Canadaland

Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner sits down with host Noor Azrieh to unpack why she thinks we should scrap the temporary foreign worker program, and how far she’d go to overhaul immigration. Host: Noor AzriehCredits: 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: MP Michelle Rempel GarnerCredit to Film Mission and Joe Anidjar for footage from the Canada First Protest. Background reading:Toronto’s Christie Pits Riot  – Toronto MuseumPolice charge 9 people in connection with Christie Pits rallies – CBC NewsPopular support for more immigration has cratered. Politicians are taking note – CBC NewsPoilievre calls for temporary foreign worker program to be scrapped – CBC NewsWithout national identity, integration is impossible and collapse is inevitable – Michelle Rempel Garner Canadaland Politics is recording a LIVE podcast

Rabih (Robby) Alkhalil was in prison for one murder and on trial for another. Then on July 21st, 2022 Alkhalil slipped into a black jumpsuit and a high visibility vest and he walked out the front door of a BC prison. He hopped into a waiting white van and disappeared. And for the last three years Alkhalil has stayed, at least, one step ahead of the law.Alkhalil made new headlines last week. A series of news reports claimed he'd been arrested in Qatar. The RCMP scheduled a press conference and promised an update on the case. Then something weird happened. The RCMP announced that three men had been charged in connection with helping Alkhalil escape, but the RCMP would neither confirm nor deny that he was arrested in Qatar.Was his escape the most audacious in recent Canadian history? Was it a stunning display of the prison authority’s incompetence or corruption? And why won’t the RCMP confirm or deny his capture in Qatar?Veteran crime beat reporter Peter Edwards joins us to try and make sense of the es

Carney hits pause on EVs but moves forward on “nation-building” projects.With Canola farmers being hit hard by Chinese tariffs, is the solution to drop the 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs? Scott Moe and Danielle Smith think so.Plus, a goodbye to Franklin, Babar, and The Magic Schoolbus.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading on our website. Sponsors: oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! 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.If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and

TIFF turns 50 with celebs, controversy, and Carney suggesting that we’re the John Candy of global trade.  As the Toronto International Film Festival struggles to find its way in a changing film landscape, it leans into Canadiana with buzzy premieres from Canadian directors. But with its mishandling of controversial documentaries the last two years, can TIFF meet the moment? Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading on our website. Sponsors: 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 offerBetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.If you value this podcast, support u

While Donald Trump is bent on achieving and maintaining “unquestioned and unchallenged global technological dominance”, we’re just starting to gear up for the race. There are only about 300 data centres across Canada. And about HALF of them are run by American tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Don Lenihan and Vass Bednar and asks whether we can control our digital sovereignty. Host: Noor AzriehCredits: 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: Don Lenihan, Vass BednarFurther Reading On Our WebsiteSponsors: 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 checkoutIf you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and b

Mark Carney recently made noises about the future possibility of Canadian boots on the ground as part of an international “coalition of the willing” to help guarantee security in Ukraine. In the 1990s Canada had up to 3,000 peacekeepers around the world at any given time. Today we have less than 30. That’s one per cent of what we used to be able to do.So how would Carney get us back in the game? Is it a game we want to play? Or are even capable of playing anymore?Lloyd Axworthy thinks so. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs at the height of our peacekeeping commitments in the late 1990s. But his vision today goes far beyond blue helmets.Credits:Host: Jesse BrownCaleb Thompson (Post Production), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Julian AbrahamAdditional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free!  Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/can

The race to succeed Jagmeet Singh has begun, but most of the NDP’s big names are steering clear. Post-election, vibes within the party have been bleak, mired with handwringing, infighting, and no clear guiding vision. One thing everyone seems to agree on is that any new leader needs to build a big tent. Bring back the labour vote. With Trump playing tariff bingo, there’s a real opportunity to speak — and to listen — to workers. Are the leadership hopefuls ready to take it?Taylor Noakes joins Jesse Brown to discuss.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Jules Bugiel (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Taylor NoakesFurther reading on our website.Canadaland Politics is recording a LIVE podcast and Q&A from Calgary on September 22nd, 2025 at 7:30PM MT hosted by Mount Royal University. Let us know you’re coming by RSVPing here. Sponsors: oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CAN

