Canadaland

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

Progressive Conservative Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston had been one of the most popular politicians in the country. Mark Carney-level popular. Regina George-level popular. For a while, it looked like Nova Scotia would be Houston’s forever. But now his popularity is at its lowest point since he took on the top job. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with his former Justice Minister turned Liberal MLA Becky Druhan to unpack her striking political turn: how does a senior member of a government go from defending it to deciding the problem is the very government she once helped run? Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Imogen Sayers (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Cappachione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Becky DruhanPhoto: Becky DruhanAdditional music: Audio NetworkBackground reading:N.S. premier defends $53.6-million budget cut reversal, floats idea of ‘budget tour’ – C

For the past four years Canadaland has been investigating a cluster of terrible illnesses in New Brunswick. A group of people were suffering from debilitating symptoms that nobody could explain. Those people lost neurological function. Some lost their lives. What was afflicting them? Was it a prion illness like mad cow disease? Was it somehow linked to shellfish? Might it have to do with blue-green algae blooms or environmental contamination from heavy metals or contamination from the herbicide glyphosate? Was it contagious? Today we speak with a man who was at the centre of the investigation into this cluster of illnesses. Dr. Michael Coulthart was a microbiologist working with the Public Health Agency of Canada. He was the head of Canada’s Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) surveillance system, which surveys all of Canada for prion diseases like mad cow. And he was one of the lead investigators on a short-lived federal/provincial team of scientists investigating what was going on in New Brunswick bef

Journalists and politicians are honouring Robert Fife, who retired after 48 years. Known for his big scoops, Fife leveraged anonymous sources to hold the powerful accountable. But Fife’s brand of “access journalism” also runs the risk of being used as a political tool. Jan Wong joins Jesse Brown to explain why journalists shouldn’t get too cozy with the politicians they cover.  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: Jan WongPhoto: Mark BlevisAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading: Ottawa mayor declares June 11 ‘Robert Fife Day’ to honour veteran journalist - The Globe and Mail Robert Fife gives a candid account of some of the biggest stories and issues of his career - The Globe and MailRobert Fife — 2026 Hyman Solomon Award for Excellence in Public Policy Journalism Hear No Evil, Write No Lies

A gun-for-hire network is revealed after a Toronto Police Officer is killed in a raid investigating a shooting at the US consulate. The network is potentially linked to a slew of shootings across the GTA, including synagogues. Meanwhile, a US Dept of Justice indictment suggests some of these shootings may have been contracted by Iranian proxies. Plus, an update on Canadaland’s settlement with Theresa Kielburger.  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: Jan WongApply to CANADALAND’s Audio Journalism Fellowship at labs.canadaland.comGo to canadaland.com/live  to find out more about our live show, June 18th at the Halifax Convention Centre!Further reading: 'Who's paying for this?': Toronto police believe youth hired for gun crimes such as U.S. consulate shooting | CBC NewsRaid that left Toronto police