Canadaland

Host Sam spent a day at Canada's biggest defence trade show asking about autonomous weapons.The good news: Canada says humans must always be part of the decision to kill. The bad news: nobody can define what that means, the US just voted against a UN resolution banning killer robots, and Pete Hegseth wants the Pentagon to be an "AI-first warfighting force."Sam talks to an AI researcher, an underwater robot CEO, a defence contractor who tells it like it is, and an ethicist who somehow remains hopeful. Have a tip? sam@canadaland.comHost: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Jason Millar, Randy GoebelBackground reading:For Canada, the march of the killer robots is getting hard to avoid | The LogicJudge temporarily blocks Pentagon's blacklist of AI company Anthropic | CBC NewsAt Canada’s biggest weapons

Last week, Mark Carney announced his big A.I. strategy. Two billion dollars to support creating jobs, providing free A.I. literacy training, and protection against some of the potential harms and risks around A.I., especially with kids. Oh, and he wants to build a world-leading supercomputer. Canada's leading A.I. company is Cohere. Cohere isn't like OpenAI or xAI or Anthropic or any of those other well-known large language model companies. They're not public facing. They don't do image generation or music generation, or tell you what recipe you can make with the leftovers in your fridge. They develop private models for specific companies trained in part on that company's private data. RBC, Bell, Salesforce, just to name a few. Their current valuation sits at $7 billion. Cohere's co-founder is a 33 year-old indie rockstar named Nick Frosst. He joins host Stephen Marche to discuss Canada's A.I. sector, his band, Star Trek, and those students booing A.I. at convocations.Host: Stephen MarcheCredits: Tr

The Globe and Mail’s editorial board calls the initial reporting on Kamloops residential school graves a “failure of journalism.” Five years later, debate continues over small errors in the language used to report on the preliminary findings of an investigation into unmarked graves. Is the Globe’s decision to address these issues productive or will it fuel denial of the impact of residential schools on Indigenous  communities? Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons(Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Harrison LowmanFurther reading: There is no reconciliation without truth - The Globe and Mail#786 Digging For Doubt - CANADALAND [Podcast]#1362 The Truth About Residential School Graves - CANADALAND [Podcast]The search for graves at Tk’emlups, five years on - The Decibel [YouTube] Kamloops residential school survivors recall students going missing, digging

As journalists, our work brings us to stories that fall into one large category: the public interest. If something is happening in your community that people need to know about, it’s our job to tell it.But of course, there are many other interesting stories that we would probably never publish. So we wanted to hear your stories, the ones that might not be fit for print, but have a good hook, a good twist — something memorable.And you came out swingin’. From dog bartenders to student teacher relationships that allegedly became a blockbuster film starring Judy Dench and Cate Blanchett. Oh, and the COVID police. All that and more.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Photo: Digitally Edited by Tristan Capacchione, using material from Boko Shots and ELEVATE Additional music by Audio NetworkTo learn more about all of our live events, including the upcoming show in Halifax, go to https://canadaland.com/l

Carney’s big address on antisemitism didn’t amount to much. Acknowledging what he called a “crisis,” Carney spoke at a Toronto synagogue, highlighting measures taken to address antisemitism in Canada, including changes in hate crimes laws and a council that will study the problem. Jewish Canadians expecting tangible action were disappointed, so why did he bother?NOTE: This episode makes use of generative A.I. for the following purpose: voice cloning to correct an error in the original recording in which the group Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade was initially misidentified.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons(Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Harrison LowmanFurther reading: Prime Minister Carney highlights new measures to combat antisemitism and support Canada’s Jewish community - Government of Canada LIVE: Combatting Antisemitism • EN DIRECT : Lutter contre l'antis

This is the Liberal government’s second attempt at passing lawful access legislation. Last year, the government pushed Bill C-2, their marquee border security bill that didn’t even make it to committee because of the backlash. But now, Bill C-22 is here, and things are feeling a little deja vu. Host Noor Azrieh asks Robert Diab what new powers this bill actually creates. Why are tech companies, privacy advocates, and our allies so worried?Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Robert DiabBackground reading:The Lawful Access Two-Headed Surveillance Monster: How Bill C-22 Went Off the Rails – Michael GeistLawful access bill could lead to exit from Canada, major VPN provider says - National – Global NewsWhy the U.S. is noticing this Canadian security bill – CBC NewsSignal warns it would pull out of Cana

Trump and Putin both hate Chrystia Freeland. But her ability to unite world leaders under a single banner isn't her greatest accolade.  Freeland is quite simply one of the most acrcomplished public servants in Canada's history. For starters, she was the first woman to serve as finance minister. She helped introduce $10 a day daycare in this country. She was also instrumental in the fall of the Trudeau government, and currently she runs the Rhodes Scholarship and works as an economic advisor for Ukraine. But more than any of that, Freeland has been one of the closest observers of globalization over the past 30 years. She saw its birth as a journalist in Russia in the 1990s, and she saw its death while working as deputy prime minister for Canada in the 2020s. Chrystia Freeland joins us today to talk about that front row seat at the rise and seeming demise of globalization. This conversation is the launch of our upcoming speakers series The Nuance. It's a simple idea: important conversations on co

Danielle Smith sidesteps the courts to ask Albertans a question about a referendum on separation. Carney calls it a “dangerous bluff,” reminiscent of Brexit, and Smith’s question is being criticized as confusing and potentially misleading.Rahim Mohamed of the National Post joins to explain why he predicted this would happen (but he didn’t say it would make sense) and why he thinks Danielle Smith is improvising on the fly, rather than following a plan. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Rahim MohamedFurther reading: Carney calls Smith's Alberta referendum question a 'dangerous bluff' | CBC NewsDanielle Smith tries to blame 700,000 illusory Albertans for her separatism gambit - The Globe and MailAlberta Separation: Three-in-five say they’d vote in October to stay, but half say the question is “confusing” - Angus Reid InstituteDi

This industry is notorious for exploiting interns. Thanks to our supporters, we’ve been able to build a program that does the opposite: pay a fair wage to emerging journalists to work on their own stories, not ours.Applications for the 2026 Canadaland Audio Journalism Fellowship are now open. This is a paid 4-month opportunity in the fall for two journalists to pitch, develop, and produce an original story to be broadcast on our network.Learn more and apply at labs.canadaland.com. Applications close June 30th.Want to keep programs like this alive? Become a supporter before the end of May, and pay just $2. Hurry over to canadaland.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Israeli minister Ben-Gvir posts a video of the inhumane treatment of detained protestors, Canada joins the global condemnation of Israel’s treatment of Gaza flotilla participants, including 12 Canadians. Rahim Mohamed of the National Post joins Jesse Brown to discuss why Jewish Canadians are reluctant to voice their criticism of Israel, and what’s left out of the coverage of the Gaza flotilla. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Rahim MohamedFurther reading: Israel's treatment of detained Gaza flotilla members is 'abominable,' Carney says | CBC News Flotilla organizer confirms identities of 12 Canadians detained by Israel - CTV News  Video showing far-right Israeli minister taunting Gaza flotilla activists sparks global outcry | CNNI was Canada’s ambassador to Israel. Its reaction to the flotilla is undermi

As Canada inches closer to China to escape the US's “global swagger,” do we even know who we're dealing with?As Canada inches closer to China’s “global swagger” to escape the US's orbit, do we even know who we're dealing with? This week, Noor sits down with Jonathan Cheng, The Wall Street Journal's China Bureau Chief, a Canadian who's been based in Beijing since 2019,  to get an inside look at China's current confidence, its trade posture, and what Beijing actually thinks of Canada.Also, Xav Trudeau's "electric" halftime show in Ottawa, a Conservative MP names her grandchild Charlie Kirk, Danielle Smith's refer-referendum, cabinet shuffle rumours, and the controversial surveillance bill that made Signal threaten to leave Canada entirely.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Jonathan ChengBackgr

Ebola. Hantavirus. Here we go again. Tracking outbreaks to see if they are going to spread across the world. Triggering fear: virus, epidemic, pandemic. And a flood of headlines. The locations, the numbers, the details change but the gist of the message is always the same. Keep the disease away from us. But today we meet someone who heard the news of an Ebola outbreak and ran straight at it. Into the hot zone. To the epicentre, to a village in what was then Zaire 30 years ago. Her five weeks living and reporting from that bush hospital resulted in her documentary film Ebola: Inside an Outbreak. The film earned her Emmy for outstanding investigative journalism. Her name is Ric Bienstock and she’s here with her firsthand account of the Ebola virus, how people live and die with it, what it means as a global health challenge, and whether or not this virus is something that Canadians need to fear.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of

CBC is pausing its production of an elaborate “prank show” led by Indigenous creators after outrage online. Critics say “Northland Tales” is political activism that has no place on the national broadcaster.But Ryan McMahon joins San Grewal to explain why pranking is fair game, even on the CBC, and why it would be a shame if the show gets cancelled. Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Ryan McMahonFurther reading: CBC pausing production on satirical Indigenous show | CBC NewsLILLEY: CBC hits pause on show targeting RCMP and conservatives - Toronto Sun CBC called out for role in prank interviews of Kamloops residential school grave critics -CBC NewsCBC-funded prank show’s deceptive tactics raise fraud and legal concerns: Lawyer - The Hub'I'm sick to my stomach': Retired RCMP officer details humiliating experience with CBC pran

Nate Erskine-Smith lost his bid for nomination for the Ontario Liberals in Scarborough Southwest, putting his plans for leadership in question. He’s alleging serious voting irregularities, and that the Ontario Liberal establishment has it in for him. Meanwhile, the Toronto Star publishes a curious Editor’s Note, retracting a statement from the PMO that Carney did not in fact endorse Erskine-Smith, despite the video being posted online. Then, a Toronto Star freelance columnist criticizes the Star’s reporting, and has her column pulled. What is happening? Barbara Patrocinio of iPolitics joins San Grewal to sort through the chaos.  Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Barbara PatrocinioFurther reading: Liberal party under fire as more questions raised about Nate Erskine-Smith’s nomination fight - Toronto StarWhy the L

Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to turn Canada into a defence powerhouse — and venture capital is racing to cash in. Host Sam Konnert talks to defence experts and industry insiders about the new military-tech gold rush, and asks: can Silicon Valley mentality fix Canada’s stagnant defence sector, or are we scaling up its worst instincts?Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Philippe Lagassé, Samuel Witherspoon, Hugo HodgettBackground reading:Prime Minister Carney launches Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce strategic autonomyDefence tech upstart Dominion Dynamics takes aim at the U.S. giants supplying Canada – The LogicThe defence-tech gold rush is testing the limits of venture capital – The LogicCanada's $1-trillion defence commitment:

Elaine Dewar was tough. Contrary. The reporter who wrote an article that brought upon her the wrath of billionaires. It was a piece on the Reichmann family resulting in a $102 million dollar libel case that nearly killed Toronto Life Magazine. She argued against the Bering Strait theory on migration of humans to the Americas. She ruffled feathers with her views on the origins of Covid. Questioned ties between the environmental movement and big business. Those are just a few of the debates she sparked through her tireless investigative works.Elaine Dewar was debated, denounced, debunked. Well, they tried to debunk her. She was sued and she was spied on. She hated, as she put it, "Lying liars who lied." Elaine Dewar, investigative reporter and author of multiple nonfiction books. Born in Saskatchewan in 1948, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer last August, and she died weeks later. She died writing. Elaine’s publisher Dan Wells and daughter Anna Dewar Gully join us today to talk about her life

Everyone is talking about Drake’s new album ICEMAN (except Canadian media.)Why is Canadian media more interested in the provenance of ice blocks than the next chapter in the career of one of Canada’s biggest stars?Drake is one of Canada’s biggest cultural exports. He represents Canada and Toronto on the global stage, and yet at home he isn’t given the same acclaim as other Canadian icons. Writer and Hip Hop lecturer Dalton Higgins joins to explain why Canada hasn’t fully embraced Drake.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Andrea Varsany (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Dalton HigginsAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading: Can Drake’s New Album End Rap’s Cold Streak? - WSJDrake's 'Iceman' Arrives at the Most Pivotal Moment of His Career - BoardroomDrake caused another stink in Toronto after smelly seats he froze in ‘Iceman’ stunt were removed from a Raptors game - Toron

Inside the scoop that launched the Alberta data breach into the headlines.How independent media broke the story of the Alberta separatists' access to voter information.Plus, Danielle Smith visits Carney and makes progress on the Alberta MOU. Can Smith  leverage separatism to get a pipeline?It’s our biggest sale of the year! Save 80% on a Canadaland subscription and become a supporter for only $2/month. You’ll get all of our podcasts ad-free, free access to our live events, and much, much more. What are you waiting for? Go to Canadaland.com/joinStephen Marche will be interviewing Chrystia Freeland LIVE in Toronto in the first edition of The Nuance, a live event series in partnership with the MNJCC. Join us on Sunday, May 24th at 7pm at the Al Green theatre. Doors open at 6pm. Free for Canadaland supporters, or you can become a supporter at the door for only $2 this month. Seating is first come first served.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb

NDP Leader Avi Lewis has a massive task ahead of him. When host Noor Azrieh last spoke with him before the leadership election, he said he had a plan. Well, how’s that working out for him? Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: NDP Leader Avi LewisBackground reading:Are you paying more than your neighbour? It could be 'surveillance pricing' – CBC NewsProvincial NDP leaders react to Avi Lewis’ ascension to federal NDP leadership – RabbleSask. and federal NDP clash over stance on fossil fuels in open letter – CBC NewsHere's the 'experiment' NDP Leader Avi Lewis is trying to run in Canadian politics – CBC NewsSponsors: Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features. Activate a first plan using the referral code CAN40 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data

The Kamloops Indian Residential School made headlines five years ago this month. What followed was tears across the country, marches, statues torn down, and the Prime Minister bending a knee while holding a teddy bear. Then came the counter narrative fuelled by books with titles like Grave Error and Dead Wrong.Today we talk to Dr. Kisha Supernant, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Alberta, who has been working in the field at potential grave sites across the country. What has she found? What is the tone of the debate five years on from Kamloops? And why are there still so many questions?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Julian Abraham (Reporter), Caleb Thompson (Post Production), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Additional music by Audio NetworkFact checking by Kallan LyonsSponsors: oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.caArticle: Art