The Backbench

As the Emergencies Act passes and border blockades come down, we examine what impacts the Act and the satellite protests had domestically and internationally. And Canada decides to step up in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia - and it's unclear exactly why.

This week's contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff, Emilie Nicolas

Sponsors: Rotman, The Big Story

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The 2022 Freedom Convoy has taken over Ottawa, both the city and the political discourse. Why is the federal government so paralyzed by it and will it have a long-term impact on Canadian politics? And as the Conservative Party steps into the post-Erin O'Toole era, we try to figure out what "true blue" means now and whether it has Trumpian characteristics.

Sponsors: Rotman & The Big Story

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People have been declaring that they have stopped donating their money and/or time to the NDP recently. Why is the NDP struggling to retain self-described progressives? What is the party's role in federal politics today?

This week's contributors:

• Lori Idlout, NDP MP (Nunavut) 
• Peggy Nash, Former NDP MP & Finance Critic (Parkdale-High Park, Ontario)
• Des Bisonnette, President of NDP EDA (Lakeland, Alberta) & Member of the Democratic Socialists of Canada 

Sponsors: Hot Docs Podcast Festival, Island Crime

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Three generations of Indigenous panelists join us this week on what The Backbench thought was the biggest story of 2021: the unmarked graves on former residential school grounds. We break format to take stock of what has been promised and repromised, the diversity of demands from Indigenous communities, and what a new "interlocutor" position can do to help with healing.

Guests: Leena Minifie, Riley Yesno feat. Romeo Saganash

Links:

• Trudeau’s promises to Assembly of First Nations in 2015
• Globe and Mail piece re: interlocutor
• CBC's piece re: pending $40-billion settlement

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Political showmanship about #Justinflation abound, just as the Liberal government is set to release their Fall Economic Statement this week. And it's our last episode of 2021! We offer some highlights and lowlights of the year.

This week's contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff, Jaskaran Sandhu

Links:

• Since recording, Justin Trudeau has said he will not yet intervene in Quebec's Bill 21

Sponsors: Rotman Negotiations Program

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BC's emergency on top of emergency has us wondering where the federal government needs to step in. And the latest "lockdown bill" and Throne Speech reveals where our federal government is at.

This week's contributors: Caroline Elliott, Leena Minifie, Stuart Thomson ft. MP Dan Albas

Links: 

• Did you miss the Throne Speech? Read it here.

Sponsors: Rotman, Amnesty International

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Prime Minister Trudeau celebrated Canada's role at COP26 - but what is there to celebrate really? And Conservatives MPs try to start a 'civil liberties caucus' while the Liberal caucus vote not to empower themselves. 

This week's contributors: Caroline Elliott, Emilie Nicolas, Riley Yesno

Sponsors: Rotman, Amnesty International

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Alberta thinks it made a "powerful" statement to Ottawa this week. And the Bank of Canada says inflation is persistent, which can also be perceived as good news if you look really hard.

This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff

Links: 

• Trevor Tombe's tool that helped us understand equalization payments a bit better
• The Conversation's piece on equalization overhaul
• The TikTok on inflation from Kyne
• Chrystia Freeland's statement about reining in COVID-19 measures

This episode is supported by Amnesty International.

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We invited former MPs on because it was supposed to be the first week of Parliament. It got pushed back, but we get into what the first days of Parliament are like and what issues this government will be inheriting anyway. 

This week's contributors: Former MP Kenny Chiu & Former MP Catherine McKenna

Links:

• Kenny Chiu references this page on the BC government website on how emissions have increased in the province
• Catherine McKenna references economists Andrew Leach and Trevor Tombe who have both argued carbon pricing does reduce emissions. Follow their work here and here respectively.
• When we followed up with Catherine McKenna for links, she pointed us to this.

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Trudeau drops the first apology of his third term and has us wondering how reconciliation can go beyond symbolic actions. And as the Two Michaels make it home, what have we learned from this whole saga?

This week's contributors: Joanna Chiu, Stuart Thomson, Riley Yesno

Links:

• Riley's piece on the spring federal budget
• More on what Land Back & Cash Back are about
• How to order Joanna's book, "China Unbound"

This episode is supported by Dispatch Coffee.

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