In this first ever live recording of The Line Podcast, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson took over The Plaza theatre on April 19, 2024 to talk about the Liberals' penultimate budget, a document filled with class angst, intergenerational resentment, and bad ideas for pension plans. Then they talk about when a doctor's note is not adequate to prevent a public shaming for allegedly scoring $20 million in government money as the ArriveCan discoveries drag on. A brief note on why it's not appropriate for the Governor General to host a tea party on online harms; and lastly, an update on Israel and, now, Iran. www.readtheline.ca

The Line has often spoken of the deteriorating global security situation, and what Canada must do to prepare. Much of our focus has been on defence and economics. But what about humanitarian projects? What is happening to the world's aid organizations, and the hundreds of millions of desperate people that rely on them, as conflicts rage and crises deepen across the globe? Line editor Matt Gurney has interviewed Jason Nickerson, the humanitarian representative to Canada from Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, or MSF) many times across the years. Jason recently returned from a trip abroad to a sprawling refugee camp in Bangladesh, home to a million Rohingya refugees, and told Matt directly that the situation overseas was getting worse, and that not enough was being done to meet the rapidly growing demand for even basic medical care and food deliveries, and not just at that one camp. In the Middle East, Africa, Asia and now even in Europe, the demand for urgent humanitarian relief is rising fast. In the latest episode of On The Line, Jason joined Matt for an extended conversation about the work MSF does, how it does that work even in incredibly challenging situations, and also where and why those situations are getting worse. They also had a talk specifically about Canada's foreign policy and foreign aid priorities. There are crises, including the Rohingya, where Canada has played a leading role that we may be backing away from, leaving vulnerable people even more desperate. To learn more about MSF and support their work, please visit their website. On The Line is The Line’s newest podcast, featuring longer interviews by either Jen or Matt with someone who is currently in the news or able to speak to something topical (or, sometimes, simply fun and interesting). To never miss an episode of On The Line and The Line Podcast, follow us on the major streaming platforms. And sign up to The Line itself, of course, at ReadtheLine.ca.

General Wayne Eyre served for decades in the Canadian Army, including as its commander, before being promoted to Chief of the Defence Staff in 2021. During his time as Canada's top soldier, he has overseen not only a series of challenges inside the Canadian military, but also a rapid deterioration in the geopolitical environment. The world is a more dangerous place, and Gen. Eyre has been unusually outspoken in noting that Canada needs to do more to be ready for what's coming. In this conversation with The Line's Matt Gurney, the general provides his take on the state of the world today, shares his thoughts on the recently announced Defence Policy Update, and talks about why he is encouraged by some of what he is already seeing change with Canada's military readiness. On The Line is The Line’s newest podcast, featuring longer interviews by either Jen or Matt with someone who is currently in the news or able to speak to something topical (or, sometimes, simply fun and interesting). We are still getting it up to speed, but Line listeners and viewers can expect an episode weekly by next month, at the latest. To never miss an episode of either On The Line or The Line Podcast, sign up today to follow us on YouTube, on the streaming app of your choice and, of course, at ReadtheLine.ca, home of The Line. Like and subscribe! Please note: This interview was recorded on Friday, before the Iranian attack on Israel.

