Canadaland

Mark Carney heads to Beijing, China, marking the first time in 8 years a Canadian Prime Minister sets foot in the country. The trip comes as Canada juggles Chinese canola tariffs and a seriously fractured US trade relationship. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Vina Nadjibulla and asks if it's even possible to play nice with China? Or whether this whole trip is a waste of time. Plus, we hear from Kelly Ann Shaw, a key architect of the Trump administration’s trade, investment, energy and national security policies in his first term, about the future of CUSMA.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: Vina Nadjibulla, Kelly Ann ShawBackground reading:This will be the real test of Mark Carney’s visit to China – The Globe and MailCarney heads to Beijing as Trump’s America First agenda forces Canada into trade

The U.S. attack on Venezuela roiled Canadian oil markets. Pipelines and crude are suddenly spawning countless headlines. But do you know the difference between your sweet crude and a hole in the ground? And is that hole in the ground spurting sour bitumen? Of course that’s a trick question as everyone knows sour bitumen won’t spurt without dilbit. Right? What do you really know about oil? Given that it seems to be driving so much of our geopolitics and fuelling a large part of our economy, what do you need to know about it?Today we’re going oil school, getting back to basics, to try and understand what’s behind all the crude news.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Featured Guest: Adam PankratzFact checking by Julian AbrahamAdditional music by Audio NetworkMore information:Venezuelan oil could put Canada out of business — The National PostThe Venezuela

Twitter/X’s Grok is undressing people, including minors, but xAI doesn’t seem to care. Now that Twitter is worse than ever, will that be enough to stop Canadian public figures from using the platform? Jen Gerson of The Line joins to consider the future options for an online public square.   Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jen Gerson Further reading: Elon Musk's Grok AI says images of 'minors in minimal clothing' caused by safeguard lapses | CBC NewsFrance to investigate deepfakes of women stripped naked by Grok – POLITICO Elon Musk company bot apologizes for sharing sexualized images of children - Los Angeles TimesCanadian government officials, what are you still doing on X in 2026? | Canada's National Observer  In the age of AI, it's easy to make deepfake porn. But victims find it hard to un

In 2025, it seemed like there was always something to be worried or afraid about. Every day brought about change and uncertainty. So we wanted to know, what pre-occupied your mind in 2025, and what are you hopeful for in 2026?Listeners and Canadaland staff all contributed their voices to this documentary. Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Photo: Tony WangAdditional music by Audio NetworkJoin us for next month’s call-in show! Canadaland's news focus is largely national and provincial. Occasionally we'll talk about something happening in a specific city or town, but local news just isn't our wheelhouse.But there are tons of interesting stories happening in small towns across this country. What's the gossip on your community's Facebook Group? What's the heated discussion on your local subreddit. Or heaven forbid, what’s being talked about on Next Door…Call in and let us know January 29,

What Maduro’s capture means for Canada. Trump’s military coup in Venezuela is a mask-off moment of American imperialism, but will it compel Canada to take meaningful action? Plus, sorting through Canada’s political and media responses to Venezuela. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jen Gerson Further reading: In a national emergency, Canada does not have a moment to lose - The Globe and MailThe arrest of Mark Carney will bring peace, prosperity, and freedom to North America - Halifax Examiner Eric Ham: Canada beware, Trump’s Venezuela invasion is a clear warning shot Venezuela - The Lesson for Canada - Charlie Angus [Substack] The Conservative and Liberal responses to Venezuela reflect vastly different foreign-policy outlooks - The Globe and MailJen Gerson: Nothing's going to happen, and it's far too lat

Nicholas Maduro says he’s “not guilty” in his first court appearance in New York after being captured in a US military operation. But, Canadian politicians and Venezuelan-Canadian Alexis Espejo suggest otherwise. Sam talks with Alexis about how it felt to watch the news unfold.Plus, what do The Notebook, a haunted lumber baron’s wife, a swimming pool scandal, and a knife-wielding intruder all have in common? 24 Sussex Drive.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)Guest: Alexis Espejo, Noor AzriehBackground reading:Canada stands by Venezuelan people's right to decide their future, says PM Carney – CBC NewsProtesters in Canada hold different opinions of Nicolás Maduro – CTV News24 Sussex renovation: Carney says no plans to address – CTV News Adam: A new home for the prime minister is closer than ever — or

One of the most powerful voices in Canadian media isn't Canadian. And she doesn’t work for a Canadian news outlet. Matina Stevis-Gridneff is the New York Times correspondent for Canada. Canadians have a weird relationship to the NYT. In one sense, it's the most powerful newspaper in Canada. It has more digital subscribers than any Canadian publication, although The Globe and Mail has more readers.On the other hand, of course, it's American, and we are living in the biggest transformation in our relationship to America since Confederation. Canadians have changed their travel habits, changed their consumption habits. They want fewer American things, less America in their lives. But that hasn't applied to the Times. Its reach is still expanding, even as the Times has grown more conservative, and even though their op-ed writers have kicked around the idea of annexing Canada. Matina Stevis-Gridneff joins us today to talk about what Canada means to the NYT and what the NYT means to Canada.Host: Steph

Canadaland fan-favourite guests share their predictions, while Jesse and Noor give their two cents. Topics include a Canadian bid to join the E.U., a social media ban in the southern hemisphere, and robot raccoons eating hot peppers.Plus: Jesse makes an informed prediction about the future of Canadaland.This episode uses generative AI for the following purposes: Enhance Speech by Adobe on a recording of Jen GersonHost: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Noor AzriehAdditional music by Audio Network Sponsors: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadalandTo stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland. If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll g

It's the holidays and we are re-running a classic episode of Off The Record this week.Here at Canadaland it can often seem like just one shitty story after another. But it’s not just one more shitty story to round out the year. Nope. This is also a tale of hope, dreams, and IUDs. Every year Canadaland searches for and hires two fellows. Two new audio journalists who join us here and work with us for months to produce their first long form professional audio documentaries. This past year Mia Johnson and Leora Scherzer joined us. They created two wonderful stories on the subjects of human composting and IUDs. Leora and Mia are now living their journalistic dreams as both were hired by media outlets once they finished up at Canadaland.Today we brought Mia and Leora back into our studio to talk about what they learnt while they were here, what was good about the experience, what could be better. And with an eye to the future we also want to let you all know we’ll soon be searching for our new

We're bringing you something different: an episode of the brand-new CBC series The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall.In the 1980s and 90s, Satan and his followers were accused of brainwashing children, sacrificing babies, and infiltrating North American society on a massive scale — yet these thousands of alleged Satanists were nowhere to be found. In the all new 8-part series, The Devil You Know from CBC, host Sarah Marshall (You’re Wrong About) explores the tangled web of the Satanic Panic, in a journey that will take you everywhere from Victoria, B.C. to rural Kentucky to San Antonio, Texas. This is a show about the people who experienced the Satanic Panic in real-time — the believers, the skeptics, the bystanders, and the wrongfully-convicted. All episodes of The Devil You Know are available now. Episode 2: Marylyn RemembersMichelle Remembers is the 1980 “biographical” book that brought the idea of Satanic cults into the mainstream. In it, Michelle Smith documents years of alleged Satanic ritual abus

Canadaland fan-favourite guests give the gift of Duly Noteds for Jesse and Noor to unwrap and judge mercilessly. Topics include secret Chinese police stations, the life and death of a right-wing party in B.C., and Danielle Smith’s French-language lessons.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Noor AzriehAdditional music by Audio Network Sponsors:oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! CAMH: With your generous year-end gift, we can make better mental health care for everyone a reality. To donate, visit camh.ca/canadaland.BetterHelp:  Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.Douglas: Douglas is offering our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at dougl

Noor Azrieh and Sam Konnert look back on the moments that defined Canadian politics this year. We revisit viral clips, media meltdowns, Question Period fever dreams, floor crossers, immigration fights, Alberta separatism, national projects (that may or may not exist yet), and the growing sense that everything is moving very fast… but also somehow not at all.Plus: pop stars, masked singers, elbow-themed merch, biological clocks (obviously).Host(s): Noor Azrieh & 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)Sponsors: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadalandTo stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland. If you

Their stated goal is to manipulate your media and, by extension, you. We’re not flagging a secretive government agency here, not some media oligarch, no one in the usual line-up of Bondesque villains. In fact, many of us love what these master manipulators do. They are, drum roll please…composers! Their work literally underscores much of the podcast world. Their power lies in their ability to bypass the intellect and go straight for the heart. Chill it, warm it, speed it up. Today we meet some of the most influential and largely invisible creators in the media landscape. Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Writer and Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Guests: Darren Fung, Erica Procunier, Adrian EllisPhoto: Ashlea WesselFeaturing music by: Tristan Capacchione, Adrian Ellis, Darren Fung, Erica Procunier, and Audio NetworkFurther Reading:Stinky Rice Studios — Darren FungErica ProcunierAdrian EllisThe Great Human Odyss

The choice between the F-35 and Saab’s Gripen E is a litmus test for Canada’s commitment to decoupling from America. As Carney reinvests in the military, is the Canadian media properly equipped to cover it? Plus, an $18 million CRA chatbox that is usually wrong. Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Rahim Mohamed Further reading: Buying the F-35 Could Be Canada’s Biggest Strategic Mistake - The WalrusDanish intelligence report warns of US military threat under Trump - The Associated PressF-35 beat Gripen fighter jet ’by a mile’ in 2021 Defence Department competition | Radio-Canada.ca The Leaked Report Pushing Mark Carney Toward the F-35 Fighter Jet - The WalrusDND investigates leak used to discredit Saab’s Gripen fighter jet - Ottawa CitizenThe CRA spent $18M on 'Charlie,' a new tax information chatbot

