The Backbench

Parliament froze in late September after the Conservatives launched a privilege motion, bogging down the government and demanding the Liberals hand over documents relating to a “green slush fund.”

Since then, the House has been on pause – no bills, no legislation, no nothing. Despite important government matters, this freeze could go on for a very long time, costing taxpayers millions. 

Laura Osmon, The Logic’s Ottawa reporter, joins the show to make sense of this procedural nightmare, and explain how we could get out of this gridlock.

Host: Sam Konnert

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

Guests: Laura Osmon, MP Peter Julian

Background reading:

• No clear end in sight as House of Commons gridlock approaches 2-month mark | CBC News
• Trudeau to unveil GST relief in multibillion-dollar affordability announcement | Globe and Mail
• House filibuster is putting money for military, dental care, and keeping the government lights on at risk | The Hill Times

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

Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more

To claim, visit article.com/backbench and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

Register for Dollars and Cents: The Business of Podcasting on Wednesday, December 11 in Toronto at labs.canadaland.com.  Space is limited.

Be part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a Canadaland Supporter today.

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled a rehauled Bill of Rights with changes aimed at ending vaccine mandates, protecting gun ownership and ensuring property rights–a move she claims as “reflection of our shared values.” But it doesn't stop there, over 30 bills are making their way through the Alberta legislature, so host Noor Azrieh sits down with Ryan Jespersen and Mel Woods to make sense of the controversial changes and make sense of whether or not this bold stand for freedom (or play for Smith’s right-wing base) may alienate other Albertans.

And, the latest on the Canada post strike, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 7 minute video addressing the mistakes made on immigration. 

Host: Noor Azrieh

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

Guests: Ryan Jespersen, Mel Woods

Background reading:

• Alberta Bill of Rights 
• Premier Danielle Smith announces plan to reinforce vaccine choice in Alberta Bill of Rights - CBC News
• Things ‘more intense’ since Alberta policies dropped, says mom of trans kid - Xtra Magazine
• Canada Post, union to return to bargaining Monday after federal government appoints special mediator - Toronto Star
• Why Canada’s changing its immigration system

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

Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more

To claim, visit article.com/backbench and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

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. 

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

Last week, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese landed in Canada, setting off a firestorm of controversy that Canadian politics was not ready for. She’s been accused of antisemitism, refused meetings by government officials, and had her talks protested.

She’s been calling the war in Gaza a genocide, but the big question isn’t what she has to say, but whether or not she was someone anyone should even be listening to.

This week, we sit down with Albanese to discuss the genocide, the accusations against her, and the power of the UN.

Host: Noor Azrieh

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

Guests: Francesca Albanese

Photo credit: AFP pic

Background reading:

• UN rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories says she was ‘snubbed’ by Canadian government - Toronto Star
• Canada refuses to comment on US sale of Canadian-made weapons to Israel - Al Jazeera
• Calls mount for Canada to bar UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese over antisemitic remarks - National Post 
• UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories holds news conference
• 30 Jewish Organizations: We Support UN Human Rights Rapporteur Francesca Albanese 

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

Audible:  Listen now at Audible.ca/bestoftheyear

Canada needs rigorous, deeply reported independent journalism now more than ever. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a yearly Canadaland Supporter today and get three months of perks and benefits for free. 

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

It’s the 60th US Presidential election, and the stakes feel like they’ve never been higher. This episode is a pulse check on what people are doing, thinking, and feeling on our side of that Windsor-Detroit border. Host Noor Azrieh also looks back on the 2016 election and her feeling of powerlessness, and addresses the stakes, impact, and consequences of this election.

And, the latest on Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre’s proposed GST cut for home sales, Alberta’s bill of rights (again…), and Canada’s collective failure in upholding the legacy of Murray Sinclair.

CORRECTIONS 11/05/2024: 

• This episode incorrectly identifies Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu as the President, we apologize for the error. 
• On this episode, the goods and services tax (GST) is incorrectly referred to as the "general sales tax".

Host: Noor Azrieh

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

Guests: Michael Breshgold, Georganne Burke

Background reading:

• #94 Can Kamala Save Canada from Trump? - Canadaland
• U.S. election: How would Harris, Trump immigration plans impact Canada? - Global News
• Organizers for both parties mobilizing to get Americans in Canada to vote - CBC News
• Canadian support for Donald Trump higher than in last U.S. presidential election, survey finds - CTV News
• Where Do Trump and Harris Stand on Israel-Gaza Conflict? - The New York Times

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

Canada needs rigorous, deeply reported independent journalism now more than ever. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a yearly Canadaland Supporter today and get three months of perks and benefits for free.

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

Liberal MP’s have hopped on the #TrudeauHasGotToGo bandwagon after 28 caucus members asked for his resignation. The PM is in a completely different arena than when he arrived nine years ago. So did he change? Or did we?

Vox writer Zach Beauchamp sits down with host Noor Azrieh to unpack what kind of leaders are meeting this moment. What leaders are voters looking for? Are they looking for authenticity or radical change? 

And, the latest on the Liberals’ slashed immigration targets, and calls for a public inquiry over more and more police killings of Indigenous people.

Host: Noor Azrieh

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

Guests: Zach Beauchamp

Background reading:

• Is Pierre Poilievre the Canadian version of Donald Trump? - Vox
• Some Liberal MPs issue a deadline to Trudeau: make up your mind to stay or go by Oct. 28 - CBC
• Trudeau hits date set by Liberal MPs to respond to caucus letter - Global News
• The Reactionary Spirit by Zack Beauchamp

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

This episode features the audio short “Fish Count” by Jean M. Sarrazin (Comox, BC), one of the finalists from the 2024 Local Correspondents Audio Competition, a CanadaLabs initiative.

