Canadaland

 BC’s Conservative caucus is hemorrhaging members. In the last three weeks, 8 MLAs have left the Conservative caucus, followed by accusations that paint a pretty clear picture: Whatever crisis is happening inside the BC Conservatives, Kerry-Lynne Findlay is at the centre of it. Host Sam Konnert talks to BC political commentator and host of “This is Vancolor”, Mo Amir, to spell out what exactly is going on. Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Mo AmirPhoto: Taymaz ValleyBackground reading:Will Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s First Stand Also Be Her Last? – The TyeeAnother B.C. Conservative MLA steps away from party to sit as Independent – CBC NewsB.C. Conservative caucus is down to 30. Here’s how it lost 14 members  – Global NewsRCMP ask to meet ex-B.C. Conservative who

In the history of journalism, there have been a number of iconic interviews. Interviews that defined a generation and uncovered truths from some of the biggest political scandals of the time. Richard Nixon, Monica Lewinsky, the ex-Duke of York formerly known as Prince Andrew, to name only a few.Today, we bring you an interview with Nathen Mazri. Former Garfield Eats proprietor, former PPC candidate, and now, running for Toronto City Council in Ward 1 Etobicoke North. Will this interview be as era-defining as the others? His CV is likely stranger than any other candidate, and his legally distinct Garfield (called Nathfield) campaign song probably isn’t going to top the charts. He only got 235 votes during the last federal election, so why does he think he has a shot at being mayor of Toronto in 2030?Is he delusional? Or is his conviction so strong that he might just do it? Further Reading:Nathen MazriCanadian entrepreneur behind GarfieldEATS wants to disrupt fast-food, one lasagna at a time - Globe &

Canadians are increasingly getting their news from the New York Times. As the NYT increases its global footprint, growing to over 3 million international subscribers, Canada remains its largest international market. With its expansion of staff and Canadian coverage, The Times is competing for scoops with outlets like The Globe and Mail and CBC. Will an American outlet eventually dominate Canadian news? Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer),  Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checker), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Morgan CampbellPhoto: Wilson RiveraFurther reading: https://www.nytco.com/press/the-new-york-times-reaches-three-million-international-subscribers/https://bayobserver.ca/new-york-times-insists-its-beefed-up-coverage-of-canada-has-nothing-to-do-with-trump/https://pressgazette.co.uk/media-audience-and-business-data/media_metrics/most-popular-websites-news-world-mo

Seasonal news items are just a thing in the media biz and Back-to-School is a big one. So we wanted to flip that concept and rather than dish out our own advice, we asked you to call in with your own.Look, we all know starting a school, especially at a new school, can be a stressful experience. But we all do it, and most of us get through it too. But if you’re nervous, or you know someone else who is nervous, here’s some advice from Canadaland’s audience to help you.Plus a story from Reporter and Host Julian Abraham about the professor who inspired him to become a journalist.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Photo by Ron LachAdditional music by Audio NetworkThis 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 sto

There’s been wall-to-wall coverage of the breakdown in trade talks between Canada and the US, on both sides of the border. Whether it’s Trump’s renaming of Lake Ontario, gun-toting A.I. Canadian Geese, or continual investigations into what exactly happened during the final hours of trade talks. But the rest of the world is also covering the Canada-US trade war in terms of the “rupture” Carney described in his speech at Davos. Are we missing the rupture for details about the deal? Is it possible that Canada is ready to decouple economically and culturally from America? Author and journalist Morgan Campbell joins San Grewal. Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer),  Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checker), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Morgan CampbellPhoto: Nicolas Pinault, Voice of AmericaAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading: This whole trade war thing is

Prime Minister Mark Carney made a nice speech last weekend. But what happens after you walk away from a blown-up trade deal? This episode host Noor Azrieh asks Matina Stevis-Grindeff, the Canada Bureau Chief for the New York Times. Apparently, it includes a renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America, and a whole lot more.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Photo: The White HouseGuests: Matina Stevis-GridneffBackground reading:How U.S.-Canada Tariff Negotiations Turned Into an All-Out Trade War –The New York TimesInside the 72 hours that cratered the US-Canada trade deal – POLITICORead Mark Carney's full speech after trade talks with the U.S. collapsed – CBC NewsCanadian seafood industry 'relieved' with removal of their products from retaliatory tariff list – CBC NewsLeBlanc welcomes U.S. decision 'withdrawin

In August 2026, the Government of Canada released a report titled Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences. The survey found that “95.7% of Jewish students said they had experienced or witnessed at least one instance of antisemitism over the previous 12 months.”So the back to school jitters are hitting differently for some kids. There have been other issues involving staff, administrations, and unions too, affecting both Jewish professors and non-Jewish professors.  Today we hear from three Canadian academics bringing you their stories from campuses that, nearly 3 years after October 7, might be unrecognizable to you.Further Reading:Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences — Government of CanadaThe antisemitism report that erases a century of Jewish debate — The Globe & MailStanding United Against Antisemitism: Protecting Communities and Strengthening Canadian Democracy — Senate of CanadaAntisemitism in Ontario’s K-12 Schools — Government of CanadaToronto Metropolitan University External R

