The Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, marking it as the biggest bank failure in the United States since the 2008 Financial Crisis. AND, our three top grocers testified at the House of Commons recently, but Canadians learned very little. This week host Mattea Roach is joined by Murad Hemmadi, Meagan Simpson, and Arshy Mann to unpack the future of the bank and tech industries, and why many Canadians are feeling the strain every time they step into a grocery store, all while grocers are making record profits.  Host:  Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Guests: Murad Hemmadi, Meagan Simpson, Arshy Mann A full list of background reading can be found on our website. Sponsors: Rotman, Bryce@100, Athletic Greens If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Mattea Roach is joined by Emilie Nicolas, Stuart Thomson and Les Perreaux to talk about the latest at Roxham Road, the irregular border crossing where thousands of asylum seekers flock to Canada. What’s bringing them here and what’s happening once they arrive?  And a subset of Google users in Canada have discovered a bunch of Canadian news mysteriously disappearing from their search results… whose fault is this, and should we be concerned? We unpack the Online News Act, Bill C-18. Host:  Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Stuart Thomson, Les Perreaux Background reading: Canadians Fume as Migrants Surge at Their Border - New York Times It’s time to close the breach at Roxham Road and enforce Canada’s borders - Globe and Mail Niagara Falls facing 'limits' in accommodating influx of asylum seekers, mayor says - CBC News Roxham: The little country road that became a big political headache for the Trudeau government - CBC News Google threatens Canada, because it can - Globe and Mail The Bill C-18 Reality: Everyone Loses When the Government Mandates Payments for Links - Michael Geist Sponsors: Douglas, Bryce@100, Athletic Greens If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Mattea Roach is joined by Nick Taylor-Vaisey, David Moscrop and Sandy Garossino to talk about the two objects shot down over Canada. Is this a question of national security? Or a weather monitoring program gone wrong? It’s probably not aliens, right?  Also, the Rouleau Report was released shortly after RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki announced the end of her tenure. The RCMP has felt the impact of scandal after scandal, so what kind of leadership is required to move forward and build better? Host:  Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Guests: Nick Taylor-Vaisey, David Moscrop, Sandy Garossino Background reading: U.S. fighter jet shoots down ‘cylindrical object’ flying over Yukon on orders from Trudeau, Biden Objects shot out of North American skies likely not used for spying, Biden says A hobby club in Illinois is missing a balloon. Was it shot down over Yukon? The timing of Brenda Lucki's RCMP departure After year of scandals, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki announces retirement RCMP’s Brenda Lucki says she will retire next month: ‘I did my best’ Sponsors: Rotman, Athletic Greens If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit has been reached between the federal government and 325 First Nations, which applies to Indigenous children who attended residential schools during the day—students who were left out of the 2006 residential schools settlement. This episode gets into the legal elements of this lawsuit, how we got here, and what impacts it might have going forward.  And, all 13 provinces and territories are calling for “immediate action” to strengthen Canada’s bail system in the wake of the death of an Ontario Provincial Police officer in late December. What does the bail system look like in Canada? How is this specific moment being politicized?  And, what would the consequences of bail reform be? Host:  Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Guests: Riley Yesno, Karen Restoule, Patricia Barkaskas Background reading: Canada’s $2.8 billion settlement with Indigenous Day Scholars is a long-time coming $2.8-billion settlement reached in class action lawsuit over residential schools How does Canada's bail system actually work? And where does it fall short? Premiers demand bail reform in letter to Trudeau after killing of OPP officer Sponsors: Douglas, Athletic Greens If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Armed conflicts across the world are increasingly demanding the attention of Canadians and prompting the federal government to get involved. This episode, host Mattea Roach is joined by Emilie Nicolas, Arshy Mann, and Steven Chase to talk about what Canadian intervention in Haiti could and should look like, and they also tackle the existential questions we have about our military: What is the state of our military? Are we prepared to take on an expanded role? Should we? Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Arshy Mann, Steven Chase Background reading: Bob Rae: Major military intervention in Haiti would not have sustainable impact Adam Zivo: Is Canada not sending its tanks to Ukraine because they're broken? Fiscal watchdog raises concern about $15-billion in unexplained military spending in 2022 federal budget Current Operations and Joint Military Exercises list Canada’s military pulling back in Middle East as European, domestic needs rise Emilie Nicolas: What should Canada's involvement in Haiti look like? Sponsors: Rotman, Athletic Greens If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts at our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We tackle two crises facing our country – healthcare and climate change. Host Mattea Roach asks our panelists Riley Yesno, Drew Brown, and Sara Birrell about what we are doing to solve the major problems that exist in our splintered healthcare system and where we are really at when it comes to climate change policy. Does throwing money at the problem actually help? Host:  Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capachionne (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator) Guests: Riley Yesno, Drew Brown, Sara Birrell Background reading: Healthcare Canadian health-care systems 'strained, if not broken' | A Conversation with the Prime Minister  More money is a must, but health-care delivery also needs a major rethink, doctors say CBC News Climate Change Policy An activist in office: Steven Guilbeault's first year as environment minister CBC News Trudeau announces $800M for Indigenous-led conservation initiatives CBC News 'Just transition' bill coming in 2023, natural resources minister says CBC News Federal government approves controversial Bay du Nord oil project CBC News Sponsors: Douglas, Athletic Greens If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On December 14th, we brought The Backbench to you LIVE and in-person from the Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto. It was an evening of “serious” political discourse and endless laughs. Our host Mattea Roach and our expert panelists, Emilie Nicolas, David Moscrop, and Murad Hemmadi unpacked the seriously eventful year that was 2022 – from faulty infrastructure, to the Pope’s visit, to our 2023 political wish list, and more.  Taking inspiration from David Moscrop's powerful questions: Show of hands....is anyone here a supporter?  If you want to hear a special and hilarious extended cut of the evening, which includes Mattea’s opening conversation with “political consultant” Dan Cashgrab, also known as comedian Miguel Rivas, you can become a supporter to get access to the exclusive convo. Go to canadaland.com/join.  Host:  Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione  (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator) Guests:  Emilie Nicolas, David Moscrop, Murad Hemmadi If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We want to warn listeners that segment one talks about suicide and may not be suitable for all listeners. If you'd like to skip it go to 23:37. If you’re struggling with mental health please connect with a crisis responder to get help without judgment: Call 1-833-456-4566 / Text: 45645 (4 pm – midnight ET).  In this episode, host Mattea Roach, and panelists, Karen Restoule, Jaskaran Sandhu, and Arshy Mann, unpack the controversial expansion for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) set to change on March 17, 2023. Also, Canada is trying to re-establish itself on the international stage after announcing its Indo-Pacific Strategy in Beautiful British Columbia. Does Canada’s future lie in the Indo-Pacific? Host:  Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchionne (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator) Guests: Karen Restoule, Jaskaran Sandhu, Arshy Mann Background reading: Canada will soon allow medically assisted dying for mental illness. Has there been enough time to get it right? in The Globe and Mail Medical experts call on government to delay expansion of MAID for mental illness in The Globe and Mail Call to Action re:March 2023 MAiD Expansion by the Society of Canadian Psychiatry Canada launches Indo-Pacific Strategy to support long-term growth, prosperity, and security for Canadians by the Government of Canada Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy by the Government of Canada Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy sees China as a ‘disruptive global power’ in The Globe in Mail SIKHS WEARY OF INCREASED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN WAKE OF CANADA’S INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY by the World Sikh Organization Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy ‘long overdue,’ shows ‘radical change’ on China: experts by Rachel Gilmore from Global News Sponsors: Douglas, oxio, Athletic Greens If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The six weeks of dramatic testimony have officially come to an end with testimony from the Prime Minister himself. Join our host, Mattea Roach, and an exceptional panel with Stuart Thomson, David Moscrop, and Sandy Garossino for a deep retrospective on Trudeau’s invocation of the Emergencies Act against the 'Freedom Convoy' this past February. Also, the Green Party has a “new” leader. Welcome back Elizabeth May. This episode Mattea and our panelists discuss the future of the Green Party.  If you want to support this show go to https://canadaland.com/join Host:  Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator) Guests: Stuart Thomson, Sandy Garossino, David Moscrop Background reading: Racism and hate are threats to public safety. Why haven’t we heard this during the Emergencies Act inquiry? by Amira Elghawaby from the Toronto Star Trudeau 'serene' about invoking Emergencies Act, says police plan to clear protest 'wasn't a plan at all' by Catharine Tunney from CBC News 'Bad humour' and short fuses: How politicians' texts played out at the Emergencies Act inquiry by Joseph Tunney from CBC News The Green Party has two new leaders. Will their shared vision get the party back on its feet? by Natasha Bulowski from the National Observer  Political insider breaks down Green Party of Canada co-leadership win, potential trouble ahead by Gregor Craigie from CBC News Sponsors: Douglas, oxio If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Financial Minister Chrystia Freeland’s mini-budget is at your service to save us from inflation. Or is it Justin-flation? This week our host, Mattea Roach, is joined by Emilie Nicolas, Murad Hemmadi, and Nick Taylor-Vaisey to talk about the effectiveness of the proposed budget, the impending recession, and the “costly-coalition.” They also tackle the increasingly common use of the notwithstanding clause—what does it mean, and should we be worried? Get tickets to The Backbench live show on December 14. Support Canadaland to get your free tickets. Host: Mattea Roach (Recorded via personal microphone. Audio quality may differ.) Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator) Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Murad Hemmadi, Nick Taylor-Vaisey Background reading: Highlights of the 2022 Fall Economic Statement Five things you need to know about the Liberals’ fall economic update In defence of the notwithstanding clause: Why Canada should hold onto it What Ottawa should say to the provinces: See your notwithstanding clause, raise you disallowance Three cheers for the notwithstanding clause Sponsors: Oxio If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BC NDP leadership candidate Anjali Appadurai had the rug pulled out from under her. This week Mattea Roach is joined with Stuart Thomson, Jaskaran Sandhu, and Arno Kopecky to talk about how and why the BC-NDP ended up disqualifying Appadurai, leaving David Eby to be sworn in as Premier of British Columbia. Also, this week the backbenchers talk about the Federal handgun freeze that is supposedly the strongest action in a generation. We’ll see about that… Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator) Guests: Stuart Thomson, Jaskaran Sandhu, Arno Kopecky Background reading:  Chronicle of a death foretold by Arno Kopecky in Canada’s National Observer The desperate disqualification of Anjali Appadurai by Avi Lewis in Canada’s National Observer BC NDP Investigative Report by BC NDP Table Officer Freeze on handgun sales takes effect as Liberals face criticism they interfered in the probe of Canada’s deadliest shooting by Stephanie Levitz in the Toronto Star If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet David Wallace, political fixer. After decades in the game he says he’s getting out, telling all, and dumping his files in public. The result is the viral "Klondike Papers" theory of conspiracies, conservatives, and cults. But are the allegations true? And why is he really implicating himself, and so many others? A wild, true story. Series launches October 31st. Subscribe now (link). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is going on in the Wild Rose Country? Mattea Roach is joined by experts Catherine Griwkowksy, Emilie Nicolas, and David Moscrop. Together they unpack the implications of Alberta’s new premier's calls for more sovereignty and the possible unravelling of our beloved Canadian federalism. This week we also get into Canada’s complicated diplomatic response to the Iranian protests. Host: Mattea Roach Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Nathan Burley (Music) Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Catherine Griwkowsky, David Moscrop Background reading: New Alberta Premier Danielle Smith dials back sovereignty pledge In reversal of policy, adviser says Danielle Smith's sovereignty act would respect Supreme Court decisions Opinion: Is Canadian federalism unravelling? GOLDSTEIN: Trudeau talks out of both sides of his mouth on Iran Stung by criticism, Trudeau government changes course on Iran Opinion: What Canadians are getting wrong about the hijab protests in Iran Opinion: Trudeau government out of touch on dealing with Iran Sponsors: oxio If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our host Mattea Roach, tackles the “new” and “exciting” Federal dental plan with Riley Yesno, Stuart Thomson, and Nick Taylor-Vaisey. The NDP are patting themselves on the back for getting something done in Ottawa—but how much have they really accomplished here? Speaking of “new” and “exciting” we need to talk about the IRCC’s new proposed immigration pathways that seem to be recycled old ones. Links: Dental: Politico piece re: dental Immigration: CTV piece: Migrant workers continue to call for change after death of Jamaican worker at Ontario farm Toronto Star piece: Here’s Canada’s new plan to help foreign students and workers become permanent residents. Some say it isn’t nearly new enough Sponsors: Douglas, oxio, Toronto Star Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our new host, Mattea Roach, ponders Poilievre’s political playbook with Riley Yesno, David Moscrop and Catherine Griwkowsky on this week’s panel episode. And you know the saying, leaders come and go. As Pierre Poilievre makes his way into the Conservative leadership, Queen Elizabeth II has left us. Is it time to crack open our constitution and jettison the monarchy once and for all? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re thrilled to announce that Mattea Roach will be hosting the brand new season of the Backbench. She’s best known for her 23-game winning streak on Jeopardy!, but Mattea also has a keen interest in politics and has a background in sexual diversity studies, political science, and women and gender studies. In this teaser episode, Mattea is joined with Backbench Producer Aviva Lessard and Associate Producer Noor Azrieh for a sneak peak at what they hope to accomplish in the new season.  Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where are the fresh faces in Canadian politics? Today, we dive into career politicians—the good the bad, and the ugly. Plus, why can’t our various levels of government just work together? It’s time to end the federal, provincial and municipal war. Also, guest contributors join Fatima’s last episode for her last point of order segment. Panelists: Emilie Nicolas, Murad Hemmadi, Stuart Thomson Guest Contributors:  Raisa Patel, David Moscrop, Jason Markusoff  Links:  https://www.keenan.ca/ Sponsors:  Oxio, Douglas, The Peak Additional music by Audio Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we talk about what constitutes good leadership, and why our leaders are struggling to meet the moment amid a global ripple of failed democratic leadership. Plus, is provincial immigration autonomy going to save us from the 2.7 million applicant backlog? Producers note: Due to technical difficulties, Fatima's voice may sound a little different. Panelists: Drew Brown, Riley Yesno, Jaskaran Sandhu Sponsors: Oxio, Douglas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jerry DeMarco, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, delves into the Canadian federal response to climate change, and why our response is still insufficient. DeMarco unpacks 30 years of failed climate progress and offers an analysis of our government’s actions and inactions to deal with our seemingly impending doom. Links: 2022 Reports 1 to 5 of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to the Parliament of Canada Federal environment commissioner presents his 2022 spring reports – April 26, 2022 Sponsors: Oxio, The Peak, Calm, Douglas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s 2022 and our politics remain dominated by men. We talked to three women who spent time in office to try to find out why. We’re joined by former NDP MP Peggy Nash, current NDP MP Leah Gazan, and former Vancouver city councillor Andrea Reimer.  This event was organized by Between the Lines, the publisher of Peggy Nash’s book Women Winning Office: An Activist’s Guide To Getting Elected. Panelists: Peggy Nash, Leah Gazan, Andrea Reimer Sponsors: Oxio, Douglas, Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.