The Hudson’s Bay Company is dead. While the Canadian media obsesses over the sale of The Bay’s retail properties, thousands of historical artefacts and artworks — including the original copy of the Royal Charter — sit concealed in the cockles of the company’s dustiest vault. Now, Canada’s oldest retailer is hemming and hawing over donating these culturally-significant artefacts to Indigenous communities requesting them, or selling the artefacts for cold, hard cash… all-the-while refusing to share what’s in their inventory.Taylor Noakes chats with Jesse about why the Bay’s obfuscation of their collection is more important than a document — even one the king signed.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Jules Bugiel (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Taylor NoakesThis episode uses generative AI for the following purposes: Voice cloning of Canadaland’s editor and publisher Jesse Brown.NOTE: A previous

Right now, a hulking Soviet-era Russian cargo plane is just parked at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. And Canada is trying to do something nobody has ever done before…pull off a legal heist. Host Noor sits down with IJF reporter Zak Vescera to talk about why that plane matters, and how far we’re willing to go to keep it.And the latest on US accusations of lawfare from the International Criminal Court, coupled with a sanction on Judge Kimberly Prost, who sits on the ICC. And, newly released data on the dramatic immigration turnaround. 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: Zak VesceraBackground reading:Inside Canada’s legal fight over grounded Russian plane – Investigative Journalism Foundation In Kyiv, Carney not ruling out Canadian troops in Ukraine if a peace deal reached – Canada’s National Obser

Three years before the first episode of SNL. Four years before the first episode of SCTV. Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner. Andrea Martin and later Dave Thomas, co-starred in a legendary production of a musical called Godspell at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto.The show that launched the careers of a whole generation of comedians is now the subject of a new doc at TIFF. Appropriately titled, You Had to Be There: How The Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love and Overalls, and Created a Community that Changed the World (In a Canadian Kind of Way).Today we speak with someone who had a front row seat to it all. Paul Shaffer, of Letterman fame, but who back in the days of Godspell was just a kid from Thunder Bay gigging in strip clubs on Younge Street. That is, until he landed the job of musical director for the play that would change the comedy world as we know it.Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Edito

Doug Ford, Danielle Smith, and Pierre Poilievre all seem to want to make sure we have the right to beat people up in our homes. Only if they aren’t invited, of course.Following a case out of Lindsay, Ontario, the media is all abuzz with talk about the right to self-defence in the case of home invasions. But we have a right, within reason. So what’s the big deal? And are we avoiding talking about systemic problems?Harrison Lowman from The Hub, breaks it all down with Jesse.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Harrison LowmanAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading: Jamie Sarkonak: Home invasion is serious. The law of self-defence should reflect that — The National Post‘You can’t just get mad’: Lawyer explains limits of self-defence in Canada - CTV NewsToronto Police Service - Public Safety Data PortalJ.D.M. Stewart: No more burying our

Pierre Poilievre won his byelection and will be returning to Parliament in September. He’s raring to go, and probably drafting a whole bunch of new catchphrases and slogans. He’s back and ready to try and convince conservatives he’s the right man for the job.But, in the media, the picture being painted is a little less clear. One poll shows the party being neck and neck with the Liberals. Another shows a huge disparity. How do we make sense of all of this?Harrison Lowman joins Jesse to break it down.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Harrison LowmanFurther reading: Poilievre’s Prospects: CPC voters back him; those who could’ve put him over the top are far less supportive - Angus ReidFor both Carney and Poilievre, success has nothing to do with their strengths and everything to do with their weaknesses - The Toronto StarPierre Poilievre attem

China’s tariffs on canola seeds would cripple western Canadian farmers. But this tit for tat fight is about more than just canola. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Vina Nadjibulla who thinks China’s playing us and we shouldn't take the bait. And the latest news on Carney’s elbows on Trump’s tariffs, Canada’s all boys trip to Berlin, and the secrets our allies aren't telling us. Host: Noor AzriehCredits: 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: Vina NadjibullaBackground reading:China’s canola tariffs are a dangerous trap – The Globe and Mail‘Economic coercion’: Five takeaways on China tariffing Canadian canola and the escalating Canada-China trade war – The HubLet’s free ourselves of the U.S. and forge closer ties with China – The Globe and MailFacing tariffs, canola farmers call on the Canadian government for help – CBC NewsChina ‘ready to mov

Something wild happened in Nova Scotia during filming of the James Cameron film Titanic. Parts of the blockbuster were filmed in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and on the last night of filming there, someone did something. Something that caused director James Cameron to question reality itself, something that resulted in the rest of the cast and crew being piled into vans and rushed to a nearby hospital. The cops looked into it, but they never figured out who was responsible.That mystery is now a piece of Canadian film industry lore. It has been whispered about and speculated on for decades. Lots of people have theories, but so far nobody has cracked the case. Now, Canadaland goes searching for the answer. Who spiked the Titanic chowder?Caleb Thompson (Post Production), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Reported by Julian AbrahamFact checking by Lucie LAdditional music by Audio NetworkCan't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on In

In July, Mark Carney made it clear to public workers that there would be a tightening of the belt. Ministers were told to save 15% from their departmental budgets over the next three years. The deadline to do so is next week, August 28th. What that looks like in practice is pretty bleak. By 2028, it has been estimated that over 57,000 full-time equivalent workers will be laid off. Who will be laid off? And is this type of austerity bad governance?Meanwhile, in Ontario, Doug Ford is mandating a return to office for all workers, five days a week, come January 2026. Who will this affect?Host San Grewal and reporter Stacy Thomas break it down.Host: San GrewalCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Stacy ThomasPhoto: Creative edit by Tristan Capacchione, with photos from Gage Skidmore and Simon DawsonFurther reading on our websiteSponsors:oxio: Head over to canadaland

The Air Canada strike this past weekend affected tens of thousands of Canadians and international travelers. The negotiations have been going on for eight months, the contract renewal was known about for ten years, so how did the Air Canada strike sneak up on Canadians so fast?Why were flight attendants, who are primarily women, not being paid for “ground work” for so long? Is labour coverage so non-existent in Canada that these stories just go unnoticed?Labour reporter Stacy Thomas joins San Grewal to talk all about it.Host: San GrewalCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Stacy ThomasAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading on our website Sponsors: oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! Cargurus: Buy your next car today with CarGurus at https://www.cargurus.ca/BetterHelp: Visit https

Our kids are broke and seriously unemployed.  We're in the dog days of summer, and for generations, that marked the end of scooping ice cream at the corner shop, pulling espresso shots at the café, or lifeguarding at the local pool.  But for many young Canadians, this isn't the end, cause there was no beginning. This episode, host Noor Azrieh unpacks  what happens when young people can't work.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: Dr. Srividya Iyer, Brendon BernardBackground reading:Carmichael: Canada's young workers are getting crushed – The LogicYouth employment continues to fall as StatsCan records lowest rates since 1998 – CBC NewsToronto's youth unemployment crisis: Young people want to work but having a hard time, report finds – CityNewsGen Z is facing the worst youth unemployment rate in decades. H

Singh built a bot. It’s a concoction of ChatGPT, Grok, and a handful of other advanced AI systems that might destroy truth-based civil discourse once and for all.Or.What if that same technology could be harnessed to champion the truth? To do what no human could possibly do to refute lies and misinformation?Today we talk to Singh about his creation, DOGEAI. He’s been labelled a MAGA-bot master but he says he’s really a progressive technologist.Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Julian AbrahamAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther Reading:Meet the 24-year-old Ottawa software engineer who runs a MAGA bot — Ottawa CitizenZohran Mamdani’s newest opponent is an AI bot run by a 24-year-old in Canada — Courthouse NewsDOGE AI account on XDOGE AI on GithubSponsors:Douglas: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protector

TIFF’s whiff and the legacy of Trudeau’s media policies. Carney is reversing course on the Liberal’s approach to media, but can the Canadian media ecosystem exorcise the ghost of Trudeau? 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: Ronit NovakAdditional music by Audio Network Further reading: TIFF pulls documentary about Oct. 7 attack from lineup over security and rights concerns | CBC News Carney’s Digital Recalibration: How the Government is Trending Away from Justin Trudeau’s Digital Policy - Michael Geist Carney suggests he's considering rescinding Online News Act | National PostSome U.S. Republicans want Canada to axe its Online Streaming Act | CBC News  Google sends $100M in funds to journalism collective in exchange for Online News Act exemption 23-year-old charged with assault

Last year Canadaland launched a new initiative called the Canadalabs Audio Journalism Fellowship programme, where we hired two young reporters to come and produce a story with us and learn from our team.This week, we caught up with past Canadaland fellows to see how they’ve fared. Was their time at Canadaland worth it?And we are talking about that because we have a fresh batch of fellows that will be joining the team very soon!Plus, an update about the future of this show.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Guests: Jesse Brown, Noor Azrieh, Mia Johnson, Leora SchertzerPhoto: Tony WangAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther Listening:#1084 Waste Management: Sh*t’s Complicated — CANADALAND#1022 The Painful Truth About IUDs — CANADALANDPlus, check out our Mia and Leora’s work since leaving Canadaland!Leora:Hypnosis over anesthesia? Why patients in Quebec are choosing alternative pain management — M