Floor crossers, falling polling numbers, and grumblings in the Conservative orbit. Pierre Poilievre sure looks shaky right now, but will it really make a difference in his upcoming leadership review? Rahim Mohamed of the National Post joins San Grewal to explain why Poilievre isn’t done just yet. Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Rahim MohamedAdditional music by Audio Network Further reading: Pierre Poilievre speaks with CBC's Rosemary Barton after 2nd MP defection - CBC [YouTube]Future of the CPC: A (declining) majority of Conservative voters would keep Poilievre as leader in January - Angus Reid PollThe Numbers Behind Poilievre’s Leadership Dilemma | The Walrus Potential disaster looms over Pierre Poilievre’s leadership - The Globe and MailLorne Gunter: Poilievre Conservatives favour stunts over substance |

United States Attorney General Pam Bondi is flexing the US’s military seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker as the Trump administration deploys warships — and even nuclear submarines — off Venezuela’s coast. The White House says it’s about drugs, but it also signals a broader shift laid out in the new US National Security Strategy. So far, the Canadian government has been pretty quiet about what our closest ally is doing in Venezuela, and about this ominous security strategy.So what is a middle power supposed to do when its closest ally goes rogue? Host Noor Azrieh asks Ben Rowswell, former Canadian ambassador to Venezuela and now a consultant with Catalyze4.Plus: How MP Michael Ma stole Conservative Christmas.CLARIFICATION: In reference to the LIMA group, Ben Rowswell’s position is that Venezuelan political actors were setting their own agenda, and the role of the Group was to align neighbouring democracies in support of those efforts, not to dictate or manage them.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senio

The mystery of who drugged the cast and crew of the blockbuster Titanic is Hollywood lore. In 1996 James Cameron shot part of Titanic in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, when someone dumped PCP into the clam chowder the team was sharing on the last night of shooting. Over 50 people ended up in hospital. There was a police investigation but the case was never solved. Over the decades theories as to who and why have sprouted. These range from disgruntled caterers to vengeful bikers to insurance scams.Canadaland decided to take up the case and look for the answer: who spiked the Titanic chowder?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Julian Abraham (Reporter), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Caleb Thompson (Mixing & Mastering) max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Additional Writing and Production from Rick Courtney.Fact checking by max collinsAdditional music by Audio NetworkMore information:Further Reading:“Grips are doing wheelies in wheelchairs” - VarietyJames Cameron Recalls the Night the Ti

The politics of Canada’s proposed hate crime law, Bill C-9. In order to pass the Combatting Hate Act, the Liberals are teaming up with the Bloc Quebecois and removing the exemption for religious texts in existing hate speech laws. The Conservatives  aren’t happy about it. But do we need to update our hate crime laws in the first place? Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading: Liberals back Bloc's proposal to remove religious exemption from hate speech laws | CBC NewsAnti-hate bill stalled after Fraser’s office brokered deal without PMO approval: sources | CBC NewsCanada’s hate-crime bill must confront the enforcement gap - Policy OptionsFIRST READING: The biblical passages that Canada could list as hate speech - National PostBill C-9 was meant to curb hate. Why is it drawing controversy? - iPol

In 2022, artist Hua Yong died while kayaking off the Sunshine Coast in BC. A former Chinese agent alleges it was a murder. Radio-Canada tells the story of how China continues to target dissidents living in Canada. Plus, India joins the battle for the Arctic and a new low for freelance writing rates. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate producer and Fact Checking) tom sayers (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading: A Chinese dissident hunted by Beijing dies mysteriously in Canada | Investigation Enquête - Radio-Canada [YouTube]A Chinese dissident died suddenly in B.C. This ex-spy who snooped on him says it may not have been an accident - CBC NewsUn espion chinois révèle ses secrets à Radio-Canada - Radio-Canada‘I don’t know who I can trust,’ says Quebec YouTuber harassed by Chinese government - CBC NewsCoroner’s investigation into death of Chinese dissident in B.C. still ope

As Premier François Legault plunges in the polls, he’s panic-legislating: turbo-charging secularism laws, unveiling a “made-in-Quebec” constitution, and reigniting old identity battles that haven’t burned this hot in decades.Then we head west, where B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad resigned after a spectacular caucus revolt. Sam asks him directly: why did his own MLAs want him gone, who he blames, and whether he regrets anything.Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), tom sayers (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Martin Patriquin, John RustadBackground reading on our website.Sponsors: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadalandIf you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium acce