The Backbench

A new investigative series about the cocaine smuggling ring inside Vice Media. To hear episode 2 right now, subscribe to Cool Mules. Or get all six episodes ad-free for $5/month by clicking here . Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the course of a week, Trudeau changed his tune from promising patience and cooperation with Wet'suwet'en land defenders, to asserting the rail blockades must be removed. Why the sudden 180? Plus, Teck withdrew its application for a $20 billion mine project. And four MPs have released the Buffalo Declaration, a manifesto demanding more respect for Alberta.  This episode is sponsored by WealthB...

The race to replace Andrew Scheer as Conservative leader is on. Who are the key players, and what issues do they face in their bid for the job? For insight, we’re joined by former Harper strategist Ken Boessenkool. Get in touch at  oppo@canadalandshow.com  or on Twitter  @OPPOcast . This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar and FreshBooks . While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CAN...

What are Huawei's plans in Canada? How can we be sure our data is safe with them? And did they pay for the protesters outside the Meng Wangzhou hearing? We’re joined by Alykhan Velshi, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Huawei Canada, to talk all things Huawei. Get in touch at  oppo@canadalandshow.com  or on Twitter  @OPPOcast . This episode of OPPO is brought to you by FreshBooks , Audible ,...

Jen Gerson and Sandy Garossino break down where exactly Canada fits amid the ongoing hostilities between Iran and the U.S., and then discuss the prospect of a royal relocation. Get in touch at  oppo@canadalandshow.com  or on Twitter  @OPPOcast . This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar and  FreshBooks . While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listene...

Andrew “Everybody’s Second Choice” Scheer is no longer the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. OPPO unpacks the latest in Western Alienation and takes a deep dive into the most significant political resignation of the year. Get in touch at  oppo@canadalandshow.com  or on Twitter @OPPOcast. This episode of OPPO is brought to you by  FreshBooks ,  Wealthbar , and  Audible . While OPPO is not...

By popular demand, we take a look at nuclear energy in Canada. Plus a check-in with the bubbling oil sands of resentment that is Western Alienation Corner, and OPPO’s newest segment: Andrew Scheer Leadership Deathwatch. Get in touch at  oppo@canadalandshow.com  or on Twitter @OPPOcast. This episode of OPPO is brought to you by  FreshBooks  and  Audible . While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds,...

A very special interview with the person behind your least favourite meme pages, Ontario Proud and Canada Proud. Plus, an update on Canada-China relations by way of an interview with two Hong Kong pro-democracy figures.   Get in touch at  oppo@canadalandshow.com  or on Twitter  @OPPOcast . This episode of OPPO is brought to you by  FreshBooks  and  Audible . While OPPO is not made using Patreon fu...

We take a look at the Liberal government’s cabinet appointments, check in on the scandals and simmering resentment in Canada's "West," and read some highlights from the listener mailbag.   This episode of OPPO is brought to you by  FreshBooks  and  WealthBar . While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider  becoming a monthly supporte...

For our 50th episode, we have 50 demands for the government. What's on your wish list? Email oppo@canadalandshow.com or tweet @OPPOcast.    Support Canadaland Media at  patreon.com/canadaland   This episode is sponsored by FreshBooks ( freshbooks.com ) and WealthBar ( wealthbar.com/canadaland ).   Additional music: Hooky with Sloane by Bird Creek Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY...

The former deputy leader of the Conservative Party just lost her seat. She opens up about what went wrong in the election. Support Canadaland Media at  patreon.com/canadaland . This episode was sponsored by Freshbooks ( freshbooks.com/oppo ) and Audible ( audible.ca/canada ). Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com  or on Twitter @OPPOcast. Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/ See o...

A look at the smaller parties' fates, a farewell to Elizabeth May, and the cabinet prediction that's giving Justin nightmares.   Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com  or on Twitter/Facebook @OPPOcast. See OPPO live at the Hot Docs Podcast Festival on November 7. Buy tickets here .   Support Canadaland Media at  patreon.com/canadaland .   This episode was sponsored by Freshbooks ( freshbooks.com...

