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Canadaland The Backbench

Dig into politics from the best seats in the House, with host Mattea Roach.


Join Mattea and our rotating roster of panelists from across the country while we engage in discussions about what is happening in Canadian politics right now, and why it matters.

  1. Interview with a Conservative Bro

    Tuesday, December 10th 2024

    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.





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  2. Does Trudeau Know How to Deal with Trump?

    Tuesday, December 3rd 2024

    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. The Government Deadlock Nobody Knows About

    Tuesday, November 26th 2024

    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.





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  4. Danielle Smith's All You Can Eat Alberta-Style Freedom

    Tuesday, November 19th 2024

    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.

  5. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, the Canadaland Interview

    Tuesday, November 12th 2024

    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.

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