The Backbench

The Backbench

Two opinionated journalists who always find something to disagree on.

  • 3 minutes 35 seconds
    Introducing: The Copernic Affair

    The Copernic Affair is available now, wherever you get your podcasts.


    The life of an unassuming sociology professor in Canada gets turned upside down when he is accused of carrying out a 1980 bomb attack on a synagogue in Paris. Hassan Diab says heʼs innocent, but French investigators are determined to prove otherwise.


    Journalists Dana Ballout and Alex Atack take listeners through the twists and turns of this extraordinary story, all the while asking…


    Is Hassan Diab guilty, or is he a scapegoat? And what if one person’s justice means committing an injustice to another?


    You can become a Canadaland supporter to listen to the whole series early and ad-free.


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    22 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 38 minutes 12 seconds
    Trump Almost Forgot to Bully Us

    Donald Trump’s back, but Canada is STILL divided on how to respond. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has gone rogue, Doug Ford just wants everyone to look at his cool new hat.


    It’s an economic threat, but also threatens to pull our very identity apart. Are we just supposed to sit and wait? To break it down, Noor welcomes Wall Street Journal reporter Vipal Monga, and UBC lecturer Stewart Prest.


    Host: Noor Azrieh

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


    Guests: Vipal Monga, Stewart Prest


    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


    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.


    Our latest investigation, The Copernic Affair, launches tomorrow on the Canadaland Investigates feed. Follow The Copernic Affair wherever you get your podcasts: https://canadaland.lnk.to/copernic-affair 


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    21 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 33 minutes 26 seconds
    Interview With a Young Lefty

    Join Noor Azrieh and Sam Konnert for a discussion to bid farewell to key legislation that is likely to be lost due to Parliament's prorogation. From the Online Harms Act, to clean drinking water for First Nation communities, there’s a lot to mourn.


    And, how could a new liberal leader possibly win back young men? We speak with Aiden Fox Ivey, who reached out after he heard our interview with a conservative bro.


    Host: Noor Azrieh

    Credits: Aviva Lessard (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: Aiden Fox Ivey, Taylor Owen, Chris Moonias


    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


    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.

    14 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 27 minutes 1 second
    The Long Goodbye: Trudeau’s Not Gone Yet

    Yesterday Trudeau announced that he would prorogue parliament and resign as Prime Minister. Now, the Liberal Party is embarking on a journey to replace him.


    He talked about “internal battles” and pressure from Donald Trump, and decided this was the best option. But is it too little too late? Who could possibly have hair good enough to replace him?


    Logic reporter Laura Osman and Trudeau’s former head of economic policy Tyler Meredith join Sam to discuss what this means for Canada.


    Host: Sam Konnert

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


    Guests: Laura Osman and Tyler Meredith


    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


    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.

    7 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 23 minutes 30 seconds
    Payday Loans: the Cost of Being Poor


    Starting January 1st, the criminal interest rate on predatory lending will be lowered, meaning it should be safer to take out payday and installment loans. But these businesses have a tendency to skirt the law, adding unexpected fees and insurance rates to keep borrowers in the hole.


    Sam welcomes Donna Borden to the show - an organizer with ACORN. She’s been a victim to these loans, and is now fighting against them. Will the crackdown work and really help lower people’s payments? How can we make short term loans a real option for people struggling, without the sky-high payments?


    Host: Sam Konnert

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


    Guests: Donna Borden


    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.


    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.

    24 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 21 minutes 24 seconds
    The Undoing of Justin Trudeau

    It was a hell of a day for the Liberals yesterday, as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland abruptly abandoned her post. Now, all fingers are pointed at one man: Justin Trudeau.


    So what happened? And where do we go from here? Reporter for the Hill Times Stuart Benson sits down with Sam to break down Justin’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day


    Host: Sam Konnert


    Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Production Manager) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)


    Guests: Stuart Benson


    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.


    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.

    17 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 27 minutes 59 seconds
    Interview with a Conservative Bro

    The political gender divide isnt just a U.S. phenonmenon, its showing up globally, from the U.K. to South Korea. It’s only a matter of time before the next Canadian election wherethese political dynamics could soon take center stage. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Jack Gordon, a young conservative, to ask what he’s thinking about politics these days? And, why conservative politics are resonating with young Canadian men? 


    Host: Noor Azrieh

    Credits: Aviva Lessard (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: Jack Gordon


    Background reading:


    Sponsors: 

    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.


    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.

    10 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 31 minutes
    Does Trudeau Know How to Deal with Trump?

    Last Monday, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump posted to his beloved Truth Social with a hefty threat. If Canada and Mexico don't get the border in order, or the drugs in check, he’ll slap a 25 per cent tariff on all goods. These tariffs could crash several major U.S. industries and ruin Canada’s economy. But this isn’t the first time Trump’s threatened Canada. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Vipal Monga to ask, did Canadian politicians learn anything from dealing with Trump the first time around, or are they stumbling into Trump 2.0 just as clueless?


    And, the latest on a BC lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors and alleged interference in the Conservative leadership race that got Conservative Leader Pierre Polievre elected.


    Host: Noor Azrieh

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

    Guests: Vipal Monga


    Further Reading On Our Website


    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.


    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.

    3 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 31 minutes 42 seconds
    The Government Deadlock Nobody Knows About

    Parliament froze in late September after the Conservatives launched a privilege motion, bogging down the government and demanding the Liberals hand over documents relating to a “green slush fund.”


    Since then, the House has been on pause – no bills, no legislation, no nothing. Despite important government matters, this freeze could go on for a very long time, costing taxpayers millions. 


    Laura Osmon, The Logic’s Ottawa reporter, joins the show to make sense of this procedural nightmare, and explain how we could get out of this gridlock.


    Host: Sam Konnert

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

    Guests: Laura Osmon, MP Peter Julian


    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.


    Register for Dollars and Cents: The Business of Podcasting on Wednesday, December 11 in Toronto at labs.canadaland.com.  Space is limited.


    Be part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a Canadaland Supporter today.


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




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

    26 November 2024, 11:00 am
  • 34 minutes 57 seconds
    Danielle Smith's All You Can Eat Alberta-Style Freedom

    Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled a rehauled Bill of Rights with changes aimed at ending vaccine mandates, protecting gun ownership and ensuring property rights–a move she claims as “reflection of our shared values.” But it doesn't stop there, over 30 bills are making their way through the Alberta legislature, so host Noor Azrieh sits down with Ryan Jespersen and Mel Woods to make sense of the controversial changes and make sense of whether or not this bold stand for freedom (or play for Smith’s right-wing base) may alienate other Albertans.


    And, the latest on the Canada post strike, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 7 minute video addressing the mistakes made on immigration. 


    Host: Noor Azrieh

    Credits: Aviva Lessard (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: Ryan Jespersen, Mel Woods


    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.


    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.

    19 November 2024, 11:00 am
  • 35 minutes 53 seconds
    UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, the Canadaland Interview

    Last week, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese landed in Canada, setting off a firestorm of controversy that Canadian politics was not ready for. She’s been accused of antisemitism, refused meetings by government officials, and had her talks protested.


    She’s been calling the war in Gaza a genocide, but the big question isn’t what she has to say, but whether or not she was someone anyone should even be listening to.


    This week, we sit down with Albanese to discuss the genocide, the accusations against her, and the power of the UN.


    Host: Noor Azrieh

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


    Guests: Francesca Albanese


    Photo credit: AFP pic


    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


    Audible:  Listen now at Audible.ca/bestoftheyear


    Canada needs rigorous, deeply reported independent journalism now more than ever. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a yearly Canadaland Supporter today and get three months of perks and benefits for free. 


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




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

    12 November 2024, 11:00 am
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