Canadaland

As Premier François Legault plunges in the polls, he’s panic-legislating: turbo-charging secularism laws, unveiling a “made-in-Quebec” constitution, and reigniting old identity battles that haven’t burned this hot in decades.Then we head west, where B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad resigned after a spectacular caucus revolt. Sam asks him directly: why did his own MLAs want him gone, who he blames, and whether he regrets anything.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), tom sayers (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Martin Patriquin, John RustadBackground reading on our website.Sponsors: 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 at douglas.ca/canadalandIf you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium acce

 The CBC is broken: how should it be fixed? Defund the whole thing? Refund the whole thing? Double down on digital? Stop chasing digital relevance?The list goes on and on. You've heard them all. But for a moment, forget about funding or even political bias. Just ask: why does the CBC exist? What is its underlying ideology? Not its political ideology, but its philosophy for why we need it. Does it have one? Does it need one? If it does have one, is it working or is that what needs to change?David Cayley spent over 40 years at the CBC as a journalist and producer. For 30 of those years he worked on CBC Radio’s Ideas program. He's now published a book, The CBC: How Canada's Public Broadcaster Lost Its Voice (and How it Can Get it Back). It's both an ideological history of the CBC's past and a manifesto for the CBC's future.In it, he puts his finger right on the root problem. The CBC is there for everyone. It's supposed to speak to all of the Canadian public. However, if the public has splintered beyond reco

A story in The Local reveals how AI writing is infiltrating newsrooms, flooding inboxes, and snagging bylines in major outlets. Is the rise of the AI journalist inevitable or is it already here? Jay Caspian Kang of the New Yorker joins to consider if a chatbot could write his column.This episode uses generative AI for the following purposes: Episode tile art Host: James NicholsonCredits: Jules Bugiel (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio & Fact Checking), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jay Caspian KangAdditional music by Audio Network Further reading: What’s the point of reading writing by humans? - The New YorkerCould an A.I. Chatbot Rewrite My Novel? - The New YorkerInvestigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era - The LocalThe Fallout From Our AI Freelancer Investigation - The LocalImposter Syndrome - Re:PublicJobs - AI-First Reporter (remote) - Jeff Gaulin’s Job Board  Wired and Business Insider remove articles by AI-generated

Every year for the past 11 or so years, Canadaland has run a crowdfunding campaign in the fall. We finished up this year’s campaign in late November, and so we wanted to hear from you, about what we should do with all of your hard earned money. After all, Jesse Brown has said that “We work for you.”You filled up the lines for two hours and let Sam know all of your ideas. Here are the highlights.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Photo: Tony WangAdditional music by Audio NetworkCan’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.This show is available exclusively to Canadaland supporters. To become one, go to https://canadaland.com/join/. 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

It’s been one year since Trump started threatening Canada’s economy and our sovereignty. But with all this story’s twists and turns, have Canadians grown complacent about what’s at stake?Producer James Nicholson steps into the host’s chair to make a bold case that Canada isn’t just in a tariff war. We’re in a cold war. And we need to start acting like it.American writer and podcaster Jay Caspian Kang weighs in.Host: James NicholsonCredits: Jules Bugiel (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio and Fact Checking), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jay Caspian KangAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther 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

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has been pressuring Prime Minister Mark Carney for months on a new pipeline to the BC coast, and after a new MOU, she’s closer than ever. Host Noor Azrieh unpacks this deal with The Hub’s Falice Chin.Plus, a mini cabinet shuffle. And reporter Sam Konnert takes us behind the velvet rope of the Hill’s E-list “exclusive” event.Host: 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)Guests: Falice ChinBackground reading:How political timing influenced the confusing pipeline MOU – The HubOttawa, Alberta sign energy deal signalling major shift in relationship – The Globe and MailCarney’s Alberta pipeline deal weakens climate policies – The NarwhalTreaty 6 Nations ‘disappointed’ in lack of consultation on MOU – APTN Sponsors: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your f