As trade negotiations broke down, Canadian streaming policy, CanCon requirements, and French language discoverability have taken a surprisingly central role in the narrative. Mark Carney says last minute US trade demands threatened our cultural sovereignty, while US Trade Representative Jameson Greer called this a “funny, fake story.” Digital law expert Michael Geist joins to talk about where digital policies fit into the trade discussion, the future of Canadian digital policy, and whether recent developments in the trade war present an opportunity to decouple from US tech giants. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Michael GeistPhoto: Bryan BerlinFurther reading: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dominic-leblanc-greer-culture-language-9.7322393 Ottawa rejected last-minute U.S. demand to drop Ca

As trade talks break down between Canada and the US, the race is on to fill in the details. Both Carney and US Trade Representative Jameson Greer are offering their versions of the final hours of negotiations. Meanwhile, reporters are talking to sources, all of whom are looking to spin the narrative. What really happened? Plus, the Jamil Jivani of it all, and TMU isn’t satisfied with the report it commissioned on antisemitism on campus. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer),  Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Michael GeistPhoto: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing StreetAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading: How U.S.-Canada Tariff Negotiations Turned Into an All-Out Trade War - The New York Times One of Trump's top deputies has been unsatisfied with trade deal on the table for Canada, sources say | CBC NewsInside the 72 h

Mark Carney’s government is reviewing Canada’s Labour Code, and one of the biggest questions on the table is the right to strike.In recent years, the federal government has increasingly used Section 107 to intervene in strikes involving workers in industries like rail, airlines, and the postal service. Now, employers are pushing for new rules that could give the government more tools to prevent major work stoppages in the first place.So what could change? Why do employers want it? What do unions think? And if the government already has Section 107, why rewrite the Labour Code at all?Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Christopher Monette, Derrick Hynes, Adam Donald King, MP Don DaviesPhoto: WestJet ComponentBackground reading:Read Mark Carney's full speech after trade talks wit

As recent events in Ukraine, Russia, and Iran have clearly demonstrated, the nature of modern warfare is changing fast (think: drones). Canada will get left behind if it doesn’t start innovating fast. And that could have not just a winning effect on its defence capabilities but also it’s an opportunity to stimulate other industries. Host Stephen Marche explores the advent of drone warfare with Tim Mak, Kyiv-based publisher of The Counteroffensive; and Cameron Chell, a Canadian  aerospace and defence tech entrepreneur at Dragonfly, shares how the nascent Canadian drone industry can drive technological innovation, not just in the defence sphere but also in a multitude of other uses that will bolster the country’s economy. Follow the Gloves Off podcast here: https://www.gloves-off.ca/season-2 Host: Stephen MarcheCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Special thanks: Dory Smith (Director of Advertising and Part

E-scooters are making headlines as a dangerous transportation option. From Xav Trudeau not wearing a helmet in an e-Scooter ad, to editorials calling them a scourge. Are they a dangerous public nuisance or a sign that we haven’t yet embraced the future of transportation? Arno Kopecky joins Julian Abraham to kick around the coverage of electric micromobility options, and to consider if Canada is a regressive country when it comes to transportation. Plus, why we shouldn’t refer to any agreement with Trump as a “deal.”Host: Julian AbrahamCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Arno KopeckyPhoto: Kristoffer Trolle Next month on Off The Record we are back to our call-in show format. On Thursday August 27, 2026 we will be taking your calls on a new question:What do you wish you had known when starting school or what’s a piece of advice you

B.C.’s wildfires spread at unprecedented speeds, resulting in tens of thousands of evacuations and a province-wide state of emergency. Yet, nationally, the fires didn’t garner the same level of media attention as Northern Ontario’s fires last month. Why the disconnect? Arno Kopecky joins to unpack the coverage of the BC wildfires and explain why climate change should be a bigger part of the coverage, and why wildfires have sparked a growing trend of misinformation and AI-generated slop online. Plus, hear the resurfaced hip hop tracks that have advocacy groups calling for the resignation of a Nova Scotia cabinet minister Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Arno Kopecky Photo: BC Wildfire ServiceFurther reading: Inside the early battle against the ferocious Bald Range wildfire - The Globe and Mail&nbs

Pierre Poilievre has a lot of haters. But his biggest hater might just be Kory Teneycke. This is a guy who comes from inside the Conservative machine. He was Stephen Harper's communications director. He helped Doug Ford win. Then win again. Then again.And for months, Teneycke’s been publicly dragging Pierre Poilievre through the mud. No holds barred. He questioned Poilievre’s strategy. His leadership. His campaign. And even his character.What’s his beef with Pierre Poilievre, and is this just an old political grudge or is he diagnosing something bigger that’s gone sour within the Conservative Party?Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Kory TeneyckeBackground reading:The Conservative Feud Is Embarrassing. Grow Up – The WalrusConservative MPs worried about losing their seats priva

Abdulahat Nur grew up in East Turkistan. That’s what many Uyghurs, a Muslim Turkic people of Central Asia, call it. But if you’re a Chinese state official the region is called Xinjiang, or “New Frontier.” For many it echoes the same sort of arguments that surround Tibet.China's treatment of the Uyghurs has led to intense international scrutiny, particularly its use of internment camps or what China calls “vocational training centres.” The level of allegations against China has risen to accusations of genocide.Raising awareness of the Uyghur cause is one of Abdulahat Nur’s primary roles as Prime Minister of East Turkistan. But there is his bus route in Edmonton as well…Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Chad Galloway (Audio Editing & Production), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Additional music by Audio NetworkFact checking by Julian AbrahamMore information:East Turkistan's prime minister in exile a north Edmonton school bus driv

A Canadian intern, Biwei Zhang, is alleged to have spied on NATO for China, raising questions about the persistence of Chinese espionage in Canada. The former civil servant held positions for a number of Canadian agencies including StatsCan, the National Research Council, and the Canadian Space Agency. In 2023, she was found to have committed fraud on her application to the Canada Border Services Agency. Combined with other high profile cases of Chinese spying in the Canadian civil service, Harrison Lowman of The Hub joins to discuss why Canada is a soft target for Chinese espionage, and whether closer trade ties with China carries an increased security risk.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Imogen Sayers, (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Harrison LowmanPhoto: icc-rcn.caFurther reading: What we know so far about the Canadian NATO intern accused of spying

A report in the Globe and Mail says Canada is offering concessions to get a trade deal. Canadians and pundits aren’t happy with the idea. Is it just a trial balloon or is Carney willing to pay the political price to reduce tariffs? Meanwhile, rolling back Trudeau’s digital policies targeting tech giants is one concession Carney seems happy to make. But how will it impact Canadian media funding?Plus, Canada continues to scale back its peacekeeping efforts, and a crime wave hiding in new StatsCan data.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Imogen Sayers, (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Harrison LowmanPhoto: Jolanda Flubacher, World Economic ForumFurther reading: Ottawa discussing trade concessions with U.S. in return for some tariff relief, sources say - The Globe and MailMaking concessions to get a trade deal when the public’s in a fighting mood - The Globe and Ma

Wealthsimple just launched its new betting platform, but for now, Canadians can only bet on the economy, financial markets, and the weather.So what happens when we start betting on politics?Host Sam Konnert talks to Wall Street Journal investigative reporter Katherine Long about the wild world of Polymarket and Kalshi, the scandals that have followed them in the US, and what Canada can learn before prediction markets inevitably expand.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), imogen sayers (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Katherine LongPhoto: Rafael Minguet DelgadoAdditional music by Audio NetworkBackground reading:#1338 Reality is a Casino as Prediction Markets Enter CanadaLawmakers Call for Federal Probe of Polymarket Over Deceptive Advertising – The Wall Street JournalWe Investigated Polymarket’s Deceptive Marketing Campaign. Here’s What We F

They’re shamed, banned, or driven underground but “repugnant markets” have a way of surviving. Organ sales, MAID, even blood sales fall into the category. Nobel Prize-winning economist Alvin Roth comes to Canadaland to discuss his latest book, Moral Economics: From Prostitution to Organ Sales, What Controversial Transactions Reveal about How Markets Work.Further Reading:The Nobel Prize - Alvin E. RothCan economics save lives? -  Alvin E. RothRepugnance as a Constraint on Markets - Alvin E. RothA Conversation with Alvin Roth - The ConversationKidney Paired Donation Program - Canadian Blood ServicesHost: Gemma BoothroydCredits: Gemma Boothroyd (Reporter), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Chad Galloway (Audio Editing & Production), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact Checking by: Julian AbrahamAdditional Music by: Audio NetworkPhoto: Linda A. Cicero, Stanford UniversitySponsors: Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at http

Last Wednesday, Foreign Policy CAN tweeted that "Canada condemns the ongoing violence in the West Bank..." So later that day, the Embassy of Israel in Canada responded with "Israel condemns the ongoing violence against Jews in Canada..." Which begs the question, just what exactly is Canada’s social media strategy? Does it even have one? It also got us thinking about the responsibility both the government and the media have when it comes to discussing Israel, and how the hyperfocus on one country impacts the safety of Canadian Jews.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Andrea Varsany (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jen GersonAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading: https://x.com/CanadaFP/status/2082478897514389914https://x.com/IsraelinCanada/status/2082538835930669094https://x.com/IsraelMFA/status/2082554515962651030Opinion | It's time Canada cut diplomat