The Backbench Canadaland

When B.C. decriminalized small amounts of drugs in January 2023, it was seen as a promising weapon in the battle against the drug crisis. In May, B.C. walked that policy back, saying it caused disorder in the streets.
In a similar move, Toronto tried decriminalizing, but the feds quickly shot down their attempt. So what gives? Was this year-long experiment a disaster? Was it not given enough time to flourish? 
To find out, Mattea Roach asked professor Gillian Kolla, journalist Andrea Woo, and former drug user and advocate Guy Felicella.
Host:  Mattea Roach
Credits: Noor Azrieh (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)
Guests: Guy Felicella, Andrea Woo, Gillian Kolla
Background reading:
#36 Is Canada Ready to Decriminalize Drugs?  – The BackbenchDetox beds in B.C. routinely sit empty because of staff shortages – The Globe and MailOpinion: Backtracking on drug decriminalization is politically cowardly – and illogical – The Globe and MailBritish Columbia drops decriminalization of drugs in public – The GuardianAddictions minister had ‘deep concerns’ with Toronto’s decriminalization pitch – Global NewsDecriminalization in B.C.Decriminalizing people who use drugs in B.C.
Sponsors: Douglas, AG1
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When the first group of students parked up at Columbia University, it sparked a movement that has gripped schools across the world. These encampment protests have now gripped universities across Canada- at U of T, U UOttawa, McMaster, U of C, McGill, U of A, UBC, and Dalhousie.  
The encampments have sparked a debate on the legality and ethics of protests in shared spaces. We dive into the legality of the protests and we also ask why the police response looked so different across the country.
To find out, Mattea Roach asked journalist Justin Ling, professor Roberta Lexier and professor James Turk. We also speak with a professor in an exclusive interview who witnessed the police action against protesters at an encampment at the University of Calgary. 

Host:  Mattea Roach
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)
Guests: Justin Ling, Roberta Lexier, James L. Turk
Music credit: For What It’s Worth - Buffalo Springfield. Columbia Records (1966) 
Background reading:
Queen’s Park and Gaza - Canadaland Wag the Doug5 people arrested following pro-Palestinian protest at University of Calgary - CBCThe Columbia Protests Made the Same Mistake the Civil Rights Movement Did - NYTWhat the backlash to student protests over Gaza is really about - VOXProtesters unsatisfied by the University of Toronto’s concessions to end encampment - Globe and MailQuebec Superior Court judge rejects McGill injunction request to remove encampment - CBC
Sponsors: AG1, Article
For a limited time, get 6 months of exclusive supporter benefits for just $2/month. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a supporter today. 
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. 
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Today we’re sharing with you a preview of the first episode of Canadaland’s newest show Pretendians.
What do some of the most prominent and successful Indigenous artists, leaders and thinkers have in common? They aren’t Indigenous.  
From major universities, to the halls of power, to Hollywood, there are people claiming to be Indigenous in the interest of power, money, and status. There are dozens of outrageous cases of Indigenous identity fraud that we know about, and likely thousands that we do not. 
So why do these so-called “Pretendians” do it? How do they pull it off? And what happens when they are exposed?  
To hear more follow Pretendians in your podcast app or click here.

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Temporary foreign workers are relied upon to fill the gaps in the Canadian labour market. But the system is convoluted and ripe with exploitation – all at a time when immigrants are being blamed by politicians and the public for the housing crisis.
The system needs an overhaul to protect our economy and the workers that make it tick. Are immigrants really to blame for the housing crisis? What types of immigrants are the feds targeting?
To find out, Mattea Roach asked lawyer Jonathon Braun, author and professor Catherine Connelly and economist Mikal Skuterud.
Host:  Mattea Roach
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)
Guests: Jonathan Braun, Catherine Connelly, Mikal Skuterud
Background reading:
WORK #3 - Bitter Harvest - Commons, CanadalandWORK #4 - Reaping the Whirlwind - Commons, Canadaland#369 Stranded Servants: Nannies And Cleaners During Lockdown - CanadalandLinking immigration to the housing shortage may be missing the problem, experts say - CBC NewsCanada is scaling back temporary foreign workers. Critics say the program needs an overhaul - CBCTemporary Foreign Worker program sees 68% jump in approvals - The Globe and MailImmigration is making Canada's housing more expensive. The government was warned 2 years ago - CBC
Sponsors: AG1, Douglas
For a limited time, get 6 months of exclusive supporter benefits for just $2/month. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a supporter today. 
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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The Canada Strong and Free conference is one of the biggest events of the year for Canadian conservatives. The party is polling high, and this event was set to be a launching point for an upcoming wave of victories. Boris Johnson and former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott were in the house, along with premiers Danielle Smith and Blaine Higgs.
It’s a strange place, where the movement grapples with big topics like climate change, housing costs and foreign policy. What are conservatives talking about? What do they disagree on? We sent our producers Aviva and Sam into the belly of the beast to find out.
Host:  Mattea Roach
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)
Background reading:
Poilievre pitches ‘common-sense Canadian consensus’ at Canada Strong and Free conference, casts Trudeau as ‘illiberal’ outlier – The Hill TimesBoris Johnson tells Canadian conservatives that freedom is the key to victory - National PostPoilievre attacks Trudeau for not reading intelligence briefing notes, breaking 'with liberalism itself' - National Post
Sponsors: AG1, Rotman
Want your audio story on CANADALAND? Submissions for the Local Correspondent Audio Contest are now open! To learn more, visit canadaland.com/audiocontest and follow @CanadaLabs on Instagram to stay in the loop. 
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.

The Canada Strong and Free conference is one of the biggest events of the year for Canadian conservatives. The party is polling high, and this event was set to be a launching point for an upcoming wave of victories. Boris Johnson and former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott were in the house, along with premiers Danielle Smith and Blaine Higgs.

It’s a strange place, where the movement grapples with big topics like climate change, housing costs and foreign policy. What are conservatives talking about? What do they disagree on? We sent our producers Aviva and Sam into the belly of the beast to find out.

Host: Mattea Roach
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)

Background reading:
Poilievre pitches ‘common-sense Canadian consensus’ at Canada Strong and Free conference, casts Trudeau as ‘illiberal’ outlier – The Hill Times
https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2024/04/12/poilievre-pitches-common-sense-canadian-consensus-at-canada-strong-and-free-conference-casts-trudeau-as-illiberal-outlier/418275/
Boris Johnson tells Canadian conservatives that freedom is the key to victory - National Post
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/boris-johnson-at-canada-strong-and-free-network-conference
Poilievre attacks Trudeau for not reading intelligence briefing notes, breaking 'with liberalism itself' - National Post
https://nationalpost.com/news/pierre-poilievre-justin-trudeau-canada-strong-and-free-conference

Want your audio story on CANADALAND? Submissions for the Local Correspondent Audio Contest are now open! To learn more, visit canadaland.com/audiocontest and follow @CanadaLabs on Instagram to stay in the loop.

If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all 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.