CANADALAND

“All I will say is that my scientific opinion is that there is something real going on in New Brunswick that absolutely cannot be explained by the bias or personal agenda of an individual neurologist.” Those are the words of Dr. Michael Coulthart, a microbiologist employed by our federal government, specifically by Public Health Canada. He’s talking about the mysterious neurological disease that is striking down people in New Brunswick. We were not supposed to read his words. They are from a leaked email obtained by Canadaland, first published by the newspaper The Guardian.Then there was another leaked email. Doctor Samuel Weiss, a neuroscientist and the scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. In his leaked email, he states, “I felt incredibly optimistic that an all out government effort to unravel the mystery was in the cards. However, in short order, the scientific effort was shut down at the request of the governments.”It’s nine years since the first case was documented. The numbers, by some reports, have grown to over 300 suspected cases. And we still have no answers. Our reporters, Cherise Sucheran and Sarah Lawrynuik present the latest instalment in our ongoing investigation.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Cherise Sucheran and Sarah Lawrynuik (Reporters)Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Max Collins (Production Manager), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Additional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading:Second Canadian Scientists Alleges Brain Illness Investigation was Shut DownTop Canadian Scientist Alleges in Leaked Emails He Was Barred From Studying Mystery brain IllnessGovernment Officials Mislead the Public About the “Mysterious” New Brunswick Neurological Disease, and We Have the Documents to Prove itSponsors: Douglas, Article, Squarespace 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’s going on in Han Dong’s defamation case against Global News? Last week, Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Perell made a decision in that case. And, rightly or wrongly, it was scorching.With The Epoch Times at the centre of a fraudulent money-laundering crypto scam, what does that mean for the Canadian columnists who write for them? Jonathan dives into the strange world of Shen Yun, Falun Gong, and propaganda rags.Host: Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guest: Lisa Taylor Further reading: Judge finds no documentation to support Global News' reporting on Han Dong allegations - The Canadian PressDong v. Global News Reasons for Decision - Ontario Superior Court of Justice (via Polley Faith)Han Dong was warned by Liberal Party member that CSIS was watching him, national security source says - The Globe and MailGlobal News defends reporting in face of Han Dong lawsuit (2023) - The Canadian PressJournalism for the Public Good: The Michener Awards at Fifty - University of Calgary PressCBC executive reassigned follow racism allegations - PlaybackWhat The Hell Is The Epoch Times? (2020) - CANADALANDStepping Into the Uncanny, Unsettling World of Shen Yun (2019) - The New YorkerDoJ accuses far-right Epoch Times of being money-laundering operation - The Guardian Sponsors: Douglas, Squarespace, 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.

This was a time when Assange and other punks like him were running circles around governments. It seemed like the ability for the powers that be to keep secrets was over. It was just done. Thanks to Assange et al we were going to know if a cell phone company was surveying everyone. We were going to know if a government assassinated a bunch of people who turned out to be journalists. We were going to know. And between Anonymous and Wikileaks and Edward Snowden, it was happening in a way that felt like it was a force of nature, and there was no containing it. The authorities, what could they do? Information wanted to be free.Then, it all ended. Julian Assange has been rotting away in Belmarsh prison in the UK. Edward Snowden tweets from Russia. Wikileaks. When's the last time they released anything? The Empire struck back. There were arrests, there were accusations, and the machine was surprisingly effective and merciless in containing the free flow of information and government secrets. That's what happened to all those guys. You don't hear about them much anymore. But what about Jacob Appelbaum? What about that guy? No, nothing? Name doesn't ring a bell? Jacob Appelbaum was known to the authorities as Wikileaks Associate Number Three. He was also once the toast of the cyber community, feted by European politcos, and making red carpet appearances.Then the accusations came. And it all ended for Appelbaum. Just like that nobody wanted to talk about Jacob Appelbaum. But we do.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Production Manager), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Additional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading:Nobody wants to talk about Jacob Appelbaum — Jamie KastnerInconsistencies in Rape Allegations — Die Zeit (In English)What Has This Man Done? (A four part series) — Die Zeit (In English)Digital privacy activist Jacob Appelbaum denies colleagues' assault allegations — The GuardianPower, secrecy and cypherpunks: how Jacob Appelbaum ripped Tor apart — The GuardianSponsors: Douglas, IndochinoIf 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.

Après des résultats record aux élections européennes, l’extrême droite française est en passe de remporter les législatives. Si certains sont surpris, plusieurs observateurs ont remarqué que les idées d’extrême droite sont omniprésentes dans les médias depuis des années maintenant, notamment sur la chaîne télévisée CNews. Comment se déroule ce processus de banalisation? Quelles stratégies sont employées par les journalistes et les éditorialistes de CNews pour encourager la montée de l’extrême droite? Le journaliste de Médiapart Yunnes Abzouz en parle avec Emilie et démonte, brique par brique, la méthode CNews. Dans la deuxième partie de l’émission, on se tourne vers l’éditorialiste québécois préféré des médias français, et en particulier de CNews: Mathieu Bock-Côté. Yunnes explique comment le chroniqueur, auteur et sociologue emploie les mêmes stratagèmes que CNews, levant le voile sur les ressorts discursifs de la désormais célèbre “méthode MBC”.After record results in the European elections, the French far right is on the verge of winning the legislative elections. While some are surprised, several observers have noticed that far-right ideas have been omnipresent in the media for years now, notably on the television channel CNews. How does this process of trivialization take place? What strategies are used by CNews journalists and editorialists to encourage the rise of the far right? Médiapart journalist Yunnes Abzouz talks about it with Emilie and dismantles, brick by brick, the CNews method. In the second part of the show, we turn to the favourite Quebec columnist of the French media, and in particular of CNews: Mathieu Bock-Côté. Yunnes explains how the columnist, author and sociologist uses the same stratagems as CNews, lifting the veil on the discourse of the now famous “MBC method’.Animation : Emilie NicolasGénérique : Lucie Laumonier (Production), Tristan Capacchione (Production technique), Max Collins (Coordination de production), Karyn Pugliese (Rédactrice en chef) Coanimation : Yunnes AbzouzPour en savoir plus :Enquête sur CNews, “matrice du projet d’extrême droite de Bolloré” – Médiapart (en accès libre) Dans certaines rédactions, le conflit israélo-palestinien échauffe les esprits – MédiapartViolences sexuelles et conjugales surreprésentées chez les policiers – Le DevoirTordre la vérité avec Bock-Côté – La PresseSi vous appréciez ce podcast, soutenez-nous ! Vous obtiendrez un accès en prime à toutes nos émissions gratuitement, y compris les premières diffusions et le contenu bonus. Vous recevrez également notre lettre d'information exclusive, des rabais sur les produits dans notre boutique, des billets pour nos événements et surtout, vous ferez partie de la solution à la crise du journalisme au Canada. Vous ferez en sorte que notre travail reste gratuit et accessible à tout le monde.   Vous pouvez écouter sans publicité sur Amazon Music, inclus avec Prime.

Can a newspaper commit treason? The NSICOP report singles out China as the biggest foreign influence on Canadian media (and it’s more than just advertorial inserts.) Joanna Chiu joins us to unpack the scale and scope of foreign propaganda campaigns in Canada. Is the daily coverage of campus protest encampments a form of bias, and what sorts of stories are getting missed as a result? Jesse responds to some tough questions about bias in the coverage of the war in Gaza.Clarification (June 21, 2024, 12:20pm ET): an unclear statement in an earlier version of this episode could be interpreted to mean that Shree Paradkar spread messages advocating for the ethnic cleansing of Jews from Israel, which she did not. This statement should have been that Shree Paradkar spread messages from someone (Amanda Gelender) who has advocated for the ethnic cleansing of Jews from Israel.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Max Collins (Production Manager), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guest: Joanna Chiu Further reading: Marc Edge: If the NSICOP report on foreign interference won’t name Canadian media outlets, I will - The HubA website spread disinformation about Canada. Why did major Indian outlets treat it as news? - Toronto Star Toronto 'Walk with Israel' event held amid high security, faceoffs with protesters | Ontario News | thecanadianpressnews.caYouth's death shows more mental health supports needed in Winnipeg, Muslim community members say | CBC News  Grade 3 students ‘terrorized’ after Ontario man walks into gym class, goes on tirade | Globalnews.caHow a student petition on Israel sent a law school’s progressive ideals crashing into Bay Street’s hard realities - The Globe and MailFor a full list of reading material, visit the episode webpage Sponsors: Squarespace, oxio, AG1If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content.You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

When Canadaland commissioned its new series “A Field Guide to Gay Animals” (listen to it here), the topic wasn’t really in the news. But since then, it’s started to take the world by storm. From rage on the extreme right, a documentary series on Peacock, to the first photos of humpback whale sex being male-male.And the relevance is more important than ever, legislation across Canada and the United States regularly denies queer rights, sometimes based on old-school notions that sex is about reproduction and the animal kingdom proves it. Except it doesn’t… 25 years ago, one Canadian scientist wrote a book that detailed the history and science of gay animals: Biological Exuberance.Today, podcast hosts Owen Ever and Laine Kaplan Levenson join Jesse to talk about the wonderful world of gay animals.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Additional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading:Biological Exuberance, by Bruce Bagemihl — Macmillan PublishersHumpback sex photographed for first time – and both whales were male — The GuardianPeacock’s ‘Queer Planet’ features lion ‘bromances,’ pansexual monkeys and more — NBCA Field Guide to Gay Animals — CanadalandSponsors: BetterHelp, Oxio, ArticleIf 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.