How are Canada's conservatives feeling right now? Pretty good, it turns out. In this episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on April 12, 2024, Matt Gurney finds Jen Gerson in Ottawa, in the media room at the Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference. (And be warned, listeners and viewers, because Jen is in the field, there's some background noise in this episode, especially when some people protesting Israel's military campaign in Gaza show up.) On the agenda for this episode: the conference itself, of course. Jen provides her sense on how the mood is among Canada's broader conservative movement. It turns out that they have also read the polls lately, and are feeling pretty good about themselves. Jen talks a little bit about her own panel on the future of media regulation, and why she was a little worried about some of what she saw in the crowd. The two editors then talk a bit about why conservatives should enjoy this conference, and maybe the next one, if there's still time before the next election. Win or lose, it'll get harder for the conservatives (and Conservatives) from here. They'll soon have all the responsibility and power. And that's where the heartbreak begins. Jen also discusses her raging hangover. Conferences, folks. They'll getcha if you're not careful. They then pivot to the ongoing Foreign Interference Commission, and Matt notes that while the Johnston report is mostly aging badly, one thing remains very true from it. Then as now, it's still very possible that the Liberals are telling the truth when they say they didn't know what China was up to. But at a certain point, that stops becoming a defence and starts becoming a confession. Matt also talks about how this government at times seems bizarrely convinced that it is some kind of a bystander, helpless to fix things that are broken. That's kind of its job! They end on discussing Matt's column this week, wherein he laments that there are women and now children, victims of (alleged!) sexual attacks, who will not ever know justice because the federal government couldn't get its butt in gear and appoint enough judges to oversee the trials. Cheerful stuff. Matt gets pretty angry. All that, and more, in this episode of The Line Podcast. Reminder: we are launching a new podcast as we speak, and hope to have episodes of On The Line being released weekly by next month, at the latest. Indeed, the next On The Line has already been recorded. Look for it early next week.

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on First Contact Day (April 5), 2024, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson discuss Matt's column on former CPC leader Erin O'Toole's testimony before the Foreign Interference Commission, and a pretty nasty and revealing swipe that the PM made against O'Toole afterward. They also get into a much broader discussion about China's deep reach into many elements of Canadian society, much of which is fully legal and unremarkable ... except for how it might give many powerful people an incentive to look the other way when certain awkward questions arise. Including perhaps many people around the prime minister. The intrepid Line-editing duo then talk about Matt's observation last week that he felt like the Liberals were starting to find their fight again. Jen has come to agree with that, but they also talk for some length about jurisdiction. A lot of what the PM is proposing isn't really in federaljurisdiction, which is easily dismissed by some ... but not by those who have any experience seeing what happens when multiple orders of Canadian government try to work together even on things that they actually happen to agree on. Jurisdiction is one of those pesky details of Canadian public policy. You know, the place where you'll find the devil! They get caught up a bit on the state of the fighting in the Middle East, and Jen briefs Matt on why she is nervously researching red cows and Biblical prophecy. ... just listen to the podcast, okay?

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on March 29, 2024 — and happy Easter, everyone! — the dynamic Line editing duo first start by indulging Matt in some pure speculation. He has a hunch that after months of getting their butts kicked, the Liberals, specifically Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, might be starting to find his fight again. It's too soon to say for sure, but they'll be watching to see if the Liberals even have enough energy left to make a contest of it. Jen takes over then, and the two talk at length about the carbon tax, and a letter signed by many leading Canadian economists this week that lauds carbon pricing. The two don't disagree on the economics, but they do suspect that some of our leading economic thinkers may not have thought through the political ramifications of this. Does anyone think that Pierre Poilievre is worried that academic elites want the carbon tax to stay? Read the room, guys. Look around at the state of things. Are they trying to get him elected? Matt then notes a damned interesting speech by the Bank of Canada's senior deputy governor. In it, Carolyn Rogers warned a Halifax audience that Canada's economy is now in a state of "emergency." It's an interesting speech on its own merits, but what really caught Matt's attention was the simple fact that central bankers don't talk about emergencies even during literal emergencies, like plagues and wars. How freaked out must they be to talk this bluntly in prepared remarks? Jen then provides a quick update on the Nenshi campaign for Alberta NDP leader. It's starting to look like he's going to run away with it. She explains why. Also! The Line is now launching a new podcast — On The Line. It's still in a soft launch phase as the team here gets a few bugs worked out and details sorted, but however you want to receive it — on YouTube, on your preferred podcast app or at ReadTheLine.ca — please sign up today, like, subscribe, and all the rest. Never miss an episode of either of The Line's podcasts!

