could changing Canada’s electoral system solve the crisis of voter apathy? Today, we dive into electoral reform. Plus, a new bill that would give border guards wide discretion to search our phones and computers.

UPDATE: After we recorded on Monday, senators on the national security and defence committee passed an amendment to Bill S-7 to replace the term "reasonable general concern" with "reasonable grounds to suspect." Read more here: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/senate-amends-bill-that-would-create-controversial-new-standard-for-cellphone-searches-at-border

Panelists: Drew Brown, David Moscrop, Raisa Patel

Links: 

Read Senator Paula Simons’ op-ed about Bill S-7 in The Line: https://theline.substack.com/p/paula-simons-the-government-is-trying

Sponsors: 

Douglas, 22 Murders, The Peak

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Shiv Ruparell is a young, transit-loving, urban bike advocate. He’s also a conservative, born and raised in Alberta, who has been active in politics at all levels. He talks to Fatima his view of conservative politics right now and why he remains optimistic about our political future. 

Sponsors: Oxio, Calm

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Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was one of the heavyweights of Canada’s Conservative movement. We discuss his resignation and what it might tell us about conservatism today. Plus, Canada was left out of a major Indo-Pacific trade deal. Are we losing our place on the world stage?

Panelists: Catherine Griwkowksy, Murad Hemmadi, Stuart Thomson, 

Sponsors: Oxio, Ground News, Skipper Otto

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Parliament is heading towards a vote on an NDP Private Member’s Bill that would decriminalize drug possession for personal use, among other changes to address Canada’s overdose crisis. The Liberals have also proposed a bill that would amend the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.

Garth Mullins of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users has been fighting for decriminalization for a long time as he’s watched friends die and get incarcerated. He talks about these two bills and his vision for healthy drug policy in Canada. 

Links:

• Listen to Crackdown, Garth’s podcast about the drug war: https://www.crackdownpod.com/

Sponsors: Oxio, The Peak, Ground News, Skipper Otto

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The abortion debate is back in Canadian politics. Our panel discusses the state of reproductive rights in Canada and what else the Government can do. Plus, a new report suggests civil servants are afraid to speak up and offer expert advice. 

Panelists: Leena Minifie, Emilie Nicolas and Raisa Patel

Links: 

• Further reading on Canada’s abortion laws: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/how-canada-came-to-have-no-federal-law-whatsoever-on-abortion
• A chart showing abortion access in Canada: https://www.actioncanadashr.org/resources/factsheets-guidelines/2019-09-19-access-glance-abortion-services-canada
• The full Top Of Mind report about the civil service: of-Mind-Summary-Report-EN.pdf">https://iog.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Top-of-Mind-Summary-Report-EN.pdf
• Read about the pointy-headed whales: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/16/arctic-mine-expansion-rejection-narwhal-canada

Sponsors: 22 Murders, Oxio

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Shefali Mann came to Canada as an international student in 2019. She was hoping to follow the path to permanent residency, but then the pandemic happened. She has been navigating a confusing, shifting set of programs and rules ever since, while the federal government bets on international students to help ease some of Canada's labour shortages.

Links:

• Read more about how international students are affected by these changes in the Toronto Star

unveils-new-measures-to-keep-international-students-from-running-out-of-status.html">https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/04/22/canada-unveils-new-measures-to-keep-international-students-from-running-out-of-status.html

Sponsors: 22 Murders, The Peak, Oxio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Government has launched an inquiry into the use of the Emergency Act during the Freedom Convoy. And the Canadian Armed Forces released a scathing report about racism and discrimination within its ranks. Can the culture of the military be changed?

Panelists: Emilie Nicolas, Stuart Thomson and Paul Wells. 

Links:

• Read the report about racism and prejudice in the Canadian Armed Forces here.

Sponsors: Oxio, 22 Murders, Ground News, The Waves

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eight people are in the running for leadership of the Conservative Party, but only one will emerge victorious and get a chance to become the next Prime Minister of Canada. We're joined by Politico’s Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Backbench regular Jason Markusoff to introduce our candidates. What's their vision? What have they done? And who’s most likely to flame out publicly?

