Canadaland

Mark Carney is nation building. To do that, he needs to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces. Between decades of neglect and the forces’ own goals by way of bad headlines that’s no mean feat.Rebuilding the military, from new recruits to new fighter planes, will take more than promising government money. There’s a pitch that needs to be made to the Canadian public and partnerships to be forged with the private sector for investment.So how will the Prime Minister convince the Canadian public and private investors to rebuild the embattled Canadian Armed Forces? Are Carney’s nation-building plans the new National Dream or just national daydreaming?Professor Wesley Wark, defence and security analyst and former national security and intelligence advisor to Stephen Harper, joins us today.Host: Bruce Thorson (Reporter, Senior Producer)Caleb Thompson (Mixing & Master), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Julian AbrahamTrumpet by: Tristan CapacchioneAdditional music by A

The sentencing of Convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber gets political. Poilievre and other Conservative MPs are outraged about the Crown’s requested sentences for Convoy Leaders. Looking back, was the convoy a violent uprising or an act of political protest? Plus, sunny skies for solar and the battle over Toronto’s hot dog throne. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Max FawcettAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading: The right’s new cause, crime without punishment, and its new martyrs, the Ottawa hostage-takers – Andrew Coyne for The Globe & Mail‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers Tamara Lich, Chris Barber face sentencing - National | Globalnews.caPoilievre, Conservative MPs criticize Crown ahead of Freedom Convoy leaders' sentencing | CBC News The Rise of White Supremacy in Cana

It’s not a secret that music makes us feel things, but how does it do it? How do composers create music that makes us happy, sad, confused, emotional, hopeful, scared, and perhaps even make us laugh from time to time?This week on Off The Record, producer Tristan Capacchione chats with his old colleagues and associates about the secrets of music and gives you a bit of insight into how we choose and use music at Canadaland.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Writer and Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Guests: Darren Fung, Erica Procunier, Adrian EllisPhoto: Ashlea WesselAdditional music by Tristan Capacchione, Adrian Ellis, Darren Fung, Erica Procunier, and Audio NetworkFurther Reading:Stinky Rice Studios — Darren FungErica ProcunierAdrian EllisThe Great Human Odyssey — Handful of FilmsMount Royal Audio — Tristan CapacchioneThis show is available exclusively to Canadaland supporters. To become one, go to https://canadaland.com/joi

Canada can’t cut a deal, but Carney’s political honeymoon continues. Should Carney take some blame for the ongoing trade war? Plus, why real estate developers in BC apparently need foreign money and a misleading image on the New York Times front page causes controversy. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio, Mixing and Mastering), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Max Fawcett Further readingThis episode uses generative AI for the following purposes: Episode tile art, voice cloning of host Jesse Brown, Adobe Enhance Speech function on the recording of guest Max Fawcett. Sponsors: 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 checkoutBetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.Douglas: Douglas is giving our list

The Canadian Armed Forces has an extremism problem, and that story has fallen out of the news cycle way too quickly. Just recently, four men have been arrested in an alleged violent extremist plot to reclaim land near Quebec City. Plus, the CAF is investigating a private Facebook group where active members shared content deemed “abhorrent” by military leadership.Host Noor Azrieh talks to Andy Knight about his explosive report on white supremacy in the military, and whether extremists are being drawn in, or shaped from within.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Post Production), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Andy KnightBackground reading:Report finds deep-rooted white supremacism lurks in Canadian militaryIdeologically motivated violent extremism: four individuals chargedExtremism a threat to Canadian army’s trust and credibility, commander says – The Globe and MailCharging a soldier with terrorism may be a first, but Canadian milita

Canada is now the number one provider of medical assistance in dying in the world per capita. The latest stats, from 2023, show that MAID accounted for almost 5% of all deaths in Canada, or around 15,000 people in that year. And it’s only been legal since 2016.MAID was introduced for patients who were experiencing intolerable suffering, irreversible decline and whose death was foreseeable. Within a few years it was expanded to cover people who are not close to death but who are living with chronic illness or disabilities and facing intolerable suffering.Canada’s number one spot on the global stage and the expansion of MAID eligibility has attracted the attention of the United Nations. The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities issued a report that raised questions about access to housing, social support, and healthcare, especially for people with disabilities. It noted that the suffering that qualified these people for the recent expansion to MAiD is suffering that might have been avoided if

An update on Canada’s approach to Palestine and an in-depth discussion of the Hockey Canada Trial and why the coverage isn’t reckoning with the deeper issues within our national sport. Arshy Mann co-hosts. Host:  Noor AzriehCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Arshy MannPhoto: Noor AzriehAdditional music by Audio Network Further reading: Canada plans to recognize Palestinian state in September | CBC NewsCOMMONS: Hockey - CANADALAND [Podcast]#1162 Inside the Lurid Hockey Canada Trial - CANADALAND [Podcast]Opinion | Judge in Hockey Canada sex assault trial came out swinging in her verdict, and she got it right - Toronto StarCourt worked as it's designed to in the Hockey Canada case. That's the problem, survivors and lawyers say | CBC News Sports fans 'flabbergasted' after Sportsnet announces double-digit price hike

