CANADALAND

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CANADALAND

Jesse Brown

37 minutes 29 seconds

How to Score Cheap Political Points off a Mass Shooting
While the Canadian mainstream media was reluctant to reveal unverified information, far right outlets and bad actors swarmed to score political points for their anti-trans agenda.

Why is Jesse Van Rootselaar’s gender the focus of the online discussion? And how should it fit into the coverage?

Mel Woods of Xtra Magazine joins Noor Azrieh.

Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)
Guest: Mel Woods

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.

Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

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

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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
13 February 2026, 11:30 am
34 minutes 24 seconds

The Most Political Olympics Ever?
Playing rules-based games at the end of the rules-based order.

With the heated rivalry between the US and Canada, athletes speaking out against ICE, and the rupture of old world order in the background, the Olympics are especially political this time around.

Where do politics fit into the winter games and how did hockey become a symbol of geopolitical conflict?

Rahim Mohamed of the National Post gets “Canada Down” with Noor Azrieh.

Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Masteringr), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)
Guest: Rahim Mohamed

Further reading:
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. The Free bundle now ALSO includes a down-alternative duvet and cover! Visit do uglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer

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

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.

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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11 February 2026, 11:30 am
27 minutes 40 seconds

The "Canadianization of NATO" and our Fight to Host the World's Military Bank
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 Konnert
Credits: 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: Sonya Shorey, Mayor Andy Fillmore, Maroy Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Rod Phillips, Councillor Brad Bradford and Sam Witherspoon

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

Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features. Activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

Buy your next car today with CarGurus to make sure your big deal is the best deal.

Did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? Last episode, we asked you to call in and share interesting stories happening from across the country and you all delivered, and that episode is out now!

If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join.

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.

Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10 February 2026, 11:30 am
34 minutes 3 seconds

Was New Brunswick's Medical Mystery a "House of Cards"?
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 Brown
Credits: 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 Marrero

Fact checking by Kallan Lyons
Additional music by Audio Network

More information:
Sponsors:

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at https://mubi.com/canadaland

Fizz: Visit https://fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

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

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

Can’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
9 February 2026, 11:45 am
24 minutes 7 seconds

The Press Said Poilievre Was Finished. Were they Trying to Tank Him, or Just Very Wrong?
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:
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. The Free bundle now ALSO includes a down-alternative duvet and cover! Visit do uglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.

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

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

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.

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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
6 February 2026, 11:30 am
1 minute 29 seconds

BONUS: The Buddhist Monks Buying Up PEI and Other Hot Gossip?

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 Konnert
Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Publisher)
Additional music by Audio Network

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

5 February 2026, 11:45 am
31 minutes 15 seconds

When ICE Kills and Terrorizes, Can Canada do Anything but Watch?
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:
Sponsors:

Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

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

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.

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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
4 February 2026, 11:30 am
33 minutes 12 seconds

I Recorded a Right-Wing Influencer Party at Poilievre's Convention

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 Azrieh
Credits: 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/canadaland

To 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 features and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

We have a monthly supporter exclusive show, Off The Record, where our very own Sam Konnert gets to talk to YOU fine listeners. We asked you to call in and share interesting stories happening from across the country and you all delivered, so make sure to tune into that this Thursday.

If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you may have missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join.

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.

Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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

3 February 2026, 11:30 am
38 minutes 13 seconds

The Freelancer’s Guide to Getting Revenge When You’ve Been Ripped Off
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 Brown
Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)
Featured Guest: Raymond Biesinger
Special Thanks: Julian Abraham, max collins, and Caleb Thompson (Voicing)

Fact checking by Kallan Lyons
Additional music by Audio Network

More information:
- Raymond Biesinger
- 9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off — Drawn & Quarterly
- FLASHBACK : Le portrait psychédélique d’un disparu — 2PAR4
- Non-exclusive licence issued to Raymond Biesinger — Copyright Board of Canada
- Non-exclusive licence issued to Productions 2PAR4 — Copyright Board of Canada
- Please stop stealing my art — Wright Kitchen
Sponsors:

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at https://mubi.com/canadaland

Fizz: Visit https://fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

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

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

Can’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2 February 2026, 11:45 am
31 minutes 33 seconds

Trump's Crashing Out Over Carney's China Deal
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 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: Jan Wong

Further reading:
Sponsors:

Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

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.
MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 January 2026, 11:30 am
36 minutes 49 seconds

Carney-Man: With Middle Power Comes Middle Responsibility
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 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: 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:
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.

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

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

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28 January 2026, 11:30 am
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