Canadaland

A few years ago, British Columbia made history by becoming the first province to turn the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into law through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). It passed unanimously, with just 14 minutes of debate.Seven years later, DRIPA is at the center of one of the most divisive political fights in the country. 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: Arno Kopecky, Adam Olsen (SȾHENEP), Geoffrey Moyse, Huy’wu’qw Shana Thomas (Laxele’wuts’aat)Background reading:'A reversal of a reverse-course': Political scientist eager to hear Eby address DRIPA questions – CityNewsB.C. premier backs away from suspending DRIPA after concerns from MLAs and anger from First Nations – Vancouver SunB.C. government pulls back on

Today we're talking about the breakdown of discourse — the culture wars.It's not just in universities, it affects our interactions with everything from the government to schools, workplaces, and more. After over ten years of it, it seems more pointless and degrading than ever.  Ric Bienstock is a director of the new two-part CBC documentary series, Speechless. It explores a variety of student protest movements from Evergreen College in 2017 to today's protests against what's happening in Gaza.Her film poses some key questions. How did we get here? What is bringing the worst out of all of us? And can we learn how to speak to each other again? Host: Stephen MarcheCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Additional music by Audio NetworkFact checking by Kallan LyonsMore information:Speechless Part 1 — CBCSpeechless Part 2 — CBCSummary of Evergreen College Protest — Duke Law, WikipediaThe p

With his new majority, the timer really starts on Carney’s ability to provide meaningful results for Canadians. San Grewal and Kaveh Shahrooz consider if Carney has made headway on key issues like affordability, housing, immigration, and crime. He said he’d move fast, but what’s the hold up? It’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes. Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Kaveh ShahroozAdditional music by Audio Network Further reading: Opinion | Calling out Carney's 'fancy' education is loser talk. No wonder the Conservatives doubled down on it - Toronto Star Jen Gerson: Everything is going well in Liberal-land. Just ask them. - The Line John Ivison: Reflections on Mark Carney’s ambitions on

With peace talks stalled, Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the ceasefire set to expire next week, the situation in Iran is precarious.Meanwhile, in Canada, the mood in the large Iranian-Canadian diaspora is changing, as the Iranian regime remains in place while the impacts of the war on civilians and infrastructure accumulate. With the geopolitics of the Middle East in flux, could Canada play a larger role in the region going forward? Carney has already signalled renewed economic ties with Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, but should Canada pursue more diplomatic efforts in the Gulf? Correction: In a previous version of this episode, San Grewal refers to Iran potentially weaponizing plutonium. This has been corrected to uranium.Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Kaveh ShahroozAdditional music by Audio Network

Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals took over Montreal for their convention. But it felt less like a meeting of the minds and more like a lame Coachella. With a Liberal majority already assumed after socially conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crossed the floor last week, host Noor Azrieh was there trying to figure out what it means to be a Liberal right now, and if Mark Carney can manage a fragile mix of MPs with contradictory values.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)Background reading:Mark Carney calls for unity at Liberal convention with majority government nearly clinched – Toronto StarCarney’s government shifts into new gear with hopes of reaching majority - The Globe and Mail – The Globe and MailCarney tells Liberals that 'unity does not mean uniformity' in closing convention speech – Nati

Did Jesse break the law? Why did an anti-Canadaland subreddit explode in popularity? And why did today's episode infuriate so many people before it was even published? Finally, who is Spoonkymonkey, and what does he have to do with it all?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Caleb ThompsonAdditional music by Audio Network More information:Exclusive: Reddit in AI content licensing deal with Google — ReutersWikipedia and Me: Socks and Thugs and Rockin' Trolls — Mark BourrieThe Spoonkymonkey story — WikipidiocracyMark Bourrie’s apology to Warren KinsellaIan Runkle’s appearance on CanadalandIan Runkle’s Youtube channelSponsors: oxio: Head over to https://canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free!Douglas: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FRE

Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses the floor to the Liberal government. Known for her socially conservative views, Carney’s newest MP has some questioning just how big the Liberal tent has become.Meanwhile, reports of Poilievre’s disgruntled caucus intensify. Is there more blood in the water? Host: Sam KonnertCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Erika BarootesAdditional music by Audio NetworkIt’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or simply send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes. Further reading: Former Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses floor to Liberals | CBC NewsBesides winning, what does a Liberal Party that will accept Marilyn Gladu actually stand for? - The Globe and Mail Conservative MPs bristle as Pierre Po

