CANADALAND

Canada has a nuclear problem... a nuclear waste problem. Since the dawn of nuclear power technology, solutions to waste have all been remarkably temporary given the longevity of the danger the material presents. For decades, the hunt for a solution has spanned across provinces — even across countries. But the hope is that by 2023 Canada will have found a home - and permanent solution - for all of the country's nuclear waste.This endeavor is pitting neighbour against neighbour — community against community. And the stakes are high for the future of the nuclear industry.CANADALAND senior producer Sarah Lawrynuik ventures to Northwestern Ontario to bring you this story.Further reading:Small northwestern Ontario town considers if it's willing to house nuclear waste from across Canada, CBC NewsHolding in the deep: What Canada wants to do with its decades-old pileup of nuclear waste, The NarwhalNuclear's Role in Canada's Low-Carbon Future?, Energy vs Climate podcast30,000 shipments of nuclear waste would move through Ontario cities, farmland under draft plan, CBC NewsHow to build a nuclear warning for 10,000 years' time, BBC News Support Canadaland at canadaland.com/joinSponsors: Rotman Executive Leadership Online, PolicyMe, Dispatch CoffeeAdditional Music is by Audio NetworkSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hunger for stories about Toronto's snow backfires. And when a story is about a hostage situation at a synagogue, why is there reluctance to call it antisemitism?Canadaland contributing editor Danielle Paradis co-hosts.Links: A tribute to CBC Edmonton's radio host Adrienne PanCBC's piece on Texas Synagogue HostagesSponsors: Zensurance, Hot Docs Podcast Festival, Freshbooks, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a mystery disease that's plaguing people in New Brunswick. It starts with some muscle pain or spasms, before basic tasks like reading become impossible. For many, the disease progresses to full-blown dementia. For patients and families, government response has proven to be lackluster and desperation and frustration is taking hold as the search for answers drags on.Further reading:Whistleblower warns baffling illness affects growing number of young adults in Canadian province, Leyland Cecco, The GuardianNew Brunswick monitoring more than 40 cases of unknown neurological disease, CBC NewsN.B. health minister questions validity of mysterious neurological disease after report, Global NewsNew Brunswick's Mystery Disease: Why Did the Province Shut Out Federal Experts?, The WalrusNo longer a sure thing: Records show how N.B. investigation into mystery illness changed over time, CBC NewsHelp Gabrielle battle unknown neurological disease, GoFundMeSupport Canadaland at canadaland.com/joinSponsors: Zensurance, Rotman School of Management, Hello Fresh, ArticleAdditional Music is by Audio NetworkSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Healthcare workers against pandemic restrictions tell on themselves by suing for libel. And two Haitian journalists die reporting for a Montreal online radio station. Columnist Emilie Nicolas co-hosts. Links:Gofundme page for the Haitian journalists' familiesSponsors: Policy Me, Dispatch Coffee, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A CBC employee resigned from the public broadcaster because she says it's become too woke.The article she wrote about her departure has caused quite the buzz since it dropped. The National Post put it on the front page of the paper. Fox News, America reporter Glenn Greenwald, the British Daily Mail, and Canada's Leader of the Opposition Erin O'Toole have all wanted a piece of this story.But who the heck is the author, Tara Henley? And is any of this criticism warranted? Or is it a feeding frenzy for conservatives who are eager to jump on the "defund the CBC" bandwagon?Further reading:Speaking Freely: Why I resigned from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Tara Henley, Substack'CBC produces clickbait that's a parody of the student press': Senior journalist quits broadcaster over its 'radical political agenda', 'woke worldview' and belief 'that some races are more relevant to the public conversation than others', Daily MailWOKE NIGHTMARE: In her first chat, Tara Henley sounds off on CBC's radical editorial agenda, Toronto SunCanadian journalist quit CBC over woke ‘radical political agenda', New York Post Sponsors: Rotman School of Management's Executive Leadership Online, Policy Me, DispatchAdditional Music is by Audio Network.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Publishing record COVID case counts might not be that helpful anymore. And a woman quits the CBC to start her own thing and Jesse isn't sure how to feel about it. Writer Nora Loreto co-hosts.Sponsors: Freshbooks, PolicyMe, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After we turn off our microphones, here at CANADALAND, it would be great to think we brought you the definitive version of the story. But what actually happens is that life keeps on rolling and stories continue to add new chapters.Three stories CANADALAND originally aired in 2021 demanded that we add another chapter to the story we told.First, the case of pretendians and how Indigenous identity has been co-opted by people who are not, in fact, Indigenous.Second, the story of MindGeek, Canada's largest tech company, that is known the world over for its porn platforms, like Porn Hub. When last we left the company, they were under a fair amount of scrutiny...And lastly, in October, we brought you the story of Madeline who was considering medically-assisted death once she ran out of money for the expensive treatments she needed to manage her life-long disease. What ever happened to her?Further Reading:How disgraced health expert Carrie Bourassa passed as Indigenous for years, New York PostUniversities across Canada addressing Indigenous identity fraud in wake of Carrie Bourassa investigation, CBC NewsQuebec Ink: Inside ‘Project Narsil,' a Canadian cannabis entrepreneur's bid for porn giant MindGeek, Martin Patriquin, The LogicMindGeek payouts to owners grew amid scrutiny over illegal content, new filings show, The LogicMadeline's GoFundMe page Support Canadaland at canadaland.com/join or gift a subscription to someone else by visiting canadaland.com/gift.Sponsors: Dispatch, Rotman School of ManagementAdditional Music by Audio NetworkSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Short Cuts is off this week, so we are sharing an absolutely shocking story from Commons' current season on mining in Canada. For a century, Canada was one of the world's leading exporters of asbestos, most of it mined from the small town of Asbestos, Quebec. But during that time, governments and corporations in Canada did everything they could to hide the fact that asbestos is deadly.They went to extraordinary lengths — secret organ smuggling, corporate-supervised police torture — to keep the ugly truth from the world.Today, there's no longer a town called Asbestos, QC. But more people than ever are dying from what was mined out of the ground there. Featured in this episode: Heidi von Palleske, Jessica van Horssen, Tavia Grant (The Globe and Mail)To learn more:A Town Called Asbestos: Environmental Contamination, Health, and Resilience in a Resource Community by Jessica van Horssen“No Safe Use: The Canadian Asbestos Epidemic” by Tavia Grant in The Globe and Mail“Asbestos: Canada's Dirty Secret” by CBC's Fifth EstateSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People might take holidays, but the news doesn't. The best, worst, and funniest stories from reporters working Christmas in the newsroom.This might be an earth-shattering concept... but the CANADALAND team is taking a week off for the holidays. The office is closed. No one is here. However, in newsrooms across the country, that is not the case. For your holidays listening needs, here are stories from reporters who have worked Christmas in their newsrooms. It's the good, the bad and the funny. Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justin Trudeau tells-all in his revealing year-end interview, oh wait, he just stuck to the same old talking points. And yes, we're still going on about Omicron. Data journalist David Weisz co-hosts. Links:CBC Year-End Interview with PMCTV Year-End Interview with PMCity News Year-End Interview with PMGlobe & Mail piece re: Niagara police constableSponsors: Douglas, PolicyMe, Freshbooks, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He's the academic expert people love to hate. But he considers stirring the pot his moral duty. This week, CANADALAND brings you a profile of Amir Attaran.Amir Attaran might not be a name you know off the top of your head, but if you listen or read Canadian media, you've definitely come across him before.He is a professor at both the University of Ottawa law school and also its School of Epidemiology and Public Health. He's got a PhD in immunology from Oxford, along with a law degree from UBC.Attaran has been a real sh*t disturber throughout the pandemic, criticizing all levels of government for their public health responses, but he liked stirring the pot long before COVID-19 reared its head. He makes the case that it is his duty.The Prime Minister scolded him. Twitter deplatformed him. Journalists have largely stopped calling him… Well, that is, except for us. Support Canadaland at canadaland.com/join or gift a subscription to someone else at canadaland.com/gift. Sponsors: Policy Me, DouglasSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The media is scaring the bejesus out of us about the Omicron variant, but being on perpetual high alert can backfire. And the case against feeding the hungry. Writer, activist and podcaster Nora Loreto co-hosts. Links:Toronto Star piece re: OmicronBlacklocks Reporter piece re: Minister Anita Anand's husbandNational Post: Capitalist ManifestoToronto Star piece re: Food BanksNora Loreto's book, Spin Doctors: How Media and Politicians Misdiagnosed the COVID-19 Pandemic.Sponsors: Kilne, Squarespace, Manscaped, HelloFreshSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 16, the day the restaurants died. Or did they? Food industry writer, Corey Mintz, dissects what COVID-19 and the rise of third-party delivery apps have meant for the industry and our culture surrounding food.Further reading:The Next Supper, Corey Mintz, PublicAffairs BooksThe truth about Uber Eats, DoorDash and Skip the Dishes, Corey Mintz, Maclean'sYou can support Canadaland at canadaland.com/join or you can gift an ad-free subscription to a friend or family member by visiting canadaland.com/gift. Sponsors: Kilne, Douglas and ArticleSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Indigenous delegation headed to the Vatican was canceled and the media seems most focused on a papal apology. And is coverage of the Ring of Fire simply echoing the Conservative party lines? Ryan McMahon sits in for Jesse this week with co-host Pam Palmater.Links:CAJ Diversity study CBC Indigenous piece re: Vatican visit  Toronto Star Local Journalism Initiative piece re: Vatican visit  CBC piece re: Ring of Fire Sponsors: Douglas, Kilne, Squarespace,Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amber Bracken and Michael Toledano are freelance journalists who were arrested by RCMP officers on the morning of Nov. 19, 2021 while they were covering the demonstrations of Wet'suwet'en people and hereditary chiefs against the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline. The standoff on unceded territory was the top news story of 2020, until the pandemic hit. But since then, coverage has waned and in-depth looks have largely been left to freelancers and smaller independent news outlets that have fewer resources to fight charges in court.If the state police lock up members of the press for doing their jobs, can we really call Canada's media a free press?Amber Bracken and Michael Toledano join Jesse to dig into it.Further reading: RCMP arrest journalists, matriarchs and land defenders following Gidimt'en eviction of Coastal GasLink, The NarwhalVideo footage shows RCMP Wet'suwet'en raid, Michael Toledano for CBC NewsRCMP tracked photojournalist Amber Bracken in active investigations database, The NarwhalAmber Bracken honoured by Canadian Association of Journalists for Wet'suwet'en coverage, (June 2020) The NarwhalCanada's Supreme Court recognizes Wet'suwet'en law. So how is Coastal GasLink moving ahead?, National ObserverSponsors: Kilne, Douglas, FreshbooksSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest COVID variant offers mixed messaging about the severity of the virus. And an obituary to memorialize an alleged murderer does not sit right with Jesse and at least one of our listeners. Veteran journalist and freelance obituary writer Fred Langan co-hosts. Links:Daniel Schlafman's death notice can be found hereRadio-Canada's piece re: their deaths (French)Global News' report re: their deathsSponsors: Kilne, Squarespace, ManscapedSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support our work at canadaland.com/joinDid an Instagram account kill a vulnerable teenager? 6ixBuzz has unparalleled clout in Toronto with young audiences and it used that influence to make "Debby Gang" or "Debby Parkway" (real name Alexis Matos) a certain brand of local celebrity — the kind that is repeatedly filmed when spotted on the street, and is then is the subject of mockery and scorn.When Alexis Matos died of an apparent fentanyl overdose, hundreds immediately blamed 6ixBuzz and called for its cancellation. But is what 6ixBuzz does any different than how traditional media exposes and exploits people?Further Reading:The Secret Life of 6ixBuzz, in Toronto Life by Nichole JankowskiBullying, exploitation accusations follow death of homeless teen 'internet star', in the Toronto SunSponsors: Kilne, Policy Me, Manscaped, ArticleAdditional music by Audio NetworkSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The struggle against Coastal Gaslink was bigger news this week because journalists got arrested. And even CBC can't seem to avoid the wrath of covering WE Charity. Canadaland contributing editor Danielle Paradis co-hosts. Links:A rare Editor's Note from the CBC on covering WE CharitySince the time of recording, the CBC posted on Facebook saying Michael Toledano had been commissioned by CBC's The Passionate Eye to film a documentary at the time of his arrest.Sponsors: Kilne, Douglas, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support our work at canadaland.com/joinFailure to protect hundreds of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Violent arrests at Wet'suwet'en and Fairy Creek. And now, Portapique. In recent years, controversy has hounded Canada's storied national police force. Reporter Jane Gerster has made it her mission to understand why these problems are happening, and she says that the Mounties  -  which originated as a paramilitary force to defend Canada's interests in the West -  must grapple with the nature of the institution if they can ever hope to be reformed.  Further reading:Jane Gerster's latest piece in the Walrus, “The Dark Side of the RCMP,”Jane Gerster's story in Vice about Kystle KnottCBC's Mounties on Duty: A History of the RCMPThe RCMP is Broken by Stephen MaherAdditional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: PolicyMe, DouglasSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support our work at canadaland.com/join As British Columbia assesses the damage from the downpour, what is the media's role when disaster strikes? And Jian Ghomeshi's lawyer is back in the news over a controversy but is Jesse too close to the story to critique it? National Observer columnist Sandy Garossino co-hosts. Sponsors: Douglas, Kilne, HelloFreshSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support Canadaland at canadaland.com/joinOn the heels of COP26, Jesse heads back to school as he and his new senior producer, Sarah Lawrynuik, duke it out over whether climate change is either a) boring or b) the most exciting story ever told. Sarah takes Jesse through the psychological factors at play, the history, the politics and the morality of the climate crisis, while making her case for the latter. Will Canadaland move forward with stories about climate change? Listen to find out.Further reading:Washington Post: At COP26, nations speed climate action but leave world still headed for dangerous warmingPer Espen Stoknes's book What We Think About When We Try Not To Think About Global WarmingKatharine Hayhoe's book Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided WorldDaniel Kahneman's book Thinking Fast and SlowNaomi Oreskes' book Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Climate ChangeKelly Levin, Benjamin Cashore et al. peer reviewed paper Overcoming the tragedy of super wicked problems: constraining our future selves to ameliorate global climate changeCarbon Brief breaks down the Nine key moments that changed China's mind about climate changeStephen Gardiner's book A Perfect Moral Storm: The Ethical Tragedy of Climate ChangeAdditional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: Douglas, Freshbooks, Article, and SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support Canadaland at www.canadaland.com/joinA veteran Black columnist at The Star calls out Desmond Cole's activism out of nowhere. And CBC officially closes the comment section on Facebook. Writer Ish Aderonmu co-hosts.Links:Ish's award-winning piece in Toronto LifeThe Toronto Star column from Royson James discussed in segment 1 (paywalled) Kate Dubinski's piece on the call for more investment into legal aidDavid Pugliese's piece in The Ottawa Citizen on Canadian officials who met with neo-Nazis in UkraineCBC's announcement on closing Facebook commentsSponsors: Douglas, Kilne, PolicyMeSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support Canadaland at canadaland.com/joinA new breed of hyper-connected, steroid-abusing, gender-bending, "entitled" thugs are changing the landscape of organized crime in Canada, according to veteran crime reporters Peter Edwards and Luis Najera. Also, the Mexican Cartels are here with them. Further Reading: The Wolfpack, by Peter Edwards and Luis NajeraAdditional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: Douglas, Kilne, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support our work at www.canadaland.com/joinThe 'saying-stuff business' gets some clarity from different courts regarding what one can and cannot express online; the results may surprise you. And former prime minister Jean Chrétien gets the media to let him off the hook for his involvement with residential schools for a brief moment. Columnist and Canadaland's French-language correspondent Emilie Nicolas co-hosts. Links:Full Tout le monde en parle Jean Chrétien segment here (14~ min mark for the discussion re: residential schools);Full Tout le monde en parle author Michel Jean segment here (where Jean challenges some of Chrétien's comments at 3:30~);Sponsors: Douglas, Kilne, FreshbooksSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support Canadaland hereWho are the Rogers family? How did they get so powerful? Why have they turned against one another? And what does it matter? We've spent a week immersed in Rogers history to bring you this unofficial narrative of Canada's telecom overlords. Further reading:Kelly Pullen's 2014 story in Toronto Life on the "ruthless" power struggle at Rogers: https://torontolife.com/from-the-archives/edward-rogers-the-man-who-would-be-king/Ted Rogers' last interview, with Alan Gregg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B-hlNXKYZ0Ted Rogers' Anniversary novelty song: https://vimeo.com/95189390The Globe and Mail's best (and perhaps only) headline about a significant butt-dial: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-rogers-ceo-joe-natale-learned-of-edward-rogerss-plan-to-oust-him/Ted Rogers' Autobiography, "Relentless" - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00E7S2P9AHigh Wire Act: Ted Rogers and the Empire that Debt Built, by Caroline Van Hasselt : https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003E8AJRESponsorsDouglas, Article, Squarespace, Dispatch Coffee Additional Music by Audio NetworkSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support us here: https://canadaland.com/joinAnti-trans narratives found its way into three different media organizations this past week. And everybody appears to hate Rogers - even the Rogers. Staff Writer at Xtra Magazine Mel Woods co-hosts.Links:Mel's piece on concerning anti-trans narrativesTrans Journalists Association's Style GuideJezebel's piece on that groupchatThe Guardian piece on the Twitter algorithmThe Washington Post piece on Facebook's 'angry reaction'We weren't kidding about that Bloomberg headlineThis episode is brought to you by Douglas, Squarespace, and Article.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support us here: https://canadaland.com/joinRight now there are people who are choosing medically assisted death, because they don't have enough money to get the care they need to live with dignity.Changes to Canada's medical assistance in dying (MAiD), combined with lack of supports and poverty-level benefits for disabled and chronically ill people have resulted in people seeking assisted death because they can't afford to live.Madeline, a BC woman who describes herself as being on a “death clock”, is one of many Canadians facing that choice. And legislators are now pushing for a further expansion of MAiD - while disability supports remain unchanged.Further reading: Madeline's Go Fund MeThe next national apology: Future Canadians might regret expansion of medically assisted dying laws by Dr. Sonu GaindDying for the right to live by Gabrielle Petersmyelasticheart on TikTok I AM MADELINE podcast Additional music by Audio Network Sponsors: Kilne, Douglas, and  SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support us here: https://canadaland.com/joinAsking how much fuel in drinking water is safe is just not the right question. And mannequins in the ICU beds of a CBC story sparks a fact check from Reuters. Ryan McMahon cohosts.Links:CBC Edmonton's mannequin storyReuters Fact Check of CBC's story and the reaction the story sparkedThis episode is supported by Douglas, Kilne and Freshboooks.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support us here: https://canadaland.com/joinRaging wildfires are now a normal part of summertime in Canada. Climate change comes at you fast, but the impact of these fires is far from equal across different regions. Those most likely to have to flee their homes are Indigenous people, and this disproportionate risk is only growing. The number of evacuees from First Nation reserves doubled over the last decade. Producer Sarah Lawrynuik travels to a remote Manitoba community to look at what fire has done to one community, and examines the implications for tens of thousands of other people in the years to come. Further Reading:Social science research on Indigenous wildfire management in the 21st century and future research needs (Amy Cardinal Christianson) - https://www.publish.csiro.au/WF/pdf/WF13048Indigenous fire teams in Sask. aim for bigger role after B.C. blazes - https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/indigenous-fire-teams-in-sask-aim-for-bigger-role-after-b-c-blazesU of S prof studies impact of fire evacuations on First Nations (2015) - https://www.ckom.com/2015/07/17/u-of-s-prof-studies-impact-of-fire-evacuations-on-first-nations/From the Ashes: Reimagining Fire Safety and Emergency Management in Indigenous Communities: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/421/INAN/Reports/RP9990811/inanrp15/inanrp15-e.pdf The art of fire: reviving the Indigenous craft of cultural burning: https://thenarwhal.ca/indigenous-cultural-burning/ Additional music by Audio NetworkSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The woes of fancy restaurants across Canada have been percolating - Who are we supposed to relate to? And the saga of the New York Times hit podcast comes to a close. Writer and restaurant-owner Jen Agg co-hosts. Links:Globe and Mail's piece on Canadian fine dining strugglingFinancial Post's piece about Mark McEwan Chris Nuttall-Smith's Toronto Life piece on the fall of the Buca EmpireNew York Times' Ian Austen on Shehroze Chaudhry's dropped chargesThis episode is brought to you by Douglas, Dispatch Coffee, and HelloFresh.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Virologist Angela Rasmussen listened to a recent Canadaland about the origins of COVID-19 and says we had it all wrong. Today she walks Jesse through the science and explains why the lab-leak theory remains highly improbable, what she feels previous guest Elaine Dewar got wrong, and how journalists should cover science during a pandemic and otherwise. Further Reading: The origins of SARS-CoV-2: A critical review, by Dr. Angela Rasmussen, et al.  