CANADALAND

Trump invades Greenland tomorrow. Danish forces shoot on American forces. American forces shoot back. Maybe a Canadian gets killed since we're there in support of NATO. In the end America takes Greenland by force. What happens next, Bob?

There may be nobody in this country who has had a closer view of the turmoil currently overwhelming the international order than former UN Ambassador Bob Rae. His tenure overlapped with COVID, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, October 7th, and Israel’s subsequent siege and bombardment of Gaza. 

Bob Rae retired a couple months ago. Which means he’s free to speak his mind. And that’s what he does today on Canadaland.

Host: Stephen Marche

Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Featured Guest: Bob Rae

Fact checking by Julian Abraham

Additional music by Audio Network

Photo: Mykola Swarnyk

More information:

• Steve Paikin: Bob Rae, now a private citizen, tells it like it is. Sort of — The Toronto Star
• Canada faces existential challenge from Trump’s hemisphere strategy, former envoy warns — The Globe & Mail
• Former UN ambassador Bob Rae on the state of the organization and his future — The Globe & Mail

Sponsors: 

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Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit https://article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

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Can’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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.

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Heated Rivalry’s breakout success is bringing CanCon, hockey, and gay sex to the world. Does this surprising hit give Canadian TV a new playbook?

Heated Rivalry is also bringing in new hockey fans and helping the sport’s image, so why isn’t the NHL embracing it? Can the show have a real impact on hockey culture? 

Plus, Canada Proud double dips on CBC messaging, and an NDP leadership candidate uses AI to answer questions on Reddit. 

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Sam Konnert

Additional music by Audio Network

Further reading: 

• Why is Heated Rivalry so popular? It’s not just the sex, but the Canadianness | CBC Arts 
• Popularity of ‘Heated Rivalry’ Has Surprised Even TV Executives - The New York Times 
• What ‘Heated Rivalry’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ say about the Canada we want to be | Xtra Magazine
• Hit show ‘Heated Rivalry’ became a TV phenomenon. Can it change hockey culture? - The Athletic
• Parekh’s apology for 'robot' comments has Flames teammates moving forward - Sportsnet.ca
• DREW DOUGHTY, World Juniors, Heated Rivalry & TONS More - Ep. 608 - Spittin’ Chicklets [YouTube]    
• NDP leadership candidate apologizes for using AI to respond to Reddit questions | CBC News 
• Five (Delusional? Brave?) NDP Leadership Candidates on WTF They Plan to Do - CANADALAND
• The same firm ran a campaign to save CBC — and Canada Proud's push to defund it - Canada’s National Observer  

Sponsors: 

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 offer.

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

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. 

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After weeks of protests, thousands of casualties, internet blackouts, and viral moments of resistance, the Canadian media is only now ramping up its coverage of the Iran,

Why hasn’t there been more coverage of this historic moment in Canadian outlets?  

Plus, Iranian-Canadians have been rallying across the country, but progressives aren’t joining to support them. 

Duly Noting: updates on the WE Charity scandal, The Narwhal vs the RCMP, and a Toronto Sun reporter’s very bad tweet. 

This episode uses generative AI for the following purposes: Descript Studio Sound effect on the audio of Kaveh Shahrooz

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Kaveh Shahrooz

Further reading: 

• Canadians join global protests in solidarity with Iranian uprising - CTV News 
• Over 12,000 feared dead after Iran protests, as video shows bodies lined up at morgue - CBS News
• Death toll from Iranian protests surpasses 2,000, activists say, as chaos recalls 1979 revolution - CTV News 
• As Iran cracks down on protesters again, the world cannot be silent - The Globe and Mail
• Adam Zivo: The Shah of Canada — Iranian-Canadians pulling for crown prince - National Post
• Beryl Wajsman: Canadian media and leftists' neglect of Iran uprising is complicity in Islamist terror - National Post
• Adam Zivo on protests [Facebook]
• More than 120 protesters blinded by Iranian agents, probe confirms - Berkeley News
• Why Tehran Is Running Out of Water | WIRED
• Postmedia Suspends Toronto Sun Parliamentary Bureau Chief After Tweet Applauding ICE Killing Minneapolis Woman - PressProgress
• B.C. trial to test whether RCMP violated press freedoms in arresting journalist | CBC News
• Supreme Court revisits Trudeau-era WE Charity scandal in case that could reshape the law - The Globe and Mail   

Sponsors: 

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 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.

Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

BetterHelp:  Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

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. 

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Mark Carney heads to Beijing, China, marking the first time in 8 years a Canadian Prime Minister sets foot in the country. The trip comes as Canada juggles Chinese canola tariffs and a seriously fractured US trade relationship. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Vina Nadjibulla and asks if it's even possible to play nice with China? Or whether this whole trip is a waste of time. Plus, we hear from Kelly Ann Shaw, a key architect of the Trump administration’s trade, investment, energy and national security policies in his first term, about the future of CUSMA.

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Vina Nadjibulla, Kelly Ann Shaw

Background reading:

• This will be the real test of Mark Carney’s visit to China – The Globe and Mail
• Carney heads to Beijing as Trump’s America First agenda forces Canada into trade rethink – The Guardian
• Small majority of Canadians want more trade with China: Ipsos poll – Global News
• Canada-U.S. trade relationship ‘salvageable’: Former White House trade advisor – CTV News

Sponsors: 

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/canadaland

To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

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. 

Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The U.S. attack on Venezuela roiled Canadian oil markets. Pipelines and crude are suddenly spawning countless headlines. But do you know the difference between your sweet crude and a hole in the ground? And is that hole in the ground spurting sour bitumen? Of course that’s a trick question as everyone knows sour bitumen won’t spurt without dilbit. Right? 

