Canadaland

While most Canadians are gearing up to head to the polls, some are looking for an escape plan. This week, we’re examining the deep roots of Western alienation, Danielle Smith’s separatist flirtations, and what could erupt if Mark Carney’s Liberals sweep to power. To do that, producer Sam Konnert heads out to Alberta to talk to some voters, and calls up Preston Manning, the man behind the conversation. Later, host Noor Azrieh sits down with Dr. Lisa Young for a serious reality check. And the latest on the utter sidelining of Indigenous issues, a polling update, and why you should get your arse out to the polls on April 28th. 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: Preston Manning, Lisa YoungFurther Reading on Our WebsiteSponsors: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get t

The north is a hot topic. Trump, China, Russia, everyone suddenly has eyes on the Arctic. The Canadian government is promising everything from submarines to ice breakers to show the world we really are a nation stretching from sea to sea to sea.Today’s headlines might feel like we’re now in uncharted waters but Canada has been here before. In the 1950s Cold War tensions roiled round the north. The Canadian government at that time decided we needed not just boots on the ground, but that we must have civilians living on the land, and the further north that land was the better. One of the people they sent to the High Arctic in 1953 is still there. So Canadaland called him up to get his take on the current round of Arctic sabre rattling.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Written and presented by Bruce Thorson, Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Julian AbrahamAdditional music by Aud

Complaints of Rebel Media hogging question period after Wednesday's French-language leaders debate led to chaos just minutes before the English-language leaders debate was set to take place. Cops were called, slurs were thrown around. What the hell happened in the media room on Thursday night?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading: Rebel News, other right-wing media dominate press conferences after French debate - CTV NewsLeaders’ debate highlights: Organizers cancel postdebate scrums after Rebel News scuffle - The Globe and MailDebates commission unaware Rebel News registered as advocacy group, official says - Radio-CanadaRight-wing outlets win legal battle to attend the leaders' debate - CBC NewsGreen Party dropped from leaders' debates for not running enough candidates - CBC News Sponsors: Douglas:  Do

There are 1959 people running to represent YOU in this federal election in the year of our lord 2025 - and we’re looking for dirt. This week - a liberal candidate that didn’t want to be a distraction was replaced by an EVEN bigger distraction, a far-right media personality has some INSANE takes, and independent candidate Elliot Moose is on the loose.Host: Sam Konnert, Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Want to hear the rest of the episode? 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

Radio-Canada’s Tout le monde en Parle asked some tough questions. We decided to translate.  Hear what Poilievre and Carney had to say about Trump, Climate, Trudeau, and where their campaigns are headed in the final stretch. Plus, more Jagmeet Singh cringe. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading: Carney defends knowledge of Quebec culture, Poilievre insists he's no 'mini-Trump' on Tout le monde en parle | CBC News Pierre Poilièvre : « Je ne pensais jamais dire que Justin Trudeau me manque! » | Tout le monde en parle - Radio-Canada [Video]Mark Carney : l’économie d’abord | Tout le monde en parle -  Radio-Canada [Video]Two Weeks to Decide: An Interview with Pierre Poilievre - The Knowledge Project [YouTube]Nardwuar vs. Prime Minister Mark Carney [YouTube]  Legal group draws ire for cancelling humanitarian advoc

With two weeks out from election day, Ottawa is buzzing. Staffers are partying late into the night and reporting to work at 7 a.m., Chipotle’s are turning into war rooms, and the polls are telling stories.We went to three party-specific events in Ottawa for a pulse check on how people feel in the nation’s capital. From 11-year-old door knockers to Jagmeet Singh to Trump’s former trade representative, we heard a LOT of opinions.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior 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)Background reading:Liberals lead dips for 1st time in Canada election as Tories gain: poll | GlobalCarney apologizes for fake Trump-style buttons, Liberal staffers 'reassigned' | National PostRecord-tying number of candidates running in Ottawa riding of Carleton | CTVNDP Strategy in the Final Stretch of the Election | GlobalPierre Poilievre is sticking

