Bedard's Unofficial Podcast

Note: This was recorded back on February 25, 2026, before the podcast's brief hiatus.

Don't judge. At the time, I needed the calories... but I digress. Pierre Bedard and Dr. James Arnold get together to discuss God's Paddlers and peoples reaction to it along with many other things, including Yet Another Lawsuit, this time against the Anglican Church. This is a lingering legacy caused by the worst of actors.

After a long sojourn, Bedard's Unofficial Podcast returns. We've been away for a bit as we try to process everything that's going on with all this crazy shit. I didn't really think it proper to be podcasting while the world went to shit, but here we are. Crazy James, in his Northern Alberta lair in High Prairie is doing the work, driving his Member of Parliament around, surviving the High Prairie Rodeo, and living the good life. Join us.

NOTE: Because of some technical issues, Stephen does not appear on video but he comes through loud and clear. An interesting discussion with author Stephen Riley about the old times in Winnipeg, including how he came to be introduced to Ted Byfield, whose chair Riley sat in on the Winnipeg Free Press city hall desk . If you like Winnipeg nostalgia, and stories of the old times, this podcast is for you. Management apologizes for our video issues but not for Stephen's first person accounts of Steve Juba's Winnipeg. Ted Byfield and Mayor Juba were the best of friends and compatriots. Great oral history in this 20 minute podcast.

Stephen joins me today in a brief and far ranging meandering discussion about God's Paddlers. If you've already read the book or are thinking about it, join us as we talk about what lessons we think we learned.

Stephen Riley joins Pierre to talk about Stephen's documentary - The Old Boys' - which aired in Manitoba in February 1990. The big question - where is the video? How can we see it online? Neither of us have found it - but this is the internets. If anyone out there has a copy, let us know!

Join us as Stephen Riley, author of God's Paddlers, joins Pierre and Dr. James Arnold. It's Stephen's first appearance on the podcast so we talked at length about his writing process and the experience of writing a book 50 years in writing. If you haven't read the book, now's the time to get multiple copies for Christmas for your family and friends. I'm thinking hard of soliciting in River Heights with copies before the holidays. We can all carry baskets full of books... (every once in a while I flashback to meat selling).

Pierre and Crazy James talk baseball. Specifically, the World Series, the condition of Rogers Centre, and the Montreal Expos. Local politics creep in as we celebrate 16 years of James' service to his city, High Prairie on the city council. I likely insulted someone somewhere along the way, but Crazy James kept it on track. Oh yeah, and we chat briefly about the new book out by Stephen Riley - God's Paddlers. Note: when recording this, we were still in the bliss of a possible Blue Jays win in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series.

Pierre and Dr. Arnold break down about the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in the matter of R. v. Sheppard. The Doctor and I have followed the Sheppard case and podcasted about it in the past. Now that we have a decision by the nation's highest court. We talk about the Court's findings and legal reasoning. The ruling was clear in its purpose and intent. Sheppard was reincarcerated and the Court sent a message to all the provinces: sexual violence is not to be trifled with when making sentencing decisions. The Friesen case toughened the standards: Sheppard reinforces it. Sheppard is now precedent. We end this presentation by asking "What's up with the convicted pedophile's perjury in his trial?" Sheppard never disclosed a 1987 Ontario conviction at his Alberta trial. (Chief Justice) Wagner: "You ask him the question — he's the one who knows — he said no. Is that perjury?"Beresh (Sheppard's attorney) replied, "I suggest it isn't," saying he also didn't know about any prior criminal record.

Pierre and Crazy James talk about recent civic activities, including upcoming local elections in October where James is running for city council again. Pierre shared his reappointment to the Library Commission for another four years. Pierre and Crazy tried to discuss Dungeons & Dragons, and James explained the significance of rolling a natural 20. Things go downhill from there.

Pierre and Doctor Arnold talk about the Sheppard case after having some time to reflect about its importance in Canadian jurisprudence. The Canadian Supreme Court's decision to uphold the original sentence of 6 years for sexual assault was meant to send a strong signal about their expectations - specifically around the Friesen case, which tries to make sure that sentences are fair and reflect current understanding of crimes, rather than what might be a more lenient past. Enjoy.