CANADALAND

While most Canadians are gearing up to head to the polls, some are looking for an escape plan. This week, we’re examining the deep roots of Western alienation, Danielle Smith’s separatist flirtations, and what could erupt if Mark Carney’s Liberals sweep to power. To do that, producer Sam Konnert heads out to Alberta to talk to some voters, and calls up Preston Manning, the man behind the conversation. Later, host Noor Azrieh sits down with Dr. Lisa Young for a serious reality check. And the latest on the utter sidelining of Indigenous issues, a polling update, and why you should get your arse out to the polls on April 28th. Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Preston Manning, Lisa YoungFurther Reading on Our WebsiteSponsors: 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/canadalandVisit policyme.com to explore insurance plans that cover your needs. Whether you'reprotecting your family’s health or their financial future, PolicyMe is reliable and makes iteffortless and fast.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.

The north is a hot topic. Trump, China, Russia, everyone suddenly has eyes on the Arctic. The Canadian government is promising everything from submarines to ice breakers to show the world we really are a nation stretching from sea to sea to sea.Today’s headlines might feel like we’re now in uncharted waters but Canada has been here before. In the 1950s Cold War tensions roiled round the north. The Canadian government at that time decided we needed not just boots on the ground, but that we must have civilians living on the land, and the further north that land was the better. One of the people they sent to the High Arctic in 1953 is still there. So Canadaland called him up to get his take on the current round of Arctic sabre rattling.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Written and presented by Bruce Thorson, Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Julian AbrahamAdditional music by Audio NetworkMore information:Broken Promises: The High Arctic Relocation — National Film Board of CanadaRomanian who boated to High Arctic fesses up — CBCSpeech by Premier Eva Aariak ​​on the Federal investment of $100 million for Nunavut Housing — Nunavut Legislature (archived)Sponsors: 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 https://douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offeroxio: Head over to https://canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! BetterHelp:  Visit https://BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.Lomi: Try Lomi risk-free for 90 days at https://lomi.com and don’t forget to use code CANADALAND for $50 off.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 at our store, 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.

Complaints of Rebel Media hogging question period after Wednesday's French-language leaders debate led to chaos just minutes before the English-language leaders debate was set to take place. Cops were called, slurs were thrown around. What the hell happened in the media room on Thursday night?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading: Rebel News, other right-wing media dominate press conferences after French debate - CTV NewsLeaders’ debate highlights: Organizers cancel postdebate scrums after Rebel News scuffle - The Globe and MailDebates commission unaware Rebel News registered as advocacy group, official says - Radio-CanadaRight-wing outlets win legal battle to attend the leaders' debate - CBC NewsGreen Party dropped from leaders' debates for not running enough candidates - CBC News Sponsors: 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 offerPolicyMe: Get Covered in Minutes—No Hassle, No Hidden Fees.Visit policyme.com to explore insurance plans that cover your needs. 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 at our store, 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.

There are 1959 people running to represent YOU in this federal election in the year of our lord 2025 - and we’re looking for dirt. This week - a liberal candidate that didn’t want to be a distraction was replaced by an EVEN bigger distraction, a far-right media personality has some INSANE takes, and independent candidate Elliot Moose is on the loose.Host: Sam Konnert, 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)Want to hear the rest of the episode? 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.

Radio-Canada’s Tout le monde en Parle asked some tough questions. We decided to translate.  Hear what Poilievre and Carney had to say about Trump, Climate, Trudeau, and where their campaigns are headed in the final stretch. Plus, more Jagmeet Singh cringe. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading: Carney defends knowledge of Quebec culture, Poilievre insists he's no 'mini-Trump' on Tout le monde en parle | CBC News Pierre Poilièvre : « Je ne pensais jamais dire que Justin Trudeau me manque! » | Tout le monde en parle - Radio-Canada [Video]Mark Carney : l’économie d’abord | Tout le monde en parle -  Radio-Canada [Video]Two Weeks to Decide: An Interview with Pierre Poilievre - The Knowledge Project [YouTube]Nardwuar vs. Prime Minister Mark Carney [YouTube]  Legal group draws ire for cancelling humanitarian advocate's speech over his stance on Gaza | CBC NewsJagmeet Singh “Jump” video [X]  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.oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! 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.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 at our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, 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.

With two weeks out from election day, Ottawa is buzzing. Staffers are partying late into the night and reporting to work at 7 a.m., Chipotle’s are turning into war rooms, and the polls are telling stories.We went to three party-specific events in Ottawa for a pulse check on how people feel in the nation’s capital. From 11-year-old door knockers to Jagmeet Singh to Trump’s former trade representative, we heard a LOT of opinions.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)Background reading:Liberals lead dips for 1st time in Canada election as Tories gain: poll | GlobalCarney apologizes for fake Trump-style buttons, Liberal staffers 'reassigned' | National PostRecord-tying number of candidates running in Ottawa riding of Carleton | CTVNDP Strategy in the Final Stretch of the Election | GlobalPierre Poilievre is sticking to his greatest hits. That’s the problem | Globe and MailSponsors: Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz and its long list of added-value features, and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off & 10GB of free data. Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more! To claim, visit ARTICLE.COM/BACKBENCH, and the discount will be automatically applied at checkoutIf 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.

We have been hearing a lot about Prime Minister Mark Carney and a company called Brookfield Asset Management. That's the company he left when he entered politics. Today's episode is not a look back at Carney’s time at Brookfield. It's about right now. Because among all of those claims and arguments about Carney and Brookfield and the past, there's something else that hasn’t made as many headlines. An allegation about an ongoing connection between Carney and Brookfield.Is he still financially connected to Brookfield in any way, or is he not? Our reporter, Julian Abraham, tried to answer that question, and by the end of today's episode, you're going to know what Mark Carney isn't telling you about Brookfield.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Julian Abraham (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by max collinsAdditional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: 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 https://douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offerArticle: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more! To claim, visit https://article.com/canadaland, and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout Fizz: Visit https://fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz and its long list of added-value features, and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off & 10GB of free data. 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 at our store, 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.

What would it look like to take the agenda back?With reports of unprecedented message control on the Conservative campaign trail, San Grewal and Dr Lori Turnbull consider the threat to our democracy when the media no longer sets the agenda. Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Sam Konnert (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Lori Turnbull Further Reading On Our Website 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.PolicyMe: Get Covered in Minutes—No Hassle, No Hidden Fees.Visit policyme.com to explore insurance plans that cover your needs.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 offerBetterHelp:  Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.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 at our store, 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.

It’s an election, we’re googling your candidate.There's a candidate for the Green Party who’s actively campaigning for the Conservative Party. There’s a famous YouTuber candidate with an icky social media history, there’s a guy who is promising to fix housing problems that HE created. And then we’ll get to the explicit Garfield porn. It gets crazy.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)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.