With Jesse away, Justin Ling takes over to talk about Google’s $100 million payment for Canadian news and how a ragtag group of independent publishers will end up deciding who gets the money. Is Google trolling us? Plus, Canada has entered its foreign interference era, but are we too polite to name names? Paul McLeod helps unpack new allegations of treason in Ottawa, and what we should do about it.Host: Justin LingCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Production Manager), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guest: Paul McLeod Further reading: Google signs deal with organization to distribute $100M to Canadian news companies | Politics | thecanadianpressnews.ca Canadian Journalism Collective to represent Canadian news businesses under Online News Act - The Canadian Journalism CollectiveHow we’re moving forward with the Canadian news ecosystem - Google The Behind-the-Scenes Bill C-18 Battle: How Newspapers, Big Broadcasters and the CBC Are Trying to Seize Control Over How Google Money is Allocated to Canadian Media - Michael Geist  Password Sharing OK: Judge | Blacklock's Reporter The Logic announces $4M capital raise, led by FT Ventures - The Logic Some MPs helping foreign actors like China and India meddle in Canadian politics: report | CBC News Green Leader Elizabeth May says there's no list of disloyal current MPs in unredacted NSICOP report | CBC News  Sponsors: oxio, Squarespace 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.

Less than a year ago, Investigative Reporter and former Network Anchor Molly Thomas had her dream job as a Correspondent for CTV’s flagship show, W5; with the backing of this team, she applied for the most prestigious fellowship in Canadian journalism, the Michener-Deacon Award.Molly won the Michener-Deacon fellowship for her special project on education in Afghanistan, the only country in the world where women and girls can't go to school. Then, as part of a series of nation-wide cuts from Bellmedia (who owns CTV), Molly was laid off and the story was shelved.That’s where Canadaland stepped in.                We’ve teamed up with Molly and the Michener-Deacon Fellowship to produce Dear Taliban, a new 3-part investigation that begins today.Dear Taliban spans three continents, taking listeners to the vice-regal pomp and ceremony of Rideau Hall, to one of the toughest hostile training programs in the world - all to prepare her for a complex and volatile area of South Asia.Host: Molly Thomas Credits: Tristan Capacchione and Caleb Thompson (Audio Editing and Technical Production), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Additional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: AG1 DouglasIf 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.

En politique municipale, provinciale et fédérale, les départs de femmes s’enchaînent. En cause, l’intimidation dont elles sont victimes, la remise en question de leurs compétences, ou encore leur relégation à des rôles de moindre importance. Emilie reçoit l’autrice, essayiste et activiste Alexa Conradi pour mieux comprendre les racines du problème et les obstacles qui se dressent devant les femmes politiques. Dans la deuxième partie de l’émission, Alexa Conradi explique ce que signifierait faire de la politique en féministe, et comment intégrer pleinement les valeurs de ce mouvement dans notre paysage politique actuel. Women keep leaving municipal, provincial and federal politics, due to intimidation, the questioning of their skills, or their relegation to less important roles. Emilie sits down with author, essayist and activist Alexa Conradi to better understand the roots of the problem and the obstacles that stand before female politicians. In the second part of the show, Alexa Conradi explains what it would mean to do politics in a feminist fashion, and how to fully integrate the values ​​of this movement into our current political landscape.Animation : Emilie NicolasGénérique : Lucie Laumonier (Production), Tristan Capacchione (Production technique), Karyn Pugliese (Rédactrice en chef) Coanimation : Alexa ConradiPour en savoir plus :Une crise féministe à Québec Solidaire – Le DevoirCatherine Dorion, celle qui dérange – CanadalandMettre fin au gaslighting racial: une question de gouvernance – PivotYara El-Ghadban : le deuil, mais aussi les rêves – CanadalandJournalisme cathartique – CanadalandSuivre la tragédie qui se déroule en Palestine: la couverture du GuardianLes angles morts: perspectives sur le Québec actuel - Éditions du remue-ménageSi vous appréciez ce podcast, soutenez-nous ! Vous obtiendrez un accès en prime à toutes nos émissions gratuitement, y compris les premières diffusions et le contenu bonus. Vous recevrez également notre lettre d'information exclusive, des rabais sur les produits dans notre boutique, des billets pour nos événements en direct et virtuels, et surtout, vous ferez partie de la solution à la crise du journalisme au Canada. Vous ferez en sorte que notre travail reste gratuit et accessible à tout le monde.   Vous pouvez écouter sans publicité sur Amazon Music, inclus avec Prime.