Links:

• Subscribe to Politico’s Ottawa Playbook newsletter 
• See the brown-and-jean-charest-have-a-deal-that-could-make-one-of-them-the-next-conservative-leader.html">picture of teenage Patrick Brown with a Jean Charest poster on his wall
• At the time of recording, Joseph Bourgault was not yet confirmed as a candidate, but he is also in the running. His website is available here

Additional music from Audio Network

Sponsors: 22 Murders, The Peak, Ground News

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We dig into the first two chapters of the government’s new budget: housing and economic growth. 

This week’s contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Caroline Elliott, David Moscrop 

Links:

• Read accueil-en.html">Budget 2022
• Read Jen Gerson’s piece that Caroline mentions, “No One Is Going to Fix Housing”

Sponsors: Oxio, 22 Murders, Skipper Otto, Ground News

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does an apology mean? And what happens next? Fatima speaks to two people who were in Rome to hear the Pope’s apology to Indigenous people over the Residential School system: Norman Yak’e ula, a survivor who has been waiting for 58 years to hear these words; and Taylor Behn-Tsakoza, co-chair of the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council, who was part of the delegation that got an audience with the Pope. 

Links:

• Watch the Pope’s full apology here: 
• Read the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: 
• Watch the APTN video we mentioned of Taylor Behn-Tsakoza preparing to go to Rome:

Sponsors: Skipper Otto, Ground News, The Peak, 22 Murders

Additional music by Audio Network

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With deals for affordable childcare now in place across the country, we compare what each province got and discuss what this process might reveal for future programs, like pharmacare. 

And we dive into the good, the bad and the ugly of the government’s Emissions Reductions Plan.

This week’s contributors: Emilie Nicolas, Drew Brown, Stuart Thomson 

Links:

- A comparsion of childcare deals across the country.

- canadas-next-steps-for-clean-air-and-a-strong-economy.html">The Emissions Reduction Plan

Sponsors: Oxio, Freshbooks, The Peak Daily

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jagmeet Singh’s Chief of Staff Jennifer Howard was in the room during negotiations for the Liberal-NDP supply and confidence agreement. She breaks down how politicians can work together, even if looks like they hate each other on TV. 

Further Reading:

“Going Inside the Room: How the Liberal-NDP Confidence Deal Happened”

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/03/24/news/going-inside-room-how-liberal-ndp-confidence-deal-happened

Sponsors: FreshBooks, The Peak Daily, Ground News

If you listen on Apple, subscribe to Canadaland Politics for $2.99/month for ad-free episodes of The Backbench, Wag the Doug and COMMONS:

https://apple.co/3wjxaRW

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As nations around the world cut off business with Russia, can Canada help fill the international demand for oil and gas? More importantly, should we? And the pandemic caused unprecedented government spending, as well as shifting priorities on everything from work to healthcare. How will that all play out in the upcoming budget?

This week’s contributors: Jason Markusoff, Caroline Elliott, Murad Hemmadi

Links:

• Shannon Proudfoot’s Maclean’s profile of Pierre Pollievre: [https://www.macleans.ca/longforms/why-is-pierre-poilievre-so-angry/]
• And the accompanying Q&A [https://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/pierre-poilievre-on-his-combative-style-of-politics-and-his-plans-for-canada/]

Sponsors: The Peak Daily, FreshBooks, Ground News, Oxio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As escalation between Russia and Ukraine continues, what is Canada’s role in this ever-changing world? And how do conversations we have on the international stage impact our decisions here at home - and vice versa? Canada's UN Ambassador Bob Rae weighs in.

Sponsors: Skipper Otto, Rotman, Ground News

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the next few months, The Backbench is going to bring you weekly episodes!

Expect us to chat with those who are impacted by or impacting what’s happening in Ottawa. We want to put the people back in politics so if you're either of those categories, get in touch at backbench@canadaland.com.

Don't worry - We’ll still be bringing you the panel you’ve come to know and love.

Our first episode drops next Tuesday.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the war in Ukraine escalates and Canadian leaders head to Europe, we assess the economic and military responses so far. And despite fully grasping the severity of Russian aggression, we want to know: Why does Canada's response to conflict vary so much depending on the country?

This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Caroline Elliott, Jaskaran Sandhu

Links:

• The Narwhal's piece about Canadian players still dealing in Russian resources
• More context on the Canadian discourse re: Sikhs written by Jaskaran
• More on Ottawa's decision to delay the decision on Newfoundland's Bay du Nord oil project

Sponsors: Oxio, Freshbooks

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Emergencies Act passes and border blockades come down, we examine what impacts the Act and the satellite protests had domestically and internationally. And Canada decides to step up in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia - and it's unclear exactly why.