When working on one of our episodes of the Politics edition about tariffs, senior producer, Aviva Lessard wondered why there are no Canadian car companies.This question felt like too much of a digression for the episode about tariffs, but in doing some research on it, Sam learned that we actually used to have Canadian car companies going all the way back to Confederation in 1867.So buckle up for the bumpy road that Canada's cars have traveled. Producers Aviva and James Nicholson join Sam in the backseat as he tells them all about it.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Guests: Aviva Lessard, James Nicholson, Dimitry AnastakisPhoto: Courtesy of Dimitry Anastakis and UT PressAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther Reading:The Bricklin — CBC ArchivesThe Bricklin, Documentary — HistoryDream Car, by Dimitry Anastakis — UT PressVisionary Vehicles Project ArrowThis show is available exclusively to Canad

More statements about Israel/Palestine from Carney’s government, but does Canada have the courage to take action? Arshy Mann joins Noor Azrieh to assess Canada’s rhetoric on Gaza. Plus, Netanyahu sits down with Canada’s Nelk Boys. Would Noor or Arshy interview him, if they had the opportunity?  Host: Noor AzriehCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Arshy Mann Further reading: Canada weighs whether to follow U.K. position on Palestinian statehood - The Globe and MailReport suggests arms still flow from Canada to Israel despite denials | CBC News Anand says Ottawa’s trucks of humanitarian aid ready to enter Gaza Strip - National | Globalnews.ca Canada pledges $30-million in Gaza aid, $10-million for Palestinian Authority to work toward statehood - The Globe and MailThe Benjamin Netanyahu Interview | NELK BO

Over 200 candidates, a riding bigger than Switzerland and an immense amount of pressure on the leader of the opposition. To find out who (and what) Pierre is up against, host Sam Konnert travels to the riding to meet the candidates taking him on.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Bonnie Critchley, Sarah Spanier, Monte Solberg, Michael Harris, Jayson CowanBackground reading:Independents up against Poilievre say they’re ‘standing up’ for their community – CTV NewsPoilievre wants bill to stop 'longest ballot scam' introduced this fall – CBC NewsAlberta byelection candidates reported 'potentially threatening' comments: RCMP – CBC NewsPoilievre has to contend with Alberta separatists as he vies for a Commons seat – CBC NewsFalice Chin: A tale of two (Poilievre) ridings – The HubSponsors: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep B

For over 40 years Burtynsky’s camera has captured mountain ranges scarred and scooped from mining operations, roiling tar sand tailing ponds, and fractal river systems alight with red industrial sludge. His work is a catalogue of the awesome destructive power at the root of our industrial culture.And yet, Burtynsky’s images are beautiful. That contradiction of beautiful destruction has fuelled the praise and criticism around Burtynsky for decades.Ed Burtynsky’s is probably the biggest deal this country has every produced in terms of landscape photography. He’s won countless awards, he has nine honorary doctorate degrees, he’s an Officer of the Order of Canada, his work is collected and displayed in galleries around the world.He joins us to unpack that career and the critique that frames his photography.Credits: Host: Jesse BrownCaleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Julian AbrahamAdditional music

Jordan Peterson sold his Toronto home, but what’s the next move for Canada’s biggest media export? Tracing the arc of Peterson’s ambitions from media-hungry U of T prof to global media personality. J.J. McCullough joins to explain why Peterson is leaving Canada and trying to take over the world. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio and Fact Checker), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: J.J. McCullough Additional music by Audio Network Further reading: Jordan Peterson's house in Toronto up for sale as he and his wife relocate to the U.S. - National Post Jordan Peterson’s free speech ideology drew them to his online academy. Then they were expelled for speaking out - Toronto Star The Takeover podcast | Canada's National Observer: Climate News I Spent 3 Days at Jordan Peterson’s Anti-Climate ARC Conference. Here’s What I Saw. - DeSmog 

Some of you had simple questions about our office space, and what Victoria's non-profit campus & community radio station does for Canadaland. And some of you wanted to know what happened with former shows and hosts at the company. Plus did Jesse Brown FORCE Noor to work while sick? Today on Off The Record, an “Ask Me Anything” with the Canadaland staff. Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Guests: Julian Abraham, Noor Azrieh, Caleb Thompson, Farheya Ahmed, James NicholsonAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther information:Julian Abraham: What does he do at Canadaland? — RedditWho is Julian Abraham?? — WebsiteThe One Where Noor Was Sick — CANADALAND401 Richmond St. W.CFUV 101.9 FM — CFUVShort Cuts: Elon Musk’s Anti-Woke A.I. Sucks Too — CANADALANDUN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese — CANADALANDJustin Ling’s comments on the Short Cuts episode — Bug-eyed and ShamelessThis show is

