The Boys in Short Pants

By The Boys in Short Pants

What's The Boys in Short Pants about?

The Boys in Short Pants is Canada's newish political podcast, taking a second look at the goings-on of Canadian politics.

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The Boys in Short Pants episodes:

11.03.2019
Episode 80 - And We're Back
We're good again. Awoouuu (wolf howl) Hung parliament am i right folks?
08.19.2019
Episode 79 - Papers Mario II
You already know what it is. See you in October!
08.06.2019
Episode 78 - Warren Peace
The Boys talk pre-election nuts and bolts, and where in the world the Greenmentum went.
07.12.2019
Episode 77 - The Other Place
The Boys are joined by Chris Reed, long time political staff and Senate expert to discuss the "other place", no not that one. . .
06.20.2019
Episode 76 - Cullen' It Quits
The Boys are joined by retiring, long-time NDP MP Nathan Cullen for a wide-ranging coversation. Enjoy! Laurent gets the episode number wrong right at the beginning, also.
06.07.2019
Episode 75 - The Intern's Lament
Etienne and Laurent do a potpourri episode of outstanding odds and ends in anticipation of circling back to big issues. Also Hugo the Intern makes his most striking contribution yet. Etienne's Policy Options piece: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/march-2019/why-expand-the-cooling-off-period-for-public-office-holders/
05.23.2019
Episode 74 - The Salisbury Stakes
The Boys discuss the principle of senatorial subservience, as well as the remainder of the parliamentary calendar.
05.14.2019
Episode 73 - 3 Dumb 5 Democracy: The Second Return of David Moscrop
The Boys are rejoined again by David Moscop to discuss his new book, Too Dumb for Democracy?, out now wherever fine books are sold! I assume. They're definitely in Ottawa at any rate. Two people we discussed without going a whole...
04.30.2019
Episode 72 - The Fault In Our Czars
The Boys dive into the seedy underworld of Officers of Parliament.
04.16.2019
Episode 71 - Is Your Refrigerator Running for Parliament?
Then you better go catch it! The Boys talk about Senate procedure, the fridge scandal of 2019, the Great Border Back-pedal of 2019, and a small assortment of tasy bits. Features no SNC at all!
04.02.2019
Episode 70 - The Budget That Didn't Budge It
We talk about the budget and SNC-Lavalin. Etienne doesn't say the word 'deficit' once. It's a very mellow episode.
03.12.2019
Episode 69 - Nice
The Boys talk SNC-Lavalin, a recent Ethics Commissioner ruling, and ethics in tech and AI.
03.01.2019
Episode 68 - Run SNC
Tom Jarmyn joins the Boys to talk about... all of this *gestures broadly* *Etienne would like to remind you that the investigation into Ralph Goodale's office was never substantiated
02.13.2019
Episode 67 - The Shawcross Redemption
The Big Ol' Ottawa Brouhaha Rundown you've been waiting for, ft. Lavalon the Elf-King, more steak than sizzle, and censorship.
01.30.2019
Episode 66 - Slaying the Deficit Dragon
The Boys are joined by special guest, tax economist and UBC prof Kevin Milligan! Featuring deficits, taxes and Burnaby South.
01.24.2019
Episode 65 - Wild Wild West (Coast)
The Boys discuss the Cabinet shuffle, the BC kerfuffle, and some ambassadorial muffle. Juicy read here -> http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5690694-Plecas-Report.html
01.13.2019
Episode 64 - Radical Pamphleteers!
We are back for a rousing opening to 2019, with a sprawling, possibly self-indulgent (?) episode on the year ahead through the lens of Macleans' big "what's wrong with the left/right" pieces. I will actually put the report in the notes...
12.21.2018
Episode 63 - The Centre Block Cannot Hold
After radical reconstructive surgery, Laurent manages to release a Very Special Episode hosted by Etienne featuring guests Rachel Aiello and Dylan Robertson. See you back in 2019!
12.11.2018
Episode 62 - Beer Monks and Ethics Punks
The Boys discuss NSICOP's report, l'affaire Grewal, and Yukon's new lobbying law. The mother house of the Cistercian order is in Citeaux, France, for those curious.
11.24.2018
Episode 61 - Cabinet Solidarity Forever
The Boys discuss the Fall Economic Statement, the journalism bailout/bribe, and the mercurial principle of Cabinet solidarity.
11.14.2018
Episode 60 - Growers and Showers
The Boys talk about the most dishonourable Member of Parliament of the last couple of weeks, the Budget Implementation Act and the value of partisanship.
11.01.2018
Episode 59 - Ghosting Parliament
In a chilling Halloween episode, the BOOS in SPOOKY Pants talk about the Curious Case of Nicola di Iorio, the Story of the By-Election That Wasn't There, The Mystery of NATO Island, and the Long, Long Budget Implementation Act. OOOoooOOO!!
10.16.2018
Episode 58 - Stand and Deliverology
Former Harper PMO Policy Director Rachel Curran joins the Boys for a discussion of deliverology and the last year of a government's mandate. Also, bills of attainder! The two IRPP articles mentioned: http://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/april-2016/is-deliverology-right-for-canada/ http://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/september-2018/what-governments-do-in-the-last-year-of-their-mandate/
10.01.2018
Episode 57 - Vast Deference
The Boys talk about why Ministers shouldn't be so keen to outsource their jobs to the public service. Plus, updates from NB and QC, and why Laurent wants to have a beer with Julie Payette.
09.22.2018
Episode 56 - Single Session Ale
The Boys are back in town! And talk about the new sitting, Maxime Bernier, The Doug Ford Show, and more!
08.27.2018
Episode 55 - Hail to the Chief
The Boys welcome Etienne's former boss, Andrew House, to discuss the role of a chief of staff in government.
08.23.2018
Episode 54 - Mandate Letter of Heaven
Etienne's off to the Conservative convention, so the Boys discuss that. Plus, what's a mandate letter? And finally, an explanation of one of 2015's most controversial policy ideas!
08.09.2018
Episode 53 - Sixpack Ads
The Boys discuss (what else?) beer. Also, Toronto, and elections near and far (including way more than you ever wanted to know about New Brunswick!)
07.20.2018
Episode 52 - Feeling Charitable
Returning guest David Moscrop joins the Boys for a discussion of the big ol' Cabinet shuffle and a recent court ruling that might end up being Canada's Citizens United. Maybe.
07.08.2018
Episode 51 - Teach Me How to Dougie
The Boys are back, and discuss asylum and the Safe Third Country Agreement, Doug Ford, the Prime Minister's music festival mishaps, and the potential of a cabinet shuffle.
06.18.2018
Episode 50 - Fraudulent Practice of Witchcraft
The Docket's Michael Spratt fills Etienne's comically large shoes for today's episode, discussing phone calls with Doug Ford, justice policy, and parliamentary committees.
06.03.2018
Episode 49 - The Week Everything Happened So Much
Lot going on here. We talk about our brand new 60-year old pipeline, the Trade War, the twists and turns of the Ontario election, the Auditor General's reports, and once again - a cannabis update.
05.19.2018
Episode 48 - The Coen Brothers Visit the Senate
The Boys talk about the bizarre interlude with C-45 and a rogue staffer in the Senate, the state of the Ontario election, and why and how nominations should get fixed.
05.03.2018
Episode 47 - If Your Election Lasts More Than Four Months
The Boys cover the new elections bill kind of, another cannabis update (soon you will be free!) and the goings-on in the House this week.
04.22.2018
Episode 46 - Ganja with the Wind
The Boys are joined by real, live political staffer Peter Farrell to talk about cannabis and pharmacare.
04.10.2018
Episode 45 - Going Upstream
A leisurely stroll around the shock Kinder Morgan near-capitulation, and an interview with the executive director of Upstream, Monika Dutt. (You can read about the UK's carbon budgeting process here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carbon-budgets, and see the implementation plan for the first three budgets...
04.04.2018
Episode 44 - Damn, Daniel Jean
Sorry, this is not 45, I misspoke at the beginning. Woops. Denoueljeanment (Denouement of Daniel Jean), cannabis update/Senate takes, the end of the Trudeau honeymoon. Good beers this week.
03.23.2018
Episode 43 - The Long-Gun Arm of the Law
The Boys welcome special guest, former Public Safety ministerial staffer Mark Johnson to talk about Bill C-71 and the history of gun regulation in Canada.
03.14.2018
Episode 42 - Bloc and Doug McKenzie
Doug! Doug! Doug! Strategic Program Review! Bloc! Belgium!
03.05.2018
Episode 41 - Budget 2018+
40 minutes on the budget. 30 minutes on other things. A surprisingly deep national security dive. This one has it all.
02.25.2018
Episode 40 - David Ricardo's Indestructible Phylactery
CLC economist Angella MacEwen (@AMacEwen) joins the Boys to talk about NAFTA, CPTPP, and why David Ricardo is a deathless sorceror who cannot be killed by conventional means. Also, childcare policy and the next big idea in left economics.
02.21.2018
Episode 39 - Keep on Truckin'... FOREVER
The Boys open up with a passage to India, followed by a lengthy dialogue on the merits of superclusters vs mini superclusters vs clusters, and hit on other hot topics. It's a fun one! (The MP mentioned in the story...
02.14.2018
Episode 38 - Getting Wood (Through the Procurement Process)
The Boys talk Manning Conference, postal banking, the Ethics Commissioner's hot takes, and wood (among other things).
02.04.2018
Episode 37 - On Background
This week, Laurent and Etienne talk Worst Press Conferences of 2018, the Thing, the Weekly Guillotine, a Provincial Update, and our second-ever Private Member's Bill deep-ish dive.
01.28.2018
Episode 36 - Canada, Too
Laurent and Etienne talk Ontario PCs, federal child protection policy, and #metoo. We recognize that as two guys our lived experience of these issues is limited. If you have an experience or story you want heard, DM us on Twitter and...
01.19.2018
Episode 35 - Unprecedented
Etienne and Laurent discuss the Joshua Boyle weirdness, the new Conflict of Interest Commissioner's interesting views on precedent, the CLC/Unifor split, and the regulatory updates you need. Also here is the rankandfile.ca piece Laurent mentions: http://rankandfile.ca/2018/01/17/unifor-clc-split-demands-unity-from-below/
01.06.2018
Episode 34 - Family Related Friends Travel: The Return to Billionaire Island
The Boys go back to their roots and discuss the Conflict of Interest Act, Billionaire Island, and the ennui of the fin-de-siecle flaneur.
12.11.2017
Episode 33 - Chinese Whispers
Trudeau goes to China, and it's weird. Plus, updates to the Ministerial Deathwatch list, and how MPs and Ministers read the mail. No beer review this week because we just drank Founders' Breakfast Stout again. It's good; try it.
12.01.2017
Episode 32 - Audio-Content General
On deck this week: Morneau, an unprecedented procedural shenanigan (is that a word?), cannabis, the Auditor General, and a whole lot of noodling. Ian Bushfield of Politicoast/other things joins in. Also we're back to weekly sodes for real. * For greater...
11.12.2017
Episode 31 - A Silent Guardian, A Watchful Protector
This week, Etienne and Laurent get into Liberal comic book fandom, the TPP, mercury poisoning, and other fun topics!

What's The Boys in Short Pants about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Boys in Short Pants episodes:

Episode 80 - And We're Back

Episode 79 - Papers Mario II

Episode 78 - Warren Peace

Episode 77 - The Other Place

Episode 76 - Cullen' It Quits

Episode 75 - The Intern's Lament

Episode 74 - The Salisbury Stakes

Episode 73 - 3 Dumb 5 Democracy: The Second Return of David Moscrop

Episode 72 - The Fault In Our Czars

Episode 71 - Is Your Refrigerator Running for Parliament?

Episode 70 - The Budget That Didn't Budge It

Episode 69 - Nice

Episode 68 - Run SNC

Episode 67 - The Shawcross Redemption

Episode 66 - Slaying the Deficit Dragon

Episode 65 - Wild Wild West (Coast)

Episode 64 - Radical Pamphleteers!

Episode 63 - The Centre Block Cannot Hold

Episode 62 - Beer Monks and Ethics Punks

Episode 61 - Cabinet Solidarity Forever

Episode 60 - Growers and Showers

Episode 59 - Ghosting Parliament

Episode 58 - Stand and Deliverology

Episode 57 - Vast Deference

Episode 56 - Single Session Ale

Episode 55 - Hail to the Chief

Episode 54 - Mandate Letter of Heaven

Episode 53 - Sixpack Ads

Episode 52 - Feeling Charitable

Episode 51 - Teach Me How to Dougie

Episode 50 - Fraudulent Practice of Witchcraft

Episode 49 - The Week Everything Happened So Much

Episode 48 - The Coen Brothers Visit the Senate

Episode 47 - If Your Election Lasts More Than Four Months

Episode 46 - Ganja with the Wind

Episode 45 - Going Upstream

Episode 44 - Damn, Daniel Jean

Episode 43 - The Long-Gun Arm of the Law

Episode 42 - Bloc and Doug McKenzie

Episode 41 - Budget 2018+

Episode 40 - David Ricardo's Indestructible Phylactery

Episode 39 - Keep on Truckin'... FOREVER

Episode 38 - Getting Wood (Through the Procurement Process)

Episode 37 - On Background

Episode 36 - Canada, Too

Episode 35 - Unprecedented

Episode 34 - Family Related Friends Travel: The Return to Billionaire Island

Episode 33 - Chinese Whispers

Episode 32 - Audio-Content General

Episode 31 - A Silent Guardian, A Watchful Protector