What do you really know about oil? Given that it seems to be driving so much of our geopolitics and fuelling a large part of our economy, what do you need to know about it?

Today we’re going oil school, getting back to basics, to try and understand what’s behind all the crude news.

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Featured Guest: Adam Pankratz

Fact checking by Julian Abraham

Additional music by Audio Network

More information:

• Venezuelan oil could put Canada out of business — The National Post
• The Venezuela crisis has prompted Canada to double down on oil. Is that the right move? — Canada’s National Observer

Sponsors: 

Squarespace: Check out https://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.

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Fizz: Visit https://fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

Can’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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.

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Twitter/X’s Grok is undressing people, including minors, but xAI doesn’t seem to care. 

Now that Twitter is worse than ever, will that be enough to stop Canadian public figures from using the platform? 

Jen Gerson of The Line joins to consider the future options for an online public square.   

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Jen Gerson

Further reading: 

• Elon Musk's Grok AI says images of 'minors in minimal clothing' caused by safeguard lapses | CBC News
• France to investigate deepfakes of women stripped naked by Grok – POLITICO 
• Elon Musk company bot apologizes for sharing sexualized images of children - Los Angeles Times
• Canadian government officials, what are you still doing on X in 2026? | Canada's National Observer  
• In the age of AI, it's easy to make deepfake porn. But victims find it hard to undo the damage | CBC News 
• City of Calgary ignored two decades of warning signs about water system, report finds - The Globe and Mail
•  Thunder Bay, Ont., once again reports the highest homicide rate in Canada | CBC News 

Sponsors: 

Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

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 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. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2025, it seemed like there was always something to be worried or afraid about. Every day brought about change and uncertainty. So we wanted to know, what pre-occupied your mind in 2025, and what are you hopeful for in 2026?

Listeners and Canadaland staff all contributed their voices to this documentary. 

Host: Sam Konnert

Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)

Photo: Tony Wang

Additional music by Audio Network

Join us for next month’s call-in show! 

Canadaland's news focus is largely national and provincial. Occasionally we'll talk about something happening in a specific city or town, but local news just isn't our wheelhouse.

But there are tons of interesting stories happening in small towns across this country. What's the gossip on your community's Facebook Group? What's the heated discussion on your local subreddit. Or heaven forbid, what’s being talked about on Next Door…

Call in and let us know January 29, 4:30-6:30 PM ET. When the time comes, click here or head over to www.callinstudio.com/show/canadaland. You can also dial in at 1-888-401-7056.

This show is available exclusively to Canadaland supporters. To become one, go to https://canadaland.com/join/. 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Maduro’s capture means for Canada. 

Trump’s military coup in Venezuela is a mask-off moment of American imperialism, but will it compel Canada to take meaningful action? 

Plus, sorting through Canada’s political and media responses to Venezuela. 

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Jen Gerson

Further reading: 

• In a national emergency, Canada does not have a moment to lose - The Globe and Mail
• The arrest of Mark Carney will bring peace, prosperity, and freedom to North America - Halifax Examiner 
• Eric Ham: Canada beware, Trump’s Venezuela invasion is a clear warning shot 
• Venezuela - The Lesson for Canada - Charlie Angus [Substack] 
• The Conservative and Liberal responses to Venezuela reflect vastly different foreign-policy outlooks - The Globe and Mail
• Jen Gerson: Nothing's going to happen, and it's far too late to do anything about it anyway - The Line
• Freeland to step down in 'coming weeks' after accepting role advising Ukraine's Zelenskyy | CBC News  
• Ontario court rules Doug Ford must turn over personal phone records | Globalnews.ca 

Sponsors: 

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

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. 

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Nicholas Maduro says he’s “not guilty” in his first court appearance in New York after being captured in a US military operation. But, Canadian politicians and Venezuelan-Canadian Alexis Espejo suggest otherwise. Sam talks with Alexis about how it felt to watch the news unfold.

Plus, what do The Notebook, a haunted lumber baron’s wife, a swimming pool scandal, and a knife-wielding intruder all have in common? 24 Sussex Drive.

Host: Sam Konnert

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guest: Alexis Espejo, Noor Azrieh

Background reading:

• Canada stands by Venezuelan people's right to decide their future, says PM Carney – CBC News
• Protesters in Canada hold different opinions of Nicolás Maduro – CTV News
• 24 Sussex renovation: Carney says no plans to address – CTV News 
• Adam: A new home for the prime minister is closer than ever — or so the NCC says – Ottawa Citizen
• 24 Sussex is now asbestos and rodent-free — and nobody knows what to do with it – CBC News
• 24 Sussex Drive – National Capital Commission

Sponsors: 

To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland. 

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/canadaland

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. 

Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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One of the most powerful voices in Canadian media isn't Canadian. And she doesn’t work for a Canadian news outlet. Matina Stevis-Gridneff is the New York Times correspondent for Canada. 

Canadians have a weird relationship to the NYT. In one sense, it's the most powerful newspaper in Canada. It has more digital subscribers than any Canadian publication, although The Globe and Mail has more readers.

On the other hand, of course, it's American, and we are living in the biggest transformation in our relationship to America since Confederation. Canadians have changed their travel habits, changed their consumption habits. They want fewer American things, less America in their lives. 

But that hasn't applied to the Times. Its reach is still expanding, even as the Times has grown more conservative, and even though their op-ed writers have kicked around the idea of annexing Canada. 

Matina Stevis-Gridneff joins us today to talk about what Canada means to the NYT and what the NYT means to Canada.

Host: Stephen Marche

Credits: Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Featured Guest: Matina Stevis-Gridneff

Fact checking by Julian Abraham

Sponsors: 

fizz.ca Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features. 

That's fizz dot ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

BetterHelp: Visit https://BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

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 offer

Can’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.