We have been hearing a lot about Prime Minister Mark Carney and a company called Brookfield Asset Management. That's the company he left when he entered politics. Today's episode is not a look back at Carney’s time at Brookfield. It's about right now. Because among all of those claims and arguments about Carney and Brookfield and the past, there's something else that hasn’t made as many headlines. An allegation about an ongoing connection between Carney and Brookfield.Is he still financially connected to Brookfield in any way, or is he not? Our reporter, Julian Abraham, tried to answer that question, and by the end of today's episode, you're going to know what Mark Carney isn't telling you about Brookfield.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Julian Abraham (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by max collinsAdditional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: Douglas: Doug

What would it look like to take the agenda back?With reports of unprecedented message control on the Conservative campaign trail, San Grewal and Dr Lori Turnbull consider the threat to our democracy when the media no longer sets the agenda. Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Lori Turnbull 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.PolicyMe: Get Covered in Minutes—No Hassle, No Hidden Fees.Visit policyme.com to explore insurance plans that cover your needs.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.c

It’s an election, we’re googling your candidate.There's a candidate for the Green Party who’s actively campaigning for the Conservative Party. There’s a famous YouTuber candidate with an icky social media history, there’s a guy who is promising to fix housing problems that HE created. And then we’ll get to the explicit Garfield porn. It gets crazy.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

CTV faces backlash after hiring (then firing) Rachel Gilmore for an election fact checking segment. Is the role of the fact checker still viable in the modern media ecosystem? Plus, reports of foreign interference in the current Canadian election. Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Lori Turnbull Further Reading On Our WebsiteSponsors: 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 offer If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content.

Last week, Pierre Poilievre said tick tock goes your biological clock. This was the first time that host Noor Azrieh noticed, during the campaign, that someone (anyone!) was speaking to women directly and explicitly. And it prompted a wave of pushback…and some praise. The gap between men and women is widening. If the election happened today, and only women voted, Mark Carney would be on track for the biggest landslide in Canadian history. Gender gaps have been a mainstay of Canadian politics for years, but never quite like this. In this episode, we’re diving into the minds of voters. What are they thinking about when they head to the polls? And the latest on Trump’s tariff tantrums, Poilievre’s big news on drug policy, the NDP’s rent control dream, and is it defund the CBC or refund the CBC…we can’t tell anymore. Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Direc

In the last 50 or so years the number of independent first-time political candidates elected to office in Canada could fit in a car. Five candidates have made it to, albeit a very small portion of political power, without party support. That covers both provincial and federal elections.As Canadian elections become increasingly presidential affairs, focusing on the personality at the top of the ticket, the quality that seems most necessary in an aspiring MP is fealty to the Party, the leader, the mantra.The pressures of social media, political parties’ reliance on marketing data, and the 24-hour news cycle all play a part in the clamping down on new or maverick voices.What is the cost of canceling out the independent voice in our MPs? And how did we get here?Alex Marland, author of No I in Team: Party Loyalty in Canadian Politics and Whipped: Party Discipline in Canada has interviewed hundreds of politicians trying to answer those questions.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Tech

A lapse in leadership and Canada’s China conundrum. Liberal MP Paul Chiang’s troubling comments gave Carney an opportunity to take a strong stance on Chinese interference, but he fumbled his chance to distinguish himself from Trudeau. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Sandy Garossino Further reading: Liberal candidate Paul Chiang withdraws from race after suggesting people claim China's bounty on Conservative | CBC News Mark Carney rejects boosting trade ties with China, points to Europe - The Globe and Mail Carney set up a blind trust, screens to avoid conflicts of interest. Is that enough? | CBC News Independent MP Han Dong won't seek re-election in suburban Toronto riding | CBC News  Sponsors:Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free dat

There are hundreds of unvetted candidates vying for a seat in Parliament…Canada has 343 federal electoral districts stretching from coast to coast to coast. In every riding, candidates are stepping up…some for the first time. This means there are hundreds of unvetted candidates vying for a seat in Parliament.This week, we’re looking at a few standouts: a candidate who bragged about making coin flipping condos, an MP that’s a “published writer on Mi’kmaw laws, history, and knowledge” but said an appalling thing about Indigenous women, and a candidate who somehow thought the death of Nathan Cirillo was a great opportunity to sell hams. Yes, hams.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior 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)Background reading:MP says she is sorry for antigay remark – Globe and MailMP Gallant compares abortion to Iraq beheading – CTV

The call is coming from inside the party. With reports swirling about Poilievre’s campaign dysfunction at the end of week one, Sandy Garossino joins to unpack why Conservatives are sabotaging their own party. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Sandy Garossino Further Reading On Our Website Sponsors: PolicyMe: Get Covered in Minutes—No Hassle, No Hidden Fees.Visit policyme.com to explore insurance plans that cover your needs.oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! 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 checkoutSquarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10

With 78 of the 343 seats in the House of Commons, Quebec isn’t just a battleground…it could decide the entire election. And this time, the usual Bloc-Liberal-NDP tug-of-war is taking some unexpected turns. We hit the streets of Montreal to find out what is on people’s minds, and host Noor Azrieh sits down with Martin Patriquin to unpack what it all means. And, you’ll hear from Philippe J. Fournier, founder of 338, to talk about where the parties are at in the polls, and if we can even trust the polls…at all. Plus, the latest on tensions rising inside the Conservative party, and the phone call heard around the world between Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior 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: Martin Patriquin, Philippe J. FournierFurther Reading on Our WebsiteSponsors:

Internet trolls, doxing, conspiracy theories, harassment, criminal investigations, all the usual things that spring to mind when you think of small town council meetings. Welcome to Pickering, Ontario, best known for its nuclear power plant.Is the alt-right driving Pickering to political meltdown? Or is the town council trying to silence a duly elected official over political disagreements? Either way things have gotten so out of hand that city council has locked the doors to the public. Council meetings have moved online. Now political foes don’t have to sit in the same room.From Pickering to the wave of recent news stories south of the border where politicians from left to right are being shouted down at town hall meetings by angry constituents, are we witnessing the death of civil discussion in the civic sphere?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: André Proulx (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking b

Canada’s sudden political reorientation.As Trump continues to escalate the trade war, Paul Wells joins to consider the lasting impact on our relationship with the US. What started as anger is reshaping our politics. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Paul Wells Further reading: Trump says larger tariffs could be imposed on Canada, EU if they cause US 'economic harm' | ReutersTrump’s auto tariffs a ‘direct attack,’ Carney says as leaders react | Globalnews.caI’m the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped | US immigration | The Guardian‘Breakdown of rule of law’: McGill professor cancels trips to U.S. amid immigration crackdown - CTV NewsHere’s what experts say when it comes to U.S. border agents looking at your phone - CTV NewsFederal leaders' debates scheduled for April 16-17 in Montreal | CBC

First on the list of Paul Wells’s 4 Rules of Canadian Politics: “For any given situation, Canadian politics will tend toward the least exciting possible outcome.” In an election marked by foreign interference, an unelected newcomer leading the incumbent party, and annexation fears, what does “least exciting” even look like? Journalist and aforementioned rule-maker Paul Wells joins Jesse to review possible outcomes of the snap federal election.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Paul Wells Further reading: CSIS alleges India organized support for Poilievre’s 2022 Conservative leadership bid - The Globe and Mail‘Let’s just put things on pause': Alberta premier under fire for Breitbart interview - CTV NewsPaul Wells’s Rules of Canadian Politics, Annotated - MacleansMike Myers joins Mark Carney in Liberal ad supporting ‘elbows up’ movement - CTV NewsOPINION: Pier

And we’re off to the races! It’s time for the matchup, and election, of a generation. Newly minted Prime Minister Mark Carney is taking on former front-runner Pierre Poilievre on April 28th. It’s a 5-week campaign. In the backdrop of a trade war, Trump’s annexation threats, And almost 10 long years of Liberal leadership. For over a year, Poilievre pretty much held a 20-point lead. A landslide Poilievre win wasn't just possible, it felt inevitable. But now? The game has changed. Somehow, against all odds, the Liberals have clawed their way back to the top. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with conservative strategist Amanda Galbraith and progressive strategist Jordan Leichnitz to dissect what went so wrong for Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.And the latest on, Mark Carney’s long-awaited seat announcement coupled with the ousting of Liberal MP Chandra Arya, and Premier Danielle Smith’s untimely appearance on Breitbart.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh