Canadaland

Is the American empire officially in its "dying animal" era? Author and cultural critic Stephen Marche certainly thinks so and for the first time in his career, he’s feeling downright optimistic. In Stephen's view, the collapse of U.S. global dominance isn't a tragedy for Canada; it's a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ditch our toxic relationship with American markets, invest in our own sovereignty, and reinvent ourselves on the world stage. Host Jesse Brown isn't quite ready to pop the champagne. Armed with a weak Canadian dollar, decaying public infrastructure, and the words of Leonard Cohen, Jesse steps into the ring to challenge Stephen’s sunny outlook.Will global chaos force Canada to finally thrive on its own, or are we forever tethered to a dying beast?Further Reading:Gloves Off Podcast - Stephen MarcheThe Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future — Stephen MarcheTrump's new 50% tariffs to hit even CUSMA-compliant goods — CBCDo you believe in the Old Canada, or the New Canada?  

Decoding Carney’s climate pivot. Despite the headlines about pipelines and Carney’s offer to double oil exports to the US, Canada’s future as an energy superpower may still be clean and green. Max Fawcett joins to explain why Carney is distancing himself from Trudeau’s climate policies, while laying the groundwork for Canada’s energy transition.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Max FawcettFurther reading: Canada has been sold a false promise of being an ‘energy superpower’ - The Globe and MailCarney says Trudeau-era climate plan was 'too expensive' and 'divisive' | CBC NewsCarney defends new pipeline in face of questions over wildfires, climate - National PostMajority of Canadians support both pipelines, but Alberta-B.C. project is favoured: poll - National PostLe gouvernement Carney dépense 4 M$ pour des p

After threatening to tariff Canada in response to wildfire smoke crossing the border, Trump announces 50% tariffs on a long list of products, ostensibly in response to Canada’s "discriminatory" trade practices.Trump says these aren’t the wildfire tariffs, but are they the wildfires tariffs?Meanwhile, will Canada finally get serious about wildfires as a result of Trump’s absurd threats?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Max FawcettFurther reading: Trump retaliates against U.S. booze ban, dairy with 50% tariffs on Canadian goods - CTV NewsWhy Trump is threatening new 50% tariffs on Canadian exports right now | CBC News As wildfires burn across Canada, Ford government faces growing criticism over province’s response - The Globe and MailCanada Is Primed to Burn. Why Aren’t We Ready? | The Walrus Minister says no

Unsealed U.S. indictments allege that India-based organized crime networks orchestrated political assassinations, extortion schemes, and large-scale drug trafficking across North America and Europe. And according to prosecutors, Canada wasn't just another country caught in the crossfire. It was both a target for extortion and a hub for cross-border operations.Host Noor Azrieh asks Punjab-based journalist and author Jupinderjit Singh: who and what, exactly, are we dealing with? Plus a conversation with Sikhs for Justice organizer Inderjeet Gosal, who says he’s got a bounty on his head.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), T ony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Jupinderjit Singh, Inderjeet GosalBackground reading:International Crackdown on India-Based Organized Crime Gangs Results in 24 Arrests in U.S., Canada, an

Kevin O'Leary is not just a rich Canadian businessman — he's a phenomenon. He's a media phenomenon both here in Canada and in the US. And he's known for one thing: being an asshole. But is he really an asshole? Is it just a schtick? A character? A clown that he plays on TV to entertain us all? Or is it all sincere? Does he mean all of the stuff he says? And if he does mean it, why should we believe anything he says? Is he actually an expert? In life, in business, in politics? We tracked down the people who worked with him as his legend was being spun, including the guy that "discovered" him.Further Reading:Kiddies’ Togs Manufacturing Company Ltd. — McCord MuseumLearning from Mattel — Tuck School of Business at DartmouthMATTEL – How the Giant Toy Maker Fell So Far So Fast — L.A. Business JournalKevin O'Leary: He's not a billionaire, he just plays one on TV — Globe & MailRichard Stursberg leaves CBC — CBCLawsuits in fatal cottage country boat crash involving Kevin O’Leary finally se

Danielle Smith announces a $13 billion Meta data centre in Sturgeon County, Alberta, set to be the largest in Canada.In contrast to Carney’s federal A.I. strategy, which promised clean, sovereign, and ethical A.I.,  Smith refers to the Meta project as a “digital refinery,” fuelled by a natural gas plant that will be built to power it. Instead of digital sovereignty, is Canada going to end up being a branch-plant, resource economy at the service of Big Tech? Plus, the best Canadian films you probably haven’t seen, and Big Tech’s new hiring target: philosophers. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Douglas SoltysFurther reading: Big Tech joins Calgary Stampede oil bash, as Alberta courts data centres | CBC News Meta to build $13 billion data centre in Alberta, largest outside the U.S. | Globalnews

Booze, bridges, and the fog of the trade war.Canada’s booze boycotts are working, and Senator Adam Schiff says it’s unfair and devastating for the California wine industry. Isn’t that the point? Meanwhile, Carney offers concessions to Trump on the Gordie Howe Bridge deal. Did we get bamboozled? Plus, a Wall Street Journal deep dive paints Carney as the leader of the resistance against Trump. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Douglas SoltysFurther reading: Canada’s boycott of U.S. wines ‘causing devastating harm,’ California senator says - CTV NewsRepublican bill targets Canada's provincial booze bans | CBC NewsU.S. “We demand Canada stop this alcohol boycott that isn’t working and also we don’t even care” - The BeavertonOntario runs $8M tab storing U.S. alcohol, as province's plans for stockpile still

Canada’s Access to Information Act was supposed to give Canadians a window into their government. But more than 40 years later, critics say the system is failing — with delays, redactions, and a culture of secrecy. Host Noor Azrieh speaks with transparency activist Ken Rubin, journalist Dean Beeby, and lawyer Matt Malone about the fight over the future of access to information in Canada, and why proposed changes could make it even harder to hold governments accountable.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Annie Tuba (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Photo: Tony WangGuests: Ken Rubin, Dean Beeby, Matt MaloneBackground reading:Ottawa experts raise alarm over ‘regressive’ government proposals for access-to-information law – Ottawa CitizenInformation commissioner 'disappointed' by lack of federal ambition on acc

Canada’s  Assisted Human Reproduction Act made it illegal to pay a woman to donate her eggs in Canada. The goal was to avoid incentivizing women to donate their eggs without fully understanding the risks of the procedure. But loopholes and a lax regulatory system have let a “grey market” prosper.In her investigation Gemma Boothroyd spent months meeting egg donors, doctors, researchers, lawyers — the long list of people working, often unseen, to make a baby for intended parents.Host: Gemma BoothroydCredits: Gemma Boothroyd (Reporter), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Chad Galloway (Audio Editing & Production), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Lucie Laumonier   Additional music by Audio NetworkMore information:What 53 Egg Donors Said They Wish They Knew…Alana Cattapan’s research team’s work on egg donors in Canada Canadian assisted reproductive technologies registry CARTR PLUS annual report The Human Egg Trade | The Wa

Canadian newsrooms are hesitant to embrace A.I. but new tools offer the potential to revolutionize workflows and expand the capacity of individual journalists. Rather than a threat to journalism, Kevin Newman joins Julian Abraham to explain why A.I. should be viewed as an opportunity for newsrooms to create new business models and do more in-depth reporting.  Host: Julian AbrahamCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Kevin NewmanPhoto: igovar igovarAdditional music by Audio NetworkStudents and new-to-audio reporters: Canadaland is launching another year of our Audio Journalism Fellowship! If you’re a journalism student or audio storyteller looking to gain some invaluable experience, this is a really unique opportunity. Find out more:https://www.labs.canadaland.com/ Further reading: Journalists pushing AI into newsrooms

A new strictly Canadian social media platform is promising a friendlier alternative, but is it too Canadian to succeed? Gander Social launched on Canada Day with an ambitious plan to “fix” social media with a bot-free, less divisive approach that includes moderation based on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But, do people really want social media that “makes them smile”? Host: Julian AbrahamCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Kevin NewmanAdditional music by Audio NetworkImage Credit: Cedric FauntleroyStudents and new-to-audio reporters: Canadaland is launching another year of our Audio Journalism Fellowship! If you’re a journalism student or audio storyteller looking to gain some invaluable experience, this is a really unique opportunity. Find out more:https://www.labs.canadaland.com/ Further reading:&nb

 Fifty years ago, Alberta had a chance to build one of the greatest sovereign wealth funds in the world. It could have been a trillion-dollar province.This episode, host Sam traces the full story of the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund: the booms, the busts, and the mistakes made along the way. How did the richest province in Canadian history end up with almost nothing saved? And now that Mark Carney is trying to build something similar for the whole country, does Ottawa actually know what it's doing, or is it about to make the same mistakes all over again?Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Annie Tuba (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Photo Credit: @ABDanielleSmithGuests: Trevor Tombe, Keith BrownseyBackground reading:Alberta government expects $100 payouts to arrive within 2 weeks of applicat

Investigative reporter Laura Robinson and Senator Marilou McPhedran were accused of faking government documents. The RCMP were called in followed quickly by the Senate Ethics Committee. Several weeks ago that committee finally handed down their verdict. For years Robinson could say little about the case. But today she brings the whole story to Canadaland. The story of her part in an operation to save the lives of hundreds of Afghan footballers.Further Reading:A Canadian senator helped save Afghan women. The immigration department called police on her — The Toronto StarDid Canada Betray Afghanistan’s Female Soccer Players? — The WalrusCanadian senator sent documents to Afghan family that weren’t authentic, Ottawa says — The Globe & MailHost: Bruce ThorsonCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Chad Galloway (Audio Editing & Production), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by: Julian AbrahamAdditional music by: Audio NetworkSponsors:

You might not be super familiar with the name Corus Entertainment, but you definitely know their work: Global News, Teletoon, YTV, Treehouse, Showcase etc. Since 1987 Corus has dominated Canadian media across TV and radio, but just last month (June 2026) they reported a $36.5-million loss in the third quarter! With yet another Canadian legacy media company, Corus Entertainment, at risk of being taken over by a private company, we’re lamenting the state of ownership across Canadian media, and what it means for the future of bingeable true crime. Disclosure: At one point, host San Grewal refers to the $500 million deal that the government reached with Google through the Online News Act. Canadaland does receive money through this payout. Details can be found here:https://cjc-ccj.ca/en/funding-recipients/Host: San GrewalCredits: Andrea Varsany (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), imogen sayers (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown

Today we’re talking about Canadaland the company the show.Where is Canadaland going in 2026? CBS, CNN, maybe The Rivoli? CanCon jokes aside, today Sam sits down with Jesse to talk all about the state of Canadaland. We have a new collective bargaining agreement, we have a new Journalistic Standards and Practices document, we have new hosts coming on board.And what new shows are we working on?All this and more. Wait for it.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Guests: Jesse BrownPhoto: CanadalandAdditional music by Audio NetworkFind out more about Canadaland’s Audio Journalism Fellowship programme at https://labs.canadaland.comThis show is available exclusively to Canadaland supporters. To become one, go to https://canadaland.com/join/. 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 at our store, tickets to our live and virt

It's hard not to be swept up into the overflowing joy and national pride gripping millions across the country, as Canada’s men’s national soccer team plays on the world’s largest stage, and it’s certainly an accomplishment that deserves a huge celebration. But as the economic benefits promised by FIFA don’t seem to be meeting reality, we have to ask: are the good vibes really worth the financial risk?Host: San GrewalCredits: Andrea Varsany (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), imogen sayers (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Guest: Morgan CampbellFurther reading: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-fifa-world-cup-contracts-toronto-vancouver-host-cities/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fifa-world-cup-benefits-vancouver-bc-9.7225612https://macleans.ca/economy/the-world-cup-is-an-economic-sinkhole/https://financialpost.com/news/is-world-cup-boon-for-canada-economyhttps://torontolife.com/real-

An Iraqi man, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, is at the center of a major U.S. terrorism case. Federal prosecutors allege he helped coordinate nearly 20 attacks across Europe and North America as an operative of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In a recorded conversation cited in the criminal complaint, Al-Saadi allegedly claimed members of his network carried out two attacks in Canada, including the shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto and an attack on a synagogue.Host Noor Azrieh speaks with terrorism and intelligence expert Dr. Jessica Davis, former CSIS strategic analyst and president of Insight Threat Intelligence, about what we actually know, how state-backed proxy networks and terrorist financing operate, and whether there is credible evidence linking recent attacks on Canadian soil to Iran.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Annie Tuba (Producer), Imogen Sayers (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Super

From Upton Sinclair to modern day animal activists, going undercover has been a staple of animal cruelty reporting. But in Ontario, a court recently ruled that it might be illegal to get that footage, that reporting, in the first place — you can no longer take a job under false pretences on farms in Ontario. Why do animal rights activists believe they should have a right to lie?What do farmers and other agriculture business owners have to hide? And if it's illegal to lie to go undercover on a farm - is ALL undercover reporting now illegal?Further Reading:Ontario’s top court restores agriculture law parts targeting animal rights activists — The Canadian PressOpinion | Meat eaters and animal lovers should be appalled by ag-gag court ruling — The Toronto StarDecisions of the Court of Appeal: Animal Justice v. Ontario — Court of Appeal for OntarioW5: Alleged animal abuse at an Ontario pig farm — CTVCanadian Beef Industry — 2021 Census of AgricultureOntario Court of Appeal Reinstates Ag Gag Law, Silencing Far

In advance of the trilateral CUSMA negotiations, Carney’s relationship with Trump has gone from Elbows Up to Heated Rivalry. Will Carney’s flattery of Trump pay off for Canadians? Rahim Mohamed of the National Post joins to explain why, whatever happens with CUSMA, Carney is lucky to have Pierre Poilievre around as a convenient foil. Plus, politicians get noisy about the Calgary Stampede, and the controversy around the Nakba exhibit in Winnipeg. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), imogen sayers (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Rahim MohamedPhoto: The White House Students and new-to-audio reporters: Canadaland is launching another year of our Audio Journalism Fellowship!   If you’re a journalism student or audio storyteller looking to gain some invaluable experience, this is a really unique opportunity. Applications close June 30th. Find

A tragic shooting in Montreal resulted in the deaths of a police officer, a civilian, and the shooter. Following the incident, Canadian media withheld the shooter’s manifesto from the public, offering cursory summaries of the contents. Rahim Mohamed of the National Post joins Jesse Brown to consider what was actually in the shooter’s manifesto. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), imogen sayers (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Rahim Mohamed Further reading:●     Manifesto reveals alleged Montreal gunman's antisemitic, far-left and 'incel' ideology - Rebel News●     Fallen Montreal officer identified, amid warning of possible anti-police manifesto - CTV News●     Alleged Montreal shooter identified as 25-year-old Alberta man | Globalnews.ca●     Montreal