This week's contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff, Emilie Nicolas

Sponsors: Rotman, The Big Story

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2022 Freedom Convoy has taken over Ottawa, both the city and the political discourse. Why is the federal government so paralyzed by it and will it have a long-term impact on Canadian politics? And as the Conservative Party steps into the post-Erin O'Toole era, we try to figure out what "true blue" means now and whether it has Trumpian characteristics.

Sponsors: Rotman & The Big Story

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People have been declaring that they have stopped donating their money and/or time to the NDP recently. Why is the NDP struggling to retain self-described progressives? What is the party's role in federal politics today?

This week's contributors:

• Lori Idlout, NDP MP (Nunavut) 
• Peggy Nash, Former NDP MP & Finance Critic (Parkdale-High Park, Ontario)
• Des Bisonnette, President of NDP EDA (Lakeland, Alberta) & Member of the Democratic Socialists of Canada 

Sponsors: Hot Docs Podcast Festival, Island Crime

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three generations of Indigenous panelists join us this week on what The Backbench thought was the biggest story of 2021: the unmarked graves on former residential school grounds. We break format to take stock of what has been promised and repromised, the diversity of demands from Indigenous communities, and what a new "interlocutor" position can do to help with healing.

Guests: Leena Minifie, Riley Yesno feat. Romeo Saganash

Links:

• Trudeau’s promises to Assembly of First Nations in 2015
• Globe and Mail piece re: interlocutor
• CBC's piece re: pending $40-billion settlement

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political showmanship about #Justinflation abound, just as the Liberal government is set to release their Fall Economic Statement this week. And it's our last episode of 2021! We offer some highlights and lowlights of the year.

This week's contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff, Jaskaran Sandhu

Links:

• Since recording, Justin Trudeau has trudeau-says-he-is-staying-out-of-the-fight-over-quebecs-bill-21-for-now.html">said he will not yet intervene in Quebec's Bill 21

Sponsors: Rotman Negotiations Program

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BC's emergency on top of emergency has us wondering where the federal government needs to step in. And the latest "lockdown bill" and Throne Speech reveals where our federal government is at.

This week's contributors: Caroline Elliott, Leena Minifie, Stuart Thomson ft. MP Dan Albas

Links: 

• Did you miss the Throne Speech? Read it resilient-economy.html">here.

Sponsors: Rotman, Amnesty International

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support The Backbench at canadaland.com/join

Prime Minister Trudeau celebrated Canada's role at COP26 - but what is there to celebrate really? And Conservatives MPs try to start a 'civil liberties caucus' while the Liberal caucus vote not to empower themselves. 

This week's contributors: Caroline Elliott, Emilie Nicolas, Riley Yesno

Sponsors: Rotman, Amnesty International

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s crowdfunding season at Canadaland! Please consider supporting us at canadaland.com/join

Alberta thinks it made a "powerful" statement to Ottawa this week. And the Bank of Canada says inflation is persistent, which can also be perceived as good news if you look really hard.

This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff

Links: 

• Trevor Tombe's tool that helped us understand equalization payments a bit better
• The Conversation's piece on equalization overhaul
• The TikTok on inflation from Kyne
• Chrystia Freeland's by-the-deputy-prime-minister-and-minister-of-financeon-targeted-covid-19-support-measures-to-create-jobs-and-growth.html">statement about reining in COVID-19 measures

This episode is supported by Amnesty International.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s crowdfunding season at Canadaland! Please consider supporting us at canadaland.com/join

We invited former MPs on because it was supposed to be the first week of Parliament. It got pushed back, but we get into what the first days of Parliament are like and what issues this government will be inheriting anyway. 

This week's contributors: Former MP Kenny Chiu & Former MP Catherine McKenna

Links:

• Kenny Chiu references this page on the BC government website on how emissions have increased in the province
• Catherine McKenna references economists Andrew Leach and Trevor Tombe who have both argued carbon pricing does reduce emissions. Follow their work here and here respectively.
• When we followed up with Catherine McKenna for links, she pointed us to this.

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Trudeau drops the first apology of his third term and has us wondering how reconciliation can go beyond symbolic actions. And as the Two Michaels make it home, what have we learned from this whole saga?

