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This is How the Airlines Screwed Us During the Pandemic
When COVID hit, the airlines were sitting with billions of dollars in cash that Canadians paid for flights that were all canceled. How much of that money was refunded? Why were vouchers offered instead? And why did the transport regulator that’s supposed to uphold the rules bend them to the advantage of Air Canada and other carriers?
Reporter Cherise Seucharan has obtained newly-unearthed communications from March 2020 that show airline industry execs, credit card companies, and the transportation ministry, cooperating - perhaps collaborating, to pressure Canada’s airline watchdog to bend the rules.
Host: Jesse Brown
Credits: Cherise Seucharan (Reporter) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor/ Mixer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Production Manager), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher), Caleb Thompson (additional production assistance)
Featured guests: Gabor Lukacs
Additional music by Audio Network
Further Reading on our Website
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This episode features the audio short, “The Boat Blow-Up” by Sophie Woodrooffe (Gibsons, B.C.), one of the finalists from the 2024 Local Correspondents Audio Competition, a CanadaLabs initiative.
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1081. Payday Loans: the Cost of Being Poor
23:30||Ep. 1081Starting January 1st, the criminal interest rate on predatory lending will be lowered, meaning it should be safer to take out payday and installment loans. But these businesses have a tendency to skirt the law, adding unexpected fees and insurance rates to keep borrowers in the hole.Sam welcomes Donna Borden to the show - an organizer with ACORN. She’s been a victim to these loans, and is now fighting against them. Will the crackdown work and really help lower people’s payments? How can we make short term loans a real option for people struggling, without the sky-high payments?Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Donna BordenBackground reading:Debt struggles spark concerns - Toronto StarAnti-poverty advocates call payday lenders 'criminal,' urge feds to cap interest rates | CBCNew rules to curb predatory lending still leave many vulnerable - Globe and MailHow a $200 payday loan cost over $31,000 - CBC RadioSponsors: 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/canadalandArticle is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or moreTo claim, visit article.com/backbench and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.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.1080. That Time We Bombed the Aurora Borealis
37:24||Ep. 1080Yes, Canada bombed the Aurora Borealis. But can you actually scatter that northernmost light with explosives? Why would you even try? And explosive boom aside, can you, on a cold clear quiet night, hear the northern lights? What is the sound of the Aurora Borealis?Nicolas Lachapelle and Eloise Demers Pinard, trekked to Churchill Manitoba, and beyond, to try and answer these questions.And that’s about as newsy and informational as things are gonna get. Because as you will hear, today’s episode sounds a little bit different. It’s a bit more poetic than our regularly scheduled programming.Or as our reporters will tell you, “…this is a story about that forgotten need to probe the sky and an epic journey through time and space on the edge of northern Canada.”Happy Holidays. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Produced, recorded and directed by Éloïse Demers Pinard and Nicolas Lachapelle.In dialogue with the composer Welcome John.Inspired by the visionary works of Tom Demers and Peter Mettler.With the voices of Jeremy Allen, George Alexander St-Clair, Harry Tutuk, James Wells, Roland Sawatsky and Chris Campbell.Narration by Jacqueline Van de Geer.Field research by Alain James Rioux Dubé.Archival research by Emma Brunet.Sound design and mix by Antonin Wyss.Linguistic revision by Maureen Roberge.Graphic design by Max Rhéault and the Criterium Design bureau.The archives are from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Library and Archives Canada.Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer) Additional audio assistance: Caleb ThompsonJesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)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.Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or moreTo claim, visit article.com/backbench and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! Be part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis. Go to https://canadaland.com/join to become a Canadaland Supporter today.You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.54. Récap 2024
43:51||Ep. 54Que retenir de 2024? Beaucoup de sujets lourds, et quelques moments plus légers, affirme Manal Drissi au micro d’Emilie Nicolas. Ensemble, Manal et Emilie reviennent sur des événements marquants de l’année et dressent, en filigrane, un portrait critique de nos médias. Au menu de cet épisode du temps des fêtes, les liens entre transphobie et misogynie qui ont traversé les discours portés sur Imane Khelif, cette boxeuse médaillée d’or aux JO de Paris ; les viols de Mazan et la montée du masculinisme ; la controverse Haroun Bouazzi et le rôle que jouent les éditorialistes dans le traitement de l’actualité ; et enfin la manière dont les médias couvrent la situation à Gaza. En deuxième partie d’émission, Manal Drissi revient sur son retrait des médias depuis la pandémie et nous rappelle l’importance de prendre notre temps.What to remember from 2024? Lots of heavy subjects and a few lighter moments, says Manal Drissi to Emilie Nicolas. Together, Manal and Emilie look back on some of the significant events of the year and provide, implicitly, a critical portrait of our media. On the menu for this holiday season episode, the links between transphobia and misogyny which ran through the story of Imane Khelif, the young boxer who won gold at the Paris Olympics; the Mazan rapes and the rise of masculinism; the Haroun Bouazzi controversy and the role that editorialists play in covering current events; and finally the way in which the media cover the situation in Gaza. In the second part of the show, Manal Drissi talks about her withdrawal from the media since the pandemic and reminds us of the importance of taking our time and slow living.Animation : Emilie NicolasGénérique : Lucie Laumonier (Production), Tristan Capacchione (Production technique), max collins (Coordination de production).Coanimation : Manal DrissiPour en savoir plus et Extraits entendus à l’émissionSi 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.If you enjoy this podcast, please support us! You'll get bonus access to all of our shows for free, including early releases and bonus content. You'll also receive our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch in our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and most importantly, you'll be part of the solution to the journalism crisis in Canada. You'll help keep our work free and accessible to everyone. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music, included with Prime.1079. Trudeau's Next Move, and the Truth About the Gig Economy
