Synopsis
Media criticism, news analysis and investigations with host Jesse Brown. The #1 Canadian podcast.
Episodes
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A House Divided, Again: BC's Housing Scandal
26/06/2023 Duration: 40minVancouver’s SROs are home to some of the most vulnerable people in the province, and some of the most challenging housing to run. So when Atira Women’s Resource Society stepped up to run several buildings, concerns that the CEO was in a relationship with the CEO of BC Housing, the provincial corporation in charge of that housing, were dismissed. In the years that followed, there was growing concern about the conditions of the SROs, and why Atira’s portfolio kept growing.Recently an explosive report released by third party investigators Ernst and Young revealed the truth. This week’s episode by Cherise Seucharan looks at how a problem ignored for over a decade, came to light.Featured in this episode: Jen St Denis, reporter at The Tyee; Frances Bula, reporter, The Globe and Mail.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Cherise Seucharan (Reporter), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Further reading:Public housing in Vancou
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(Détours) Parler de la Chine, sans peur
24/06/2023 Duration: 37minAvec May Chiu (coordinatrice de la Table ronde du Quartier chinois de Montréal et membre de l’Association des Chinois progressistes du Québec), Emilie se penche sur l’impact de l’actualité des derniers mois sur la communauté chinoise du Canada. Quels sont les impacts sur le terrain des enquêtes journalistiques du printemps sur l’ingérence de Beijing au pays ? La diversité des points de vue chez les Canadiens d’origine chinoise a-t-elle sa place dans les médias ? Comment protéger la démocratie canadienne contre l’ingérence étrangère sans stigmatiser toute une diaspora ?With May Chiu (coordinator of the Montreal Chinatown Roundtable and member of the Association of Progressive Chinese Quebeckers), Emilie examines the impact of the news of recent months on the Chinese community in Canada. What are the impacts on the ground of last spring's journalistic investigations into Beijing's interference in the country? Does the diversity of views among Chinese Canadians have a place in the media? How can we protect Canad
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(Short Cuts) We All Died In a Tiny Submarine
22/06/2023 Duration: 44minDo the billionaires on the missing Titan submarine deserve sympathy or scorn? While Canada and the US pull out all the stops to find it, days before, a boat off the coast of Greece capsized, killing 300, with minimal international attention. And we get into the behind-the-scenes of the CTV layoffs at Bell Media. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guest: Ethan Cox Further reading: Canadian aircraft detects undersea sounds during search for missing submersible - CBC News Former Global News journalist defends reporting on Chinese political interference: 'The story stands' - Toronto StarAre we in the Anthropocene? Why Canada's Crawford Lake may hold answers - Washington PostEXCLUSIVE: Quebec housing minister lobbied by real-estate business partner - Ricochet Bell cutting 1,300 positions, closing or selling 9 radio stations - Financial PostMontreal Gazette Faces a New String of Dep
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Mystery Brain Disease Cases Quadruple, Says New Brunswick Doctor
19/06/2023 Duration: 39minIt was in the winter of 2021 that the world first became aware of a mounting number of patients being seen in New Brunswick with unusual neurological symptoms. A year later, the Government of New Brunswick released a report dismissing the entire issue, claiming there was never a cluster of patients to begin with.CANADALAND has obtained thousands and thousands of pages of internal documents that take us behind the scenes of that investigation that once caught the attention of the nation, before being dropped like a hot potato. In this update to the story Dr. Marrero reveals new theories on the disease’s origins and the fact that his caseload has quadrupled to over 200 since our last report on the story.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Sarah Lawrynuik (Reporter), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Further reading:Canadian government urged to test sick patients for herbicide – The Guardian, Mar. 1, 2023Whistleblower warns baf
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(Short Cuts) Transphobia: The Right Finds Another Target
15/06/2023 Duration: 35minAfter weeks of navigating accusations of conflict, special rapporteur David Johnston finally ran aground. If you’re trying to persuade people of your unimpeachable independence, maybe don’t hire a communications firm that’s connected to everyone?And, ah crap, the far right is fixated on queer people again.The Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo co-hosts.Host: Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guest: Cheri DiNovo Further reading: David Johnston ends relationship with crisis communications firm Navigator in foreign interference probe - The Globe and MailDavid Johnston resigning as special rapporteur on foreign interference - CBC NewsSupreme Court Justice Russell Brown resigns before start of inquiry into alleged harassment - The Globe and MailThe Hater - NetflixPoland was headed to the far right. Then Russia invaded Ukraine - CBC The NationalWARMINGTON: MPP punched in face at transgender protest? Or was cut from
