Canadaland

There's a mystery disease that's plaguing people in New Brunswick. It starts with some muscle pain or spasms, before basic tasks like reading become impossible. For many, the disease progresses to full-blown dementia. For patients and families, government response has proven to be lackluster and desperation and frustration is taking hold as the search for answers drags on.Further reading:Whistleblower warns baffling illness affects growing number of young adults in Canadian province, Leyland Cecco, The GuardianNew Brunswick monitoring more than 40 cases of unknown neurological disease, CBC NewsN.B. health minister questions validity of mysterious neurological disease after report, Global NewsNew Brunswick's Mystery Disease: Why Did the Province Shut Out Federal Experts?, The WalrusNo longer a sure thing: Records show how N.B. investigation into mystery illness changed over time, CBC NewsHelp Gabrielle battle unknown neurological disease, GoFundMeSupport Canadaland at canadaland.com/joinSponsors: Zen

Healthcare workers against pandemic restrictions tell on themselves by suing for libel. And two Haitian journalists die reporting for a Montreal online radio station. Columnist Emilie Nicolas co-hosts. Links:Gofundme page for the Haitian journalists' familiesSponsors: Policy Me, Dispatch Coffee, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A CBC employee resigned from the public broadcaster because she says it's become too woke.The article she wrote about her departure has caused quite the buzz since it dropped. The National Post put it on the front page of the paper. Fox News, America reporter Glenn Greenwald, the British Daily Mail, and Canada's Leader of the Opposition Erin O'Toole have all wanted a piece of this story.But who the heck is the author, Tara Henley? And is any of this criticism warranted? Or is it a feeding frenzy for conservatives who are eager to jump on the "defund the CBC" bandwagon?Further reading:Speaking Freely: Why I resigned from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Tara Henley, Substack'CBC produces clickbait that's a parody of the student press': Senior journalist quits broadcaster over its 'radical political agenda', 'woke worldview' and belief 'that some races are more relevant to the public conversation than others', Daily MailWOKE NIGHTMARE: In her first chat, Tara Henley sounds off on CBC's radical editorial a

Publishing record COVID case counts might not be that helpful anymore. And a woman quits the CBC to start her own thing and Jesse isn't sure how to feel about it. Writer Nora Loreto co-hosts.Sponsors: Freshbooks, PolicyMe, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After we turn off our microphones, here at CANADALAND, it would be great to think we brought you the definitive version of the story. But what actually happens is that life keeps on rolling and stories continue to add new chapters.Three stories CANADALAND originally aired in 2021 demanded that we add another chapter to the story we told.First, the case of pretendians and how Indigenous identity has been co-opted by people who are not, in fact, Indigenous.Second, the story of MindGeek, Canada's largest tech company, that is known the world over for its porn platforms, like Porn Hub. When last we left the company, they were under a fair amount of scrutiny...And lastly, in October, we brought you the story of Madeline who was considering medically-assisted death once she ran out of money for the expensive treatments she needed to manage her life-long disease. What ever happened to her?Further Reading:How disgraced health expert Carrie Bourassa passed as Indigenous for years, New York PostUniversities across Cana

Short Cuts is off this week, so we are sharing an absolutely shocking story from Commons' current season on mining in Canada. For a century, Canada was one of the world's leading exporters of asbestos, most of it mined from the small town of Asbestos, Quebec. But during that time, governments and corporations in Canada did everything they could to hide the fact that asbestos is deadly.They went to extraordinary lengths — secret organ smuggling, corporate-supervised police torture — to keep the ugly truth from the world.Today, there's no longer a town called Asbestos, QC. But more people than ever are dying from what was mined out of the ground there. Featured in this episode: Heidi von Palleske, Jessica van Horssen, Tavia Grant (The Globe and Mail)To learn more:A Town Called Asbestos: Environmental Contamination, Health, and Resilience in a Resource Community by Jessica van Horssen“No Safe Use: The Canadian Asbestos Epidemic” by Tavia Grant in The Globe and Mail“Asbesto