33:52||Ep. 1079What Toronto Star got wrong about UberEats, plus an update on the shaky Trudeau government. Also, why cellos and Air Canada don’t mix, and new information on who an alleged ISIS plot was targeting in the GTA. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further Reading On Our Website 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.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 offerExpressVPN: Use the link expressvpn.com/canadaland.com to get an extra three months of ExpressVPN for free! 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.1078. Overthrown for the Holidays
28:22||Ep. 1078Chrystia Freeland kneecaps Trudeau, but his shaky government still stands. Jan Wong joins to sift through the aftermath of a very eventful Monday in Canadian politics. Plus, an arsenal of 3D printed guns in Quebec and Jan’s tips for the GST holiday.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Post Production), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further Reading on Our Website 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.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.oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! ExpressVPN: Use the link expressvpn.com/canadaland.com to get an extra three months of ExpressVPN for free! 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.1077. The Undoing of Justin Trudeau
21:24||Ep. 1077It was a hell of a day for the Liberals yesterday, as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland abruptly abandoned her post. Now, all fingers are pointed at one man: Justin Trudeau.So what happened? And where do we go from here? Reporter for the Hill Times Stuart Benson sits down with Sam to break down Justin’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad DayPhoto Credit - Created using AIHost: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Production Manager) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Stuart BensonBackground reading:Federal deficit balloons to $61.9B as government tables economic update on chaotic day in Ottawa – CBCTrudeau taps Dominic LeBlanc to serve as finance minister after Chrystia Freeland's shock resignation | CBC Chrystia Freeland’s years of loyalty culminate in a humiliating and tragic end | Globe and MailFreeland’s grenade brings crisis on top of crisis to a flailing Trudeau government | Globe and MailSponsors: 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/canadalandArticle is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or moreTo claim, visit article.com/backbench and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.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.1076. The Great Darkness
37:05||Ep. 1076This is part two of our mini series: Black Market Babies (part one, here).It’s a family story that lay hidden for decades. Then the tech was born, the DNA came to light, and after the shock, the investigation began.An underworld tale of the international baby smuggling ring that bought and sold hundreds of newborns out of Montreal in the 1950s.A family story told by the families. One reporter whose own mother was bought and sold. And another whose own DNA tied her to the one of the alleged masterminds behind the black market baby trade.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Reported by: Ilana Gordon and Adam SegalWritten by: Ilana Gordon, Adam Segal and Bruce ThorsonTristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer)Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer) max collins (Production Manager)Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Additional music by Tristan Capacchione and Audio NetworkFurther reading:https://maisonneuve.org/article/2017/07/18/black-market-babies/Www.adamelliottsegal.com Sponsors:AG1: Every week of November, AG1 will be running a special Black Friday offer for a free gift with your first subscription, in addition to the Welcome Kit with Vitamin D3+K2. Head to https://drinkag1.com/canadaland to start your holiday season off on a healthier note, while supplies last.Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim this offer, visit https://article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.CAMH: CAMH is building better mental health care for everyone to ensure no one is left behind. Visit https://camh.ca/canadaland to make a donation.oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! ExpressVPN: expressvpn.com/canadaland to get an extra three months of ExpressVPN for free!Be part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis. Go to https://canadaland.com/join to become a Canadaland Supporter today.You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.1075. Did Trudeau Just Hand Trump Canada's Arctic?
24:45||Ep. 1075What’s the deal with the “North American Arctic”?Ottawa’s new policy for the North swaps Arctic sovereignty for strategic diplomacy. Could this be a preemptive concession to Trump?Plus, Liberal climate reversals and big savings on Hannukah bushes. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: San Grewal Further Reading On Our WebsiteSponsors: 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.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 offerAG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. Check out DrinkAG1.com/canadaland to get this offer! 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, 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.1074. A Canadian Politician Just Admitted to Taking Orders From India
37:40||Ep. 1074Testifying in Parliament last week, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown revealed how India affected his 2022 bid to lead the Conservative Party of Canada. But was he a victim of foreign interference, as reported by CBC/Radio-Canada, or a willing conduit for Indian interests? San Grewal of The Pointer joins to explain how (and why) CBC got spun. Note: Jaskaran Sandhu did not reply to our request for comment in advance of publishing this episode. UPDATE (12/11/24): after publication, Jaskaran Sandhu responded to Canadaland’s request for comment with the following: “I did not bring, place, plant, or spin this foreign interference story to the CBC. I wish I was that powerful. But it is kind of nice knowing those like San think I am.” Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Post Production), Lucie Laumonier (Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: San Grewal Further Reading on Our Website 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.AG1: AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. Check out DrinkAG1.com/canadaland to get this offer! oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! 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.