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The Rise and Fall of BuzzFeed News
12/06/2023 Duration: 55minIn the mid-2010s, BuzzFeed News seemed like the most exciting place in media: an almost cloyingly whimsical carnival of abundance where journalists were actually happy. At a time when everything else appeared to be crumbling, it burst with hope and possibility.Last month, after just a few years of layoffs and withering, it shut down for good.And if the quick life and death of BuzzFeed News represented the whole past, present, and future of media collapsed into a single decade, then BuzzFeed Canada was a micocosm of that, living fast and dying young in just a fraction of the time.Today, BuzzFeed Canada founding editor Craig Silverman (now with ProPublica) and longtime writer Elamin Abdelmahmoud (now with CBC Radio) sit down with Canadaland news editor Jonathan Goldsbie to look at how this strange thing got built up so fast, and what it was like on the inside as it rapidly slipped awayHost: Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Anne
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(Détours) Les femmes, leurs voix, et la haine
10/06/2023 Duration: 54minAvec France-Isabelle Langlois (directrice générale d’Amnistie internationale Canada francophone) et Maïka Sondarjee (professeure adjointe à l’Université d’Ottawa, cofondatrice de Femmes expertes et auteure), Emilie se penche sur la haine (en ligne) à laquelle les femmes s’exposent de plus en plus lorsqu’elles prennent la parole publiquement sur les enjeux qui leur tiennent à cœur. Pourquoi est-ce que l’arène publique devient de plus en plus violente ? Comment les femmes se sont-elles adaptées et comment résistent-elles ? Et qu’est-ce qui peut être fait pour venir à bout de cette violence ?Cette conversation a été enregistrée au Centre PHI à Montréal, le 8 juin 2023. Merci à l’équipe du Centre PHI.Emilie is joined by France-Isabelle Langlois (Executive Director of Amnesty International Canada Francophone) and Maïka Sondarjee (assistant professor at the University of Ottawa, co-founder of Femmes Expertes and author) to discuss (online) hatred women are increasingly exposed to when they speak out publicly on the
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(Short Cuts) It’s BBQ Season in Canada!
08/06/2023 Duration: 35minWildfires are coming at us from all sides. How can local reporters get at the root issues? And the implementation of Quebec's language law municipalities making fun of the new rules. Tim Bousquet co-hosts. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guest: Tim Bousquet Further reading: Officials have known for years about the wildfire risks in Tantallon - Halifax ExaminerLetter from the editor: Why we won’t be covering Collision this year - The LogicCollision nears a one-year Toronto extension, efforts mount for a West Coast alternative - BetaKit Côte-St-Luc, 20 other municipalities to launch lawsuit against Bill 96 - Montreal GazetteAccess to English medical services threatened in Bill 15, anglo rights group warns - Montreal GazetteChronique – Vinegar Sammy - Le Devoir Sponsors: Ecojustice, oxio, Article, Athletic GreensPitch us! If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get
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Crime Pays, If You're A Journalist
05/06/2023 Duration: 51minThere's no beat more likely to get you an audience and a paycheck. It's trend-proof and recession-proof. Yes, true crime is freakishly popular right now, but it was never unpopular. Audiences have been showing up for gangster stories and murder stories and heist stories and scam stories steadily, for at least a hundred years, and probably a lot longer. It's big business.But it’s a business that can come with a personal cost for its practitioners. How can you dig into the darkest parts of the human psyche, the most notorious crimes, and not feel guilty?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Further information:The Human Scale: Murder, Mischief and Other Selected MayhemsMichael Lista’s websiteAdditional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: Canva, Squarespace, PelotonIf 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
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(Short Cuts) Little Reich On The Prairie
01/06/2023 Duration: 27minDespite Danielle Smith’s involvement in numerous scandals, she won a majority in Alberta’s election. Albertan Dani Paradis helps us understand why. And senior citizen sex shows, sex toy exhibits and art by Bryan Adams - you may not like it, but you’ve been paying for them, taxpayer! Well, no more. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guest: Dani Paradis Further reading: Alberta’s Vote Will Test American-Style Far-Right Politics - The New York TimesOpinion: With Danielle Smith’s win, the Wildrose Party has firm control of Alberta - Globe and MailFIRST READING: Danielle Smith isn't an 'American-style' fringe conservative - National PostThe Mounties: 150 years of conflict with Indigenous Peoples - APTNTaxpayers group celebrates cancellation of wasteful Mission Cultural Fund - Western StandardFeds spent thousands funding on sex shows featuring seniors - Toronto Sun Sponsors: Ecojustice, Peloto
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How To Save News Media From Our Tech Overlords
29/05/2023 Duration: 42minBig tech critic Cory Doctorow lays out a four-part plan to save the news media from big tech’s stranglehold.The plan: create a comprehensive new privacy law, open up the app stores to true competition, return to the internet’s founding principle of true end to end delivery, and finally, splinter Meta and Google into smaller independent competing companies.Would it work? How close are we to any of this?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Further information:Cory Doctorow - https://craphound.com/Sponsors: Rotman, Atheltic Greens, PelotonCanadaland is turning 10! From May 24 - June 2, sign up for our highest level of ongoing support for only $10 a month. PLUS the first 100 signups will receive a FREE limited edition 10th Anniversary tote bag. Head to canadaland.com/join to become a supporter today. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for
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HOCKEY 1 - The Best Game You Can Name
27/05/2023 Duration: 25minHockey is a hell of a lot of fun. But right now, the sport is going through a reckoning. Allegations of racism, corruption, sexual misconduct and so much more are rocking the game to its core.But the truth is that in Canada, hockey is more than just a sport. It’s a civic religion, with a billion dollar business attached to it.Over the next seven episodes, COMMONS will be digging into the cult of hockey, scrutinizing its doctrines and exposing its secrets.Featured in this episode: Ian Kennedy (The Hockey News)Editor’s Note: a different version of this episode was published on the subscriber-only feed of Commons. No inaccuracies were found in the original version, changes were made by the Editor in Chief for storytelling purposes.To learn more:“How a Toronto hockey league turns kids’ joy into an $8.8m cash cow” by Ian Kennedy and Nathan Kalman-Lamb in The Guardian“Aliu says GTHL rejected organization that would have assured spots for BIPOC players” by Rick Westhead in TSN“Prospective buyer says he was coached t
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(Short Cuts) What, Me Inquiry?
25/05/2023 Duration: 34minThe Special Rapporteur is back with a hotly anticipated release - No Public Inquiry! David Johnston made his decision – rage and frustration ensued. And the Toronto Mayoral race heats up with Olivia Chow leading the polls. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading: Matt Gurney: The Johnston report is one of the most depressing things I've ever read - The LineCanadians who say they were targeted by Beijing slam David Johnston: ‘Another day of being unheard’ - Toronto StarTrudeau Foundation spent less than required on charities through most of its existence, tax records suggest - Investigative Journalism FoundationMaid for a month: Goodbye to all that - The Globe and MailOlivia Chow has ‘untouchable’ lead in final weeks of Toronto’s mayoral campaign, new poll finds - Toronto StarLILLEY: Polls show Chow set to win and that's not good for Toronto - Toronto SunInside the T
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How Canadaland Works
24/05/2023 Duration: 14minThe odds were stacked against us, but here we are. This year Canadaland turns ten. To mark the occasion, Canadaland Founder and Publisher, Jesse Brown, shares why he started a podcast and how that morphed into a thriving media company. Jesse reflects on the impact our journalism has and continues to have, why the work the team does is more important than ever, and how our supporters have enabled it all.Canadaland is turning 10! From May 24 - June 2, you can get all the benefits of our $15/month tier for only $10/month — and it's a deal you can keep for as long as you stay a supporter. PLUS the first 100 signups will receive a FREE limited edition 10th Anniversary tote bag. Head to canadaland.com/join to become a supporter today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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News Tropes And Moral Panic
22/05/2023 Duration: 30minWhile the press of today might not be reporting on aliens with the same fervour, many of the tropes from those days are still alive and well in modern-day journalism. Stories about how no one wants to work anymore, or how technology is killing the art of conversation, have been told for over 130 years… and counting. What are the tropes that keep coming back again and again? And are we really so different from the hysterical, partisan press of yesteryear? Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Cherise Seucharan (Reporter), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Further information:Paul Fairie on Twitter Think Like a Historian, Historica CanadaMaking National News: A History of the Canadian Press, Gene AllenLibrary of Congress: Chronicling America ArchivesSharp Wits and Busy Pens: The role of the Parliamentary Press Gallery over the years, Video Series, Carleton UniversityAdditional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: Oxio,
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(Détours) Les deux conservatismes
20/05/2023 Duration: 42minDes feux de forêt font rage en Alberta alors qu’une élection provinciale est en cours. Emilie discute de l’état du conservatisme en Alberta, mais aussi la nouvelle génération d’intellectuels conservateurs au Québec avec Frédéric Boily, auteur et professeur de sciences politiques au Campus Saint-Jean de l’Université de l’Alberta.While forest fires rage in Alberta, a provincial election campaign is underway. Emilie discusses the state of conservatism in Alberta, as well as the new generation of conservative intellectuals in Quebec with Frederic Boily, author and Professor of Political Science at the Saint-Jean Campus at the University of Alberta.Animation: Emilie NicolasGénérique: Tristan Capacchione (Producteur)Coanimation: Frédéric BoilyPour en savoir plus :‘We are a skeleton crew out here’: UCP cuts led to disastrous Alberta wildfire situation — Trina Moyles, The NarwhalTake Back Alberta Leaders are Training ‘Scrutineers’ to Infiltrate Campaigns and Act as ‘Security’ on Voting Day — Stephen Magusiak, Press P
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(Short Cuts) Poilievre on Drugs
18/05/2023 Duration: 39minJesse Brown and co-host Manisha Krishnan dismantle a 10,000 word piece in the National Post claiming safe supply programs are killing people and fuelling a new opioid crisis. And three cheers for the new Canadian passport! Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guest: Manisha Krishnan Further reading: Drug fail: The Liberal government's 'safer supply' is fuelling a new opioid crisis - National PostConrad Black: Free hard drugs for addicts a catastrophic Liberal failure - National PostPoilievre accuses government of contributing to addiction crisis with drug strategy - National PostYes, Canada’s new passport really is that bad - Globe and Mail 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 at our store, tic
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(canadaLANDBACK) Hearts And Minds
15/05/2023 Duration: 36mincanadaLANDBACK is a co-production by Canada’s National Observer and Canadaland.Host Karyn Pugliese, producer Kim Wheeler, contributors Trina Roache and Cara McKenna reflect on the season, and — wait for it — Karyn and Jesse argue about whether or not journalism can change the hearts and minds of people. Contributors: Trina Roache, Cara McKenna, Jesse Brown Host: Karyn Pugliese, editor-in-chief, Canada’s National ObserverCredits: Kim Wheeler (Producer)Sponsors: Rotman, Squarespace, Athletic Greens, Better HelpIf 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.Check out other CNO podca
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(Short Cuts) We Need to Talk About Kevin Vuong
11/05/2023 Duration: 41minAmidst escalating tensions between Canada and China, an independent MP thinks he’s found the shadowy hand manipulating his fate. If a person asserts there’s been a plot against them but can’t offer any proof, does that count as a literal conspiracy theory?And has this government ever met a poorly-conceived policy for media regulation it didn’t like? Well, it has now!PressProgress editor Luke LeBrun joins Jonathan on Short Cuts.Host: Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guest: Luke LeBrun Further reading: As the spectre of China's meddling spreads, another MP claims he is a victim – National PostIndependent MP Kevin Vuong explains to Moore In The Morning whether he was targeted by Chinese election interference. – Newstalk 1010The Liberal Party of Canada Wants to Regulate Truth Online. Even Justin Trudeau Thinks It’s a Bad Idea. – PressProgressThis Must Stop: Government and Liberal Party Go All-I
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Blackberry The Phone The Podcast
08/05/2023 Duration: 47minFor nearly a decade, Research in Motion was the global leader in smartphones with its iconic QWERTY-keyboard-having Blackberry. Through a mix of guerilla marketing and an unexpected boost in sales after 9/11, the rather simplistic email device was transferring some of the world’s most closely guarded secrets, from government officials, business leaders, and celebrities through some servers in Waterloo, Ontario. What was the cause of its demise? The iPhone? Google? Hubris? Jesse chats with Cherise and Jonathan about his interview with Sean Silcoff, co-author of Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry, also written by Jacquie McNish. The book is also the source material for the new film by Matt Johnson, Blackberry, starring Glenn Howerton and Jay Baruchel, which releases on May 12, 2023.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Cherise Seucharan (Reporter), Jonathan