The Backbench
181 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsYour Twitter feed is a dumpster fire, and dinner table discussions aren’t exactly what they used to be. That’s why in 2024, The Backbench is going to bring the issues that matter into focus — and have fun doing it.
With the next federal election looming, host Mattea Roach (Jeopardy! Super Champion) and featured guests will help you make sense of Canadian politics with a mix of engaging, myth-busting, rug-pulling analysis and personal stories straight from the mouths of those caught in the crosshairs.
New episodes every other Tuesday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes
Picking Apart Pierre's Populism
September 20, 2022 07:05 - 43 minutes - 79.5 MBOur new host, Mattea Roach, ponders Poilievre’s political playbook with Riley Yesno, David Moscrop and Catherine Griwkowsky on this week’s panel episode. And you know the saying, leaders come and go. As Pierre Poilievre makes his way into the Conservative leadership, Queen Elizabeth II has left us. Is it time to crack open our constitution and jettison the monarchy once and for all? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Meet Mattea Roach, Our New Host! (Teaser)
September 06, 2022 07:00 - 4 minutes - 4.54 MBWe’re thrilled to announce that Mattea Roach will be hosting the brand new season of the Backbench. She’s best known for her 23-game winning streak on Jeopardy!, but Mattea also has a keen interest in politics and has a background in sexual diversity studies, political science, and women and gender studies. In this teaser episode, Mattea is joined with Backbench Producer Aviva Lessard and Associate Producer Noor Azrieh for a sneak peak at what they hope to accomplish in the new season. Su...
Fatima’s Last Episode
August 23, 2022 07:05 - 49 minutes - 90.2 MBWhere are the fresh faces in Canadian politics? Today, we dive into career politicians—the good the bad, and the ugly. Plus, why can’t our various levels of government just work together? It’s time to end the federal, provincial and municipal war. Also, guest contributors join Fatima’s last episode for her last point of order segment. Panelists: Emilie Nicolas, Murad Hemmadi, Stuart Thomson Guest Contributors: Raisa Patel, David Moscrop, Jason Markusoff Links: https://www.keenan....
Leaders Who Don't Lead
August 09, 2022 07:05 - 38 minutes - 70.5 MBIn this week’s episode, we talk about what constitutes good leadership, and why our leaders are struggling to meet the moment amid a global ripple of failed democratic leadership. Plus, is provincial immigration autonomy going to save us from the 2.7 million applicant backlog? Producers note: Due to technical difficulties, Fatima's voice may sound a little different. Panelists: Drew Brown, Riley Yesno, Jaskaran Sandhu Sponsors: Oxio, Douglas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
The Catastrophe Commissioner
July 26, 2022 07:05 - 42 minutes - 78.4 MBIn this episode, Jerry DeMarco, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, delves into the Canadian federal response to climate change, and why our response is still insufficient. DeMarco unpacks 30 years of failed climate progress and offers an analysis of our government’s actions and inactions to deal with our seemingly impending doom. Links: 2022 Reports 1 to 5 of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to the Parliament of Canada Federal envir...
Why Don’t Women Run For Office?
July 12, 2022 07:05 - 40 minutes - 73.6 MBIt’s 2022 and our politics remain dominated by men. We talked to three women who spent time in office to try to find out why. We’re joined by former NDP MP Peggy Nash, current NDP MP Leah Gazan, and former Vancouver city councillor Andrea Reimer. This event was organized by Between the Lines, the publisher of Peggy Nash’s book Women Winning Office: An Activist’s Guide To Getting Elected. Panelists: Peggy Nash, Leah Gazan, Andrea Reimer Sponsors: Oxio, Douglas, Images Hosted on Acast. ...