One of the world’s biggest online gaming sites, Roblox, is in the courts. The cases involve the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor, online harassment, and business practices that lead to addiction.That last charge, involving addiction, is connected to an aspect of online gaming that’s passing mostly under the radar. The “gamblification” of games for children. It’s a charge that’s been levelled at not just Roblox but a number of other high profile companies from Microsoft to Ubisoft. Tricks of the trade from casinos have made their way into the gaming world.Professor Sarah Grimes, professor of communication studies at McGill, spends her time researching how kids, particularly kids in elementary school, interact with tech. How it harms, how it helps, how they use it to communicate with each other, and how it shapes their place in the world. She’s here to talk about what it means when kid’s games turn into gambling.Host: Bruce ThorsonCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer

Canada is pulling back from progressive policies, but were we ever really committed to them in the first place? Whether it’s the reversal on DEI from BMO, RBC, and Shopify or Carney’s shift away from a feminist foreign policy, Canada is quietly pivoting from Trudeau-era progressive policies. Plus, concerns over Quebec’s proposed constitution and the Blue Jays get aggressive in Japan.Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Jules Bugiel (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Morgan Campbell 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 and double your impact. 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

A cocaine lawyer, a crime blog, and a $15 million reward. Eight more Canadians are arrested and a sensational new indictment from Operation Giant Slalom puts the Ryan Wedding case back in the headlines around the world.But how is Ryan Wedding’s background shaping the coverage? Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Jules Bugiel (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Morgan CampbellAdditional music by Audio NetworkOur next call-in show is tomorrow, November 27th from 4:30-6:30pm ET. We want to know: How would you like to see Canadaland spend its money in 2026? When the time comes, head over to www.callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dial in at 1-888-401-7056 — we look forward to taking your call. Further Reading On Our Website Sponsors:oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! Douglas:  Douglas is giving our listeners a FRE

The federal NDP leadership race is officially on. Five candidates want the job, and each of them thinks they know how to rescue a party that's been drifting into irrelevance. In this special episode, Noor sits down with all five contenders (Tony McQuail, Rob Ashton, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, and Tanille Johnston) for an unfiltered, no-notes conversation about who they are, and how they plan on winning.Episode art by max collins.Host: 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)Guests: Tony McQuail, Rob Ashton, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, Tanille JohnstonBackground reading:Tony McQuailRob AshtonAvi LewisHeather McPhersonTanille Johnston Sponsors: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free!If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our sh

In October, seven OBGYNs at a Kamloops, B.C. hospital signed a letter of resignation. Those seven were the only OBGYNs in the city.We’re used to bad headlines about Canada’s healthcare system. Lack of family doctors, emergency room wait times, delayed procedures, but this was different. Mass resignation threatening an entire branch of treatment for the whole city. The letter of resignation is effectively a protest, a warning. The physicians who signed it say their workload is untenable and is placing patients at risk. The resignations will be staggered over the coming months and the provincial government is taking a variety of steps to deal with the fallout. Including offering temporary replacement doctors over $7000 a day to take shifts in Kamloops. Kristen Holliday is the regional editor for Castanet News in Kamloops. She joins us today to unpack the mass resignation.Host: Bruce ThorsonCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collin

Is Canada’s A.I. champion eating the news?Canada is betting big on Cohere, but a lawsuit alleges that the company’s flagship LLM is bypassing paywalls and hallucinating content. What happens to the news industry  if A.I. continues to run amok?   Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Jules Bugiel (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Douglas SoltysAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther Reading on Our Website Sponsors: Sprague Cannery: You can find Sprague goods across the nation in major Canadian retailers like Costco, Loblaws, Walmart, Giant Tiger and many smaller independent stores.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.Squarespace: Check ou

It’s crowdfunding month here at Canadaland! Sign up today and receive a FREE Canadaland merch pack. Become a supporter at canadaland.com/join today.To donate funding so we can complete this series, email jesse@canadaland.comPolice statistics say that a Jew in Canada is now 9 times more likely to be the victim of a hate crime than a Jew in the United States. Others dispute this data, and say antizionism is being conflated with antisemitism. So what’s the truth? Host Jesse Brown begins to investigate, by talking to everyday people who say they have experienced discrimination firsthand. Credits: This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish NewsMade possible by the generous support of George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Marjorie Skolnik, and Lee Zentner.Written and Reported by Jesse BrownResearch and Story Editing by Kate MinskyOriginal Music by SocalledSound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb ThompsonEditorial Input from Michael Fraiman For a list of source