Sponsors: Kilne, Douglas, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jesse was not on board with #CdnMediaFailed when it came to the story on Trudeau in Tofino. And attacks on journalists might be more of a Canadian problem than we care to admit. CBC Managing Editor of Investigative Karyn Pugliese cohosts.Links:Karyn duly noted The Current's segment feat. Natasha Reimer-OkemowKaryn references this 2020 report on Canadian activity on far-right forums (CBC piece on it here)Shree Paradkar's Star column on attacks on journalists as a workplace issueThis episode is supported by Douglas, Dispatch, and Freshbooks.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a question that has dogged the PPC since its inception. A question that leader Maxime Bernier blasted journalists for even coming close to asking.One People's Party supporter spoke to our Backbench host Fatima Syed on why he believed the party was not racist, just like he wasn't. He is one of over 800,000 Canadians who just voted for the PPC in the last election. Surely, they can't all be racist either?In our attempt to answer that question, we found a startling string of connections between the PPC and white supremacist groups - and evidence that suggests the party is being used by these groups to accomplish their own goals.This episode is sponsored by Kilne, Squarespace, and Article.Additional music by Audio NetworkSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig shows what China really thinks about Canada. And Maxime Bernier asks his followers to "play dirty" with reporters. Jan Wong co-hosts.Watch the Waipa District Council finance and corporate committee Zoom meeting hereThis episode is sponsored by FreshBooks, Hover and DouglasSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The lab-leak theory has more evidence supporting it than ever before. Journalist Elaine Dewar has written a new book documenting little-known scientific evidence and acts of deception and obfuscation from Chinese, American, and Canadian officials. So what exactly were they all trying to hide?Further reading:On the Origin of the Deadliest Pandemic in 100 YearsGlobe and Mail: Chinese Major-General worked with fired scientist at Canada's top infectious disease labVanity Fair: The Lab-Leak Theory: Inside the Fight to Uncover COVID-19's OriginsThe Intercept: Leaked Grant Proposal Details High-Risk Coronavirus Research  Sponsors: Douglas, PolicyMe, SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look back on the coverage of an absolutely underwhelming, demoralizing election. And we contend with a troubling aspect of Norm Macdonald's legacy.CANADALAND contributing editor Danielle Paradis co-hosts.This episode is sponsored by Dispatch Coffee, Douglas and CNN's Total Recall.*This episode included a clip from CTV election night 2019. It has been removed.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a video from the Fairy Creek anti-logging demonstrations on Vancouver Island that shows police unleashing pepper spray at close range onto a crowd of activists. At one point, an RCMP officer rips the masks off of two women, shown clearly on the tape. Other witnesses from the scene allege even worse - that officers were kicking and dragging activists, and aiming pepper spray into their mouth, eyes and private areas. As reporter Cherise Seucharan finds out, the avenues available to the public to hold RCMP accountable don't seem to be working when it comes to these reports of escalating police violence at Fairy Creek. The courts, the police complaints system, and even the media have not been able to stop RCMP from acting in ways that have been condemned by experts, civil rights lawyers and by the RCMP's own watchdog. Is it possible to police the police at Fairy Creek? This episode is sponsored by Douglas, Squarespace, Article and CNN Total Recall.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trudeau is getting upset and it seems to be working for him. And the English leaders' debate was widely derided. Was it deserved?Vice senior editor Manisha Krishnan co-hosts.This episode is sponsored by Douglas, PolicyMe and HelloFresh.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Non-disclosure agreements are incredibly common. But they protect abusers, and block journalism. They are also, as it turns out, often unenforceable. Zelda Perkins, who blew the whistle on Harvey Weinstein, has joined forces with law professor Julie Macfarlane to launch a global campaign against NDAs, called Can't Buy My Silence. Further Reading:cantbuymysilence.comZelda Perkins on the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/entertainment-arts-42420389Prof. Julie Macfarlane's book, Going Public: https://www.amazon.ca/Going-Public-Survivors-Journey-Action/dp/1771134755Additional music by Audio NetworkSponsorsDouglas, Dispatch Coffee, Freshbooks, & SquarespaceSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After protestors threw gravel at the Prime Minister during a campaign stop, we ask: has this gotten too much coverage, or not enough? And we scrutinize a budding conspiracy about Michael Spavor, the Canadian entrepreneur detained in China. Writer and National Observer columnist Sandy Garossino co-hosts.This episode is sponsored by Dispatch Coffee, the Emerging Digital Artists Award and PolicyMe.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the election coming in two weeks, Jesse sits down for an interview with Tiffany Lam, producer of The Backbench, to discuss what kind of politics show her and Fatima are making and how a politics show can be fun, accessible and nutritious. The interview is followed by the most recent episode of The Backbench. Subscribe to The Backbench to be informed about the important issues of this election.--The Liberals promised to inject 6-billion more dollars into our healthcare system last week, but will more money mean more healthcare? Meanwhile, regional federal parties have dropped their platforms with distinct climate plans, posing a possible threat to major parties.This week's contributors: Leena Minifie, Emilie Nicolas, Stuart ThomsonLinks:Jen Gerson's Maclean's piece on the Maverick PartyFatima & Emma MacIntosh's National Observer 2019 piece on whether politicians should be blocking votersMark McKinnon's Globe and Mail piece on Ukraine rescuing Canada-bound AfghansSponsors: PolicyMe, Squarespace, Dispatch, ArticleSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many journalists are condemning the unruly protestors following Trudeau on the campaign trail. But is that our role? And co-host Jen Agg talks about how she became the centre of a major story after dealing with her own unruly protestors at her restaurants.Jen Agg is a restaurateur and author of I Hear She's a Real Bitch.Here's her Twitter thread that got the attention of the media.This episode is sponsored by Dispatch Coffee, The Emerging Digital Artists Award and PolicyMe.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last year there were 540,000 international students in Canada according to Immigrations Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC. Many of these students came to Canada with one goal - permanent residency. Our producer, Damilola Onime, herself a former international student, shares the story of how the international education industry is run in Canada. The story of how these students, because of their ambition for greener pastures are exploited by the government, the schools the attend, recruitments agents and every other party involved in their temporary resident to permanent resident journey. Additional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: PolicyMe and HoverSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twitter became the centre of the election this week when they put a "manipulated media” tag on one of Chrystia Freeland's tweets, which contained an edited video of Conservative leader Erin O'Toole. And is science journalism at a crisis point in Canada? An analysis finds Canada's biggest newspapers gave about half as much coverage to the IPCC's major recent climate report as US ones did.Fatima Syed hosts with Sean Holman as co-hostFurther Reading:The Tyee: When Dire Climate News Came, Canada's Front Pages CrumpledPolitico on the political connections at TwitterChrystia Freeland's edited video of Erin O'Toole and the full videoThis episode is brought to you by PolicyMe, FreshBooks and Squarespace.Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craig Kielburger was the Greta Thunberg of the 90s – a 12 year-old kid from the suburbs who dreamed of freeing the world's children from slavery. His activism made him famous, and he was endorsed by Oprah, the Pope, the Queen, and the Clintons. His campaign became a global movement and a powerful brand. But right from the start, there were uncomfortable questions about money and exploitation. Decades later, it all came crashing down. But the seeds of WE's self-destruction were planted right from the start… Official responses from WE:According to the WE Organization: neither the WE Organization nor Marc or Craig Kielburger have ever been investigated by a law enforcement agency, currently or in the past.The WE Organization maintains that all financial transactions between its various entities, both charitable and for-profit, have followed all applicable laws.In his libel claim against Saturday Night Magazine: Craig Kielburger said that the article was false and led people to wrongly believe he was keeping the money for himself. According to a reported statement by a Free the Children accountant, donations made prior to the organization becoming a registered charity were deposited in a separate bank account, and the group was being run as a charity pending Revenue Canada's approval of its application. 