The Backbench

Québec’s secularism bill is a godawful tragedy, the NDP’s platform leaves a lot to be desired, and Andrew Scheer is feeling cramped in Doug Ford’s clown car. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who should be allowed to pay for political advertising in Canada? Conservative MP and Foreign Affairs Critic Erin O’Toole explains what’s wrong with the current set of rules. And things have gotten so bad in the United Kingdom that they’ve brought in noted public relations authority Stephen Harper to help broker Brexit. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who better than a pregnant woman and a gay man to walk you through access to abortion in Canada? Then, Courtney Skye, research fellow at Yellowhead Institute, explains what most people missed in the recent MMIWG report. Finally, Justin yells at Trudeau for failing the queer community. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter. “Black Samba” by Juanitos is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The two most “difficult” women in Ottawa join us for an in-depth talk about policy, politics, the "most dysfunctional place" to work in the country, and that whole SNC-Lavalin thing. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grab a bowl of all-dressed Ruffles and settle in for this review of the first run of federal election ads. Then, a look at what the Green Wave means for Canada. Finally, a recap of the election in Jesse Brown's favourite province: Newfoundland and Labrador.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the government coming to take your guns? Was scrapping the long-gun registry a mistake? Do we need stricter gun laws? Does the Liberal plan to ban handguns actually make sense? We scope out the current stock of firearm laws in Canada and take a look at what's coming down the barrel.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the election of Jason Kenney's United Conservative Party in Alberta, the national alliance of conservative premiers has gained a key member in its battle against the federal Liberals. In this episode, we take look at what's going on in Canada from coast to coast to coast.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Alberta election was Jason Kenney's to lose, and with bozos raining down like a nauseating Vesuvius, it looks like he just might. And in the wake of the SNC-Lavalin scandal, there are now 21 MPs who aren't members of the three major parties. How did it get this way, and what kind of influence can they wield?Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Alberta election is around the corner and, in characteristic fashion, it is looking bananas. And we read the federal budget so you don't have to. Plus, an update on the scandal that keeps giving. Finally, some serious news from the OPPO team.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's going to be the downfall of the Trudeau administration? It might not be the scandal you're thinking of. Then again, it might be that scandal.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justin Ling was wrong. Listen to Jen Gerson deservedly drag him over the coals as they unpack the latest in the SNC-Lavalin scandal in this bonus episode.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was the whole SNC-Lavalin affair a big nothingburger or does it still have the potential to completely rock the Liberal government? And with dozens of trucks rolling into Ottawa, a look at all things oil in Canada.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was not a good week for the main political parties in Canada. From the SNC-Lavalin affair, to the Conservative Google Ad, to the NDP's confused position on Venezuela, here's a dive into the morass.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the most strained Canadian-Chinese relations have been in years. How did we get here? David Mulroney, former ambassador to China, and James Moore, former Minister of Industry, join OPPO to shed some light on what's going on.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where are the NDP? On OPPO, of course. Jagmeet Singh gives us the rundown on party policy, his plans to not lose a by-election and the federal one, and how he'd get along with Trump.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How could Canadian politics be better in 2019? OPPO presents our top 10 wishes for the new year.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zdravstvuj! OPPO turns its piercing focus on to the spectre haunting Canada in this look at the state of the left across the country.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is going on with conservatives across the country? And what the hell is Stephen Harper doing on the Ben Shapiro show?Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk with Mack Lamoureux about the ongoing problem of the far-right in the Canadian Armed Forces and what the military is doing about it. And should David Frum have debated Steve Bannon at the Munk Debates?Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well if nobody else is going to talk about the IPCC report on our impending doom, we guess we will. Justin sits down with MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, the most outspoken member of the Liberal caucus. And is Andrew Scheer really going to make us keep talking about pot?Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A look at the state of justice in Canada, as explained by the fervour over a convicted killer's move to a healing lodge and the utter failure of the Liberals to enact judicial reform.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This fall's Québec election might be a vital indicator of what's to come in federal politics. We take a deep plonge into the issues at hand, and then discuss the Governor General's scandale d'estime. Oh, and Doug Ford posed for a picture with a white supremacist.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They're baaaaack! Jen and Justin catch you up on what's been happening with NAFTA, Maxime Bernier, pipelines, and more. Also, we reveal the real author of the NY Times op-ed.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The honeymoon for Trudeau's honeymoon is over. We take a look at the batshit year that was, and leave things in a light and summery mood by discussing child detention.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who invited Donald Trump to Justin Trudeau's nice party? He arrived late and hung over, skipped meetings, vomited in the plants, hid a fish in the air ducts, left early, and then complained about it. How in all of God's green pastures could he be right about any of his trade policy? Come along with us on a journey deep into the exotic and decidedly erotic nuances of supply management. You won't regret it.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ford scandals! Wynne gaffes! Horwath ... is doing pretty well. We cover it all in our all-out, deep, deep, immersive, up-close, engaging, incisive, and penetrating look at how Ontario has been chewing its foot off to escape the snare of the provincial election. And since he was excluded from the formal debates, we welcome the leader of the Green Party of Ontario, Mike Schreiner, in an EXCLUSIVE* interview. *Interview may not, in actuality, be exclusive.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everything you've ever wanted to know about Quebec. Everything. And we attempt to answer the question: what the hell is David Frum doing on OPPO?Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We tear into the Liberals' "convention," call the chaplain for NAFTA, finally solve Alberta's David Suzuki problem, and sit down with Bill Browder, the man behind the Magnitsky Act.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You've got a better shot getting a drink than information from the government's open data infrastructure, Jason Kenney goes full (okay, not full) Mel Gibson, and an interview with Jocelyn Coulon, whose new book explains what's wrong with Trudeau's foreign policy.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guns! Abortion! Now more OPPO than ever! Jen and Justin take on firearm legislation and the summer jobs funding attestation before asking Ontario NDP candidate Marit Stiles how her party plans on not losing in this election.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could the NDP actually win in Ontario? Will we ever reach a consensus on carbon tax vs. cap and trade? And what role will Canada play in the New Cold War?Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump might lead us into a trade war, Big Tobacco wants your sympathy, the federal budget misses the mark on gender equality and we get some much-needed facts on Sikh politics Featuring Xtra reporter Arshy Mann.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick Brown's apeshit strategy, Justin Trudeau promises Indigenous people a New Deal, and could Trump happen here?Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jen Gerson vs. Justin Ling on the dubious Trudeau scandal buzz, the revenge of Jenni Byrne, the nation's obsession with pipelines, and the Iran protests that everyone forgot about. Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.