10/3: Canada Covered

An Alberta woman who admitted to fatally shooting her husband is now fighting to have her 18-year sentence for manslaughter reduced.

In 2017, Helen Naslund admitted to shooting her abusive husband Miles in the head in 2011, and hiding his body with the help of one of their sons.

Edmonton Journal reporter Jonny Wakefield joins me to discuss the events that led to the killing, why the sentence was as long as it is, and why Helen’s appeal is arguing the sentence shows the justice system doesn’t understand violence against women.

Background reading: 'Women who kill to survive': Court hears appeal from Helen Naslund, sentenced to 18 years for killing abusive husband

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The discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves on the site of a former residential school in Saskatchewan has once again renewed focus on Canada’s track record on reconciliation and its treatment of First Nations peoples.

The find is the latest in a series of discoveries since 215 unmarked graves were found at a Kamloops site, drawing international attention on Canada.

National Post reporter Chris Nardi joins Dave to discuss what led to the latest discovery, how the local First Nations community has responded, and whether people are starting to re-think early estimates of how many kids died at residential schools.

Background reading: ‘Like a crime scene’: 751 unmarked graves reported found at former Saskatchewan residential school

Survivors and historical archives chronicle abuse at Marieval residential school

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society emergency crisis line is available 24/7 for those that may need counselling support. That’s at 1-866-925-4419.

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Just when we think we have a handle on the pandemic, we get thrown another curveball.

COVID-19 cases in Canada are on the decline, vaccinations are up, and provinces are starting to re-open, but a new variant has taken hold here, potentially leaving us vulnerable to a new spike in infections.

National Post health reporter Sharon Kirkey joins Dave to talk about where the variant has taken hold in Canada, how serious it is, and how it factors into whether Canadians are feeling comfortable about re-opening.

Background reading: Race is on for Canada to vaccinate its way out of potential fourth wave driven by Delta variant

Entering post-COVID world sparks anxiety for some, but uneasiness is normal reaction: experts

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As the COVID-19 pandemic has dragged on, some businesses have raised concerns over their ability to keep workers on staff due to shutdowns, but also due to government benefits and COVID anxiety keeping people at home. 

And as the government looks to roll back some of these benefits, there are concerns that it’s too soon, as it’s unclear whether we’re approaching a true return to normal. 

National Post political reporter Jesse Snyder joins Dave to discuss why businesses are worried about filling vacant jobs, why the government is rolling back benefits for workers and employers now, and what the political fallout could be. 

Background reading: NDP renews calls to keep COVID benefit at $2,000-per-month, as part of effort to push 'true left' identity 

'Stay home and still get paid': Jobs go unfilled as frustrated employers blame COVID payouts 

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In the plan to reduce Canada’s carbon emissions, Alberta’s oil industry has stuck out as a question mark. 

It’s a major driver of the economy, but does produce a lot of emissions. But 5 of the biggest players in the oilsands have announced they plan to get to net-zero by 2050. 

Calgary Herald columnist Chris Varcoe joins Dave to discuss what’s behind the announcement, how the companies plan to get there, and other innovations in Alberta’s energy sector that could help capitalized on low-carbon opportunities.   Background reading: A 'watershed event' as energy sector moves on net-zero action, hydrogen complex in Alberta  

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Four members of a Muslim family in London Ontario were killed and their young son injured when a driver plowed into them. 

That driver has been charged with murder and police say it’s a hate-motivated crime based on the victims' religion. 

London Free Press reporters Jennifer Bieman and Jonathan Juha join Dave to talk about the victims, the police investigation and how this horrific crime has rocked London. 

Background reading: Alleged hate killings suspect wore body armour. What do experts say that suggests?

Suspect in alleged London hate killings laughed during arrest: Witness   Family killed in alleged hate attack cared for others physically, spiritually

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As Canada appears to be nearing the end of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Manitoba is still facing a crisis point at its hospitals. 

The peak for hospitalizations is expected to hit this week in Manitoba, even as cases are declining, forcing the transfer of patients to other provinces, such as Alberta and Ontario. 

Winnipeg Sun columnist Josh Aldrich joins Dave to discuss the current strain on Manitoba’s health system, the political fallout for Premier Brian Pallister, and whether Manitoba expects to reopen any time soon.

Background reading: ALDRICH: We need to know Manitoba’s plan for a return to normal 

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Canada’s dark legacy of residential schools has forced back into the spotlight with the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at a site in Kamloops.
It has renewed calls for reconciliation, while reminding Canadians that thousands of Indigenous children who were taken from their homes never returned.   And it has once again sparked pressure on governments to do their part to find where children may be buried   National Post political reporter Ryan Tumilty joins Dave to discuss the push to search other sites across the country, and next steps in Canada’s attempts at reconciliation.   Background reading: Trudeau says federal government will help find other residential school gravesites   Residential school remains could reveal how 215 children lived — and died, experts say   The Indian Residential School Survivors Society emergency crisis line is available 24/7 for those that may need counselling support. That’s at 1-866-925-4419.

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The light is at the end of the long COVID-19 tunnel. 

That is at least the message Canadians are getting from many provincial premiers, who have released re-opening plans as we sit on the cusp of summer. 

But it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. 

National Post reporter Tyler Dawson joins Dave to discuss what’s behind the differing approaches, why we’re getting these plans now, and when we could expect to see normalcy in Canada. 

Background reading: Saskatchewan shuns a 'Trudeau summer' and plans its own reopening in lockstep with vaccines 

Most of Alberta's COVID restrictions could be gone by early July, says Kenney 

Chris Selley: Lockdown-obsessed Ontario sits at the back of the reopening pack 

B.C. outlines plan to end COVID-19 restrictions; eyes September return to normal 

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Quebec is in the midst of another debate over language. 

The CAQ government has tabled Bill 96, which seeks to update the longstanding Bill 101, in an effort to protect the French language in Quebec.  

But as these things usually go, the government has courted controversy. 

Montreal Gazette political reporter Philip Authier joins Dave to discuss what the bill covers, concerns being raised over Anglo rights in Quebec, and how this debate has carried over into federal politics. 

Background reading: Trudeau's comments on Constitution spark backlash among Quebec anglos 

French in Quebec: 'It's nothing against the English Quebecers,' Legault says of new bill 

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