All Policing Is Political
June 28, 2022 07:05 - 40 minutes - 74.5 MBAre our policing systems broken? Today, we dive into reimagining public safety following an array of policing scandals across the country. Plus, what did our government achieve and fail to achieve in Parliament this past year? Sponsors: Images Festival, Calm, The Peak Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Justinflation Or Chrystia Frecession
June 21, 2022 07:05 - 28 minutes - 51.4 MBWhat is happening to the Canadian economy? Stephen Gordon, director of the department of economics at Université Laval, helps unpack the ins and outs of the Bank of Canada, an institution we know little about. He talks to Fatima about the worries of a hyper-politicized economy and helps us understand how the next months under this economic turmoil will unfold. Sponsors: Oxio, 22 Murders Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Does Voting Have To Suck?
June 14, 2022 07:05 - 40 minutes - 74 MBCould changing Canada’s electoral system solve the crisis of voter apathy? Today, we dive into electoral reform. Plus, a new bill that would give border guards wide discretion to search our phones and computers. UPDATE: After we recorded on Monday, senators on the national security and defence committee passed an amendment to Bill S-7 to replace the term "reasonable general concern" with "reasonable grounds to suspect." Read more here: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/senate-amends-b...
Notes From a Young Progressive Conservative
June 07, 2022 07:05 - 37 minutes - 69.2 MBShiv Ruparell is a young, transit-loving, urban bike advocate. He’s also a conservative, born and raised in Alberta, who has been active in politics at all levels. He talks to Fatima his view of conservative politics right now and why he remains optimistic about our political future. Sponsors: Oxio, Calm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A Jason Kenney-Sized Hole
May 31, 2022 07:05 - 41 minutes - 76.1 MBAlberta Premier Jason Kenney was one of the heavyweights of Canada’s Conservative movement. We discuss his resignation and what it might tell us about conservatism today. Plus, Canada was left out of a major Indo-Pacific trade deal. Are we losing our place on the world stage? Panelists: Catherine Griwkowksy, Murad Hemmadi, Stuart Thomson, Sponsors: Oxio, Ground News, Skipper Otto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is Canada Ready to Decriminalize Drugs?
May 24, 2022 07:05 - 32 minutes - 60 MBParliament is heading towards a vote on an NDP Private Member’s Bill that would decriminalize drug possession for personal use, among other changes to address Canada’s overdose crisis. The Liberals have also proposed a bill that would amend the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. Garth Mullins of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users has been fighting for decriminalization for a long time as he’s watched friends die and get incarcerated. He talks about these two bills and his vision for ...
What Do Women Want? Sexual Healthcare
May 17, 2022 07:05 - 39 minutes - 71.4 MBThe abortion debate is back in Canadian politics. Our panel discusses the state of reproductive rights in Canada and what else the Government can do. Plus, a new report suggests civil servants are afraid to speak up and offer expert advice. Panelists: Leena Minifie, Emilie Nicolas and Raisa Patel Links: Further reading on Canada’s abortion laws: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/how-canada-came-to-have-no-federal-law-whatsoever-on-abortion A chart showing abortion access in Canada...
Confessions Of An International Student
May 10, 2022 07:05 - 31 minutes - 57.5 MBShefali Mann came to Canada as an international student in 2019. She was hoping to follow the path to permanent residency, but then the pandemic happened. She has been navigating a confusing, shifting set of programs and rules ever since, while the federal government bets on international students to help ease some of Canada's labour shortages. Links: Read more about how international students are affected by these changes in the Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/04/22...
A Generation-Defining Inquiry
May 03, 2022 07:05 - 40 minutes - 74.5 MBThe Government has launched an inquiry into the use of the Emergency Act during the Freedom Convoy. And the Canadian Armed Forces released a scathing report about racism and discrimination within its ranks. Can the culture of the military be changed? Panelists: Emilie Nicolas, Stuart Thomson and Paul Wells. Links: Read the report about racism and prejudice in the Canadian Armed Forces here. Sponsors: Oxio, 22 Murders, Ground News, The Waves Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
The Conservative Candidating Game
April 26, 2022 07:05 - 44 minutes - 81.5 MBEight people are in the running for leadership of the Conservative Party, but only one will emerge victorious and get a chance to become the next Prime Minister of Canada. We're joined by Politico’s Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Backbench regular Jason Markusoff to introduce our candidates. What's their vision? What have they done? And who’s most likely to flame out publicly? Links: Subscribe to Politico’s Ottawa Playbook newsletter See the picture of teenage Patrick Brown with a Jean Charest p...
Can Government Fix Housing?
April 19, 2022 07:05 - 39 minutes - 73 MBWe dig into the first two chapters of the government’s new budget: housing and economic growth. This week’s contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Caroline Elliott, David Moscrop Links: Read Budget 2022 Read Jen Gerson’s piece that Caroline mentions, “No One Is Going to Fix Housing” Sponsors: Oxio, 22 Murders, Skipper Otto, Ground News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
An Audience With The Pope
April 12, 2022 07:05 - 37 minutes - 67.9 MBWhat does an apology mean? And what happens next? Fatima speaks to two people who were in Rome to hear the Pope’s apology to Indigenous people over the Residential School system: Norman Yak’e ula, a survivor who has been waiting for 58 years to hear these words; and Taylor Behn-Tsakoza, co-chair of the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council, who was part of the delegation that got an audience with the Pope. Links: Watch the Pope’s full apology here: Read the calls to action fr...
Screaming Children, Dying Planet
April 05, 2022 07:05 - 40 minutes - 74.9 MBWith deals for affordable childcare now in place across the country, we compare what each province got and discuss what this process might reveal for future programs, like pharmacare. And we dive into the good, the bad and the ugly of the government’s Emissions Reductions Plan. This week’s contributors: Emilie Nicolas, Drew Brown, Stuart Thomson Links: - A comparsion of childcare deals across the country. - The Emissions Reduction Plan Sponsors: Oxio, Freshbooks, The Peak...
Justin And Jagmeet's Experiment In Democracy
March 29, 2022 07:05 - 33 minutes - 60.6 MBJagmeet Singh’s Chief of Staff Jennifer Howard was in the room during negotiations for the Liberal-NDP supply and confidence agreement. She breaks down how politicians can work together, even if looks like they hate each other on TV. Further Reading: “Going Inside the Room: How the Liberal-NDP Confidence Deal Happened” https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/03/24/news/going-inside-room-how-liberal-ndp-confidence-deal-happened Sponsors: FreshBooks, The Peak Daily, Ground News If you list...
A Shit Ton of Energy Insecurity
March 22, 2022 07:05 - 40 minutes - 73.5 MBAs nations around the world cut off business with Russia, can Canada help fill the international demand for oil and gas? More importantly, should we? And the pandemic caused unprecedented government spending, as well as shifting priorities on everything from work to healthcare. How will that all play out in the upcoming budget? This week’s contributors: Jason Markusoff, Caroline Elliott, Murad Hemmadi Links: Shannon Proudfoot’s Maclean’s profile of Pierre Pollievre: [https://www.macleans....
A Conversation With Bob Rae
March 15, 2022 07:05 - 26 minutes - 48.2 MBAs escalation between Russia and Ukraine continues, what is Canada’s role in this ever-changing world? And how do conversations we have on the international stage impact our decisions here at home - and vice versa? Canada's UN Ambassador Bob Rae weighs in. Sponsors: Skipper Otto, Rotman, Ground News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Teaser: We're going weekly!
March 09, 2022 08:05 - 1 minute - 1.63 MBFor the next few months, The Backbench is going to bring you weekly episodes! Expect us to chat with those who are impacted by or impacting what’s happening in Ottawa. We want to put the people back in politics so if you're either of those categories, get in touch at [email protected]. Don't worry - We’ll still be bringing you the panel you’ve come to know and love. Our first episode drops next Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Contradictions In Conflict
March 08, 2022 08:05 - 49 minutes - 89.8 MBAs the war in Ukraine escalates and Canadian leaders head to Europe, we assess the economic and military responses so far. And despite fully grasping the severity of Russian aggression, we want to know: Why does Canada's response to conflict vary so much depending on the country? This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Caroline Elliott, Jaskaran Sandhu Links: The Narwhal's piece about Canadian players still dealing in Russian resources More context on the Canadian discourse re: Sikhs writt...
