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A report in the Wall Street Journal suggests that Carney’s is pushing for Canada to join the EU as an “associate member.” Carney says he’s pursuing an “unique alliance,” rather than membership. 

As Carney heads to France to address the EU parliament on Thursday, questions swirl around what exactly this new relationship between Canada and the EU will entail. 

Meanwhile, the President of the EU parliament announces a new “antenna” office in Ottawa. 

Jan Wong joins Jesse Brown to consider the likelihood of Canada’s European future.

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Julian Abraham (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Jan Wong

Further reading: 

• Mark Carney’s Audacious Bid to Make Canada an ‘Associate Member’ of the EU - WSJ 
• Carney says Canada planning to discuss 'unique alliance' with EU, but not membership | CBC News
• Why PM Carney’s trip to Europe this week has just taken on more importance - CTV News
• EU Parliament to open office in Canada – POLITICO
• ‘Associate member’ of the EU? Why not, Canada? - The Globe and Mail
• Chinese cargo ship completes first regular Arctic voyage to UK on 'Polar Silk Road' - ABC News
• Justin Trudeau to launch his own production company at Toronto film festival - National Post   

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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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South of the border, billionaires are getting eaten alive. Up here, Mark Carney is trying to court them. This week, host Sam talks to three wealthy Canadians who think that's a mistake, and who are actually asking the government to tax them more.

Host: Sam Konnert

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Claire Trottier, Emma Davis, Floyd Marinescu

Background reading:

• The Rich List - Macleans
• I’m giving the CRA an extra $1M this year. Crazy, right? - Toronto Star
• The troubling rise of income and wealth inequality in Canada - Policy Options
• Do Billionaires Really Move To Avoid Wealth Taxes? - Forbes
• Capital gains tax hike would greatly reduce Canada’s competitiveness - Fraser Institute
• CEO pay hit a record high in 2024 - Canada's National Observer

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

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Did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? Last episode, we talked about advice for back to school!

If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join.

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. 

Make sure you’re up to date on our upcoming events by going to canadaland.com/live!

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It is the biggest leveraged buyout in history. 

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) just bought EA Games: one of the world’s biggest video game companies. 

PIF joined forces with two American investment firms (one run by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner) to buy the gaming giant for $55 billion.

But this could be about a lot more than just video games. 

EA has more than 700 million players worldwide, and it’s collecting vast amounts of data on them. 

What are the national security and privacy implications of a foreign sovereign wealth fund controlling a company with all that data? 

And given EA has a Canadian subsidiary with Canadian employees and, of course, Canadian players — how has the Canadian government scrutinized this deal?

Host: Gemma Boothroyd

Credits: Gemma Boothroyd (Reporter), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Chad Galloway (Audio Editing & Production), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Fact checking by Julian Abraham  

Additional music by Audio Network

Image by Saudi Press Agency

More information:

Saudi-led group completes $55bn purchase of gaming giant EA - BBC

Executions in Saudi Arabia hit highest number on record in 2025 - The Guardian 

The Kingdom Came to Canada: How Saudi-Linked Digital Espionage Reached Canadian Soil - The Citizen Lab 

After 25 years, I’m breaking up with The Sims. Here’s why you should, too | Jordan Erica Webber - The Guardian

Prime Minister Carney deepens partnership with Saudi Arabia across trade, education, technology, and critical minerals 

The CFIUS Review That Will Never Be - Vinita Singh for Lawfare

Postponement Of Saudi Arabia’s Esports Nations Cup Heightens Concerns About Gulf Sport - Simon Chadwick

Canada strengthens guidelines on foreign investments in the interactive digital media sector  

National security decisions | Investment Canada Act 

The Gaming Industry: A Behemoth With Unprecedented Global Reach 

Saudis Weigh Merging EA With Savvy to Create Global Gaming Giant

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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 https://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.

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A trend of “Blame Canada” memes is causing a schism amongst conservatives. 

Far-right conservative influencers are gleefully amplifying MAGA-style messaging around Carney and Canada, while more moderate conservative voices are calling them “traitorous.” 

Under Pierre Poilievre, the CPC embraced right-wing influencers, offering them “content creator” passes and access to events, but now they’re trying to distance themselves.

Is the turf war between establishment conservatives and edgy memelords overblown? 

Harrison Lowman of the Hub joins Julian Abraham to explore the AI slop that is dividing conservatives in Canada. 

Host: Julian Abraham

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Harrison Lowman

Photo: Donald Trump Truth Social Post (likely generated by A.I.)

Further reading: 

• Ben Woodfinden: 'Blame Canada' conservatives are no better than woke statue topplers - National Post
• The Conservative civil war has only just begun | Canada's National Observer
• Richard Warnica: Canada’s conservatives have a problem with reality - Toronto Star
• Marc Nixon on X: "Mark Carney THROWN into Lake America 🇺🇸🤣" / X
• Marc Nixon on X: "😭🤣🔥 you can’t run from the MEMES Even if you try" / X
• Brian Lilley on X: "Calling Canada shitty and cheering on a foreign leader attacking ours all in one video. This is so incredibly stupid." / X 
• https://x.com/truckdriverpleb/status/2094879782320124375 
• An island is floating around a B.C. reservoir — and it keeps disappearing | Globalnews.ca
• In cod we trust - Canadian Affairs 

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.

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

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com

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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As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the CBC’s longstanding policy towards reporting on acts of terrorism suddenly became an international story.

A leaked internal CBC memo that instructed journalists not to refer to 9/11 as a terrorist attack without attribution sparked backlash on both sides of the border. 

In the context of the trade war, CBC’s journalistic policy became a flashpoint for Republicans, with US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra suggesting it further jeopardized trade relations between Canada and the US. 

Jen Gerson of The Line joins Julian Abraham to explain how the CBC escalated trade war tensions (even if it didn’t intend to) and what happens next now that the CBC changed its policy towards 9/11. 

Host: Julian Abraham

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Jen Gerson

Photo: Ken Lund

Further reading: 

• 9/11 wasn't a 'terrorist attack,' according to the CBC | Toronto Sun 
• How and why CBC News will adjust its 9/11 language guidance - CBC
• How CBC News uses the words 'terrorist,' 'terrorism' - CBC
• CBC changed its terrorism policy for 9/11—but still not for Hamas - Canadian Jewish News
• The CBC’s 9/11 terrorism scandal revealed the public broadcaster is operating in a separate reality than the public - The Hub 
• Opinion: CBC's refusal to distinguish between terrorism and war shows it can't think critically - National Post
• Avi Benlolo: CBC's editorial choices around Islamic terror need to be investigated - National Post
• Some voters alarmed by self-declaration requirement on mail-in ballots for Alberta referendum | CBC News
• N.S. energy minister resigns after backlash over misogynistic rap lyrics - Halifax | Globalnews.ca  

Sponsors:

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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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 BC’s Conservative caucus is hemorrhaging members. In the last three weeks, 8 MLAs have left the Conservative caucus, followed by accusations that paint a pretty clear picture: Whatever crisis is happening inside the BC Conservatives, Kerry-Lynne Findlay is at the centre of it. 

Host Sam Konnert talks to BC political commentator and host of “This is Vancolor”, Mo Amir, to spell out what exactly is going on. 

Host: Sam Konnert

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Mo Amir

Photo: Taymaz Valley

Background reading:

• Will Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s First Stand Also Be Her Last? – The Tyee
• Another B.C. Conservative MLA steps away from party to sit as Independent – CBC News
• B.C. Conservative caucus is down to 30. Here’s how it lost 14 members  – Global News
• RCMP ask to meet ex-B.C. Conservative who says he was offered job to quit as MLA – Toronto Star
• Will British Columbia have a snap election? – Chek News 

Sponsors: 

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Did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? 

Last episode, we asked you: What do you wish you knew, or what advice would you give to someone starting school? This could be elementary, middle, high school, CEGEP, university, trade school, ANYTHING.

That episode came out last week. Check it out! 

If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!), become a supporter at canadaland.com/join

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. 

Make sure you’re up to date on our upcoming events by going to canadaland.com/live!

Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow us @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram and @Canadaland_Media on TikTok!

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In the history of journalism, there have been a number of iconic interviews. Interviews that defined a generation and uncovered truths from some of the biggest political scandals of the time. Richard Nixon, Monica Lewinsky, the ex-Duke of York formerly known as Prince Andrew, to name only a few.

Today, we bring you an interview with Nathen Mazri. Former Garfield Eats proprietor, former PPC candidate, and now, running for Toronto City Council in Ward 1 Etobicoke North. Will this interview be as era-defining as the others? 