CSIS Director Daniel Rogers steps out of the shadows. For the first time in the history of CSIS, Canada’s top spy holds a press conference. His talking points included youth radicalization, Arctic security, and data sovereignty. But why is he talking now?   This episode uses generative AI for the following purposes: several instances of voice cloning of host Jesse Brown to use "they" and "them" pronouns when referring to Kristyn Wong-TamIt’s crowdfunding month here at Canadaland! The next 10 people to sign up today will receive a FREE hand-printed t-shirt from My Moving Parts AND a box of energy bars from the Oat Company. Eligible supporters can choose between one of two t-shirt designs. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Jules Bugiel (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Douglas SoltysAdditional music by Audio Network Further Reading On Our Websit

The budget Carney’s been trying to sell to Canadians finally went to a vote. Sam Konnert brings host Noor Azrieh into the room where it happened. Plus, the Liberals say they’re “taking back control” of Canada’s immigration system. They’re study permits and temporary residents by half. But what happens to the 3 million people already here? Noor talks to immigration expert Rupa Banerjee about whether this is a fix… or the start of Canada’s next crisis.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Rupa BanerjeeBackground reading:Budget 2025 - Canada Strong2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration Canada slashes temporary immigration targets in Budget 2025 - National – Global NewsFearing fraud, Canada rejects most Indian study permit applicants – ReutersCanada’s new immigration plan: Who wins, and who is losing out – Toron

Noor Azrieh talks to Jesse Brown about his new Canadaland series, What Is Happening Here?It’s no secret that Jesse Brown and Canadaland have had more than a few struggles, online and in the office, since October 7. But, eventually, Jesse Brown swore off Twitter and then the dust (and the office) settled, mostly. Now Jesse is about to launch a new series where he travels across Canada, mic in hand, to talk with rabbis, activists, politicians, scholars, artists, Muslims, and Jews. People whose lives haven’t been the same since October 7.Canadaland’s Noor Azrieh couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing when Jesse announced his intent for the new show. Why re-ignite the sh*tstorm? Why now? What are you trying to achieve? What did you learn by getting off Twitter and actually getting back to reporting?Jesse agreed to be interviewed and face those questions.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio),

Grieving a World Series of feelings. The Blue Jays may have lost, but they inspired coverage that captured our national mood.Reflections on heartbreak, baseball, and the relatable physique of Alejandro Kirk. It’s crowdfunding month here at Canadaland! The next 10 people to sign up today will receive a subscription to Canada’s National Observer PLUS a one-year subscription to Crooked Media. Become a supporter at canadaland.com/join today.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Jules Bugiel (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Rahim MohamedAdditional music by Audio Network 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.Douglas:  Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the she

It’s crowdfunding month here at Canadaland! The next 30 people to sign up today will receive a one-year subscription to Tangle News! Become a supporter at canadaland.com/join today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After months of legal battles, the ostriches are dead. RFK Jr, Dr Oz, Rebel Media, and a motley crew of protestors rallied to save a flock of B.C. ostriches who had contracted avian flu and were subsequently ordered to be culled. What can the story of the ostriches tell us about the loss of public trust, the knock-on effects of COVID, and the horseshoe theory of politics? Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Jules Bugiel (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Rahim MohamedAdditional music by Audio NetworkIt’s crowdfunding month here at Canadaland! The next 20 people to sign up today will receive a FREE one-year subscription to Longview. Become a supporter at canadaland.com/join today. Further Reading on Our Website Sponsors:oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! Sprague Cannery: You can find Sprague goods across the nation i

There’s chaos in Ottawa! Green Party leader Elizabeth May doesn’t want to ruin Christmas with an election… but she says she will if Mark Carney doesn’t budge. And in B.C., a court ruling is throwing private property rights —and maybe even Canada’s map — into question. Host Noor gets the story from The Tyee’s Andrew MacLeod.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: Elizabeth May, Andrew MacleodBackground reading:Barging into office, yelling from Conservative leadership ‘sealed the deal’ on defection: d’Entremont – CBC NewsB.C. Premier says Cowichan decision could have national implications – The Globe and MailWhat to know about Cowichan land title case in B.C. and push for ‘clarity’ – Global News'Cloud' of tension between Aboriginal title and private property ownership lands in B.C. – CBC NewsBC Supreme Court