The Backbench

The Spy Who Loved MPs


Listen Later

On June 3, a cross-party committee released a redacted document alleging some parliamentarians have been "semi-witting or witting" participants in the efforts of foreign states to interfere in Canadian politics. 


Trudeau says he has “concerns,” Singh says he’s “alarmed,” May is “relieved,” and Poilievre won’t even look. So who’s right about foreign interference in Canada?


To find out, Mattea Roach asked Globe and Mail reporter Steven Chase, Wesley Wark, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and Michelle Tessier the former Deputy Director of Operations of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. We also spoke to Green Party leader Elizabeth May, the first opposition leader to view the unredacted report. 


Host:  Mattea Roach

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Max Collins (Production Manager), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)

Guests: Elizabeth May, Steven Chase, Michelle Tessier, Wesley Wark


Background reading:

  • Trudeau says he has 'concerns' about some findings of foreign interference report - CBC
  • Green Party leader calls on colleagues to discuss contentious NSICOP report in private - CBC
  • Trudeau still not saying whether Liberals were among MPs involved in foreign interference - The Globe and Mail
  • Poilievre is the sole party leader forgoing access to classified report on foreign interference - The Globe and Mail


Sponsors: Douglas, Article


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.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The BackbenchBy CANADALAND

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

23 ratings


More shows like The Backbench

View all
The Current by CBC

The Current

222 Listeners

The House by CBC

The House

62 Listeners

CANADALAND by CANADALAND

CANADALAND

208 Listeners

Sandy and Nora talk politics by Sandy Hudson & Nora Loreto

Sandy and Nora talk politics

88 Listeners

At Issue by CBC

At Issue

108 Listeners

#onpoli, a TVO podcast by TVO

#onpoli, a TVO podcast

14 Listeners

The Big Story by Frequency Podcast Network

The Big Story

112 Listeners

Wag The Doug by CANADALAND

Wag The Doug

9 Listeners

Front Burner by CBC

Front Burner

405 Listeners

This Matters by Toronto Star

This Matters

24 Listeners

The Strategists by Stephen Carter, Corey Hogan, Zain Velji

The Strategists

26 Listeners

The Decibel by The Globe and Mail

The Decibel

141 Listeners

It's Political with Althia Raj by Toronto Star

It's Political with Althia Raj

15 Listeners

Détours by CANADALAND

Détours

2 Listeners

The Paul Wells Show by Antica Productions

The Paul Wells Show

13 Listeners

The Daily News by Nora Loreto

The Daily News

3 Listeners