10/3: Canada Covered

The Toronto Raptors are in the NBA finals. That’s a phrase Canadian hoops fans have been waiting to hear for awhile. Since debuting in 1995, there have been years of futility, followed by years when they seemed so close, only to run into the hurdle that is LeBron James. But now, they’re four wins away from their first NBA title. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice Admiral Mark Norman was ultimately vindicated this month prosecutors dropped their breach of trust case against him. He was accused of leaking sensitive information relating to the purchase of a navy supply ship, but the Crown decided there case wasn’t strong enough to carry to trial. In the wake of his court case Mark Norman broke his silence in an interview with the Ottawa Citizen's David Pugliese. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One newly appointed Senator from Alberta is getting a crash course on politics, pipelines and proper procedure. A Senate committee recently recommended the upper chamber shouldn’t approve Justin Trudeau’s tanker ban, and Senator Paula Simons’ deciding vote sure stoked controversy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re offering you a bit of a bonus. Former federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney is part of a wave of Conservative premiers who have swept to victory in recent months. And in advance of a federal election, Kenney has been sure to use Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a handy villain in his own electoral narrative. Today, Edmonton Journal Political reporter Emma Graney brings you the first part in a limited series taking a deeper look at Kenney’s rise to power in Alberta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Police in Quebec are promising a crackdown after a brazen mafia-related murder. Salvatore Scoppa, the brother of an alleged Montreal mafia leader was gunned down in early May at a busy Laval hotel. In the wake of that killing, and following a string of mafia hits in recent years, Laval Police are teaming up with RCMP and Quebec’s provincial police in an attempt to crack down on organized crime. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette crime reporter Paul Cherry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This may sound a lot like the detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor late last year after Canada arrested an executive with Huawei. The two were formally arrested on May 16 and face charges related to state security. But this is the harrowing story of Canadian couple Kevin and Julia Garratt who had lived in China for 30 years before they were taken into custody. Dave is joined by Vancouver Sun reporter Lori Culbert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dark new details about Canadian serial killer Bruce McArthur have been unsealed by the courts. The details come from passages within some 6,000 pages of police documents on the investigation into the deaths of eight men who went missing from Toronto’s gay village. Dave is joined by National Post investigative reporter Adrian Humphreys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canadian Vice Admiral Mark Norman can declare victory on the legal battlefield and return to his post. The high-ranking Royal Canadian Navy officer will not be heading to trial on a charge of breach of trust tied to allegations he leaked sensitive information about a contract to buy a navy supply ship. The case against him was dismissed in Ottawa on Wednesday. Dave is joined by National Post columnist Christie Blatchford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canola is big business in Canada, but for nearly two months, that business has taken a hit because of a ban on Canadian canola by China. That ban is especially hard-felt in Saskatchewan, which grows more than half of what Canada produces. The Chinese regime says it’s because of concerns over pests, but is likely part of a growing trade war that was sparked with the arrest of Huawei exec Meng Wengzhou Dave is joined by Regina Leader Post columnist Murray Mandryk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A reputed mob boss was left clinging to life after he was gunned down last week in Mississauga. Pat Musitano was shot four times outside his lawyers office, the latest in a number of brazen shootings tied to southern Ontario’s criminal underworld. Dave is joined Toronto Sun crime writer Brad Hunter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allegations of sexual abuse have been levelled against a high-profile Canadian track and field coach. Several former athletes have claimed they were sexually abused when they were 15 and 16 years old, while being trained by Ken Porter, who coached in Edmonton in the 1970s and early ‘80s. He was recently suspended from his role as president of the Ottawa Lions track and field club pending an investigation by Athletics Canada. Dave is joined by Vancouver Sun investigative reporter Lori Culbert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chinese wireless giant Huawei has been under much scrutiny over security concerns and its ties to the Chinese government. It has launched a major charm offensive as it seeks to have its infrastructure as part of the 5G network in Canada. We look at whose minds Huawei is trying to change, how much urgency there is, and what the concerns are about the company. Dave is joined by Emily Jackson, host of Down to Business, the Financial Post's new business podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming April 24: There hasn’t yet been a podcast dedicated to a wide range of Canadian business stories. We want to change that. Down to Business is a new podcast devoted to what you need to know about Canadian business this week in under 30 minutes. Hosted by the Financial Post's Emily Jackson. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason's Kenney United Conservative Party won a majority government in Alberta's election Tuesday, defeating the NDP. Throughout the campaign, Kenney presented a vision of Alberta under siege on all sides. The former Stephen Harper cabinet minister vowed a much more combative approach to dealing with Justin Trudeau's Liberals and anyone else he thinks is preventing Alberta oil from getting to market. Dave is joined by Edmonton Journal politics editor Sarah O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could foreign actors be trying to meddle in our federal election this fall? Could it already be happening? Why would an other country want to mess with politics in polite, apologetic Canada? We look at a recent report into threats posed to our electoral process, The countries we should be worried about, and what the risk to Canada is. Dave is joined by Vancouver Sun columnist Daphne Bramham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Being able to watch what you want when you want it, has helped drive the success of streaming services like Netflix and Crave. But with more services set to come online, Canadian consumers can expect a splintered market of services and more subscriptions to get all the content they want. We look at what sparked all this change, who the new players are and the looming notion of subscription fatigue. Dave is joined by Ottawa Citizen reporter Vito Pilieci. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 7 marked the anniversary of the death of Logan Boulet, who died a day after many of his Humboldt Bronco’s teammates were killed in a crash involving the team bus. Boulet survived long enough so that he could fulfill a wish to be an organ donor, something he was inspired to do by a former trainer. We look at the motivation behind Green Shirt Day and how his parents are hoping to create a lasting legacy out of their son’s final act of giving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living up to one of his key election promises, Quebec Premier Francois Legault’s government introduced its secularism bill recently. One of Bill 21’s most controversial sections deals with religious symbols, and would ban public workers in positions of authority from wearing them. We look at who the ban affects, what symbols are being banned and how some are saying they won’t follow the new rules. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette reporter Rene Bruemmer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just when you think the SNC Lavalin affair might go away for the Justin Trudeau Liberals, it blows up again. Most recently, a recorded conversation was released by former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, who previously testified to the justice committee that she felt she was being in appropriately pressured to intervene in a prosecution against the Quebec based company. Dave is joined by National Post federal politics reporter Brian Platt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Humboldt Broncos bus crash last April killed 16 people and injured 13 others. While several of the survivors have returned to hockey, other members of the team have faced a long recovery. One of those players is Ryan Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down. Over the past year, Straz has proven to be the picture of determination in the wake of devastation. Dave is Joined by Calgary Herald reporter Sammy Hudes who authored a series called Bronco Unbroken. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just who are the people refusing to vaccinate their children? Why do they believe what they do? And why is it so hard to convince them that vaccines really do work? We look at these questions and how Ontario is trying tackle the frustrating problem of the online anti-vax campaign. Dave is joined by National Post reporters Tyler Dawson and Sharon Kirkey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alberta's election campaign is underway. United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney appeared poised to coast to victory. But details of a scandal revolving around his 2017 leadership campaign means his character has become a major election issue. Dave is joined by Edmonton Journal legislative reporter Clare Clancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last Friday, a lone gunman burst in on two mosques in Christchurch new Zealand, killing 50 people and injuring 50 more. The gunman is a self-described eco-fascist who says he was inspired by other white nationalist extremists, as well as a hatred of muslims. We look at how intelligence agencies view these threats, how the shooting may change that view, and how the online community is connecting these individuals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ontario has a new top cop, but the process to replace the outgoing OPP commissioner was anything but smooth. Premier Doug Ford found himself in political hot water after a senior officer with ties to the Ford family was initially named the new OPP boss. We look at why the decision was so controversial, what the fallout has been, and how the Ford government can move past it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With an election looming in Alberta and a federal ballot on the horizon on for the fall, you're going to hear a lot about carbon taxes in the next few months. Whether it's the fight between Ontario, Saskatchewan and Ottawa or the NDP and Conservatives, the idea of the of a carbon tax is a political hot potato. Edmonton Journal reporters Janet French and Emma Graney join dave to dig into the data behind Alberta's two-year-old carbon tax. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jody Wilson Raybould spoke her truth to the parliamentary justice committee, and in the process made some pretty damning allegations about the prime minister, and other high ranking officials. But what ripple effects will the former justice minister’s testimony have? We look at why the SNC Lavalin affair could be so damaging to the Liberal government, where the issue could go next, and how this could factor into the fall election. Dave is joined by Postmedia parliamentary bureau chief John Ivison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bombshell allegations of political interference by top-level political staffers, and even the prime minister himself hit Parliament hill this week. Former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould says she felt there were veiled threats and inappropriate political pressure from people high up in government over the prosecution of Quebec firm SNC Lavalin. Host Dave Breakenridge is joined by National Post politics reporter Brian Platt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quebec’s rookie premier, Francois Legault, promised some major immigration reforms as part of his election plan last fall. But a judge this week struck down part of a bill that would have seen 18,000 applications to a skilled workers program shredded. We look at why the judge ruled against the province, why the move was so contentious, and where Quebec is at with further reforms. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette political reporter Philip Authier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People who want to see a new pipeline carrying Alberta oil to the west coast got a bit of good news last week. The National Energy Board released another ruling on the Trans Mountain project that says it’s in the national interest to get the pipe built. But how far does that get us in the process? We look at what the ruling said, what hurdles the project still faces, and what the delays say about the approval process for energy infrastructure in Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Western Canadians, many of them upset with Justin Trudeau, his carbon tax and inaction on pipelines, took to the highway over the last week. The United We Roll convoy did just that, they rolled from Red Deer Alberta to Ottawa, where they stayed for a couple of days. But the movement did come with a bit of a muddled message. Dave is joined by National Post reporter Tyler Dawson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have known for nearly half a century that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can harm an unborn child. But the rate of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is higher than expected, and could outpace more widely understood disorders such as autism. We talk with Vanessa Hrvatin, recipient of the 2018 Lang Fellowship in Journalism. We look at how great the risk of FASD is, who is most affected, and how myths and stigma complicate understanding of the disorder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Months before a federal election, the Liberal government is embroiled in a potentially damaging scandal. This one surrounds a major Canadian company, SNC Lavalin, that is facing charges related to business dealings in Libya, and whether the Prime Minister’s office applied political pressure on then Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to order federal prosecutors to expedite the case in a manner that would be beneficial to the company. Dave is joined by National Post reporter Brian Platt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to disrupting major organized crime activities, getting drugs off the streets is the easy part. For officers who are tasked with following the money, getting charges laid and getting convictions to stick is a big problem. Dave and Vancouver Sun investigative reporter Gordon Hoekstra look at how big a problem money laundering is, how criminals are trying to move that cash, and challenges faced by the police and prosecutors who are tasked with dismantling these outlaw operations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Admitted Toronto serial killer Bruce McArthur was addicted to killing, says Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington. McArthur is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison for the brutal murder of eight men from Toronto's gay community. Warmington joins Dave to discuss the fallout from the case for police. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You practically can’t go a day without stumbling along a mocking story about an industry or trend being killed by Millennials. But despite taking a lot of flack from Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers, things aren’t so peachy for those born from the early ‘80s to the late ‘90s. Dave is joined by Ottawa Citizen reporter Vito Pilieci. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our police and firefighters and paramedics. They’re the ones who rush to our aid when we’re hurt, or victims of crime, or our homes are burning. And that work — at crime scenes and traumatic injuries and raging infernos — places a heavy burden on those on the job. We take a look how the emotional toll cost a veteran police officer his career. Dave is joined by Windsor Star reporter Trevor Wilhelm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re 100 days into Canada's grand legal pot experiment. And despite a lot of predictions ranging from government blunders to total chaos, is it really all that noticeable? We’ll look at how Canada has fared with legalized cannabis, how the market has grown, what challenges there are to overcome and what the future holds for marijuana in Canada. Dave is joined by Megan Henderson, executive producer of the GrowthOP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the man alleged to be the head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, is on trial in Brooklyn New York He is accused of running an operation that smuggled tons of drugs into the U.S., as well as into Canada. We look at what was being smuggled into Canada, how far into