CanadaLabs, a hub for the next generation of audio journalists, is made possible with the support of Amazon Music, The Perspective Fund, and Canadaland Supporters.

Be part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a yearly Canadaland Supporter today and get 3 months of perks and benefits for free. 

Canada needs rigorous, deeply reported independent journalism now more than ever. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a yearly Canadaland Supporter today and get three months of perks and benefits for free.  

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

A massive criminal campaign—extortion, intimidation, coercion, harassment, even murder—allegedly orchestrated by India on Canadian soil. This is a BIG deal. After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India and expelled six diplomats, Arshy Mann joins host Noor Azrieh to explain the impact and political blowback of these allegations. 

And, the latest on the coup against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, political paralysis in parliament, and how we were right on the money with our BC election predictions. 

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor/ Mixer), Max Collins (Production Manager) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Arshy Mann

Background reading:

• Allegations of murder, extortion, coercion by India spark diplomatic retaliations - National Newswatch
• Pierre Poilievre Is Soft On (Indian Government Organized) Crime - Baaz News
• Opinion: Why Indians of almost every political persuasion are backing New Delhi in its dispute with Canada - The Globe and Mail
• India's response to diplomatic communication from Canada 

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

Canada needs rigorous, deeply reported independent journalism now more than ever. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a yearly Canadaland Supporter today and get  three months of perks and benefits for free.  

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

Shit-posting candidates, climate change denial, outright racism, and those damn paper straws. Host Noor Azrieh calls up Arno Kopecky, Shannon Waters, and Mo Amir to ask what the hell is going on in B.C.’s election. 

And, the latest on the foreign interference commission, pharmacare, and Alberta’s Bill of Rights.

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Production Manager), Jesse Brown (Publisher and Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Arno Kopecky, Shannon Waters, Mo Amir

Background reading:

• British Columbia’s Election Is a Bellwether for Climate Policy - The Walrus
• Opinion: B.C. election puts broader populist tide to the test - Montreal Gazette
• The BC NDP Is Boring Voters. That Could Be Their Selling Point - The Tyee
• What on earth just happened with B.C.’s carbon tax? - The Narwhal
• BC Conservative Candidate Called For ‘Boycott’ of Air Canada to Stop Airlifts Rescuing Syrian Refugees - Press Progress

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

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. 

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

It feels like we’ve never been closer to another world war. If our NATO allies called us, could we answer? 

This week, host Noor Azrieh, with guests David Pugliese and Stephen Saideman, explore whether NATO targets matter, what we should be spending our money on, and if we’re at the mercy of our beefed-up southern neighbours.

And, the latest on Prime Minister Trudeau’s regrets with electoral reform, Canadians choosing to stay in Lebanon and the Bloc Quebecois Pierre-pressuring the Liberals.

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor/Mixer), Max Collins (Production Manager) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: David Pugliese, Stephen Saideman 

Background reading:

• Trudeau should expect criticism at NATO summit over defence spending - Ottawa Citizen
• The Organizations Behind Canada’s Most Quoted Military Experts - The Maple
• State of Canadian Armed Forces' combat readiness growing worse, government report warns - CBC News
• Thinking the 'unthinkable': NATO wants Canada and allies to gear up for a conventional war - CBC News
• Defence industry rep says Canada on ‘hamster wheel’ of red tape as ammo contracts fail to materialize  - Ottawa Citizen

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

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad-free, including early releases and bonus content, 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.

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music — included with Prime.

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

While world leaders meet and Israel’s war on Gaza spreads, Canadian MPs are at odds over recognizing a Palestinian state. 

How much does Canadian recognition really matter? Why are we dragging our feet? Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Michael Lynk, the former Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories, and Mark Kersten, a human rights and international criminal justice expert to find out.

Host: Noor Azrieh

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

Guests: Mark Kersten and Michael Lynk

Photo Credit - Richard Koek

Background reading:

• Canada Abstains from United Nations General Assembly resolution on Admission of new Members to the United Nations
• Government MPs presented a motion to study Palestinian statehood at committee, sources say  - CBC News
• Ottawa-based company is key to keeping Israeli warplanes bombing Gaza - The Breach
• Israel ‘on a high’ after Nasrallah killing, as mood for an invasion grows - Al Jazeera
• Liberal staffers pull support for party in Montreal byelection, citing government's stance on Gaza - CBC 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.

CAMH is building better mental health care for everyone to ensure no one is left behind. This Mental Illness Awareness Week, your donation to CAMH will be matched. Visit camh.ca/canadaland to double your impact.

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad-free, including early releases and bonus content, 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.

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

We’re a week into parliament's new session, and things are getting ugly. Justin Trudeau is trying on a new attitude, Jagmeet Singh ripped up the Supply and Confidence Agreement and Pierre Poilievre is doing everything he can to force an election as soon as possible. So, what are we in for here? An election? A year of mudslinging? 

Our panelists Max Fawcett, Brian Platt and Shannon Phillips try to make sense of it all. 

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Noor Azrieh (Producer), Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Production Manager)

Guests: Max Fawcett, Brian Platt and Shannon Phillips

Additional music by Audio Network

Background reading:

• 'I'm right here, bro': Singh, Poilievre have tense exchange during question period | CBC News
• Justin Trudeau ‘unleashed’ is the Liberals’ new weapon - Toronto Star
• House Speaker calls on MPs to improve behaviour after rowdy question period last week - CBC 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

CAMH is building better mental health care for everyone to ensure no one is left behind. This Mental Illness Awareness Week, your donation to CAMH will be matched. Visit camh.ca/canadaland to double your impact.

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. 

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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