People might take holidays, but the news doesn't. The best, worst, and funniest stories from reporters working Christmas in the newsroom.This might be an earth-shattering concept... but the CANADALAND team is taking a week off for the holidays. The office is closed. No one is here. However, in newsrooms across the country, that is not the case. For your holidays listening needs, here are stories from reporters who have worked Christmas in their newsrooms. It's the good, the bad and the funny. Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justin Trudeau tells-all in his revealing year-end interview, oh wait, he just stuck to the same old talking points. And yes, we're still going on about Omicron. Data journalist David Weisz co-hosts. Links:CBC Year-End Interview with PMCTV Year-End Interview with PMCity News Year-End Interview with PMGlobe & Mail piece re: Niagara police constableSponsors: Douglas, PolicyMe, Freshbooks, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He's the academic expert people love to hate. But he considers stirring the pot his moral duty. This week, CANADALAND brings you a profile of Amir Attaran.Amir Attaran might not be a name you know off the top of your head, but if you listen or read Canadian media, you've definitely come across him before.He is a professor at both the University of Ottawa law school and also its School of Epidemiology and Public Health. He's got a PhD in immunology from Oxford, along with a law degree from UBC.Attaran has been a real sh*t disturber throughout the pandemic, criticizing all levels of government for their public health responses, but he liked stirring the pot long before COVID-19 reared its head. He makes the case that it is his duty.The Prime Minister scolded him. Twitter deplatformed him. Journalists have largely stopped calling him… Well, that is, except for us. Support Canadaland at canadaland.com/join or gift a subscription to someone else at canadaland.com/gift. Sponsors: Pol

The media is scaring the bejesus out of us about the Omicron variant, but being on perpetual high alert can backfire. And the case against feeding the hungry. Writer, activist and podcaster Nora Loreto co-hosts. Links:Toronto Star piece re: OmicronBlacklocks Reporter piece re: Minister Anita Anand's husbandNational Post: Capitalist ManifestoToronto Star piece re: Food BanksNora Loreto's book, Spin Doctors: How Media and Politicians Misdiagnosed the COVID-19 Pandemic.Sponsors: Kilne, Squarespace, Manscaped, HelloFreshSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 16, the day the restaurants died. Or did they? Food industry writer, Corey Mintz, dissects what COVID-19 and the rise of third-party delivery apps have meant for the industry and our culture surrounding food.Further reading:The Next Supper, Corey Mintz, PublicAffairs BooksThe truth about Uber Eats, DoorDash and Skip the Dishes, Corey Mintz, Maclean'sYou can support Canadaland at canadaland.com/join or you can gift an ad-free subscription to a friend or family member by visiting canadaland.com/gift. Sponsors: Kilne, Douglas and ArticleSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Indigenous delegation headed to the Vatican was canceled and the media seems most focused on a papal apology. And is coverage of the Ring of Fire simply echoing the Conservative party lines? Ryan McMahon sits in for Jesse this week with co-host Pam Palmater.Links:CAJ Diversity study CBC Indigenous piece re: Vatican visit  Toronto Star Local Journalism Initiative piece re: Vatican visit  CBC piece re: Ring of Fire Sponsors: Douglas, Kilne, Squarespace,Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amber Bracken and Michael Toledano are freelance journalists who were arrested by RCMP officers on the morning of Nov. 19, 2021 while they were covering the demonstrations of Wet'suwet'en people and hereditary chiefs against the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline. The standoff on unceded territory was the top news story of 2020, until the pandemic hit. But since then, coverage has waned and in-depth looks have largely been left to freelancers and smaller independent news outlets that have fewer resources to fight charges in court.If the state police lock up members of the press for doing their jobs, can we really call Canada's media a free press?Amber Bracken and Michael Toledano join Jesse to dig into it.Further reading: RCMP arrest journalists, matriarchs and land defenders following Gidimt'en eviction of Coastal GasLink, The NarwhalVideo footage shows RCMP Wet'suwet'en raid, Michael Toledano for CBC NewsRCMP tracked photojournalist Amber Bracken in active investigations databa

The latest COVID variant offers mixed messaging about the severity of the virus. And an obituary to memorialize an alleged murderer does not sit right with Jesse and at least one of our listeners. Veteran journalist and freelance obituary writer Fred Langan co-hosts. Links:Daniel Schlafman's death notice can be found hereRadio-Canada's piece re: their deaths (French)Global News' report re: their deathsSponsors: Kilne, Squarespace, ManscapedSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support our work at canadaland.com/joinDid an Instagram account kill a vulnerable teenager? 6ixBuzz has unparalleled clout in Toronto with young audiences and it used that influence to make "Debby Gang" or "Debby Parkway" (real name Alexis Matos) a certain brand of local celebrity — the kind that is repeatedly filmed when spotted on the street, and is then is the subject of mockery and scorn.When Alexis Matos died of an apparent fentanyl overdose, hundreds immediately blamed 6ixBuzz and called for its cancellation. But is what 6ixBuzz does any different than how traditional media exposes and exploits people?Further Reading:The Secret Life of 6ixBuzz, in Toronto Life by Nichole JankowskiBullying, exploitation accusations follow death of homeless teen 'internet star', in the Toronto SunSponsors: Kilne, Policy Me, Manscaped, ArticleAdditional music by Audio NetworkSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m

The struggle against Coastal Gaslink was bigger news this week because journalists got arrested. And even CBC can't seem to avoid the wrath of covering WE Charity. Canadaland contributing editor Danielle Paradis co-hosts. Links:A rare Editor's Note from the CBC on covering WE CharitySince the time of recording, the CBC posted on Facebook saying Michael Toledano had been commissioned by CBC's The Passionate Eye to film a documentary at the time of his arrest.Sponsors: Kilne, Douglas, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support our work at canadaland.com/joinFailure to protect hundreds of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Violent arrests at Wet'suwet'en and Fairy Creek. And now, Portapique. In recent years, controversy has hounded Canada's storied national police force. Reporter Jane Gerster has made it her mission to understand why these problems are happening, and she says that the Mounties  -  which originated as a paramilitary force to defend Canada's interests in the West -  must grapple with the nature of the institution if they can ever hope to be reformed.  Further reading:Jane Gerster's latest piece in the Walrus, “The Dark Side of the RCMP,”Jane Gerster's story in Vice about Kystle KnottCBC's Mounties on Duty: A History of the RCMPThe RCMP is Broken by Stephen MaherAdditional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: PolicyMe, DouglasSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info

Support our work at canadaland.com/join As British Columbia assesses the damage from the downpour, what is the media's role when disaster strikes? And Jian Ghomeshi's lawyer is back in the news over a controversy but is Jesse too close to the story to critique it? National Observer columnist Sandy Garossino co-hosts. Sponsors: Douglas, Kilne, HelloFreshSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support Canadaland at canadaland.com/joinOn the heels of COP26, Jesse heads back to school as he and his new senior producer, Sarah Lawrynuik, duke it out over whether climate change is either a) boring or b) the most exciting story ever told. Sarah takes Jesse through the psychological factors at play, the history, the politics and the morality of the climate crisis, while making her case for the latter. Will Canadaland move forward with stories about climate change? Listen to find out.Further reading:Washington Post: At COP26, nations speed climate action but leave world still headed for dangerous warmingPer Espen Stoknes's book What We Think About When We Try Not To Think About Global WarmingKatharine Hayhoe's book Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided WorldDaniel Kahneman's book Thinking Fast and SlowNaomi Oreskes' book Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Climate ChangeKelly Levin, Ben

Support Canadaland at www.canadaland.com/joinA veteran Black columnist at The Star calls out Desmond Cole's activism out of nowhere. And CBC officially closes the comment section on Facebook. Writer Ish Aderonmu co-hosts.Links:Ish's award-winning piece in Toronto LifeThe Toronto Star column from Royson James discussed in segment 1 (paywalled) Kate Dubinski's piece on the call for more investment into legal aidDavid Pugliese's piece in The Ottawa Citizen on Canadian officials who met with neo-Nazis in UkraineCBC's announcement on closing Facebook commentsSponsors: Douglas, Kilne, PolicyMeSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.