our country the drug operation reached, and at the men authorities allege were his connections in this country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Obviously the sales job offered by former B.C. realtor Howard Chong was solid, as he’s accused of 10 counts of fraud. He presented himself as everything from a Chinese pop singer to a rep for a high-end investment firm, a private investigator claims. He’s also now on the lam. Dave is joined by Vancouver Sun reporter Dan Fumano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A major pipeline project saw opposition swell last week, and no, it had nothing to do with Alberta oil. A blockade against a natural gas pipeline from the Peace Country to Kitimat on the West Coast sparked arrests and rallies of support across the country. We look at who is behind the blockade, what issues they have with the project and what the dispute raises about consultations with First Nations when it comes to energy infrastructure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trial of Gerald Stanley, and the arrest of Eddie Maurice brought the issue of rural crime to the forefront in 2018. Amid the discussion last year, many residents in rural communities said they were worried about an increase in property crime, and an overtaxed RCMP that may not be able to respond to calls in far-flung areas. We sat down to talk about at what drove these concerns, how police were trying to respond, and how rural residents took action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It has been nine months since the horrific crash between a semi-trailer and a bus carrying players and personnel from the Humboldt Broncos hockey team. On April 6 2018, the driver of the semi failed to yield at a stop sign along a Saskatchewan Highway and hit the team’s bus, killing 16 and injuring 13. Now, nine months later, the driver of the truck has owned up for his actions, pleading guilty to all charges. Dave is joined by Saskatoon Star Phoenix justice reporter Bre McAdam. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December month marked one year since the slayings of billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman, who were found dead in their North Toronto Mansion on Dec. 15, 2017. And despite a lot of interest in this case from coast to coast, it seems like there has been little movement on the investigation. We look back at the killings, what may have stalled the investigation, and where police are at in their effort to catch those responsible. Dave is joined by Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MPs and cyber security officials are worried Canada’s federal election, slated for next fall, could be at risk. Like with the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, there are fears that foreign actors could try to influence our next election using social media, or that data breaches could be weaponized for political gain. We look at what specific concerns are being raised and what’s being done in an attempt to prevent outside forces from subverting Canadian democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite many similarities and a shared independent streak, Quebec and Alberta have found themselves on opposite sides in a back and forth over the idea of revamping the Energy East pipeline idea. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette National Assembly reporter Philip Authier. Update: Quebec sources 82 per cent of its oil from North American sources, according to National Bank of Canada. A different figure was reported within the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should consenting adults be allowed to strap on a pair of leather gloves, step into the ring and beat the daylights out of each other? Is the entertainment, and payday, worth the risk of potential harm, or even death? These are questions being raised after a Quebec-based boxing champ wound up in hospital with a life-threatening brain injury. Dave is joined by Montreal Gazette editorial pages editor Edie Austin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this month, a top executive for Chinese tech giant Huawei, Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver at the request of the U.S. Meng was wanted on fraud charges linked to violating sanctions against Iran. We look at the fallout being felt in the wake of Meng’s arrest, whether this situation could have a chilling effect on Canada-China relations, and how tied in Huawei is with Canada’s telecoms network. Dave is joined by National Post reporter Marie-Danielle Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Canadian politics, the legislature Clerk, Sergeant at arms and Speaker of the house aren’t often thrust into the spotlight. But in B.C. the men in those three roles have been embroiled in controversy since it was revealed that two of them have been suspended from their jobs now the subject of a secret RCMP investigation. Dave is joined is Vancouver Sun political writer Rob Shaw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid a fiscal crisis caused by the low price of oil, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley took the drastic step to cut oil production. The move is seen as an attempt to shrink the difference between the price on Alberta oil and global benchmarks. We look at how industry is reacting, whether it will help Alberta’s financial picture, and how federal policy has played a role. Dave is joined by Calgary Herald business columnist Chris Varcoe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

General Motors announced Monday it is closing its Oshawa assembly plant, leaving nearly 3,000 people out of work. We look at what the closure means for the community and what the future holds for Canada's car manufacturing industry. Dave is joined by Financial Post reporters Emily Jackson and Geoff Zochodne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices