The Backbench

The Canada Strong and Free conference is one of the biggest events of the year for Canadian conservatives. The party is polling high, and this event was set to be a launching point for an upcoming wave of victories. Boris Johnson and former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott were in the house, along with premiers Danielle Smith and Blaine Higgs. It’s a strange place, where the movement grapples with big topics like climate change, housing costs and foreign policy. What are conservatives talking about? What do they disagree on? We sent our producers Aviva and Sam into the belly of the beast to find out. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Background reading: Poilievre pitches ‘common-sense Canadian consensus’ at Canada Strong and Free conference, casts Trudeau as ‘illiberal’ outlierThe Hill TimesBoris Johnson tells Canadian conservatives that freedom is the key to victoryNational PostPoilievre attacks Trudeau for not reading intelligence briefing notes, breaking 'with liberalism itself' National Post Sponsors: AG1, Rotman Want your audio story on CANADALAND? Submissions for the Local Correspondent Audio Contest are now open! To learn more, visit canadaland.com/audiocontest and follow @CanadaLabs on Instagram to stay in the loop. 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re bringing you a special episode today from our friends at Commons. Over thirteen seasons, Commons has exposed Canada’s foundational reliance on monopolies, our addiction to real estate and the dark side of hockey. In their new season, host Arshy Mann is now dissecting the state of work in Canada to ask – how did we get here? And what can we do to fight back? Across Canada, emergency rooms have been shutting down, leaving desperate people in the lurch. And at the heart of this health care crisis, is a labour crisis. Nurses are leaving their jobs in droves, leaving hospitals understaffed and sometimes unable to carry out their most basic obligations. In this episode, we'll tell you how nursing went from a profession hailed as heroic to one in an utter state of crisis, all through the eyes of a woman who lived through it all. Featured in this episode: Nadira Ross Credits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) To learn more: “How Canadian hospitals became dependent on expensive, out-of-town nurses” by Tu Thanh Ha, Kelly Grant and Stephanie Chambers in The Globe and Mail “How nursing staffing agencies are costing Ontario hospitals untold millions” by Mike Crawley in CBC News Sponsors: AG1 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the trucks moved out of Ottawa in 2022, our public discourse changed. Grievance politics thrived, and our political parties adapted. Supporters of the convoy splintered into different groups. They became very politically engaged in causes like the 1 Million March for Children, the Save the Children Convoy, Canadians for Truth and even a grassroots lobby group - Take Back Alberta. As the organizers' trials reach their end, we look at the movement's lingering effects. Where are the members now? Do they represent a significant part of the country? How do we address this fundamental change in discourse? To find out, Mattea Roach asked David Fraser, a CBC Ottawa reporter who’s been covering the convoy for years, and David Moscrop, a political scientist and columnist based in Ottawa. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: David Moscrop, David Fraser Background reading: What is the ‘Save the Children Convoy’ and What Do They Really Believe?Anti-LGBTQ+ ‘Million Man Marches’ Are Being Held Across Canada. Who is Behind Them and What Are They Really About?How Canada’s Right-Wing Pivoted From COVID-19 Conspiracies to Conspiracies About Gender in 2023What remains of the convoy protest one year later2 years later, 'Freedom Movement' plans return to Parliament HillFreedom, politics, control and money — the many motivations of the 'Freedom Convoy '- Sponsors: AG1, Douglas 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, 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 can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Want free shipping from The Canadaland Store? Use the code discount code SPRING24 at checkout for free Canada-wide shipping on any order until March 31, 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Warman used to take neo-nazis he found online to the human rights commission. He used an obscure provision called Section 13, which was repealed in 2014. But it may be coming back. The long-awaited Online Harms Act includes a section allowing human rights complaints over online hate speech. Free speech advocates are worried, but some say it’s time trolls start behaving. Who gets to decide what’s hate speech? Is this the end of online hate or the start of something more sinister? To find out, Mattea Roach asked Emily Laidlaw, a Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity Law and an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, and Richard Moon, a law professor at the University of Windsor. Correction (March 18, 2024): This episode’s description originally stated that the proposed Online Harms Act would permit “users to sue each other for hate speech online.” In fact, it would allow the Canadian Human Rights Commission to consider complaints related to allegedly discriminatory online speech and to refer such complaints to the quasi-judicial Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator) Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Richard Moon, Emily Laidlaw Background reading: The government doubles down on censoring the internetOnline harms bill could spark 'an absolute tsunami of complaints'Carson Jerema: Don't believe the Liberals, online harms act targets free speechThe history of Section 13, the controversial hate speech law the Liberals just revivedPoilievre says online harms should be punished with jail, 'not pushed off to new bureaucracy'#198 Punching Nazis... With The Law! Sponsors: Douglas, AG1 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canadian universities are barely scraping by. Queen’s is in a whole lot of debt, Laurentian declared insolvency in 2021, Alberta universities are slashing budgets, and McGill and Concordia are in danger over an out-of-province tuition battle. On top of it all, the international student visa cap will limit revenues for cash-strapped universities. Combined, it could have huge implications for our knowledge-based economy. How did this happen? Where do we go from here? To find out, Mattea Roach asked Simona Chiose, the former higher education reporter at the Globe and Mail, and Alex Usher, the president of Higher Education Strategy Associates. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production in Coordinator) Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Alex Usher, Simona Chiose Background reading: Ford government to provide $1 billion in funding to universities, colleges: sourcesHe had 99.5% but still couldn't get in. How Ontario's most competitive university programs decide who makes the cut McGill, Concordia launch legal action against Quebec’s tuition hike for out-of-province students Two post-secondary organizations express 'significant concern' over international student cap Sponsors: Douglas, AG1 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alberta Premier and UCP leader Danielle Smith has unveiled what many are describing as some of the strictest anti-trans policies in the country. Shortly after, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who famously stated he would lead a “mind your own damn business party,” didn’t mind his own damn business and supported Smith’s move in interfering with trans kids' access to healthcare. Why is it that conservatives are so obsessed with trans people? Mattea Roach asked Hannah Hodson, former Candidate for the Federal Conservatives, and Mel Woods, senior editor at Xtra Magazine. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor) Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Hannah Hodson, Mel Woods Background reading: Alberta’s New Policies: Anti-trans, Anti-evidenceThe TyeeThe cruelty and calm of Alberta's attack on trans rightsXtra MagazineThe 1st openly trans Conservative candidate calls out party's new gender policiesCBCAlberta premier’s pronoun policy spurs concern from law expert about vulnerable childrenGlobal NewsPremier Smith says Alberta's gender identity policies are based on a concern about 'what will happen'CTV NewsConservatives tell MPs not to comment on Alberta transgender policies, prioritize parental rights, internal e-mail showsThe Globe and Mail Sponsors: AG1, Douglas 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ICJ court ruled that Palestinians in Gaza face a “real and imminent risk” of genocide, and laid out the provisional measures Israel must take in order to prevent it. Canada has a legal duty to take steps to prevent genocide - yet their relationship to Israel may compromise their obligations to the Genocide Convention. What will it take for Canada to pivot on its special relationship with Israel? And might Canada be complicit in genocide? Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Amanda Ghahremani, Farida Deif, Mark Kersten Background reading: Ratification of the Genocide ConventionStatement by Minister Joly on South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice Ruling by UN’s top court means Canada and the U.S. could be complicit in Gaza genocideClaims that Israel is imposing 'apartheid' on Palestinians put new pressure on Trudeau Liberals CBC NewsSouth Africa’s legal effort to declare Israel’s actions ‘genocidal in character’ poses dilemma for Canada The Globe and MailCanada should halt weapons shipments to Israel, arms control advocate says The Globe and MailInternational law, not history, holds the promise of protecting life in GazaToronto Star Sponsors: Douglas, AG1 If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free. 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 can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lack of investment in affordable rental units, increased financialization of housing, soaring land prices, and jacked-up mortgage rates are just some of the reasons behind the rental and housing crisis we find ourselves in. But how the hell do we get out of this crisis while still being able to sip on our $5 coffees? Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Jen St. Denis, Tanya Burkart Background reading: Fact Checking Poilievre’s ‘Housing Hell’ VideoWhy Can’t We Build Like It’s the 1970s?People love living in co-ops — so why did Canada kill the program?To solve Canada’s housing crisis, make renting great againHousing Hell Sponsors: Rotman, AG1 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lack of investment in affordable rental units, increased financialization of housing, soaring land prices, and jacked-up mortgage rates are just some of the reasons behind the rental and housing crisis we find ourselves in. But how the hell do we get out of this crisis while still being able to sip on our $5 coffees? Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Jen St. Denis, Tanya Burkart Background reading: Fact Checking Poilievre’s ‘Housing Hell’ VideoWhy Can’t We Build Like It’s the 1970s?People love living in co-ops — so why did Canada kill the program?To solve Canada’s housing crisis, make renting great againHousing Hell Sponsors: Rotman, AG1 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year has been one hell of a political rollercoaster. Host, Mattea Roach, sits down with Riley Yesno, Nick Taylor-Vaisey, and Kyle Duggan to make sense of key political moments of this year, and to make predictions of their future implications. They unpack everything from Canada’s foreign interference problem and the controversial carbon tax, to the housing crisis and the NDP-Liberal confidence agreement. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Nick Taylor-Vaisey, Riley Yesno, Kyle Duggan Background reading: Secret files show CSIS worried Canada has 'no consequences' for foreign state interferenceCanada to pause carbon tax on home heating oil for three yearsHousing hell: How we got here and how we get outLiberals say pharmacare bill unlikely to pass this year, despite promise to NDP Sponsors: oxio, Douglas 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re bringing you a special episode from the Canadaland feed. It’s the holidays, and on your TV or radio you’re inevitably hit with ads telling you that this is the season of giving - it’s time to donate to a food drive. Conservative politicians, Liberal politicians, banks, broadcasters, grocery stores: they all are united in this message. With the promotion of food banks from virtually every institution and elected official in the country, you might conclude that they are the best solution to food insecurity. Except - they’re not. Food bank use in Canada is at an all-time high, and experts, community organizers, even staff at food banks say that the growing need just shows how our government has failed to address poverty and hold corporations to account. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Jesse Brown (Host & Publisher), Cherise Seucharan (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (Audio and Technical Producer), Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Sponsors: oxio, Douglas 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Editor's note: For additional context Hamas emerged in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising, or intifada, as an outgrowth of the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestinian branch. The group is committed to armed resistance against Israel and the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state in Israel's place. For more: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2284721219710#:~:text=A%20spotlight%20was%20cast%20on,Ashley%20Fraser%20explores%20its%20origins. In Canada, the political discourse on the news coming out of Israel and Palestine has given Backbench host, some “serious whiplash.” Discussions happening online seem extremely polarized, making it difficult to have productive and nuanced conversations. In this episode, Mattea sits down with Muhannad Ayyash, a Palestinian Professor of Sociology, and Jeremy Appel, a journalist and author, to get to the root of this contention. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Guests: Muhannad Ayyash, Jeremy Appel Background reading: Lobby group pushes Canada to conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitismWeaponisation of anti-Semitism is bad for Palestinians – and Jews Walk-outs, sit-ins, pickets in Montreal in support of Palestinians in Gaza Mosque attack victims shaken after hate-motivated assaults lead to Toronto man's arrest These troubling times have revealed my Jewish parents were right about hate Sponsors: oxio, Athletic Greens 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Often underreported or ignored by national media, the unique and complex issues facing the people who call Yukon home rarely get the attention they deserve. In this LIVE TAPING Mattea Roach, Michelle Friesen, Tosh Southwick, and Carissa Waugh take part in a smart, nuanced, and engaging conversation centering the opportunities, and political and social challenges up north. But most importantly, this episode speaks to the absolute need to have tough and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about reconciliation. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Michelle Friesen, Tosh Southwick, Carissa Waugh Background reading: Curing the ‘colonial hangover’: how Yukon First Nations became trailblazers of Indigenous governanceIndigenous self-government in Yukon holds lessons for all of Canada'It's going to take the community': Yukon faces Canada's worst toxic drug death rateUmbrella Final AgreementTogether Today for our Children Tomorrow Sponsors: Douglas, Canva 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why did Canada abstain on an emergency resolution at the UN General Assembly calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities” in Gaza? Mattea Roach, Emilie Nicolas, Ethan Cox & Murtaza Hussain will break down the past 3 weeks' worth of news in the backdrop of decades of context, and get granular about Canada's response to it all. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor/Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Ethan Cox, Murtaza Hussain Background reading: Canada-Israel relationsCanada-West Bank-the Gaza Strip relationsWho governs the West Bank? Understanding Palestinian political leadershipWhat is the Gaza Strip?A Canadian Politician Has Been Sacked for Calling for a Cease-Fire in PalestineCanada’s Rejection of Amnesty’s Apartheid Report Not Based on Specific Evidence, according to ATIP requestConservative MP Tim Uppal sorry for role in 'divisiveness' of Harper-era policiesThe Baffling Politics of Stephen Harper and IsraelTrudeau says UN vote not a shift in Canada's 'steadfast' support of Israel Sponsors: Rotman, Douglas If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases & bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live & virtual events, & more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free & accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you think about film, art and creativity, government policy probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Make no mistake about it, our policy makers & politicians can crucially impact the art we make, who gets to make it, & the culture we consume. Good policy can create a thriving, diverse culture — & bad policy can destroy it. Mattea Roach joins Matt Hatfield, Haydn Wazelle, Karen Lam, & Dennis Heaton for an unforgettable LIVE podcast taping with the Vancouver International Film Festival at the Rio Threatre. They explore the contentious Bill C-11 & its potential to disrupt the status quo, & the hot strike summer the media industry is having this year. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor in Chief) Guests: Matt Hatfield, Haydn Wazelle, Karen Lam, Dennis Heaton Background reading: Bill C-11: What to know about the Online Streaming ActThe Globe and MailHow the Online Streaming Act will support Canadian contentThe ConversationTaming the tech giants will cause collateral damagePolicy OptionsWriters Guild of Canada Studying Tentative WGA Deal for Precedent in Local Contract TalksThe Hollywood Reporter Sponsors: Douglas 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support us now! Click here: canadaland.com/join The first episode of Canadaland was published ten years ago today. If we were to announce this is the last episode of Canadaland, no one would be surprised. Journalism in Canada is in a fight for its life. You can have an impact. Head to canadaland.com/join to become a supporter today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canada is accusing India of a state-sanctioned assassination. What does this mean for the future of Canada and India’s relationship? AND, parental rights, an opioid crisis, and the missing Indigenous women whose bodies are presumed to be in a Winnipeg landfill are front of mind in this Manitoba Provincial election. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Guests: Arshy Mann, Dennis Ward, Dan Lett Background reading: PCs make opposition to landfill search a central facet of campaign as Manitoba election day nearsManitoba's election is now the NDP's to loseTrudeau accuses India in killing of Sikh leader on Canadian soil - Facebook is Blocking Canadians’ Posts About the Assassination of a BC Sikh Leader. Their Posts Were Targeted by India’s GovernmentOpinion: Justin Trudeau brings Canada’s ties with India under increasing strain Baaz News Sponsors: UWO, Athletic Greens 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 more information.

We’re busy preparing for our upcoming live events and working away on an exciting fall season, so we’re bringing you an episode from our friends Allison Smith and Jonathan Goldsbie on Wag the Doug – a monthly podcast that grapples with the realities of the Ford government in Ontario. They look at an issue that continues to make headlines - the international student market. Allison and Jonathan investigate how Ontario colleges have cashed in on these students and have fundamentally altered the province’s post-secondary education system. We’re hitting the road for three special live events! Canadaland Supporters get 50% off tickets to ALL events. Head to canadaland.com/events to learn more. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Sponsors: Rotman, Douglas 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The tale generally goes like this: Gen Z is disconnected, disinterested, and buried so deep into their screens that they don't care about the politics going on around them. But it's also clear that some young people are ready to ignite change if they have to. From the climate marches to the BLM protests to the Maple Spring, young people have been at the forefront of protests and disruptions for a long time. So, is the stereotype of Gen Z as disconnected and apathetic accurate, or is there something we're missing here? In this episode of The Backbench, you'll hear from young people across the country who share their perspectives on how they engage with democracy. Additionally, you'll hear a conversation between Mattea Roach and Samantha Reusch, the executive director of Apathy is Boring, to understand WHY Gen Z engages in politics in unconventional ways. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Samm Reid, Azaad Gill, Alex Stevenson, Jenna Inch, Tannia Vijeyenthiran, Samantha Reusch Sponsors: UWO, Douglas 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s summer time, and Parliament’s been out of session for 2 months. For this episode of the Backbench, host Mattea Roach is joined by an all-star panel of Riley Yesno, Emilie Nicolas, David Moscrop. With updates on stories you may have missed this summer. Did shutting down an illegal border at Roxham Road work? Have we taken any political moves on addressing foreign interference? We’ll look ahead at what you should be keeping your eye on once parliament returns. With a new cabinet on the hill, what change can we expect? How well is our Conservative Leader’s fresh new look treating him in the polls? Are there any plans whatsoever to address the cost of living crisis? Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Guests: Riley Yesno, Emilie Nicolas, David Moscrop Background reading: Months after closure of Quebec's Roxham Road, more asylum seekers arriving by airMore and more asylum seekers are coming to Canada. Is it enough to stem a global tide of refugees?Conservatives call for committee's foreign interference probe to resumeThe Lose-Lose-Lose-Lose Bill C-18 Outcome: Meta Blocking News Links on Facebook and Instagram in CanadaBehind Justin Trudeau's Cabinet shuffleConservatives launch massive ad campaign amid surge in pollsIs Trudeau to blame? Understanding the latest data behind Canada’s housing crisis Sponsors: Douglas, Athletic Greens If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases & bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, tickets to our live events, & more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free & accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.