10/3: Canada Covered

In recent weeks on 10/3, we've highlighted a new true crime podcast from Postmedia and Antica productions, called True Crime Byline.

The show looks at some of the biggest criminal cases in the country, and what it was like for the journalists who covered them.

True Crime Byline is available now, wherever you find this podcast, but have a listen to the first episode right here: This isn't a story about Robert Pickton.

Most Canadians know the name Robert Pickton, the pig farmer from a Vancouver suburb who goes by Willy and was convicted of murdering six vulnerable women, although he once bragged to an undercover officer that he had killed 49 female victims.

We know Pickton’s name in the same way we know the names of most notorious murderers who make headlines for their heinous crimes. But there are so many other people whose names we should also know: the 33 women whose DNA was found on his farm; the hundreds of family members — parents, siblings, children — who continue to mourn for these women and who, in some cases, are still fighting for answers and justice; and the advocates who keep on lobbying for changes to laws and societal attitudes, so that vulnerable women can be better protected in the future.

This story began long before we heard Pickton’s name, and has carried on long after he was sentenced to life in prison. Listen to this podcast for the heart-breaking history of Canada’s most prolific serial killer case, as told by Vancouver Sun reporter Lori Culbert.

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The race to replace Erin O’Toole as leader of Canada’s Conservatives took a surprising turn with the party’s leadership committee removing Patrick Brown as a candidate.

It’s alleged that a private corporation had paid members of Brown’s campaign staff, which would be a violation of Canadian election law.

National Post political reporter Ryan Tumilty joins host Dave Breakenridge to discuss how these allegations came to light, whether Brown has any recourse, and how this changes the race in the remaining two months.

Background reading: Patrick Brown disqualified from Conservative leadership race

Patrick Brown whistleblower comes forward, claims Brown knew of improper payments

'Brown campaign knew full well' the allegations, Tory officials say in letter to members

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As candidates duke it out over who is best to lead the Conservative Party of Canada, many in the conservative movement are asking what the party itself should look like, and how to best position itself to beat the Liberals in the next election.

After three straight losses, many see the next campaign as being mission-critical for the party.

Tasha Kheiriddin, principal at Navigator LTD and author of new book The Right Path, joins host Dave Breakenridge to discuss how Conservative politics have become a reaction to Justin Trudeau’s policies, what sorts of policies would best expand the party’s voting base, and why the “Freedom” message may turn off some Canadians.

Background reading: Trudeau's true legacy — stoking the woke, an excerpt from The Right Path

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The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade has set off a spate of controversy over whether access to abortion will be severely limited or outright banned in many states.

And, as their closest neighbour, the issue has spilled over into Canada. 

National Post columnist Sabrina Maddeaux joins Dave to discuss why the fallout from the Roe decision could have ramifications for Canadian women who work, study and travel in the U.S., and why some feel the federal government should pass legislation to protect access here.

Background reading: Yes, overturning Roe v. Wade affects Canadian women

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The inquiry into Canada’s worst mass shooting has developed into a political scandal, with allegations the head of the RCMP interfered with the investigation to help push Liberal firearms policy.

In notes uncovered by the Mass Casualty Commission, it appears that Commissioner Brenda Lucki demanded Nova Scotia RCMP release the types of guns Gabriel Wortman used to kill more than 20 people in advance of the rollout of new gun control measures.

National Post reporter Tristin Hopper joins Dave to discuss how these notes came to light, why this is problematic for the RCMP and the government, and the inquiry itself has been faced with its own set of credibility issues. 

Background reading: The Lucki affair just keeps getting worse

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Early in the race to replace Jason Kenney as leader of Alberta’s conservatives, the conversation has turned to the province’s place in Confederation, with one frontrunner pushing an aggressive strategy.

Danielle Smith is proposing an Alberta Sovereignty Act, which would allow the province to supersede federal law deemed not to be in Alberta’s interests.

National Post reporter Tyler Dawson joins Dave to discuss the thinking behind the “Free Alberta Strategy,” how it could potentially be used, and why some feel it’s a constitutional crisis waiting to happen.

Background reading: UCP leadership contender Danielle Smith wants Alberta to ignore federal laws it doesn't like

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Openness and transparency are key tenets of our justice system. But what happens when more and more information is locked behind a publication ban?

In a first-of-its-kind investigation, reporters Adrian Humphreys and Talha Hashmani looked into the rising number of discretionary publication bans in both criminal and civil cases.

Adrian joins Dave to discuss why more publication bans are being granted, how these bans intrude on the notion of open courts, and how that can erode credibility in the justice system.

Background reading: Secrecy in the courts — Exclusive study reveals increasing use of publication bans in Canada

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What is it like to cover some of the most notorious criminal cases in Canadian history, to dig into a story, and follow the details as it winds through court?

How do the really big cases affect the reporters on those stories?

Kathleen Goldhar, host of True Crime Byline, a new podcast from Postmedia and Antica Productions, joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the new show, what listeners can expect, and why stories like this resonate with people.

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A decade after she died by suicide, the case against Amanda Todd’s alleged tormentor has landed in a B.C. courtroom.

Dutch national Aydin Coban is facing a number of charges in what the Crown prosecutor is calling a horrific case of sextortion.

Vancouver Sun reporter Susan Lazaruk joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss what the Crown is alleging Coban did to Amanda Todd, how they’re trying to prove their case, and what court has heard in the trial so far.

Background reading: B.C. girl Amanda Todd victim of 'persistent campaign' of 'sextortion': Crown

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A Canadian airline crew has been stuck in an ongoing nightmare, ever since they alerted police in the Dominican Republic to the presence of cocaine in a compartment on their charter aircraft.

For their efforts, they were jailed, subject to threats and have been ordered to stay put in the Caribbean nation.

National Post reporter Tom Blackwell joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how the crew found themselves in this mess, what their experience in jail was like, and whether there is any political maneuvering to get them back home.

Background reading: 'A living hell': Canadians who reported cocaine in plane urge Trudeau to lobby for their freedom

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