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather has been one of the most outspoken supporters of Israel on the Liberal bench. Last week's NDP motion - roundly supported by his Liberal peers - has Housefather engaging in some serious soul searching about his future with the party. Will he cross the floor? Is he representative of a deeper political realignment? Why does he think the motion was "anti-Isreal"? This week, he speaks with The Line's Jen Gerson. Like and subscribe www.readtheline.ca

Well, hello there, fans of The Line Podcast. Matt and Jen had almost too much to talk about this week, especially because breaking (and sad) news from Kensington Palace landed as they were recording. They'll get into that near the end, but they start with a discussion about Matt's column this week, in which he explains why he was wrong about Pierre Poilievre's electoral chances. The conversation covers not only what Matt said in his column, but also some of what he couldn't fit in. Is Poilievre lucky, or a genius? Even senior Tories can't agree. Plus, what did months of interest rate hikes do to the millions of Canadian voters who were heavily indebted? It all combines to produce what your hosts agree is an angry, alienated Canadian population. One ready for a big change. Speaking of angry and alienated, Jen goes on to describe her fury at Calgary's latest blast of snow. True, genuine fury. She was not ready for another blizzard this week. But that conversation actually gets serious. Living with Canada's awful weather has always sucked, Matt notes, but the country has gotten so much else right that it was worth the hassle. For millions of Canadians who can't afford a house or find a family doctor, though, Canada's typical advantages are out of reach, and they're just left with the slush and the snow. How long until they start just packing up and leaving? Plus: your last chance to score a ticket to next month's live-taping of a pod episode in Calgary! Don't miss out! We're down to our last handful of tickets. All that, and more, in this episode of The Line Podcast.

In The Line Podcast for March 15, hosts Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney announce a live taping in Calgary on April 19. Get your tickets here: www.readtheline.ca. This week, a Supreme Court ruling that may or may not have avoided using the controversial term "women." The Toronto Police's advice on preventing auto thefts, and the implications of unequal access to safety and policing. Gerson and Gurney also touch on the role of culture wars and manufactured outrage in public discourse. They explore the need for security and the various ways people seek it, including through religion, criminal organizations, and private security. The decline of policing and the rise of private security are discussed, along with the deteriorating state of cities like Edmonton. The focus then shifts to the Alberta NDP leadership race, with a particular emphasis on Naheed Nenshi's entry into the race. Nenshi's controversial statements and his chances of winning the leadership are analyzed. The conversation concludes with an invitation to a live podcast event and a call for potential sponsors. #canada #politics #toronto #police #crime #supremecourtcanada #women #nenshi #ndp #alberta #leadership

In the latest episode of The Line Podcast, recorded on March 8, 2024, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson discuss the Durham byelection results, which Matt doesn't think matter ... but that he does find interesting (and he suspects they'll be of interest over at Liberal Party HQ, too). The intrepid editors also gab about state-capacity issues in Canada, and the blunt comments made by Bill Blair about the state of the Canadian Armed Forces. G&G also highlight the challenges of building infrastructure projects in Canada and the lack of prioritization and decision-making. Our governments seem to almost actively avoid making decisions, and instead prefer to just make tiny incremental announcements so that they always seem engaged with the issues of the day, even though they aren't trying to actually fix them. From there, they move onto the Online Harms Act and why Jen isn't reassured by what we've learned since last week. Matt suggests that we could probably go a long way toward cleaning up the internet if there was even the slightest bit of deterrence for those acting badly on it. Lastly, they react to some breaking news (and a rumour) coming out of Alberta. Thanks for tuning in! If you liked it, please like, subscribe and leave a review, if you can. It helps! #Canada #Politics #NaheedNenshi #NDP #Liberal #Conservative #Durham #JamilJivani

In this week's The Line Podcast, recorded on March 1, 2024, Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney discuss evil, death and growing old. All cheerful stuff. First they offer quick thoughts and condolences on the passing of former prime minister Brian Mulroney. Then they delve into the Liberals' proposed Online Harms Act, and conclude that while most of it is reasonable and does attempt to deal with legitimate and pressing concerns — like inappropriate revenge related material, and content related to the exploitation of underage peoples — the Liberals have gone off the rails in their attempts to reign in "hate speech" by reviving Section 13, a loathed and rejected provision that this country had already spent years litigating, and ultimately throwing up. The Online Harms Act will further empower Human Rights Tribunals to crack down on "hate speech" with a threat of serious fines. The bill introduces house arrest for pre-crime — it would allow authorities to impinge upon the liberties of individuals whom they believe might commit hate speech. The dynamic duo go on to discuss the latest information about the Chinese infiltration of the Winnipeg-based National Microbiology Lab, and the abuse of terms like "national security" to cover for embarrassment, folly, and failure. Then they lay into the latest drama from the ArriveCan scam — in which the federal government managed to spend $59 million on a phone app that now involves a PPC candidate and CEO who was apparently using his full-time job at the Department of National Defence as a side hustle. Amazing country, this. #OnlineHarmsAct #FreeSpeech #HateSpeech #ArriveCan #BrianMulroney #WinnipegLab #NationalSecurity #Canada #Politics

Oh yes, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre — ostensible defender of limited government and freedom — is coming for your goon caves. (Google it, if you have to, but not at work.) More specifically, the CPC leader is supporting bill S-210, which seeks to age-gate porn, blocking access by minors. Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney clash on the issue; both agree that this makes for terrible, albeit emotionally popular, policy. They disagree about whether it will make for good politics. Then they go on to discuss the imminent Online Harms Act — bookies have high odds on that one being a total disaster. From there, your hosts veer to Poilievre's opposition to "biological males" in female spaces like sport leagues, washrooms and changerooms. Interestingly, the duo note, this position is not panning out to be even a two-day news story when only a few years ago, such statements would have destroyed a politician. The Line then chat about Dr. Phil on Joe Rogan. Did a Canadian parliamentarian really argue that there are no "parental rights" in Canada? Is that true? They then admit to having conflicted feelings over the fall of Vice, which announced this week that it would be no more. Is this a case of "go woke, go broke?" For a final ramble, Jen Gerson gets into Alberta's moratorium on renewable energy but, frankly, we admit, the jerking off segment of this podcast is better. So yeah. Come for the politics. Stay for the masturbation references. #PierrePoilievre #Conservative #JustinTrudeau #Canada #cdnPoli #politics #JoeRogan #DrPhil #Dr.Phil #Trans #Bathrooms #s210 #AgeGate #Porn #gooncave #Vice #GoWokeGoBroke

This week's The Line Podcast, recorded on Feb. 16, 2024, sees Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson talk about federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault's bizarre statement promising no new federal funding for big new road projects. And, yes, we know that roads fall under provincial and municipal jurisdiction — as does housing, energy policy, health care, and a host of other issues in which the feds do not hesitate to involve themselves. Also, if electric vehicles aren't the answer, why are we investing billions of taxpayer dollars into subsidized EV factories, while also phasing out the sale of internal combustion engine cars, Mr. Guilbeault? Then the dynamic duo go on to discuss Gerson's bizarre testimony at the Heritage committee. We think they want the media to host a party to discuss the state of the media and to be invited — to which we say: "And who is paying the drinks tab, sir?" The NDP's Charlie Angus is proposing a new law to ban oil and gas advertising — which is making us re-think bans on tobacco advertising. Turns out, it was a slippery slope! Smoke if you get 'em? Lastly, The Line team talks about a pro-Palestinian protest that just happened to proclaim the joys of intifada in front of a historically Jewish hospital — and the resentment of being asked to ignore the evidence of our own eyes. #EV #Roads #StevenGuilbeault #TheLine #MattGurney #JenGerson #NationalMediaForum #Mt.Sinai #CRTC #HeritageCommittee #Canada #Politics #Poilievre #Trudeau

A special edition of The Line Podcast for Thursday Feb. 15; Don't worry fans, Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney will be back on Friday to talk Canadian politics. But until then, join special guest Patricia Treble, Canadian royal watcher and writer at the Write Royalty Substacak. In this episode, they discuss King Charles III's cancer diagnosis; what that means for the operation of government, and when a regency could be declared. Paired with news that Catherine, Princess of Wales underwent abdominal surgery in hospital, the newfound transparency represents a sea change for the Royal family, which has historically been far more reticent to discuss their health matters. Then Gerson and Treble dive into all things Harry and Meghan because -- well -- they cannot help themselves. In the wake of the King's terrible cancer news, the Sussexes attempt a rebrand with a new website. And Meghan announces a deal with a podcasting production firm Lemonada. Is a comeback on the make? Lastly, Netflix dropped its teaser trailer for Scoop, a movie that is set to explore the downfall of Prince Andrew thanks to his notorious relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. If you're a fan of Royal Tea, do consider joining us for a cuppa. #Harry #Meghan #Sussex #Charles #Catherine #Cancer #Royal #Lemonada #podcast #Netflix #Scoop #Andrew #William #Catherine #Regency

We doubt it, but The Line's Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney talk about the goomba anyway. Then the pair discuss Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre sticking to his guns by once again opposing a free trade deal with Ukraine on some dubious carbon tax pricing grounds. Is this evidence that Poilievre is in bed with Vladimir Putin? Well, probably not, argues Gerson; instead it suggests something weirder and in some ways worse. The pair also talk about Poilievre's opposition to puberty blockers, and discuss Alberta's trans policies. Apparently there are some gender affirming top surgeries happening in the province, as reported in the National Post this week. Gurney also notes that he thinks the Ottawa press types are finally starting to figure out how to interview Poilievre. He hopes to see more of that. The Line also talks about the layoffs at Bell Canada; the obligations highly protected industries like Bell ought to have to put some of their misbegotten profits into public good enterprises like journalism. But they don't, and probably won't have to. Lastly, The Line talks about Belleville, Ontario, and why Canadians are getting more and more angry listening to politicians talk about task forces and funding for problems — like opioid overdoses, discarded needles and stolen cars — that don't seem to get better. #Carlson #Putin #Russia #CarbonTax #Ukraine #Transgender #PubertyBlockers #DanielleSmith #Alberta #Layoffs #BCE #RegulatoryCapture

This week in The Line Podcast, your Line editors are forced to talk about trans issues, which they absolutely hate doing, thanks to a series of proposals made by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Smith could have simply done as Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are doing, and that would have been meat for her socially conservative base. But she went further. The proposals will certainly be popular, but Smith is no so-con — she's a libertarian, and always has been. Why has she decided that youth sports is now the business of the state? Jen has theories! Matt broadly agrees with the Liberal critique of Smith's plans, namely, that these are solutions in search of problems, offered up only to placate base voters. He just thinks that if the federal Liberals now think that that is a bad thing, no one seems to have told the PMO yet, since Liberals do exactly that all the time. And more broadly, G&G talk about how all the parties are currently being wagged by the tails of their most fringey, passionate base voters, and how this is leaving mainstream Canadians not only alone, but desperately trying to avoid getting hit in the culture-war crossfires. Moving on, much to their relief, your intrepid editors talk about the foreign interference inquiry, and politely request 144 more inquiries, because that's the only way we can ever find anything out about anything that happens in this country. They cover a few more topics in rapid-fire sequence after that, but end on a really cheerful note: if you don't have a lot of money, you might not be able to get health care soon. So ... just mull on that a bit. And don't forget to like and subscribe!