Jeremy Hansen makes history as the first Canadian to travel to the moon, but why is Canada on board with this latest iteration of the space race? China plans to reach the moon by 2030, and future US efforts will involve Musk’s SpaceX and Bezos’ Blue Origin. Meanwhile, Canadian companies are bidding to put nuclear reactors on the moon. Are we sure we should be colonizing the moon?Host: Sam KonnertCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (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 It’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or simply send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes.Further reading: The new space race: Why the U.S. and China are racing to the moon | CBC NewsHere are 5 reasons Artemis II matters to Canada -&

The notwithstanding clause has been controversial since it was written into Canada’s Constitution, and now it’s facing its biggest test yet. The Supreme Court of Canada just wrapped up its longest-ever hearing on Bill 21 — Quebec’s law on religious symbols. What started as a debate over laïcité has become a major constitutional showdown. Host Noor speaks with Pearl Eliadis to break down what’s really at stake, and what this case could mean for the future of the notwithstanding clause in Canada.Plus, an update on the controversial Liberal Bill C-12 from Adam B. Sadinsky.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: Pearl Eliadis, Adam B. SadinskyImage credit: Pat LachanceBackground reading:A Canadian Supreme Court Case Could Test the Country’s Unity – The New York Times A Supreme constitutional clash: C

Nardwuar the Human Serviette is one of the biggest media personalities to come out of Canada. He’s a prolific interviewer with a knack for shocking his guests by bringing up little-known personal details about their lives during interviews. He’s an absurd figure beloved by hip hop stars. He’s a punk from Vancouver who has 100s of millions of views on YouTube but still does his weekly community radio show. This is his story as told by the people who know him best.This episode originally aired on February 17, 2020.Host: Jesse BrownOriginal Credits: Kevin Sexton (Producer), David Crosbie (Senior Producer), Andréa Schmidt (Managing Editor), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Additional music by Audio NetworkPhoto: Kris Krüg More information:Nardwuar appointed to Order of Canada — Global News#314 Nardwuar: The Interview — CANADALANDSponsors: Squarespace: Check out https://squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first p

Two major legal rulings against social media giants in the US are being heralded as the “Big Tobacco” moment for Big Tech. But will the courts actually be able to protect users from harm on these platforms? Here in Canada, attempts to regulate big tech companies have largely failed, but Carney’s government has signalled a renewed focus on addressing online harms. Will the government commit to meaningful legislation? Should we follow Australia’s example and ban social media for youth? Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Douglas Soltys It’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or simply send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes.Further reading: New Mexico seeking changes to Meta's pla

Here’s the thing — spotting fake news is harder than we like to admit. At Canadaland, we spend all day in the media. We’re supposed to know what’s real and what’s not.But when you want something to be true? You let it slide. You give it the benefit of the doubt.So we put it to our staff and you, the audience: tell us your fake news stories. The harmless ones, the ones that fooled you for a second, and the ones that didn’t stay harmless. The ones that actually caused panic — which, apparently, happens more than you’d think.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Photo: Tony Wang (Note: The photo was generated by A.I. in the past, and Tony Wang edited it to include the text “FAKE NEWS”.)Additional music by Audio NetworkFurther Reading:Child-snatching eagle video created as student project — CBCUniversity Cancels Swim Program, StatsCan Apology, the Fifenstocks, and the "Winter Wasteland" (Documentary) — CBCC

Air Canada’s CEO retires early following backlash around his inability to speak French. An English-only statement from Michael Rousseau following the tragic accident at LaGuardia airport sparked a heated debate around bilingualism. Politicians expressed their disappointment, columnists and commenters online debated Air Canada’s language requirements. Even Elon Musk weighed in.  Should we get serious about bilingualism or is this debate a sign that we’re not a serious country?  Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Douglas Soltys Further reading: Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau to retire later this year following language controversy | CBC News Chris Selley: It's insane to focus on the French of Air Canada's CEO - National PostIn Air Canada’s French fallout, it is unfairly treated as b

Mark Carney has proposed a 1,000-kilometre high-speed rail line connecting Toronto to Quebec City, with trains reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h. It would be Canada’s first true high-speed rail system. On paper, the idea is appealing. But building it is far from straightforward. Host Noor Azrieh, tries to answer the question: how do you build ambitious, nation-shaping infrastructure in a country where the human realities on the ground are so complex?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: Katie Koopman, Lindsay Davidson, Andrew Hyett, Paul Langan, Conservative MP Philip LawrenceBackground reading:Canada is getting high-speed rail Alto's CEO answers questions about the high-speed rail project – CBC NewsHigh-speed rail project connecting Toronto and Quebec City sparks backlash over cost, land

Why are media companies like CNN and Substack joining forces with prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi?Both Polymarket and Kalshi have been all over the news and editorial pages: will these markets be a blight of insider trading and foreign interference? The next step on the slippery slope to online gambling addiction? Should we really be able to bet on kidnapping, war, the timing of someone else's death? But thanks to recent partnerships between big media and the prediction market companies, Polymarket and Kalshi are moving from being the subject of headlines to the co-creators of those headlines.Up until last week this was mostly an American game that Canadians could surreptitiously play through VPNs. Then it was announced that Canadian fintech company Wealthsimple, cleared regulatory hurdles to bring the markets to its millions of existing customers, bringing the tech to the masses.Gemma Boothroyd brings us the story.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Gemma Boothroyd (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (A

The NDP is picking a new leader, but can any of the candidates lead them back to relevance? In Manitoba this weekend, the NDP is gathering to name a new leader, but a recent poll suggests that almost half of previous NDP voters don’t recognize the names of the candidates. Avi Lewis is the frontrunner, with impressive fundraising and big ideas, but will his playbook translate into national interest in the party?Host: Noor AzriehCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Zain Velji Further reading: Almost half of former NDP voters don't recognize names of leadership candidates: poll - CTV NewsA Low-Energy, High-Stakes NDP Leadership Race - Policy MagazineThe NDP has become a party of puppy dogs - The Globe and MailHe comes from a line of old-school NDP leaders — but can Avi Lewis make the party feel new again? - Toronto StarIn a prov

How does Rogan fit into Poilievre’s larger strategic shift?Pierre Poilievre’s appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience has already been viewed by millions, and, surprisingly, many political commentators in Canada are applauding his performance. Zain Velji joins Noor Azrieh to consider what Poilievre’s longform bro-fest can tell us about his political strategy going forward.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Zain VeljiAdditional music by Audio NetworkOn the next episode of Off The Record, we’re asking you: What is a piece of fake news that you fell for? AI slop? An April Fools’ joke? Or something altogether more sinister… Call in and let us know on Thursday, March 26th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm EDT by going to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dialing in at 888-401-7056  Further reading: Joe Rogan Experience #24

The scramble for CUSMA has begun. Lobbyists are lobbying. Negotiators are negotiating. And, while that’s all kicking off, there’s another less visible channel of diplomacy. The Canada-US Interparliamentary Group. A network of Canadian MPs, senators, and members of Congress who meet every year to keep our relationship going and talk through issues that could otherwise spiral into major disputes. This episode, host Sam Konnert takes a look inside the network of politicians trying to keep the Canada-US relationship running smoothly, and speaks with Canadian Senator Michael MacDonald and Politico reporter Nick Taylor-Vaisey.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: 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: Nick Taylor-Vaisey, Michael L. MacDonaldBackground reading:U.S. facing headwinds in trade negotiations with Canada, U.S. ambassador sa

Over a decade ago journalist Laura Robinson broke this story of alleged abuse against Indigenous children at a school in Burns Lake, B.C.. The man at the centre of the allegations is someone who had risen to international prominence in the sports world. It's been a tale of twists and turns with the RCMP investigating the abuse allegations and declining to press charges. Robinson and the accused took turns to sue each other for defamation. Finally, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal took up the case and just handed down a decision. And despite the fact that over the last decade nearly every major broadcaster in the country has printed and broadcast the name of the alleged abuser, we no longer can. There's now a publication ban in effect.Is this the final chapter in the story?Laura Robinson joins us today.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking

The scandals of Doug Ford and Danielle Smith continue to make headlines, but it appears to have little impact on them politically. Now, Ford is changing the rules around Freedom of Information to make it harder to hold him accountable. Smith has also been criticized for her government’s approach to information requests. This clawback on the access of information is a trend in other governments across the country. How does the public and the media demand accountability when politicians dominate the messaging through their own channels and limit the availability of information? Host: San Grewal Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Max Fawcett Further reading: Ford government moves to make all premier, minister records secret | Globalnews.caInvestigation finds Alberta government broke its own freedom of information rul