Why are we reporting on American news when we have more than enough to cover here in Canada?Canadian media has been breathlessly covering Trump, Epstein, Stephen Colbert, and The Wall Street Journal, but all this reporting doesn’t add much to the conversation. Is it time to decouple Canadian news from the US news cycle?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: J.J. McCullough Photo: Gage SkidmoreFurther reading: With Colbert exit, Canada will lose the talk show host most attuned to our whims and politics | CBC NewsChaotic Era – Substack by Kyle TharpRatfucker - CANADALAND [Podcast] Globe and Mail reporter targeted by online campaign, photographed surreptitiously in public settings - Globe and Mail  Sponsors: Douglas:  Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress

Canada is obsessed with dairy. It’s quite literally part of our culture…we’re talking soccer medals with the little blue milk logo on them. But someone else is also utterly obsessed with Canadian dairy. Donald Trump. What does Trump want…and why?And if Carney caved on the NATO budget, and on the Digital Services tax - Is he going to cave on Trumps demands on dairy too? Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Post Production), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Jason Erskine, Bruce Muirhead, Ryan CardwellBackground reading:New supply management law won't save the system from Trump, experts say – CBC NewsDairy supply management could sour Canada-US trade talks – ReutersThe dairy industry’s outsized political influence, explained in charts – The Globe and MailCanada and New Zealand resolve dairy trade dispute, Canada says – Yahoo NewsSponsors: Article is offering our lis

It’s now common to get AI generated answers from Google when searching the web. The whole concept of searching Google to find actual websites is almost over. Google does not want you to click on a link and go to a website. Instead, they're giving users as the first thing you see, an AI overview that analyzes hundreds, thousands, (possibly) millions of websites to give you an answer right there on the Google page. Convenient? Yes. User friendly? Yup. Causing news publishers to lose their minds? Absofrigginlutely.Today our guest is Ben Smith. He literally wrote the book on web traffic. It's called Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion Dollar Race to Go Viral.He's the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief at Semafor and co-host of the Mixed Signals podcast.Ben helps us figure out what this fundamental change in how we use the web means for you the news consumer and what it could mean for the future of Canadaland.Credits: Host: Jesse BrownCaleb Thompson (Post Production), Bruce Thorson (Senior

A closer look at Travis Dhanraj’s public breakup with the CBC. In a fiery open letter, former host of Canada Tonight, Travis Dhanraj, excoriated the CBC for its “performative diversity, tokenism, a system designed to elevate certain voices and diminish others.” He also called out “a small circle of senior Ottawa-based journalists.” He says he’s ready to “pull the curtain back” on CBC’s toxic culture. What’s he waiting for?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jen GersonAdditional music by Audio Network Further reading: LILLEY: Former CBC host blasts state broadcaster on way out the door - Toronto SunChris Selley: We'll thank Travis Dhanraj for 'pulling back the curtain' on CBC News - National PostLawyer of CBC whistleblower SPEAKS OUT about Travis Dhanraj’s treatment at the state broadcaster. It’s WORSE than you think! - Juno News

Carney’s sprawling ethics screen covers over 100 companies and reveals the details of what went into his blind trust. Did he lie to Canadians about his conflicts of interest? Jen Gerson joins to make sense of the documents. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jen GersonPhoto: REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth Further reading: Carney to recuse himself from dealings with over 100 companies in sprawling government conflict screen - National PostCarney’s ethics filing shows more than 100 entities under conflict-of-interest screen - The Globe and MailInvestigation: What Mark Carney Won’t Say About Brookfield - CANADALAND [Podcast]Ethics Screen - List of Companies [PDF]Ethics Screen - List of Investments [PDF]https://x.com/HertzBarry/status/1945113658247311799 That white guy who can't get a job at Tim Hortons? He's AI | CBC News &

A 230km all-season road and deep water port could be one of Carney’s first major “nation-building projects.” Is everyone on board?The Grays Bay Port and Road would connect the Northwest Territories to Nunavut to the hotly contested Northwest Passage. It would provide shipping routes, better access and Arctic security, but some hunters are worried about the environmental impact.Will this get built? Who’s going to pay? What are the impacts?Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Jane George, Brendan Bell, Jeffrey NiptanatiakBackground reading:Carney points to Grays Bay as key nation-building project - Nunatsiaq NewsArctic road and port project meets opposition and support as Nunavut board recommends environmental review - CBC NewsNunavut Inuit org breathes new life into Grays Bay project with $7.25M loan - Nunatsiaq NewsEmail scammers c

Today we unmask the mastermind behind one of the most unlikely mysteries in hip hop history.Digging through old FBI files to reveal the name of the arch villain who orchestrated a transnational scam that duped some of rap's biggest players. And here's a spoiler, the culprit was a teenager in Ottawa who juggled his international hip hop swindle with his high school math homework.Further Reading:Ben Westhoff Substack Article FBI FilesMore FBI FilesCreditsHost: Jesse BrownJulian Abraham (Reporter and Composer), Caleb Thompson (Post Production), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Lucie LaumonierAdditional music by Audio Network & Julian AbrahamIf 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 store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a