This week's contributors: Joanna Chiu, Stuart Thomson, Riley Yesno

Links:

• Riley's piece on the spring federal budget
• More on what Land Back & Cash Back are about
• How to order Joanna's book, "China Unbound"

This episode is supported by Dispatch Coffee.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we bring you something different: an in-depth chat with a People’s Party of Canada supporter. Derek Taylor emailed Fatima after she called the party racist. He agreed to an interview. Derek gets into how he heard about the party, why he supports them, and the direction the party has taken since its creation in 2018. 

This is the extended version of an interview featured on Canadaland.

This episode is supported by Dispatch Coffee and Rotman.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the time of recording this episode, #elxn44 literally has yielded the same number of seats (give or take several seats) for all of our federal parties. Here's a coast-to-coast-to-coast chat on what this outcome suggests and where Canadian politics goes from here.  

This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Jason Markusoff, Leena Minifie, Jaskaran Sandhu, Stuart Thomson.

This episode is supported by Dispatch Coffee, The Peak Daily and Rotman.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What issues did the federal leaders not speak on throughout the campaign? We get into some of them. And a look into what pandemic debts and costed platforms tell us.

This week’s contributors: Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Murad Hemmadi feat. Pam Palmater

Links:

• Murad’s past Maclean’s piece on why the ethnic vote isn't real;
• The Institute of Fiscal Studies’ assessments of NDP, Liberals, and Conservatives’ costed platforms.

This episode is supported by The Peak, Aussie Hair, Rotman, and Canadian Politics Is Boring. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The show after Labour Day warrants a look at federal parties' commitments to workers and how they say they will grow our economy. And when it comes to climate change proposals, will voters respond to ambition or reality? 

This week's contributors: Caroline Elliott (Welcome!), Murad Hemmadi, and Jaskaran Sandhu

UPDATE: The Green Party released their platform after we recorded the episode, which includes a section on a just transition for workers via introducing a Just Transition Act before the end of 2021 that would take care of workers during the climate transition.

Links:

• To honour Murad's point of order, here are parties' platforms:
• Forward-For-Everyone.pdf">Liberal Party
• Conservative Party
• New Democratic Party
• Plateforme-2021-planche.pdf">Bloc Quebecois (en français)
• Green Party
• Maverick Party
• People's Party of Canada
• More on platforms' "climate sincerity" this federal election

This episode is supported by The Peak, Aussie Hair and Dispatch Coffee.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Liberals promised to inject 6-billion more dollars into our healthcare system last week, but will more money mean more healthcare? Meanwhile, regional federal parties have dropped their platforms with distinct climate plans, posing a possible threat to major parties.

This week's contributors: Leena Minifie, Emilie Nicolas, Stuart Thomson

Links:

• Jen Gerson's Maclean's piece on the Maverick Party
• Fatima & Emma MacIntosh's National Observer 2019 piece on whether politicians should be blocking voters
• Mark McKinnon's Globe and Mail piece on Ukraine rescuing Canada-bound Afghans

This episode is supported by CIBC Aventura, Aussie Hair and The Peak.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liberals scramble to respond to the crisis in Afghanistan amid the first week of campaigning. And Trudeau says he wants life to be more affordable while also suggesting it's not his job.

This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Jason Markusoff, and Jaskaran Sandhu

Links:

• Kevin Newman's piece for The Line
• Noah Richler's piece for The Globe and Mail
• Shout out to Srushti Gangdev for catching the graph with no axis labels
• The PPC candidate who photoshopped his head on Prince William

This episode is supported by Aussie Hair, CIBC Aventura, and The Peak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Subscribe to The White Saviors now! Series launch: August 23

Over 25 years, WE built a golden brand by inspiring children to rally around their charismatic leader. But behind the scenes, employees experienced a cult-like culture and a troubling blur of charitable and commercial activities. In the aftermath of a national scandal, thousands of donors and volunteers (and dozens of ‘celebrity ambassadors’) are left wondering where the money went, and whether the savior industry creates a constant need for victims.

From CANADALAND, the news company that exposed it all, this is the exclusive story of a charity that did well when it was supposed to be doing good.Subscribe to The White Saviors. Episode one drops on August 20th

This trailer contains source materials used under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act. 

Sources: 

It Takes a Child

Craig Kielburger's Story - A Journey into Child Labour

Directed by Judy Jackson

Produced by Judy Films

Youtube

The Story of Craig Kielburger

produced, and narrated by Sherine Mansour

CPAC

Youtube

In Search Of Character

LiveWire Media

Elkind+Sweet Communications, Inc

https://www.livewiremedia.com/product/in-search-of-character/

The Price WE Paid

The Fifth Estate/CBC

Interview with Craig Kielburger

CSPAN

Craig Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional video

Youtube

Marc Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional video

Youtube

WE Movement Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6agaIkn5aBJlLLds7P1HQ

MeToWe Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6agaIkn5aBJlLLds7P1HQ

CTV News - Kielburger brothers interview with Lisa Laflamme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_p5PRLy2os

MTV Cribs: Craig Kielburger Episode

Haddon Strategy

https://vimeo.com/49975157

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With massive childcare announcements and talk of abortion access, the Liberal government seems to be focusing on women lately. Is it pre-election pandering or just good governance? And we look at the state of the Conservative Party, whose leader says he does not want an election.

This week's contributors: Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Leena Minifie, Stuart Thomson

Links:

• Globe and Mail piece on Jody Wilson-Raybould
• Maclean's 2021 federal election guide
• Stuart's piece about Justin Trudeau running against Jason Kenney

UPDATE: Since recording the episode, the federal government has elcc-agreement-with-manitoba.html">announced its commitment to support Manitoba's childcare program with $1.2-billion over the next 5 years to achieve $10-a-day childcare for kids under the age of six by 2025-26.

This episode is supported by Aussie Hair, CIBC Aventura, and The Peak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canada looks to welcome travellers again while the future of vaccine passports remains uncertain. And two national anti-hate summits last week had us wondering what policies would actually help. 

This week's contributors: Emilie Nicolas, Jaskaran Sandhu, Stuart Thomson

This episode is supported by Aussie Hair.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More and more election season tropes have revealed themselves recently, particularly in Quebec, Alberta and Tiktok. And the mutiny against the Green Party leader Annamie Paul reaches its final stage next week - How did we get here?

This week's contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff, Emilie Nicolas

A special thank you to the Toronto Star's Alex Ballingall, whose reporting on the Green Party informed this episode.

You can also listen to The Sprawl's conversation with Prime Minister Trudeau here.

This episode is supported by Simplii Financial and Aussie Hair. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The spectre of a fall federal election looms large with a flurry of activity in the House, Trudeau calling Parliament toxic, and a high-profile Minister announcing she won’t run again. And further fallout after more unmarked graves were found at a residential school.

This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Jason Markusoff

This episode is supported by Freshbooks.

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Federal politics scrambles to respond to the country finding more and more Indigenous children's remains near residential schools. And Prime Minister Trudeau is the "dean" of the G7 now, allegedly.

This week's panelists: Leena Minifie, Jaskaran Sandhu feat. Romeo SaganashFurther reading:

• More on how the federal government still took Indigenous children to court on the day we recorded (Monday)
• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls To Action. (CBC published on it here too)
• Romeo Saganash wrote more about Bill C-15 here (Follow the Bill's passage here)
• More on the ICC being called to investigate Kamloops here
• More on the NDP's failure to push to declare residential schools a genocide here

This episode is brought to you by Dispatch Coffee

Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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A new CRTC decision - that critics say guarantees higher wireless prices - suggests that telecom giants are in control. What does Quebec trying to change the Constitution via Bill 96 mean? And host Fatima Syed breaks protocol with her own point of order.

This week's panelists: Murad Hemmadi, Emilie Nicolas, & Stuart Thomson, 

This episode is supported by Dispatch and Freshbooks.

Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The conflict of interest and ethics commissioner weighs in on the meaning of friendship; is Prime Minister Trudeau home free from WE? And the government steps into a legal battle over the Line 5 pipeline.

This week's panelists: Stuart Thomson, Leena Minifie, and Jaskaran SandhuFurther reading:

• Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's reports on ccie.parl.gc.ca/en/investigations-enquetes/Pages/trudeau3Report.aspx">Trudeau and ccie.parl.gc.ca/en/investigations-enquetes/Pages/Morneau2Report.aspx">Morneau
• The Government of Canada's amicus brief re: Line 5

This episode is supported by Freshbooks and Dispatch.

Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The third wave has shattered any remaining notion that we're all in this pandemic together. And the government commissions a new review into sexual misconduct in the military, just six years after the last one. What will it take for actual change?This week's panelists: Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Emilie Nicolas, and Drew Brown

This episode is brought to you by Freshbooks and Cullen's Foods.

Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

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Dig into Canadian politics from the best seats in the House.

Host Fatima Syed welcomes our rotating roster of panelists from across the country: Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Jason Markusoff, Drew Brown, Emilie Nicolas, Jaskaran Sandhu, Murad Hemmadi, Leena Minifie, and Stuart Thomson. Stay on top of things through sharp commentary and incisive analysis.

Drops every other Tuesday, starting May 4th.

Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

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Meng Wenzhou was arrested two years ago today in Vancouver and now unlikely MPs are calling for her release. Meanwhile, anti-CCP camps are at odds with each other in Surrey. South China Morning Post's Vancouver correspondent Ian Young unpacks how international politics play out on Canadian soil.

Further reading: 

• Government petition calling for Meng Wanzhou's release, sponsored by Manitoba NDP MP Niki Ashton
• Ashton's one public comment on the mp-pushes-for-ottawa-to-release-huawei-executive-573174291.html">Winnipeg Free Press

This episode is brought to you by Beer Canada and Paradigm.

Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's climate plan may seem at odds with Canada's energy sector — but there's more to consider than just pipeline politics. Senior Researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood unpacks Biden's climate plan and what it means for Canada.

This episode is brought to you by Paradigm.

Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

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It's crowdfunding month! Support us at canadaland.com/join. 

It's Election Day in the U.S. As Joe Biden heads to the polls having run his presidential campaign on one of the Democratic Party's most progressive platforms yet, OPPO hosts wonder: Is having a party for “the progressive left” like the NDP the best way for such ideas to gain real traction? 

NDP MP for Hamilton Centre Matthew Green joins and mounts a vigorous defence of the party.

More Reading: 

VICE: Canadian Senator Lynn Beyak Illegally Donated to Trump Reelection Using a Fake U.S. Address by Justin Ling

The Ottawa Citizen: Canadian military wants to establish new organization to use propaganda, other techniques to influence Canadians by David Pugliese

This episode was brought to you by Cullen's Foods and Paradigm.

Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

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An uncertain outcome in the upcoming U.S. presidential election is a real possibility that Canadians need to navigate. Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute Balkan Devlen explains why and how.

Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

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US President Donald Trump's rallying cry to a hate group warrants a review of where the Proud Boys are at today. Dr. Barbara Perry speaks on this Canadian export and to what extent they pose a threat to Canadian society and the upcoming US election.

This episode is brought to you by CI Direct Investing.

Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

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BC's new Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau weighs in on Premier John Horgan's snap election and ‘cynical' political calculation. And some Liberal MPs are so passionate about a basic income ahead of the throne speech that we had to bring on ‘CEO activist' Floyd Marinescu to offer his lobby group's cost-benefit analysis.

This episode is brought to you by CI Direct Investing.

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Snap election this fall? Erin O'Who? How many jobs can Chrystia Freeland have? And will the U.S. melt down in an apocalyptic civil war that will render it all meaningless? Jen and Sandy look at the season ahead. 

This episode is brought to you by CI Direct Investing.

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Can you guess which OPPO host has downloaded the app? Citizen Lab's Christopher Parsons joins us to assuage privacy concerns and/or irrational fears about the federal government's new app to contain the coronavirus.

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Cars, machinery, and now conspiracy theories. The U.S. continues its proud tradition of exports to Canada as QAnon gains traction north of the border. Marc-André Argentino joins to walk us through the origins and future of QAnon in Canada.

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The pandemic has already had a disproportionate impact on women, especially those with children. But how much worse could that be if schools don’t reopen soon? Dr. Sylvia Fuller joins to explain.

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This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar and Rotman School of Management. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

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As calls to defund continue to grow, why not imagine what Canada would look like without police? Robyn Maynard joins us to unpack the idea.

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Now that Jen has thrown out her sourdough starter, it’s time to start paying attention to the race to replace Andrew Scheer. James Moore joins us to run through the field of candidates and explain where the Conservatives stand on the eve of the first party debate.

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This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

CORRECTION: This episode incorrectly states that Chantel Moore was killed in an incident with the RCMP. In fact, the incident in question involved Edmunston Police. We regret the error.

