Canadaland

NATO is building something new: a Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. Basically a World Bank for war, and Canada wants it.From Toronto to Montreal to Ottawa to Halifax, mayors are campaigning hard, pitching their cities as the future headquarters of a global military finance hub. Thousands of high-paying jobs, direct access to defence capital and a front-row seat to the new security order are all at stake.At the same time, Mark Carney is preparing to unveil his long-awaited Defence Industrial Strategy, a plan to pump billions into Canada’s military sector. After years of defence being politically taboo, hard power is suddenly a growth strategy.So what does that actually mean for the companies building the tech? For the cities fighting to host the bank? And for a country that once prided itself on being defence-averse?Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director

The government of New Brunswick has released its much-anticipated report on the mysterious neurological illnesses afflicting many in the province. The report doesn’t just aim to identify what’s behind the “cluster” of disease. It’s far more fundamental than that. Its findings raise questions as to whether the disease itself exists. Is it a single disease or a mass misdiagnosis of unrelated illnesses?The physician at the heart of the controversy for much of the last decade, Dr. Alier Marrero, has blasted the report and labelled it as a “shockwave” to himself and his patients. He joins us today.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Julian Abraham (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Featured Guest: Dr. Allier MarreroFact checking by Kallan LyonsAdditional music by Audio NetworkMore information:The battle over Canada's mystery brain diseaseN.B. report finds herbicides, heavy metals not the ca

Poilievre’s landslide victory at his leadership review raises questions about the flurry of coverage about his political demise only months ago. Why was there such a disconnect? With Carney riding high, and Poilievre’s likeability still a concern, Conservatives are betting on the long game (and hoping to avoid a spring election.) Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Harrison Lowman Further reading: Poilievre clears leadership review with 87% support, following a rousing, campaign-style speech - CTV NewsI’m a former senior aide to Stephen Harper. Pierre Poilievre is dismantling the principled, trustworthy Conservative Party we tried to build  - Toronto StarWhen a Harper Conservative goes after Pierre Poilievre, you know there’s blood in the water  - Toronto StarBraid: Poilievre's team gets ready for epic leade

A lot of the time, local news sucks. It’s important, but it sucks. City council meetings, school board meetings, police board meetings… just plain boring.But every once in a while, there’s a gold mine.But at Canadaland we just don’t have the resources to find these little golden nuggets, these hyper local stories. We’re not on the ground, our audience is national, and we don’t usually get the scoops.So we asked you to call in and let us know all about them. And boy did you deliver, we’ve got everything from throwing shovels at city workers, to Buddhist monks in PEI with alleged ties to the Communist Party of China. Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)Additional music by Audio NetworkThis show is available exclusively to Canadaland supporters. To become one, go to https://canadaland.com/join/. You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’

Canadian media is calling out companies with ties to ICE, but can it make a difference? Thomson Reuters, Hootsuite, Roschel, and the Jim Pattison Group are among a group of Canadian companies facing criticism for their connection with ICE. Media coverage, petitions, and protests have compelled some of these companies to cut ties with ICE. Canadian politicians are joining in to voice their outrage over what’s happening in Minnesota, but what sort of meaningful impact can we actually have? Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Harrison Lowman Further reading: Canadian Companies Must Cut Ties with ICE, Say Protesters | The Tyee Vancouver social-media company Hootsuite looking to work with ICE to ‘build trust’ - The Globe and Mail ICE ordering fleet of 20 armoured vehicles from Brampton, Ont., firm | CBC News

Pierre Poilievre just cruised through his leadership review, but is the party really buying what he’s selling? Noor Azrieh goes inside the Conservative convention in Calgary, from the polished speeches on stage to the simmering anger offstage. Along the way: separatists working the floor, influencers commanding the crowd, and a party trying to sell hope to a base still fuelled by grievance.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)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/canadalandTo stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value

This is not your traditional true crime story. This is not a whodunnit. It’s more of a howdunnit. That is, it’s a self-defence guide on how to fight back after you’ve been ripped off.Raymond Biesinger is an iconic Canadian illustrator and author of the book, 9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off. And he invited Producer Tristan Capacchione to his studio to talk all about his true crime story.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Featured Guest: Raymond BiesingerSpecial Thanks: Julian Abraham, max collins, and Caleb Thompson (Voicing)Fact checking by Kallan LyonsAdditional music by Audio NetworkMore information:Raymond Biesinger9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off — Drawn & QuarterlyFLASHBACK : Le portrait psychédélique d’un disparu — 2PAR4Non-exclusive licence issued to Raymond Biesinger — Copyright Board of CanadaNon-exclusive licence issued to Productions 2

Carney’s deal with China is pissing off Trump, but it’s exactly the sort of leverage Canada needs for the upcoming CUSMA negotiations. It’s more than just EVs and canola, and it’s more than a return to our previous trade arrangements with China. Carney’s deal signals how Canada intends to navigate the so-called “new world order.” But, with Xi Jinping purging his top generals, is China really as “predictable” as Carney suggests? Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading: Preliminary Agreement-In-Principle to Address Economic and Trade Issues between Canada and the People's Republic of China - Government of Canada No plans for China free trade deal, Carney says as Trump fixates on Canada | CBC NewsCanada wants to be 1st in North America to build EV with Chinese knowledge: senior official | CBC News

Carney’s speech made headlines around the world and positions Canada as a global thought leader. Why did it capture so much international attention, and will Carney’s Davos kudos benefit Canada in the long run? Jan Wong joins to unpack Carney’s rhetorical triumph and to dish on Margaret Atwood’s lunch beef 30 years later. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jan Wong Call in to Off The Record on Thursday, January 29 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm EST by going to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dialing in at 888-401-7056 Further reading: Carney's Davos speech draws reaction from around the world | CBC News Mark Carney's Davos speech: Reaction from BBC, NYT, Rolling Stone - CTV News   Mark Carney’s Davos speech is a ‘manifesto of free people.’ Here’s what else the world is saying - Toronto Star As

We’re back in the middle of another Donald Trump tariff tantrum—this time over Canada’s trade relationship with China. And yet, for a brief moment, it felt like Canada was riding high on the world stage, with Mark Carney holding court in Davos at the World Economic Forum. So… which version of Canada is real right now? The confident global player, or the country once again bracing for Trump’s mood swings?Host Noor Azrieh puts that question to New York Times Canada Bureau Chief Matina Stevis-Gridneff, before turning to Ottawa reporter Sam Konnert to take us inside Parliament’s long-awaited return.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Matina Stevis-GridneffBackground reading:Trump Calls Out Mark Carney in Davos Speech and Says Canada ‘Should Be Grateful’ – The New York TimesOpinion | Trump Just Proved

A criminal gang driving around Toronto in stolen vehicles, impersonating police officers, sexually assaulting women, hate-motivated, and connected to ISIS. It was a shocking, sensational, frightening news story. And chances are you didn’t hear about it. Why?To answer that question we’re joined today by Ellin Bessner. She has worked for CBC, CTV, covered wars in Africa and Kosovo, and most recently she’s a reporter at the Canadian Jewish News. Clarification: Bessner covered the war in Kosovo for CTV, but for clarity, she did so while stationed in Italy.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Featured Guest: Ellin BessnerFact checking by Kallan LyonsAdditional music by Audio NetworkMore information:Project Neapolitan News Release — Toronto Police ServiceWe watched Al-Quds Day in Toronto. Here’s what we heard — The CJNThree men accused of hunting women and Jews on

Alberta separatists are rallying to collect signatures to call a referendum. Meanwhile, with Francois Legault’s resignation, and the separatist Parti Quebecois leading in opinion polls, a referendum is once again a real possibility in QuebecAre Alberta and Quebec’s separatist movements a real threat to the unity of Canada? Plus, police officers charged in Manitoba, and fact-checking oil industry spin on CANADALAND. Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Max Fawcett Further reading: New poll suggests one in five Albertans would vote to separate | CBC News What Alberta separatist leaders are telling supporters at secession petition events - Edmonton Journal Alberta's independence movement is a global rarity: right-wing separatists - National PostHas Separatism Gone Mainstream in Alberta? | The Tyee  Most Quebec

As Trump’s threats of taking Greenland intensify, world leaders are in Davos for the World Economic Forum. It’s been a busy week for Mark Carney, following up diplomatic visits  to China and Qatar with a landmark speech at the WEF that lays bare the unravelling of the global order. Plus, allegations of “crying rooms” at the CBC and the one year anniversary of DOGE.Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate producer and Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Max FawcettAdditional music by Audio Network Further reading:  PM Mark Carney speaks at World Economic Forum in Davos – January 20, 2026 - CPAC [YouTube]    'The old order is not coming back,' Carney says in provocative speech at Davos | CBC News Mark Carney just shook up the world | Canada's National ObserverCarney weighs sending soldiers to Greenland for military exercises with NATO allies: sources | CBC NewsEurope condemns Trump’s ‘new

 When the Liberals announced the national gun buyback program in 2019, it was supposed to be a simple and clear choice. A popular policy that made for an easy political win. 6 years later, it's looking more like the gun buyback program backfired on the Liberals. How did we get here?PLUS - All eyes on Greenland as Trump threatens to take control. Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Noah SchwartzBackground reading:Ottawa unveils next steps in its national gun buyback program. Here are the details – CBC NewsNoah Schwartz: Liberals' botched gun buyback program may create a dangerous ‘grey market’ – National PostCarney weighs sending soldiers to Greenland for military exercises with NATO allies: sources – CBC NewsSponsors: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress

Trump invades Greenland tomorrow. Danish forces shoot on American forces. American forces shoot back. Maybe a Canadian gets killed since we're there in support of NATO. In the end America takes Greenland by force. What happens next, Bob?There may be nobody in this country who has had a closer view of the turmoil currently overwhelming the international order than former UN Ambassador Bob Rae. His tenure overlapped with COVID, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, October 7th, and Israel’s subsequent siege and bombardment of Gaza. Bob Rae retired a couple months ago. Which means he’s free to speak his mind. And that’s what he does today on Canadaland.Host: Stephen MarcheCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Featured Guest: Bob RaeFact checking by Julian AbrahamAdditional music by Audio NetworkPhoto: Mykola SwarnykMore information:Steve Paikin: Bob R

Heated Rivalry’s breakout success is bringing CanCon, hockey, and gay sex to the world. Does this surprising hit give Canadian TV a new playbook?Heated Rivalry is also bringing in new hockey fans and helping the sport’s image, so why isn’t the NHL embracing it? Can the show have a real impact on hockey culture? Plus, Canada Proud double dips on CBC messaging, and an NDP leadership candidate uses AI to answer questions on Reddit. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Sam KonnertAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther reading: Why is Heated Rivalry so popular? It’s not just the sex, but the Canadianness | CBC Arts Popularity of ‘Heated Rivalry’ Has Surprised Even TV Executives - The New York Times What ‘Heated Rivalry’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ say about the Canada we want to be | Xtra MagazineHit show ‘Heated Rivalry’ became a

After weeks of protests, thousands of casualties, internet blackouts, and viral moments of resistance, the Canadian media is only now ramping up its coverage of the Iran,Why hasn’t there been more coverage of this historic moment in Canadian outlets?  Plus, Iranian-Canadians have been rallying across the country, but progressives aren’t joining to support them. Duly Noting: updates on the WE Charity scandal, The Narwhal vs the RCMP, and a Toronto Sun reporter’s very bad tweet. This episode uses generative AI for the following purposes: Descript Studio Sound effect on the audio of Kaveh ShahroozHost: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Kaveh Shahrooz Further reading: Canadians join global protests in solidarity with Iranian uprising - CTV News Over 12,000 feared dead after Iran protests, as video shows bodies lined up

Mark Carney heads to Beijing, China, marking the first time in 8 years a Canadian Prime Minister sets foot in the country. The trip comes as Canada juggles Chinese canola tariffs and a seriously fractured US trade relationship. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Vina Nadjibulla and asks if it's even possible to play nice with China? Or whether this whole trip is a waste of time. Plus, we hear from Kelly Ann Shaw, a key architect of the Trump administration’s trade, investment, energy and national security policies in his first term, about the future of CUSMA.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Vina Nadjibulla, Kelly Ann ShawBackground reading:This will be the real test of Mark Carney’s visit to China – The Globe and MailCarney heads to Beijing as Trump’s America First agenda forces Canada into trade

The U.S. attack on Venezuela roiled Canadian oil markets. Pipelines and crude are suddenly spawning countless headlines. But do you know the difference between your sweet crude and a hole in the ground? And is that hole in the ground spurting sour bitumen? Of course that’s a trick question as everyone knows sour bitumen won’t spurt without dilbit. Right? What do you really know about oil? Given that it seems to be driving so much of our geopolitics and fuelling a large part of our economy, what do you need to know about it?Today we’re going oil school, getting back to basics, to try and understand what’s behind all the crude news.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Featured Guest: Adam PankratzFact checking by Julian AbrahamAdditional music by Audio NetworkMore information:Venezuelan oil could put Canada out of business — The National PostThe Venezuela

Twitter/X’s Grok is undressing people, including minors, but xAI doesn’t seem to care. Now that Twitter is worse than ever, will that be enough to stop Canadian public figures from using the platform? Jen Gerson of The Line joins to consider the future options for an online public square.   Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Katie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Jen Gerson Further reading: Elon Musk's Grok AI says images of 'minors in minimal clothing' caused by safeguard lapses | CBC NewsFrance to investigate deepfakes of women stripped naked by Grok – POLITICO Elon Musk company bot apologizes for sharing sexualized images of children - Los Angeles TimesCanadian government officials, what are you still doing on X in 2026? | Canada's National Observer  In the age of AI, it's easy to make deepfake porn. But victims find it hard to un