2018 investigation:https://www.canadaland.com/all-of-wes-answers-to-canadaland-and-letters-from-their-lawyers/2019 investigation:https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21044335-we-responses-to-canadaland-2019?responsive=1&title=1 Further reading:Canadaland's reporting on WE Charity: https://www.canadaland.com/?s=we+charity The WE Charity story, according to WE: https://www.we.org/en-CA/about-we/we-charity/our-story WE.org Transparency page:https://www.we.org/en-CA/transparency-reporting/we-charity WE.org Financials page:https://www.we.org/en-CA/about-we/we-charity/governance/ ME to WE Transparency page:https://www.we.org/en-CA/transparency-reporting/me-to-we Music by Audio NetworkSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent stories about Canada's role in the War in Afghanistan fall short. And if Justin Trudeau is Veruca Salt, who then is Erin O'Toole? Photojournalist and author Paul Watson co-hosts.Links:Paul's LA Times story from embedding with Ghazni TalibsPaul's LA Times story on Afghanistan's pipeline plansSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shad's Hip-Hop Evolution is an incredible piece of journalism that nobody is talking about.Hip-Hop Evolution is a remarkable piece of journalism and an exhaustive look at the history of hip-hop. It's also made by a group of Canadians. Rapper and broadcaster Shad, director Darby Wheeler, and writer Rodrigo Bascuñán join to talk about their award-winning documentary series. The episode is brought to you by One Year, Policy Me, Article, and listeners like you. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter on Patreon.(This episode was originally published October 6, 2019)Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Co-host Pauls Wells may be the only person aside from Trudeau who wants an election right now. We look ahead to the campaign and debates to come. WE is back in the news. And The Rebel has another defamation case dismissed. Sponsors: Slate, Policy Me, Freshbooks, Hello FreshSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe to The White Saviors now! Series launch: August 23Over 25 years, WE built a golden brand by inspiring children to rally around their charismatic leader. But behind the scenes, employees experienced a cult-like culture and a troubling blur of charitable and commercial activities. In the aftermath of a national scandal, thousands of donors and volunteers (and dozens of ‘celebrity ambassadors') are left wondering where the money went, and whether the savior industry creates a constant need for victims.From CANADALAND, the news company that exposed it all, this is the exclusive story of a charity that did well when it was supposed to be doing good.Subscribe to The White Saviors. Episode one drops on August 20th This trailer contains source materials used under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act. Sources:  It Takes a ChildCraig Kielburger's Story - A Journey into Child LabourDirected by Judy JacksonProduced by Judy FilmsYoutube The Story of Craig Kielburgerproduced, and narrated by Sherine MansourCPACYoutube In Search Of CharacterLiveWire MediaElkind+Sweet Communications, Inchttps://www.livewiremedia.com/product/in-search-of-character/ The Price WE PaidThe Fifth Estate/CBC Interview with Craig KielburgerCSPAN Craig Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional videoYoutube Marc Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional videoYoutube WE Movement Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6agaIkn5aBJlLLds7P1HQMeToWe Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6agaIkn5aBJlLLds7P1HQCTV News - Kielburger brothers interview with Lisa Laflammehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_p5PRLy2osMTV Cribs: Craig Kielburger EpisodeHaddon Strategyhttps://vimeo.com/49975157Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In late 2020, FBI agents showed up at the New York home of activist and journalist Masih Alinejad, and told her that agents of the Iranian regime were plotting to kidnap her. Months later, an indictment from the US Department of Justice revealed details of the plot - including surveillance of her home and family, and a plan to take her to Venezuela by boat. But it also mentioned three people in Canada were also targets.As our reporter Cherise Seucharan finds out, many journalists and dissidents who have left countries such as Iran, China, Mexico and Pakistan for safety in Canada, have found themselves the victim of threats and intimidation by what they believe to be foreign actors. In one case, involving Pakistani activist Karima Baloch in Toronto, these threats ramped up before her unexpected death. Kiran Nazish, founding director of the Coalition for Women in Journalism,  explains how extensive these threats are, and how the Canadain government has so far failed to act to protect these dissidents. Additional music provided by Audio NetworkSponsors: Squarespace,  Unfucking The Republic podcast, and  PolicyMeSupport CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.