This week, The Line's Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson chat about Tucker Carlson's visit to Alberta — or as Liberals put it, the visit of a homophobic hate monger whose presence evokes the threat of violence by MAGA far-right Conservatives. We deem all of this stupid, and expect more stupidity. So much more. Then they chat about Durham Conservative Candidate Jamil Jivani, and what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meant by calling him a "twofer" — racist dog whistle, or manipulative video editing? (It's the video editing.) Regardless, it's all stupid, too. G&G also tackle the Liberals' long-anticipated communications pivot to openly comparing Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to Donald Trump. It's not going to work — and the fact that the Liberals think this is a good idea is demonstrative of just how radically out of touch they are with how angry Canadians are, and what they're struggling with. But maybe we're wrong. Lastly, Gerson rants about Calgary's dystopian hellscape punish-the-povos $.15 fee on paper drive-through bags, and Matt orders her to buy her kiddos an insane amount of fast food. For the likes. #TheLine #JenGerson #MattGurney #TuckerCarlson #Tucker #JordanPeterson #DanielleSmith #cdnpolitics #stupid #twofer #JamilJivani #PierrePoilivre #DonaldTrump

We're back! After a refreshing holiday, The Line Podcast's Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney are together again to discuss the state of play in Canadian politics. Have the Liberals under Justin Trudeau bottomed out? Why can't they seem to secure a comeback — Gerson thinks she knows: it's because everybody's broke, and the Liberals are fixated on electric vehicles, plastic bags, and carbon taxes. The Line offers a quick update on Israel, and the federal government's incoherent and constantly wavering position on the International Court of Justice: turns out, we will abide by the ruling on whether Israel is committing genocide, even though we don't agree with the premise of the case. That ... does not make sense. Your editors also talk Alberta politics: why did Canada's most energy-rich province almost freeze to death in the cold? And what to make of NDP leader Rachel Notley stepping down from her role. Lastly, Gerson and Gurney talk about Sabrina Maddeaux, the National Post columnist who announced her candidacy for the Conservatives. They then talk more generally about journalists who escape this wretched hive of scum and villainy to enter an even grungier Mos Eisley cantina — politics. Why does this seem to be becoming more normal, and what can you do to prevent more of it? Like and subscribe to The Line www.readtheline.ca #SabrinaMaddeaux #politics #conservative #Canada #justintrudeau #Isreal #ICJ #genocide #Liberal

In this week's The Line Podcast, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson discuss the UN Ceasefire vote, and compare it to the previous request for ceasefire with conditions, and the Liberal government's insistence that the UN ceasefire vote wasn't a vote for Hamas because, really, what even is a ceasefire anyway? Canadian representative to the UN Bob Rae knew what was up when he issued his vote and then said, on a hot mic, "we'll see how that flies." It's all just another example of a Canadian foreign policy that has no first principles, and a UN that primarily exists to let nations blow off steam instead of actually doing things. Then G&G take on the Conservatives' weird votes against the Ukrainian trade deal, citing carbon tax language. Was this just a cock up? Or are the Conservatives pandering to the pro-Putin right in their own base? Moving on, indulge the podcast as they take you on a magical tea-filled exploration of the latest drama at independent media outlet Canadaland and its staffers, now feuding with their Jewish boss for failing to address antisemitism in his community more responsibly: ie; preferably not at all. Lastly, this will be The Line's last podcast before the holidays. Join us for a brief look back over a weird 2023, with more weirdness to come.

In this week's The Line podcast, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson talk about Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek's bizarre decision to publicly abstain from a civic menorah lighting ceremony because a poster advertising the event said it would be about "unity, supporting Israel, and Jewish Pride." Could her decision have been handled any more incompetently? No! Gerson column here: https://www.readtheline.ca/p/jen-gerson-just-do-your-job-jyoti Then G2 whine about Pierre Poilievre's penchant for stupid political stunts, as our MPs hunker down to consider the possibility of missing Christmas. Gurney lays out the political mistake Justin Trudeau ought to have gone down for; Gerson disagrees, and finds another one. Then the pair discuss the media: massive labour cuts at the CBC, and weird B-Roll errors at CTV. Also, Gurney is grumpy.