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China and the US are facing off in what’s being dubbed a new Cold War. And Canada’s stuck in a tight spot. Last week, a BC judge ruled that Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou’s charges meet the bar of “double criminality,” which means she’s one step closer to being extradited to the US. China is not happy.

Get In touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @oppocast.

This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND's other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter at patreon.com/canadaland

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Violent attacks on racialized people are on the rise in Canada — especially against those who look East Asian. We’re joined by reporter Joanna Chiu to discuss what happens when we conflate the actions of a government with individual people.

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What does the new ban on assault-style firearms in Canada mean? And what’s going on with the dog-whistle racism in the Conservative leadership race? Zain Velji co-hosts.

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Can Canada get diaper pail-ready? We’re joined by economist Dr. Lindsay Tedds to help make sense of the long-term economic impacts this recession could have on Canada.

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It’s everywhere. It’s all anyone’s talking about. It’s dominating headlines and social media feeds. So of course we’re going to talk about Tiger King. There’s also been plenty of erratic behaviour created by the pandemic, from volatile markets to a volatile Albertan health minister and Jen’s emergent prepper tendencies.

Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast.

This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar and Audible. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

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As the realities of COVID-19 begin to take hold in Canada, the strains on our society become most visible where we're most vulnerable. A veteran SARS reporter, Ian Young of The South China Morning Post joins to help put it all in perspective.

Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast.

This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar and FreshBooks. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

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What does the largest single-day drop in the price of oil in almost two decades mean for Canada’s economy? How will it affect growing frustration in Alberta? And have you washed your hands since you started reading this? Wash your hands.

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This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar and FreshBooks. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

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A new investigative series about the cocaine smuggling ring inside Vice Media.

To hear episode 2 right now, subscribe to Cool Mules.

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Over the course of a week, Trudeau changed his tune from promising patience and cooperation with Wet'suwet'en land defenders, to asserting the rail blockades must be removed. Why the sudden 180? Plus, Teck withdrew its application for a $20 billion mine project. And four MPs have released the Buffalo Declaration, a manifesto demanding more respect for Alberta. 

This episode is sponsored by WealthBar, FreshBooks and listeners like you. To support our work and get ad-free podcasts, go to Patreon.com/canadaland

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The race to replace Andrew Scheer as Conservative leader is on. Who are the key players, and what issues do they face in their bid for the job? For insight, we’re joined by former Harper strategist Ken Boessenkool.

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This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar and FreshBooks. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

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What are Huawei's plans in Canada? How can we be sure our data is safe with them? And did they pay for the protesters outside the Meng Wangzhou hearing? We’re joined by Alykhan Velshi, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Huawei Canada, to talk all things Huawei.

Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast.

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Jen Gerson and Sandy Garossino break down where exactly Canada fits amid the ongoing hostilities between Iran and the U.S., and then discuss the prospect of a royal relocation.

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This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar and FreshBooks. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

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Andrew “Everybody’s Second Choice” Scheer is no longer the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. OPPO unpacks the latest in Western Alienation and takes a deep dive into the most significant political resignation of the year.

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This episode of OPPO is brought to you by FreshBooks, Wealthbar, and Audible. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

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By popular demand, we take a look at nuclear energy in Canada. Plus a check-in with the bubbling oil sands of resentment that is Western Alienation Corner, and OPPO’s newest segment: Andrew Scheer Leadership Deathwatch.

Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast.

This episode of OPPO is brought to you by FreshBooks and Audible. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

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Additional music: Hooky with Sloane by Bird CreekCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/…Music provided by FreeMusic109 https://youtube.com/FreeMusic109

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The former deputy leader of the Conservative Party just lost her seat. She opens up about what went wrong in the election.

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This episode was sponsored by Freshbooks (freshbooks.com/oppo) and Audible (audible.ca/canada).

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Jen's back! And she's kept a list of the worst election moments. Plus, will the Conservatives kick out Andrew Scheer? And what the rest of Canada needs to know about #Wexit.

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OPPO breaks down the election results from the midst of the Liberal victory (sort of) party.

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The episode was sponsored by the new book, Highway of Tears.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this episode said that the Liberals picked up a seat in Northern Saskatchewan. That seat ended up going to the Conservatives. That detail has been removed from the show.

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