In Case of An Emergency
February 22, 2022 08:30 - 45 minutes - 82.6 MBAs the Emergencies Act passes and border blockades come down, we examine what impacts the Act and the satellite protests had domestically and internationally. And Canada decides to step up in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia - and it's unclear exactly why. This week's contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff, Emilie Nicolas Sponsors: Rotman, The Big Story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Maximum Chaos
February 08, 2022 08:05 - 43 minutes - 80.5 MBThe 2022 Freedom Convoy has taken over Ottawa, both the city and the political discourse. Why is the federal government so paralyzed by it and will it have a long-term impact on Canadian politics? And as the Conservative Party steps into the post-Erin O'Toole era, we try to figure out what "true blue" means now and whether it has Trumpian characteristics. Sponsors: Rotman & The Big Story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The NDP's Progressive Struggles
January 25, 2022 08:05 - 38 minutes - 71.1 MBPeople have been declaring that they have stopped donating their money and/or time to the NDP recently. Why is the NDP struggling to retain self-described progressives? What is the party's role in federal politics today? This week's contributors: Lori Idlout, NDP MP (Nunavut) Peggy Nash, Former NDP MP & Finance Critic (Parkdale-High Park, Ontario) Des Bisonnette, President of NDP EDA (Lakeland, Alberta) & Member of the Democratic Socialists of Canada Sponsors: Hot Docs Podcast Festiva...
The So-Called Era Of Reconciliation
January 11, 2022 08:05 - 40 minutes - 74.3 MBThree generations of Indigenous panelists join us this week on what The Backbench thought was the biggest story of 2021: the unmarked graves on former residential school grounds. We break format to take stock of what has been promised and repromised, the diversity of demands from Indigenous communities, and what a new "interlocutor" position can do to help with healing. Guests: Leena Minifie, Riley Yesno feat. Romeo Saganash Links: Trudeau’s promises to Assembly of First Nations in 2015 ...
Economy As Entertainment?
December 14, 2021 08:05 - 42 minutes - 77.2 MBPolitical showmanship about #Justinflation abound, just as the Liberal government is set to release their Fall Economic Statement this week. And it's our last episode of 2021! We offer some highlights and lowlights of the year. This week's contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff, Jaskaran Sandhu Links: Since recording, Justin Trudeau has said he will not yet intervene in Quebec's Bill 21 Sponsors: Rotman Negotiations Program Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
A Bill That's Ideally Never Used
November 30, 2021 08:05 - 39 minutes - 35.8 MBBC's emergency on top of emergency has us wondering where the federal government needs to step in. And the latest "lockdown bill" and Throne Speech reveals where our federal government is at. This week's contributors: Caroline Elliott, Leena Minifie, Stuart Thomson ft. MP Dan Albas Links: Did you miss the Throne Speech? Read it here. Sponsors: Rotman, Amnesty International Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A Cynical Guide To COP26
November 16, 2021 08:05 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBSupport The Backbench at canadaland.com/join Prime Minister Trudeau celebrated Canada's role at COP26 - but what is there to celebrate really? And Conservatives MPs try to start a 'civil liberties caucus' while the Liberal caucus vote not to empower themselves. This week's contributors: Caroline Elliott, Emilie Nicolas, Riley Yesno Sponsors: Rotman, Amnesty International Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A Money Manel: Equalization & Inflation
November 02, 2021 07:05 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBIt’s crowdfunding season at Canadaland! Please consider supporting us at canadaland.com/join Alberta thinks it made a "powerful" statement to Ottawa this week. And the Bank of Canada says inflation is persistent, which can also be perceived as good news if you look really hard. This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff Links: Trevor Tombe's tool that helped us understand equalization payments a bit better The Conversation's piece on equalization overhaul The...
Two Former MPs Dish On China & Climate
October 19, 2021 07:05 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBIt’s crowdfunding season at Canadaland! Please consider supporting us at canadaland.com/join We invited former MPs on because it was supposed to be the first week of Parliament. It got pushed back, but we get into what the first days of Parliament are like and what issues this government will be inheriting anyway. This week's contributors: Former MP Kenny Chiu & Former MP Catherine McKenna Links: Kenny Chiu references this page on the BC government website on how emissions have increase...
Truth, Reconciliation and China
October 05, 2021 07:05 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBTrudeau drops the first apology of his third term and has us wondering how reconciliation can go beyond symbolic actions. And as the Two Michaels make it home, what have we learned from this whole saga? This week's contributors: Joanna Chiu, Stuart Thomson, Riley Yesno Links: Riley's piece on the spring federal budget More on what Land Back & Cash Back are about How to order Joanna's book, "China Unbound" This episode is supported by Dispatch Coffee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...
A Conversation With A PPC Voter
September 28, 2021 07:05 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBThis week, we bring you something different: an in-depth chat with a People’s Party of Canada supporter. Derek Taylor emailed Fatima after she called the party racist. He agreed to an interview. Derek gets into how he heard about the party, why he supports them, and the direction the party has taken since its creation in 2018. This is the extended version of an interview featured on Canadaland. This episode is supported by Dispatch Coffee and Rotman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
An Unconsequential Election
September 21, 2021 12:00 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBAt the time of recording this episode, #elxn44 literally has yielded the same number of seats (give or take several seats) for all of our federal parties. Here's a coast-to-coast-to-coast chat on what this outcome suggests and where Canadian politics goes from here. This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Jason Markusoff, Leena Minifie, Jaskaran Sandhu, Stuart Thomson. This episode is supported by Dispatch Coffee, The Peak Daily and Rotman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Fairy Tales & Picture Books
September 14, 2021 07:05 - 46 minutes - 105 MBWhat issues did the federal leaders not speak on throughout the campaign? We get into some of them. And a look into what pandemic debts and costed platforms tell us. This week’s contributors: Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Murad Hemmadi feat. Pam Palmater Links: Murad’s past Maclean’s piece on why the ethnic vote isn't real; The Institute of Fiscal Studies’ assessments of NDP, Liberals, and Conservatives’ costed platforms. This episode is supported by The Peak, Aussie Hair, Rotman, and Canadi...
An Emergency, But First An Election
September 08, 2021 07:05 - 50 minutes - 46 MBThe show after Labour Day warrants a look at federal parties' commitments to workers and how they say they will grow our economy. And when it comes to climate change proposals, will voters respond to ambition or reality? This week's contributors: Caroline Elliott (Welcome!), Murad Hemmadi, and Jaskaran Sandhu UPDATE: The Green Party released their platform after we recorded the episode, which includes a section on a just transition for workers via introducing a Just Transition Act before ...
Health Vs. Healthcare
August 31, 2021 07:05 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBThe Liberals promised to inject 6-billion more dollars into our healthcare system last week, but will more money mean more healthcare? Meanwhile, regional federal parties have dropped their platforms with distinct climate plans, posing a possible threat to major parties. This week's contributors: Leena Minifie, Emilie Nicolas, Stuart Thomson Links: Jen Gerson's Maclean's piece on the Maverick Party Fatima & Emma MacIntosh's National Observer 2019 piece on whether politicians should be bl...
Afghanistan & Affordability
August 24, 2021 07:05 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBLiberals scramble to respond to the crisis in Afghanistan amid the first week of campaigning. And Trudeau says he wants life to be more affordable while also suggesting it's not his job. This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Jason Markusoff, and Jaskaran Sandhu Links: Kevin Newman's piece for The Line Noah Richler's piece for The Globe and Mail Shout out to Srushti Gangdev for catching the graph with no axis labels The PPC candidate who photoshopped his head on Prince William This epi...
Teaser: An Election Means A Weekly Backbench
August 17, 2021 07:05 - 2 minutes - 1.89 MBWe’re now a weekly #elxn44 podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Introducing The White Saviors
August 11, 2021 07:05 - 4 minutes - 3.99 MBSubscribe to The White Saviors now! Series launch: August 23 Over 25 years, WE built a golden brand by inspiring children to rally around their charismatic leader. But behind the scenes, employees experienced a cult-like culture and a troubling blur of charitable and commercial activities. In the aftermath of a national scandal, thousands of donors and volunteers (and dozens of ‘celebrity ambassadors’) are left wondering where the money went, and whether the savior industry creates a consta...
Erin O'Toole Doesn't Want to Fight
August 10, 2021 07:05 - 38 minutes - 35.5 MBWith massive childcare announcements and talk of abortion access, the Liberal government seems to be focusing on women lately. Is it pre-election pandering or just good governance? And we look at the state of the Conservative Party, whose leader says he does not want an election. This week's contributors: Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Leena Minifie, Stuart Thomson Links: Globe and Mail piece on Jody Wilson-Raybould Maclean's 2021 federal election guide Stuart's piece about Justin Trudeau run...
Border Politics
July 27, 2021 07:05 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBCanada looks to welcome travellers again while the future of vaccine passports remains uncertain. And two national anti-hate summits last week had us wondering what policies would actually help. This week's contributors: Emilie Nicolas, Jaskaran Sandhu, Stuart Thomson This episode is supported by Aussie Hair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pandering Season
July 13, 2021 07:05 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBMore and more election season tropes have revealed themselves recently, particularly in Quebec, Alberta and Tiktok. And the mutiny against the Green Party leader Annamie Paul reaches its final stage next week - How did we get here? This week's contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff, Emilie Nicolas A special thank you to the Toronto Star's Alex Ballingall, whose reporting on the Green Party informed this episode. You can also listen to The Sprawl's conversation with Prime Minister Tr...
Ep. 5 - A Two-Dose Election?
June 29, 2021 07:05 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MBThe spectre of a fall federal election looms large with a flurry of activity in the House, Trudeau calling Parliament toxic, and a high-profile Minister announcing she won’t run again. And further fallout after more unmarked graves were found at a residential school. This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Jason Markusoff This episode is supported by Freshbooks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ep. 4 - The Politics Of Genocide: Kamloops Fallout
June 15, 2021 07:05 - 44 minutes - 41 MBFederal politics scrambles to respond to the country finding more and more Indigenous children's remains near residential schools. And Prime Minister Trudeau is the "dean" of the G7 now, allegedly. This week's panelists: Leena Minifie, Jaskaran Sandhu feat. Romeo Saganash Further reading: More on how the federal government still took Indigenous children to court on the day we recorded (Monday) The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls To Action. (CBC published on it here too) Ro...
Ep. 3 - Big Telecom, Big Quebec
June 01, 2021 07:05 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBA new CRTC decision - that critics say guarantees higher wireless prices - suggests that telecom giants are in control. What does Quebec trying to change the Constitution via Bill 96 mean? And host Fatima Syed breaks protocol with her own point of order. This week's panelists: Murad Hemmadi, Emilie Nicolas, & Stuart Thomson, This episode is supported by Dispatch and Freshbooks. Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hos...
Ep. 2 - Justin Trudeau Has No Friends
May 18, 2021 07:06 - 40 minutes - 36.8 MBThe conflict of interest and ethics commissioner weighs in on the meaning of friendship; is Prime Minister Trudeau home free from WE? And the government steps into a legal battle over the Line 5 pipeline. This week's panelists: Stuart Thomson, Leena Minifie, and Jaskaran Sandhu Further reading: Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's reports on Trudeau and Morneau The Government of Canada's amicus brief re: Line 5 This episode is supported by Freshbooks and Dispatch. Support the ...
Ep. 1 - Every Province For Itself
May 04, 2021 07:23 - 40 minutes - 36.8 MBThe third wave has shattered any remaining notion that we're all in this pandemic together. And the government commissions a new review into sexual misconduct in the military, just six years after the last one. What will it take for actual change? This week's panelists: Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Emilie Nicolas, and Drew Brown This episode is brought to you by Freshbooks and Cullen's Foods. Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...