Canada is Boring

Ottawa's Evil Christmas Elves


Listen Later

When a beloved Canada Post program lets kids write letters to Santa, what could possibly go wrong? In 2007, Ottawa families found out the hard way. Rhys and Jesse dive into the true story of the “rogue elves” who sent obscene letters “from Santa,” the full-blown national panic that followed, and why the myth of Santa can be both magical and messed up.


0:00 – Intro Banter & Cozy Studio Setup

0:30 – “The Rogue Ottawa Christmas Elves” – Episode Title Reveal

1:00 – Original Christmas Song Cold Open

2:00 – Welcome to the Festive Special

2:34 – Canada Post’s “Write to Santa” Program Explained

3:13 – How Volunteers Personalize Santa’s Letters

4:39 – A Rogue Elf Appears: Obscene Letters to Kids

5:54 – Reading the Infamous Santa Letter

8:44 – A Child Loses Faith in Santa

9:21 – Is the Santa Myth Economically Unfair?

11:49 – Santa, Parents, and the Cost of Christmas Magic

13:12 – Canada Post’s Crisis Mode: ‘Very, Very Serious’

13:40 – Program Suspended – A ‘24’-Style 48-Hour Hunt

14:22 – New Safeguards & “Save Santa” Campaign

16:31 – CBC Report: Canada Post Finds the Rogue Elves

17:08 – Twist: The Culprits Were Minors

18:24 – Rhys’ Netflix-Worthy Kid Heist Movie Pitch

21:36 – Overreaction or Charming Protectiveness?

23:11 – Mystery Solved: Just Kids Messing Around

23:41 – “Kid Heist” as a Movie Concept

25:10 – Reflecting on 2025 & Trudeau/Katy Perry Gag

26:01 – Jesse Leaves Halifax & Plans South America Travels

28:37 – Sleeper Buses and Budget Travel Dreams

28:59 – Thank You, Listeners – Nearing 500 Episodes

29:22 – SpeakPipe Call for Messages

30:26 – YouTube & Spotify Comments, Listener Love

31:27 – Jesse’s Nightmare Roommates & Party House

33:20 – Finally Living Alone & Less Stressed

34:39 – The Old House, Halifax Explosion & Brothel Rumours

35:16 – Sign-Off: Christmas Wishes & Family Tolerance

36:29 – Musical Outro – Festive Canada Is Boring Song

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

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Canada is BoringBy Jesse Harley, Rhys Waters

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

43 ratings


More shows like Canada is Boring

View all
Ideas by CBC

Ideas

371 Listeners

Laugh Out Loud by CBC

Laugh Out Loud

158 Listeners

CANADALAND by CANADALAND

CANADALAND

208 Listeners

Because News by CBC

Because News

173 Listeners

Curious Canadian History by David Borys

Curious Canadian History

37 Listeners

Quirks and Quarks by CBC

Quirks and Quarks

369 Listeners

Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly by Apostrophe Podcast Network

Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

798 Listeners

At Issue by CBC

At Issue

105 Listeners

The Debaters by CBC

The Debaters

202 Listeners

The Secret Life of Canada by CBC

The Secret Life of Canada

240 Listeners

Canadian History Ehx by Craig Baird

Canadian History Ehx

75 Listeners

Front Burner by CBC

Front Burner

423 Listeners

Cost of Living by CBC

Cost of Living

30 Listeners

The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge by Manscorp Media Services

The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

224 Listeners

Keep Canada Weird by Nighttime / Curiouscast

Keep Canada Weird

40 Listeners