The Backbench

The Backbench

Download on the App Store

The Backbench episodes

  • EP. 35 - How Alberta Got Weed Right

    While some provinces are still trying to figure out booze, others have already gotten a good start on weed. Who’s doing sin best?

    Why do we keep hearing about the same four political operatives in Canada when none of them are good at winning?

    And unsolicited advice for who to blame next time you're woken up by a shrieking Amber Alert.

    This episode is brought to you by FreshBooks and The Big Story podcast.

    CORRECTION: We stated that cannabis is only available online in Manitoba. It is in fact available in retail stores. 

    Support CANADALAND at Patreon.com/canadaland

    Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

    35 min
  • Ep.34 - Does Québec Get A Pass On Racism?

    Québec’s secularism bill is a godawful tragedy, the NDP’s platform leaves a lot to be desired, and Andrew Scheer is feeling cramped in Doug Ford’s clown car.

    While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

    Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

    29 min
  • Ep.33 - Don't Worry Britain, Stephen Harper Will Fix Brexit

    Who should be allowed to pay for political advertising in Canada? Conservative MP and Foreign Affairs Critic Erin O’Toole explains what’s wrong with the current set of rules. And things have gotten so bad in the United Kingdom that they’ve brought in noted public relations authority Stephen Harper to help broker Brexit.

    While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

    Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

    34 min
  • Ep.32 - You Have No Constitutional Right To An Abortion

    Who better than a pregnant woman and a gay man to walk you through access to abortion in Canada? Then, Courtney Skye, research fellow at Yellowhead Institute, explains what most people missed in the recent MMIWG report. Finally, Justin yells at Trudeau for failing the queer community.

    While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

    “Black Samba” by Juanitos is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

    38 min
  • Ep.31 - Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott

    The two most “difficult” women in Ottawa join us for an in-depth talk about policy, politics, the "most dysfunctional place" to work in the country, and that whole SNC-Lavalin thing.

    While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.

    Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

    51 min
  • Ep.30 - The Best And Worst Election Ads So Far

    Grab a bowl of all-dressed Ruffles and settle in for this review of the first run of federal election ads. Then, a look at what the Green Wave means for Canada. Finally, a recap of the election in Jesse Brown's favourite province: Newfoundland and Labrador.

    Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

    37 min
  • Ep.29 - The Case For Guns In Canada

    Is the government coming to take your guns? Was scrapping the long-gun registry a mistake? Do we need stricter gun laws? Does the Liberal plan to ban handguns actually make sense? We scope out the current stock of firearm laws in Canada and take a look at what's coming down the barrel.

    Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

    35 min
  • Ep.28 - Provinces At War

    With the election of Jason Kenney's United Conservative Party in Alberta, the national alliance of conservative premiers has gained a key member in its battle against the federal Liberals. In this episode, we take look at what's going on in Canada from coast to coast to coast.

    Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

    34 min
  • Ep.27 - Bozo Volcano

    The Alberta election was Jason Kenney's to lose, and with bozos raining down like a nauseating Vesuvius, it looks like he just might. And in the wake of the SNC-Lavalin scandal, there are now 21 MPs who aren't members of the three major parties. How did it get this way, and what kind of influence can they wield?

    Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

    33 min
  • Ep.26 - Jason Kenney's $60,000 Problem

    The Alberta election is around the corner and, in characteristic fashion, it is looking bananas. And we read the federal budget so you don't have to. Plus, an update on the scandal that keeps giving.

    Finally, some serious news from the OPPO team.

    Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

    48 min

About The Backbench

From the publisher's feed

When the group chat’s spiraling and your For You Page is a trainwreck, it’s hard to know what’s real — or what matters. Canadaland Politics (formerly The Backbench) cuts through…

More shows like The Backbench

Ideas by CBC

Ideas

393 Listeners

CANADALAND by CANADALAND

CANADALAND

208 Listeners

The House by CBC

The House

72 Listeners

Sandy and Nora talk politics by Sandy Hudson & Nora Loreto

Sandy and Nora talk politics

90 Listeners

At Issue by CBC

At Issue

107 Listeners

#onpoli, a TVO podcast by TVO

#onpoli, a TVO podcast

9 Listeners

The Big Story by Frequency Podcast Network

The Big Story

81 Listeners

Wag The Doug by CANADALAND

Wag The Doug

9 Listeners

Front Burner by CBC

Front Burner

430 Listeners

The Herle Burly by Air Quotes Media

The Herle Burly

48 Listeners

West of Centre by CBC

West of Centre

24 Listeners

This Matters by Toronto Star

This Matters

17 Listeners

The Strategists by Stephen Carter, Zain Velji, Corey Hogan, Shannon Phillips

The Strategists

22 Listeners

The Decibel by The Globe and Mail

The Decibel

108 Listeners

Curse of Politics by Air Quotes Media

Curse of Politics

39 Listeners

It's Political with Althia Raj by Toronto Star

It's Political with Althia Raj

4 Listeners

Détours by CANADALAND

Détours

3 Listeners