Jen's back! And she's kept a list of the worst election moments. Plus, will the Conservatives kick out Andrew Scheer? And what the rest of Canada needs to know about #Wexit. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOcast. Support Canadaland Media at patreon.com/canadaland . Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

OPPO breaks down the election results from the midst of the Liberal victory (sort of) party. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOcast. The episode was sponsored by the new book, Highway of Tears . CORRECTION: An earlier version of this episode said that the Liberals picked up a seat in Northern Saskatchewan. That seat ended up going to the Conservatives. That de...

It's a special pre-election bonus OPPO! We talk about the party platforms and issues that actually matter to Indigenous peoples this election.   Guests: Ryan McMahon, comedian and host of the Thunder Bay podcast. @RMComedy   Karyn Pugliese, Nieman Journalism Fellow, former executive producer at APTN, and future journalism professor at Ryerson University. @karyn_pugliese   From the show: Read Kenne...

What do the federal parties say about LGBTQ issues? (No we're not talking about gay marriage). And uh...why is no one talking about foreign policy?   Guests: Erica Lenti, senior editor at Xtra, and National Post columnist Colby Cosh. Follow Erica at  @ericalenti and find Colby  @colbycosh.    Read Xtra's story on their LGBTQ2 candidate survey here. Read Canadaland's reporting on the unfounded Trud...

We survived debate night! Mostly. Plus, we break down the parties' environmental platforms with energy and environmental economist Andrew Leach. Get in touch at OPPO@canadalandshow.com  or on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOcast. Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does Trudeau want an underwater tunnel to Newfoundland? Who has the biggest battle in British Columbia? OPPO goes east and west for an election view from Canada's edges.  Guests: Drew Brown, editor of The Independent, and Melanie Green, reporter for the Vancouver Star. Contact OPPO at Oppo@canadalandshow.com  and on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOCast. Support the show: https://backbench.supercast....

Could all those images of Trudeau in blackface open the door for a more meaningful campaign? And we talk Canada's growing tech scene. What's it done with federal money—and what are the parties talking about now?  Murad Hemmadi, policy and tech reporter for The Logic, co-hosts.  Read his piece on the parties' election promises around innovation here.   Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or fin...

The campaign is on! Finally! Who won the first Trudeau-less debate? And why the other parties should actually listen to the NDP's wealth tax plan. National Post columnist Chris Selley co-hosts.  Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or find us on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOcast.  Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Aca...

How representative are the federal party candidates (so far)? We crunched the numbers. And the meth crisis was a provincial election issue in Manitoba — here's why the rest of Canada should take note.  Fatima Syed, investigate reporter with National Observer, guest hosts.  Get in touch at  oppo@canadalandshow.com  or on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOcast. We relied on Global Winnipeg’s reporting on me...

Here's everything you missed in Canadian politics this summer. Plus, we talk housing with Employment Minister Patty Hajdu. And ... what's happening with the NDP?   Note: The NDP did not respond to a request for comment regarding Sid Ryan's bid for candidacy. This episode was recorded on August 29, 2019.    Get in touch at  oppo@canadalandshow.com  or find us on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOcast. Supp...

Alberta's premier wants a referendum on ... what exactly? And Justin Ling wants you to calm down about climate change "muzzling." Plus, meet some intriguing candidates to keep an eye on.   P.S. OPPO has news!   Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or find OPPO on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOcast. Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

After the Mounties' massive manhunt for two murder suspects, Justin questions whether the RCMP's mandate is overstretched — and makes the case that their role in local policing should be an election issue.   And with an election looming, there's a frenzy over fake news. But is it even a problem? And who's being served by this idea? From the show:  The RCMP's thin red line: Is contract policing uns...

While some provinces are still trying to figure out booze, others have already gotten a good start on weed. Who’s doing sin best? Why do we keep hearing about the same four political operatives in Canada when none of them are good at winning? And unsolicited advice for who to blame next time you're woken up by a shrieking Amber Alert. This episode is brought to you by FreshBooks and The Big Story...