Canadaland

This week the government’s long-awaited report on foreign interference will drop. Will it tell us if Canada has a traitor problem?Over the last two years there’s been a slew of headlines around allegedly compromised members of parliament, the machinations of nefarious foreign governments, scorched reputations, the muck has been raked and the mud slung. All of our major political parties have come under fire. And the source of that fire has run the gamut from the upper echelons of CSIS to TikTok bottom feeders. And after all that we still know surprisingly little. So will this week’s government report give us any answers? Are there traitors? Has there been treason?Jesse sits down with Professor Wesley Wark to find out. Wark is a senior fellow at Centre for International Governance Innovation and a fellow with the Balsillie School of International Affairs. He served on the PM’s Advisory Council on National Security and he provided advice to the minister of public safety on national security legislation and

Social media is a mess and the tech oligarchs are to blame. San Grewal of The Pointer joins to assess the damage caused when coders replace publishers. Plus, a boomer cell defends us from Trump and the Liberals axe their own tax. Check out our latest investigation, The Copernic Affair on the Canadaland Investigates feed. Follow The Copernic Affair wherever you get your podcasts: https://canadaland.lnk.to/copernic-affair Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Check), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: San Grewal Further reading: Meta is ending fact-checking in the U.S. Could that affect the vote in Canada? | CBC NewsThe End of Reality [Book] Meta just flipped the switch that prevents misinformation from spreading in the United States - Platformer  As border anxiety mounts, ads for smugglers in Canada helping migrants illegally cross into U.S. flourish on social medi

What Trump’s inauguration lacked in tariffs, it made up for in egregious salutes. The Pointer’s San Grewal joins to critique the Canadian coverage of Trump’s negotiation tactics, and unpack Elon Musk’s dog-whistling antics.   Our latest investigation, The Copernic Affair, launches today on the Canadaland Investigates feed. Follow The Copernic Affair wherever you get your podcasts: https://canadaland.lnk.to/copernic-affair Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Check), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: San Grewal Further reading: Braid: Hopes raised for long pause in Trump tariffs, then brutally dashedOpinion: What if Trump’s tariffs are non-negotiable? - The Globe and Mail Elon Musk responds to backlash over gesture at Donald Trump rally - BBCThe Breakdown AB thread [Bluesky]Canada's immigration department cutting roughly 3,300 jobs over 3 years | CBC News &n

Donald Trump’s back, but Canada is STILL divided on how to respond. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has gone rogue, Doug Ford just wants everyone to look at his cool new hat.It’s an economic threat, but also threatens to pull our very identity apart. Are we just supposed to sit and wait? To break it down, Noor welcomes Wall Street Journal reporter Vipal Monga, and UBC lecturer Stewart Prest.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Vipal Monga, Stewart PrestBackground reading:Canada’s fight with Trump isn’t just economic, it’s existential – The ConversationCanada Knows Trump Would Win a Trade Fight. It Is Preparing to Retaliate Anyway. – The Wall Street JournalCanada on Trump’s Proposed Union: Thanks, but Let’s Just Be Friends – The Wall Street JournalCanada Suddenly Has No Leader, and No Plan, for a Trump Trade Fight – The Wall St

In 1980 someone detonated a bomb outside a synagogue in Paris. Four people were killed. Suspicion immediately fell on French neo-nazi groups. But soon investigators turned their attention to groups from the Middle East. Then the case went cold. For decades.Then, in 2008, the RCMP arrested an Ottawa-based sociology professor. What follows is a twisting tale of extradition, years of interrogation, and ultimately a trial and conviction in absentia. But today the person at the heart of the story, Hassan Diab, is free and living in Canada despite being convicted of the bombing in France.The case is back in the headlines with Elon Musk and Pierre Poilievre, among others, asking why a convicted terrorist is a free man walking the streets of Canada. Canadaland has spent a year and a half digging into the story of Hassan Diab. Today we bring you a preview of our new series: The Copernic Affair.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Sam Konn

Why Canada needs to get its sh*t together NOW.Former Conservative MP James Moore joins to consider the response to Trump’s rhetoric, and the economic reality facing Canada in the coming months.  Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Check), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: James Moore Further reading: Canada as the 51st State? | TVO Today Opinion | O Canada, Come Join Us - The New York Times Here's how annexing Canada would change American politics - POLITICO Stephen Harper has ‘a real problem’ with Donald Trump’s claims about Canada - Toronto StarDonald Trump’s ‘bombastic’ talk of annexing Canada is about forming economic union, Kevin O’Leary says - The Globe and Mail Sponsors: Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or doma

Amid an exodus in the Liberal Party, Mark Carney teases a leadership bid on the Daily Show, and Jesse ponders a future in politics. Former Conservative MP James Moore joins to break down the Liberal breakdown, and consider the unknown unknowns facing Canadian politics in 2025. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Check), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: James MoorePhoto is A.I Generated Further reading: Federal Liberals to announce new leader on March 9 | CBC News Yvonne Jones, Gudie Hutchings join national exodus of Liberals who won't run in next federal election | CBC News Former Liberal cabinet minister Marco Mendicino not seeking re-election | CBC NewsMark Carney - Canada Not Interested in Trump’s Offer & Liberal Leadership Prospects | The Daily Show [YouTube]Missing Black Boys in the GTA: Community Leaders Demand Action - The Brandon Gonez Show The Hub 

Join Noor Azrieh and Sam Konnert for a discussion to bid farewell to key legislation that is likely to be lost due to Parliament's prorogation. From the Online Harms Act, to clean drinking water for First Nation communities, there’s a lot to mourn.And, how could a new liberal leader possibly win back young men? We speak with Aiden Fox Ivey, who reached out after he heard our interview with a conservative bro.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Aiden Fox Ivey, Taylor Owen, Chris MooniasBackground reading:With the House of Commons prorogued, some key Liberal legislation may not pass - CBC NewsYoung Canadians now more politically conservative than their elders – National PostPoilievre’s Youth: Meet the young voters supporting the Conservatives – Global NewsHasan Piker on how Trump seized online culture – CBC Pod

Siri has a body. AI’s most familiar voice is not just a disembodied all-knowing benefactor of trivia, recipes, and everything else you can’t recall (or never knew) at any particular moment. According to Professor James Muldoon, author of Feeding the Machine: The Hidden Human Labour Powering AI, “... AI has a material body and exists only through new chips, servers and cables being manufactured and added to the machine. And just like a physical body, AI's material structure needs constant nourishment through electricity to power its operations and water to cool its servers every time we ask ChatGPT a question or use an internet search engine. The machine lives and breathes through this digital infrastructure.”The physical body that makes up AI is not just sucking up water and power. AI is also built on the backs of real people. Not just the air-conditioned Silicon Valley engineers you might be imagining.  AI relies on the work of hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers spread across the global south.Hos

Was Pierre Poilievre’s conversation with Jordan Peterson the most popular political interview in Canadian history? Frank Domenic joins to break down what Poilievre’s viral podcast appearance can tell us about the future of media in Canada. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Frank Domenic Further reading: Canada's Next Prime Minister | Pierre Poilievre | EP 511 - The Jordan Peterson Podcast [YouTube] Jordan Peterson gets interesting insights out of Pierre Poilievre, in spite of himself - The Globe and Mailr/SubredditDrama on Reddit: Journalists Rachel Gilmore & Luke Lebrun shows that r/Canada and other smaller Canadian City Subreddits may be under Russian Influence.Liberal MP questions if Pierre Poilievre interview funded by Russia - Western Standard   The Media Has Failed Postal Workers Completely - Steve Boots [YouTube] LeBlanc defend

How bad has Trudeau F’d Canada? (Pretty bad.) With Trump escalating his rhetoric, Trudeau has left Canada resigned to weakness. Poilievre will need to wait to take over, but is there possibly a wildcard candidate who could defeat him? Frank Domenic joins to assess the damage. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Frank Domenic Further Reading On Our Website Sponsors: Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.BetterHelp:  Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout If you value this podcast, Support us! Yo

Yesterday Trudeau announced that he would prorogue parliament and resign as Prime Minister. Now, the Liberal Party is embarking on a journey to replace him.He talked about “internal battles” and pressure from Donald Trump, and decided this was the best option. But is it too little too late? Who could possibly have hair good enough to replace him?Logic reporter Laura Osman and Trudeau’s former head of economic policy Tyler Meredith join Sam to discuss what this means for Canada.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Laura Osman and Tyler MeredithBackground reading:Justin Trudeau resigned too late. There is no salvaging the Liberal Party now | Globe and MailWho will replace Justin Trudeau as the next Liberal leader? Here are the top contenders | Globe and MailTrudeau removes himself from the equation, but the math doesn't get much easier

We don't like to think about sewage. And when it's all working fine, we don't have to. But if we don't get comfortable talking about shit, we could soon be headed for serious trouble if our infrastructure collapses. And given that recent reports say 30 percent of Canadian water and wastewater infrastructure has either reached or passed the end of its lifespan, that failure feels more like a when than an if. Reporter Leora Shertzer digs into he problems of one small Ontario town where they’ve spent decades trying to sort their shit out.But solving it will mean untangling a mess of political, environmental, engineering, and frankly, personal interests. Because shit is complicated.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Reported by: Leora ShertzerTristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer)Caleb Thompson (Post Production)Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer) max collins (Production Manager)Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Additional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading:Calgary residents cut water

We’re bringing you a special episode of a show we love!From The Paul Wells Show, two acclaimed historians talk about the state of democracy and freedom in the world today.In her latest book, Autocracy Inc., Anne Applebaum writes about a group of dictators who share a bond that’s not based on ideology, but on their ability to help each other gain wealth, power and impunity. Yale historian Timothy Synder, author of the new book On Freedom, argues that freedom is more than the absence of oppression. He shares his vision for freedom in the wake of a recent trip to Ukraine. The Paul Wells Show is produced by Antica Productions.Host: Paul WellsCredits: Kevin Sexton (Producer), Stuart Cox (Executive Producer), Laura Regehr (ANTICA Head of Audio)Guest: Anne Applebaum, Timothy Synder   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 at our sto

Since the blockbuster success of his musical “Hamilton,” Lin-Manuel Miranda has been busy: acting, directing, and composing for Disney projects, including the upcoming movie “Mufasa: The Lion King.”  But his new project is more personal, and a throwback in the best sense. Working with the playwright Eisa Davis, he has reimagined a movie from his childhood as a concept album.  “The Warriors” is a cult classic released in 1979. “The Warriors are a gang from Coney Island, and they have to fight their way from the Bronx all the way back down to Coney Island in the course of the film,” Miranda tells David Remnick. The film reads as a nineteen-seventies period piece, but Miranda and Davis find a classical dimension to it. “The tale is an old tale. Sol Yurick, who wrote the novel the movie is based on, based it on the Anabasis, which is a soldier’s account of trying to get back home from war” in ancient Greece. “It’s this mythic story. . . . It doesn’t get more clear than that as a plotline.” To tell that

Starting January 1st, the criminal interest rate on predatory lending will be lowered, meaning it should be safer to take out payday and installment loans. But these businesses have a tendency to skirt the law, adding unexpected fees and insurance rates to keep borrowers in the hole.Sam welcomes Donna Borden to the show - an organizer with ACORN. She’s been a victim to these loans, and is now fighting against them. Will the crackdown work and really help lower people’s payments? How can we make short term loans a real option for people struggling, without the sky-high payments?Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Donna BordenBackground reading:Debt struggles spark concerns - Toronto StarAnti-poverty advocates call payday lenders 'criminal,' urge feds to cap interest rates | CBCNew rules to curb predatory lending still leave many vulnerab

Yes, Canada bombed the Aurora Borealis. But can you actually scatter that northernmost light with explosives? Why would you even try? And explosive boom aside, can you, on a cold clear quiet night, hear the northern lights? What is the sound of the Aurora Borealis?Nicolas Lachapelle and Eloise Demers Pinard, trekked to Churchill Manitoba, and beyond, to try and answer these questions.And that’s about as newsy and informational as things are gonna get. Because as you will hear, today’s episode sounds a little bit different. It’s a bit more poetic than our regularly scheduled programming.Or as our reporters will tell you, “…this is a story about that forgotten need to probe the sky and an epic journey through time and space on the edge of northern Canada.”Happy Holidays. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Produced, recorded and directed by Éloïse Demers Pinard and Nicolas Lachapelle.In dialogue with the composer Welcome John.Inspired by the visionary works of Tom Demers and Peter Mettler.With the voi

Que retenir de 2024? Beaucoup de sujets lourds, et quelques moments plus légers, affirme Manal Drissi au micro d’Emilie Nicolas. Ensemble, Manal et Emilie reviennent sur des événements marquants de l’année et dressent, en filigrane, un portrait critique de nos médias. Au menu de cet épisode du temps des fêtes, les liens entre transphobie et misogynie qui ont traversé les discours portés sur Imane Khelif, cette boxeuse médaillée d’or aux JO de Paris ; les viols de Mazan et la montée du masculinisme ; la controverse Haroun Bouazzi et le rôle que jouent les éditorialistes dans le traitement de l’actualité ; et enfin la manière dont les médias couvrent la situation à Gaza. En deuxième partie d’émission, Manal Drissi revient sur son retrait des médias depuis la pandémie et nous rappelle l’importance de prendre notre temps.What to remember from 2024? Lots of heavy subjects and a few lighter moments, says Manal Drissi to Emilie Nicolas. Together, Manal and Emilie look back on some of the significant events of the ye

What Toronto Star got wrong about UberEats, plus an update on the shaky Trudeau government. Also, why cellos and Air Canada don’t mix, and new information on who an alleged ISIS plot was targeting in the GTA. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further Reading On Our Website Sponsors: CAMH: CAMH is building better mental health care for everyone to ensure no one is left behind. Visit camh.ca/canadaland to make a donation.Douglas:  Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today.  Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offerExpressVPN: Use the link expressvpn.com/canadaland.com to get an extra three months of ExpressVPN for free!  If you value this podcast, Support us

Chrystia Freeland kneecaps Trudeau, but his shaky government still stands. Jan Wong joins to sift through the aftermath of a very eventful Monday in Canadian politics. Plus, an arsenal of 3D printed guns in Quebec and Jan’s tips for the GST holiday.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Post Production), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further Reading on Our Website Sponsors:CAMH: CAMH is building better mental health care for everyone to ensure no one is left behind. Visit camh.ca/canadaland to make a donation.Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! ExpressVPN: Use the link expressvpn.com/canadaland.com to get an extra three months of ExpressVPN for free!  If you value this podcast, Suppo