His CV is likely stranger than any other candidate, and his legally distinct Garfield (called Nathfield) campaign song probably isn’t going to top the charts. He only got 235 votes during the last federal election, so why does he think he has a shot at being mayor of Toronto in 2030?

Is he delusional? Or is his conviction so strong that he might just do it? 

Further Reading:

• Nathen Mazri
• Canadian entrepreneur behind GarfieldEATS wants to disrupt fast-food, one lasagna at a time - Globe & Mail
• Love Me, Feed Me, Never Leave Me: The Strange Saga of the World’s Greatest Garfield Restaurateur - MEL Magazine
• I Ate Lasagna and Garfuccinos at the New Garfield-Themed Restaurant in Toronto - Food & Wine
• Garfield pizza entrepreneur runs for PPC in Toronto Centre - Toronto Today
• The Nathfield Podcast - Spotify

Host: Sam Konnert

Credits: Noor Azrieh (Producer), Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Chad Galloway (Audio Editing & Production), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Featured guest: Nathen Mazri

Fact checking by: Julian Abraham

Additional music by: Audio Network

Sponsors: 

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.ca

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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.

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

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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Canadians are increasingly getting their news from the New York Times. 

As the NYT increases its global footprint, growing to over 3 million international subscribers, Canada remains its largest international market. 

With its expansion of staff and Canadian coverage, The Times is competing for scoops with outlets like The Globe and Mail and CBC. 

Will an American outlet eventually dominate Canadian news? 

Host: San Grewal

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer),  Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checker), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Morgan Campbell

Photo: Wilson Rivera

Further reading: 

• https://www.nytco.com/press/the-new-york-times-reaches-three-million-international-subscribers/
• https://bayobserver.ca/new-york-times-insists-its-beefed-up-coverage-of-canada-has-nothing-to-do-with-trump/
• https://pressgazette.co.uk/media-audience-and-business-data/media_metrics/most-popular-websites-news-world-monthly-2/
• https://sherwood.news/business/the-new-york-times-is-a-games-company-with-a-newspaper-side-hustle/
• #228 What's The New York Times Doing In Canada? - CANDALAND [Podcast] 
• Daejon Love case highlights online romance scams: Research reveals scammers’ tactics – and how to defend against them - The Conversation
•  

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.

oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! 

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.  

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Seasonal news items are just a thing in the media biz and Back-to-School is a big one. So we wanted to flip that concept and rather than dish out our own advice, we asked you to call in with your own.

Look, we all know starting a school, especially at a new school, can be a stressful experience. But we all do it, and most of us get through it too. But if you’re nervous, or you know someone else who is nervous, here’s some advice from Canadaland’s audience to help you.

Plus a story from Reporter and Host Julian Abraham about the professor who inspired him to become a journalist.

Host: Sam Konnert

Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), Jesse Brown (Publisher)

Photo by Ron Lach

Additional music by Audio Network

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.

There’s been wall-to-wall coverage of the breakdown in trade talks between Canada and the US, on both sides of the border. 

Whether it’s Trump’s renaming of Lake Ontario, gun-toting A.I. Canadian Geese, or continual investigations into what exactly happened during the final hours of trade talks. 

But the rest of the world is also covering the Canada-US trade war in terms of the “rupture” Carney described in his speech at Davos. 

Are we missing the rupture for details about the deal? Is it possible that Canada is ready to decouple economically and culturally from America? 

Author and journalist Morgan Campbell joins San Grewal. 

Host: San Grewal

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer),  Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checker), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Morgan Campbell

Photo: Nicolas Pinault, Voice of America

Additional music by Audio Network

Further reading: 

• This whole trade war thing is stupid - The Globe and Mail
• Opinion | Trump Canadian trade war: the art of a stupid deal - The Washington Post
• Canada’s Trade War Is a Fight for the Free World | The Walrus
• Canada walked away from Trump. Could the EU ever do the same? | Euronews
• Mark Carney cosies up to Britain after US tariff tirade | This is Money
• Modi Is Hedging Against Trump, One Deal at a Time - New York Times
• Editorial: Cometh the hour, cometh Carney—Canada draws a red line against Trump’s tariffs - Telangana Today
• Canada launches a ‘Chinese-styled counterattack’ – a heavy blow: Global Times editorial
• LSU's Lane Kiffin says his players pursuing ex-NFLers - ESPN  

Sponsors:

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.

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.

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

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com

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.