The Backbench

It’s summer time, and Parliament’s been out of session for 2 months. For this episode of the Backbench, host Mattea Roach is joined by an all-star panel of Riley Yesno, Emilie Nicolas, David Moscrop. With updates on stories you may have missed this summer. Did shutting down an illegal border at Roxham Road work? Have we taken any political moves on addressing foreign interference?

We’ll look ahead at what you should be keeping your eye on once parliament returns. With a new cabinet on the hill, what change can we expect? How well is our Conservative Leader’s fresh new look treating him in the polls? Are there any plans whatsoever to address the cost of living crisis?

Host: Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)

Guests: Riley Yesno, Emilie Nicolas, David Moscrop

Background reading:

• Months after closure of Quebec's Roxham Road, more asylum seekers arriving by air
• More and more asylum seekers are coming to Canada. Is it enough to stem a global tide of refugees?
• Conservatives call for committee's foreign interference probe to resume
• The Lose-Lose-Lose-Lose Bill C-18 Outcome: Meta Blocking News Links on Facebook and Instagram in Canada
• Behind Justin Trudeau's Cabinet shuffle
• Conservatives launch massive ad campaign amid surge in polls
• Is Trudeau to blame? Understanding the latest data behind Canada’s housing crisis

Sponsors: Douglas, Athletic Greens

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Despite two catastrophic climate emergencies earlier this year, Nova Scotia has faced yet another devastating crisis - intense flash flooding. Our Scotian host, Mattea Roach, is joined by Halifax-based reporter from the National Observer, Cloe Logan to interrogate Nova Scotia’s climate emergency response. And in the wake of this climate catastrophe all eyes are on the recently implemented carbon tax in the province. Why does it seem like we’re blaming the carbon tax for all our climate related policy failures? 

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Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Cloe Logan

Background reading:

• Use of emergency alerts under scrutiny again after Nova Scotia floods
• Meteorologist says national flash flood warning system would save lives
• 'Complacency' blamed for N.S. struggles with flooding, other climate disasters
• Conservatives slam the carbon tax for adding to inflation, but fail to mention its rebates
• Houston government pulls 'partisan' ads against carbon tax at request of election watchdog
• Nova Scotia has spent $56,000 on ad campaign against federal carbon tax: minister - Halifax

Sponsors: oxio, Douglas, Athletic Greens

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Mattea kicks it with esteemed Backbencher and political journalist David Moscrop at a café in Ottawa to talk about the current climate in Canadian politics, the impact of social media on discourse, the state of Canada’s political left, and are we in for an election next year?

Editor's Note: In this episode of The Backbench, The Black Squirrel neighbourhood is incorrectly identified as being in Sunnyside. It is correctly located in the Ottawa, Ontario neighbourhood named The Glebe.

Host: Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Tony Wang (Marketing & Community Outreach Coordinator), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)

Guests: David Moscrop

Sponsors: Canva, Douglas, Athletic Greens 

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. 

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When Dr. Andrea McCrady first heard the sound of the carillon, she was hooked. Her passion led her to become the first woman Dominion Carillonneur on Parliament Hill where she plays for thousands. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at Parliament Hill and the history of this booming instrument. 

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Tony Wang (Marketing & Community Outreach Coordinator), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Andrea McCrady

Sponsors: Oxio, Douglas, Athletic Greens

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. 

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Former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole has officially stepped away from Canadian politics, leaving behind the Conservative party he called home for over a decade. O’Toole addressed parliament for the last time on June 12th 2023, warning Canadians with the polarization of politics, the dangers of algorithms (their role in political discourse) and his overarching concerns with politics in this country. In this episode, Mattea Roach is joined by Erin O’Toole to unravel the layers of his tenure as a politician. They talk about how he views the evolving landscape of Canadian conservatism, his biggest regrets in office and Mattea challenges him on some of his comments during his final parliamentary speech.

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Erin O’Toole

Background reading:

• O'Toole delivers final address in House of Commons
• Erin O’Toole delivers final speech in Parliament
• Erin O’Toole warns MPs they’re on a dangerous path

Sponsors: Canva, Athletic Greens, BetterHelp

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. 

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It’s Pride month! So we’re taking you back to notable moments in Canada's 2SLGBTQ+ history, so we can remember the people and work that can have made Canada the place it is today. 

The history of LGBT rights in Canada is not as simple as pride campaigns, parades and vibrant gay villages. It’s a history of resilience, courage, and a determination to redefine what it means to be free and equal in this country. Increasingly, we can’t take these rights for granted. 

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guest: Brenda Cossman

Background reading:

• TIMELINE | Same-sex rights in Canada - CBC
• Listen: Trans scholar and activist explains why trans rights are under attack - The Conversation 
• Remembering the 1981 Toronto bathhouse raids | Queer History - Xtra
• Track Two - Enough is Enough 
• The Pussy Palace was more than the raid - Xtra

Sponsors: Canva, Better Help, Athletic Greens

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. 

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Are Canadian policy makers ready for the AI revolution? How effective are our current regulations? what should we be worried about? AND, are immigrants going to save our economy, or break it? From controversial rhetoric, a housing crisis, & more…How can we navigate this immigration conversation?

Host:  Riley Yesno

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Meagan Simpson, Nicholas Keung, David Moscrop

Background reading:

• How will Canada regulate AI? Ottawa will figure it out later - The Globe & Mail
• The race to regulate artificial intelligence - The Decibel
• A new era of immigration politics has started in Canada - The Hub
• No, immigration is not some magic pill for saving the economy - The Globe & Mail
• Why the argument that immigration is the sole cause of soaring home prices is flawed - The Financial Post
• Rural Ontario needs to learn cultural acceptance to stave off its own decline, study suggests - CBC

Sponsors: Douglas, Athletic Greens, BetterHelp

Canadaland is turning 10! From May 24 - June 2, sign up for our highest level of ongoing support for only $10 a month. PLUS the first 100 signups will receive a FREE limited edition 10th Anniversary tote bag. Head to canadaland.com/join to become a supporter!

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A fiery election in Alberta. No, literally Alberta’s on fire this provincial election. AND, a $95 billion dollar lawsuit against the Ontario and Canadian Government challenging a lack of consent around resource extraction and the way treaty rights are upheld. This week longtime guest, first time host Riley Yesno is filling in for Mattea Roach.

Host:  Riley Yesno

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Catherine Griwkowsky, Emma Jackson, Emma McIntosh

Background reading:

• Party leaders walk fine line of an emergency during election campaign, 
• Exit right: How Notley and Smith shifted Alberta's political spectrum
• Can you talk yourself out of power? That's the question facing Danielle Smith in Alberta's election.
• ‘A skeleton crew’: UCP cuts led to Alberta wildfire disaster
• BC battles of mineral titles
• As mining fight escalates, First Nations challenge Ontario’s power

Sponsors: BRYCE@100, Athletic Greens, BetterHelp

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, 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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This week host Mattea Roach is joined by Riley Yesno, Karen Restoule, and Ethan Cox to unpack the The Public Service Alliance of Canada Strike, and the increase of police involved deaths. PSAC has reached a tentative contract agreement after almost two weeks of striking against its employer – the Government of Canada. AND, there’s a sharp rise in police-involved deaths peaking in 2022. What is really going on here?

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Riley Yesno, Karen Restoule, Ethan Cox

Sources:

• Overpaid or undervalued? Politics divides opinions of federal employees’ working conditions & compensation
• Trudeau says government making 'serious offers' to end public service strike
• Data shows that police-involved deaths in Canada are on the rise
• Canadian police used deadly force at record rates in 2022, new research finds
• Paramedic tells inquest he misjudged Myles Gray's race because of severe bruising after police fight
• Doug Ford wants to boost police ranks by lowering the education requirements for officers

Sponsors: Douglas, Athletic Greens, BetterHelp

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases & bonus content. 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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This week Mattea Roach, is joined by Ziya Jones, Riley Yesno, and Frances Bula, to talk about public safety. A few weeks ago unhoused folks in Vancouver were met with displacement and decampment by police and bylaw officers. Who is this supposed solution meant for? AND, transgender and queer people have been facing a new wave of violent attacks globally. What kinds of protections might actually help?

Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)

Guests: Ziya Jones, Riley Yesno, Frances Bula

Background reading:

• Vancouver police, city staff begin removing encampment on East Hastings Street
• National Housing Strategy Act
• Ontario NDP urges legal protections for drag performances
• Drag events in Canada are facing a ‘crisis’ of hate, advocate warns. What can be done?
• Anti-gay activists target children’s libraries and drag queen story hours
• Canada’s federal budget promises anti-hate action, but can the government actually do anything?

Sponsors: Athletic Greens, BetterHelp

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.