Latest podcasts
- Ottawa man's death was a mercy killing, friends say. Will the courts agree?
Tuesday, May 24th 2022
The debate of whether mercy killing can be used as a defence in a murder case is once again in the spotlight after a domestic homicide in Ottawa. Richard Rutherford, a former principal dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and officer with the Canada Council for the Arts, was found dead in his home Easter weekend. His longtime spouse Phillipe Hebert has been charged in his death. Ottawa Citizen reporter Andrew Duffy joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss events that led up to Rutherford’s death, why the couple’s friends think it was an act of mercy, and how such acts are viewed by the Canadian legal system. Background reading: The 'tragic and profoundly human' story of Richard Rutherford and Philippe Hébert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Premier Jason Kenney resigning as UCP leader. What happened?
Friday, May 20th 2022
Alberta’s governing United Conservative Party is looking for a new leader after Jason Kenney announced he would be stepping down. Kenney made the announcement after receiving a bare majority of support in a scheduled leadership review. Calgary Sun columnist Rick Bell joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why Kenney fared so poorly with members of a party he built, what’s next for the UCP, and how this shapes the remaining year before the next election. Background reading: Bell: What the hell? Kenney is sticking around until God knows when Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Supreme court upholds magic mushroom intoxication assault defence
Wednesday, May 18th 2022
Canada’s top court has struck down a section of the criminal code that could allow for extreme intoxication to be used as a defence in violent crimes. The ruling upheld the acquittal of a Calgary man who attacked a university prof after consuming alcohol and magic mushrooms. Calgary Herald reporter Bill Kaufmann joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the initial court case, the Supreme Court ruling and why some are concerned about a lack of protection for victims. Background reading: Supreme Court says MRU student's magic mushroom assault defence was valid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Are the Liberals or NDP a major threat to Doug Ford in the Ontario election
Thursday, May 12th 2022
Ontario voters go to the polls June 2, and the much-anticipated election campaign got off to a slow start last week. Much debate centred around highways and transit, as the Liberals and the NDP tried to make a dent in the PCs polling lead. National Post columnist Sabrina Maddeaux joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how the major parties have fared so far, why the province’s COVID-19 response has not been a bigger issue, and what we can expect in the coming weeks. Background reading: Sabrina Maddeaux: Liberal plan won't fix Ontario's ludicrous elevator crisis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- How is inflation hitting people's day-to-day lives in Canada?
Tuesday, May 10th 2022
Been feeling the pinch on your utility bills this year, or maybe at the grocery store? You’re not alone. Canada has been hit with rising inflation, which has meant people are paying more for, gas, food and just about everything else. Edmonton Journal columnist Keith Gerein, who has been exploring the impact of inflation on people’s day-to-day lives, joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss where people are really feeling a cash crunch and what’s driving some of these higher costs. Background reading: Groundwork: Edmontonians definitely feeling the sting of affordability, but some more than others Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices