CANADALAND

Latest Episodes:

Off The Record: Here's a Segment We Killed, and Why Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Not all interviews go according to plan. Even on a show that has over 500 episodes and the host has recorded over a thousand interviews. So what do you do? Air it anyway? What if the content of that episode is questionable, objectionable, or problematic in some other way?

Well, sometimes the simplest answer is to just can it.

And that’s what happened a few weeks ago on the media criticism edition of CANADALAND. For the first time in its history, the show ran without its classic segment “Duly Noted” because host Jesse Brown and co-host Cenk Uygur were eventually just screaming at one another. And more than that, Jesse didn’t feel that material could be published. At least, not without the right context.

So today, host Sam Konnert brings us through what happened on that day, and then follows up with Jesse and Cenk after the fact, to see what they thought went wrong. And why it’s ok to publish it now.

Host: Sam Konnert

Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Guest: Cenk Uygur

Additional music by Audio Network

Further reading:

Carney and Trump holding direct talks on trade and security, U.S. envoy says - The Globe & Mail
Why the Musk and Trump relationship is breaking down – a psychologist explains - The Conversation
Border security bill would give law enforcement access to internet subscriber information without a warrant – The Globe & Mail
‘Pretendian’ or ‘victim’: Inside this would-be Ontario lawyer’s attempt to remake a life built on fraud - The Toronto Star
Cabinet Minister Rebecca Chartrand Apologizes for Facebook Post after Findings that she “Humiliated” and “Harassed” an Employee - Canadaland
Manitoba cabinet minister harassed college employee in past job, external investigation concluded - CBC
What happens when you go "gray rock"? — Doctor Ramani

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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 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.

Is Carney’s Bill C-2 ‘Much Worse Than Trump’? Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

The Liberals’ first piece of legislation, Bill C-2 is a sweeping 139-page omnibus bill.

It would allow police to open and inspect mail from Canada Post, restrict cash transfers over $10,000, bolster surveillance, and expand what law enforcement can do…without a warrant.

But it will also overhaul our asylum-seeking process. And with the riots below the border, we can’t but ask: are we going down the same path?

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Adam Sadinsky

Background reading:

Experts warn of Bill C-2 as ’anti-refugee’ and ’anti-immigrant’ giving Canada ’unchecked powers’ like the U.S. – Radio Canada
Opinion | Border bill primed to give Mark Carney's government sweeping new powers. Who asked for this? - Toronto Star
Montrealers protest against border security Bill C-2 – CTV
Why the ‘language of loopholes’ should be avoided if Trump cracks down on the Canada-U.S. border – The Conversation
Ontario’s Bill 5 has passed. Here’s why it has sparked conflict with First Nations – The Canadian Press

Sponsors:

Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadaland

Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more! To claim, visit article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

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.

Brian Reed on Trump’s War on the Press Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

You probably know Brian Reed from his award-winning podcast S-Town. Or from his other excellent podcast series, The Trojan Horse Affair. Finally, there’s his new show about journalism under Trump’s administration, Question Everything.

Brian Reed and Jesse got together last week to interview each other. Jesse interviewed Brian about what happens to the free press when your government tries to crush it. Brian interviewed Jesse about what happens to the free press when your government tries to save it.

Spoiler alert, both can be bad.

Host: Jesse Brown

Caleb Thompson (Mixing & Mastering), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Fact checking by Julian Abraham

Additional music by Audio Network

Further reading:

Supermarket workers are wearing body cameras. Welcome to the new dystopia – The Globe and Mail
Buying Canadian is a matter of pride for shoppers. For major grocery chains, it's an opportunity - CBC
How you can get your dough in the $500M Loblaw bread-fixing settlement - CBC
Why owning a dog or cat in Canada has become so expensive – The Globe and Mail
RCMP says it’s probing potential war crimes related to Israel-Hamas conflict - The Toronto Star

Sponsors:

Douglas: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today. Visit do uglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer

oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free!

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carney is “Horny” for Productivity, Can A.I. Minister Evan Solomon Bring It? Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

We’ve got a Minister of A.I. Now what?

Former Journalist MP Evan Solomon leads Canada’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, but it’s unclear exactly how A.I. fits into the Liberal government’s mandate.

Vass Bednar explains why she’s still optimistic about Canada’s A.I. future.

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Vass Bednar

Further reading:

Sponsors:

The Oat Company: Head over to oatcompany.com and use code CANADALAND20 for 20% off your order. They ship across Canada so you can enjoy them anywhere.

Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout

BetterHelp: Visit betterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Politics Ruins Friendships Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Political divides are growing, and it’s not just over basic issues anymore. Increasingly, people are feeling differences in basic conduct, morality, and how they approach discussions. These divisions feel too big to ignore.

How do you go about fixing that divide? This week host Sam Konnert sits down with Ryan Broderick to iron things out.

And the latest on the grand meeting of the Premiers in Saskatoon, Carney’s new chief of staff pick and Trump’s doubling of the steel and aluminum tariffs.

Host: Sam Konnert

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Ryan Broderick

Background reading:

Sponsors:

Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadaland

Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit ARTICLE.COM/BACKBENCH and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scoop: Cabinet Minister “Harassed” and “Humiliated” Employee Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

The election is done and dusted. Votes cast, tallied, and 343 newly minted MPs are on the job. But even though we, the media collectively, tried our best to vet everyone, some things slipped past us.

There’s one candidate that we at Canadaland did not vet. That candidate won. And then she was named to Cabinet. She is now a federal minister. Only then did we get a tip about her. A tip that did in fact turn up information about her that was not yet known but which should be known.

Host: Jesse Brown

Julian Abraham (Reporter)

Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Fact checking by Max Collins

Additional music by Audio Network

Further reading:

Sponsors:

oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free!

The Oat Company: Head over to oatcompany.com and use code CANADALAND20 for 20% off your order. They ship across Canada so you can enjoy them anywhere.

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Big Scary Canada-US Border May 28, 2025

Show notes

Canadians and Americans alike are afraid of crossing the border, and for political commentators like Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks travel requires extra precautions. What’s behind Trump’s puzzling decision to politicize border crossing for US citizens?

Host: Jesse Brown

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Cenk Uygur

Further reading:

Sponsors:

Squarespace: Check out squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free!

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.