CANADALAND

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...

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-f...

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 Produc...

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...

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....

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 Nichol...

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 actuall...

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 Thomps...

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 Tho...

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 t...

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...

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...

The scramble for CUMSA 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...

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 de...

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? <br...

Gas prices are back in the news as the Iran War disrupts global oil supply. Columnists are weighing in on what it all means for Canada’s energy future. With Carney’s commitment to making Canada an energy superpower, do we barrel forward with increased oil production or renew our commitment to renewables?Max Fawcett of Canada’s National Observer joins San Grewal to drill beneath the headlines. Host: San Grewal Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director...

Investigative reporters have uncovered a network of these crypto-to-cash desks operating across Canada. And some of the transactions moving through them appear linked to crypto wallets allegedly associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.So how could money tied to a sanctioned regime end up moving through Toronto?Host Noor Azrieh speaks with reporters behind the global investigation, The Coin Laundry, and with financial-crime experts about how Iran and other sanctioned actors use cryptocurrency to move money around the world.Then we zoom out. As the US-Israeli war in Iran...

Anthony Douglas turned his chatbot into his therapist. That was the start of a journey that ended in the psych ward. How did Anthony accidentally jailbreak the bot to the point that it ended up egging on the wildest, and darkest, of his delusions?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Julian Abraham (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Caleb ThompsonAdditional music by Audio Network, Julian Abraham, and Anthony...

Former CBC host Travis Dhanraj promised to “pull the curtain back” and reveal what is really happening inside the CBC. On Tuesday, he testified in parliament that he experienced bias, tokenism, and bullying at the public broadcaster. Conservative voices are calling his testimony “explosive” and “shocking,” while others consider his concerns “pedestrian” and “absurd.”    What does Dhanraj’s whistleblowing tell us about the situation inside the CBC?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 Aud...

In February, controversial Sikh YouTuber Nancy Grewal told CBC News that she feared for her life. Days later, she was stabbed to death outside of Windsor, Ontario. Was her murder related to her criticism of the Khalistan movement? San Grewal of The Pointer joins to unpack the political pressures and misinformation shaping the reporting of the case.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)Gue...