139 episodes
The Backbench Canadaland Politics
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- News
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4.2 • 914 Ratings
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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.
New season launches on September 20th.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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TL;DR – Emergencies Act Inquiry
The six weeks of dramatic testimony have officially come to an end with testimony from the Prime Minister himself. Join our host, Mattea Roach, and an exceptional panel with Stuart Thomson, David Moscrop, and Sandy Garossino for a deep retrospective on Trudeau’s invocation of the Emergencies Act against the 'Freedom Convoy' this past February. Also, the Green Party has a “new” leader. Welcome back Elizabeth May. This episode Mattea and our panelists discuss the future of the Green Party.
If you want to support this show go to https://canadaland.com/join
Host: Mattea Roach
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)
Guests: Stuart Thomson, Sandy Garossino, David Moscrop
Background reading:
Racism and hate are threats to public safety. Why haven’t we heard this during the Emergencies Act inquiry? by Amira Elghawaby from the Toronto StarTrudeau 'serene' about invoking Emergencies Act, says police plan to clear protest 'wasn't a plan at all' by Catharine Tunney from CBC News'Bad humour' and short fuses: How politicians' texts played out at the Emergencies Act inquiry by Joseph Tunney from CBC NewsThe Green Party has two new leaders. Will their shared vision get the party back on its feet? by Natasha Bulowski from the National Observer Political insider breaks down Green Party of Canada co-leadership win, potential trouble ahead by Gregor Craigie from CBC News
Sponsors: Douglas, oxio
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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Lost In Inflation
Financial Minister Chrystia Freeland’s mini-budget is at your service to save us from inflation. Or is it Justin-flation? This week our host, Mattea Roach, is joined by Emilie Nicolas, Murad Hemmadi, and Nick Taylor-Vaisey to talk about the effectiveness of the proposed budget, the impending recession, and the “costly-coalition.” They also tackle the increasingly common use of the notwithstanding clause—what does it mean, and should we be worried?
Get tickets to The Backbench live show on December 14. Support Canadaland to get your free tickets.
Host: Mattea Roach (Recorded via personal microphone. Audio quality may differ.)
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)
Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Murad Hemmadi, Nick Taylor-Vaisey
Background reading:
Highlights of the 2022 Fall Economic StatementFive things you need to know about the Liberals’ fall economic updateIn defence of the notwithstanding clause: Why Canada should hold onto itWhat Ottawa should say to the provinces: See your notwithstanding clause, raise you disallowanceThree cheers for the notwithstanding clause
Sponsors: Oxio
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. -
Who's Afraid Of A Contested Election?
BC NDP leadership candidate Anjali Appadurai had the rug pulled out from under her. This week Mattea Roach is joined with Stuart Thomson, Jaskaran Sandhu, and Arno Kopecky to talk about how and why the BC-NDP ended up disqualifying Appadurai, leaving David Eby to be sworn in as Premier of British Columbia. Also, this week the backbenchers talk about the Federal handgun freeze that is supposedly the strongest action in a generation. We’ll see about that…
Host: Mattea Roach
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)
Guests: Stuart Thomson, Jaskaran Sandhu, Arno Kopecky
Background reading:
Chronicle of a death foretold by Arno Kopecky in Canada’s National Observer
The desperate disqualification of Anjali Appadurai by Avi Lewis in Canada’s National Observer
BC NDP Investigative Report by BC NDP Table Officer
Freeze on handgun sales takes effect as Liberals face criticism they interfered in the probe of Canada’s deadliest shooting by Stephanie Levitz in the Toronto Star
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. -
Introducing our new series: Ratfucker
Meet David Wallace, political fixer. After decades in the game he says he’s getting out, telling all, and dumping his files in public. The result is the viral "Klondike Papers" theory of conspiracies, conservatives, and cults. But are the allegations true? And why is he really implicating himself, and so many others? A wild, true story.
Series launches October 31st.
Subscribe now (link).
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Guns And Wild Roses
What is going on in the Wild Rose Country? Mattea Roach is joined by experts Catherine Griwkowksy, Emilie Nicolas, and David Moscrop. Together they unpack the implications of Alberta’s new premier's calls for more sovereignty and the possible unravelling of our beloved Canadian federalism. This week we also get into Canada’s complicated diplomatic response to the Iranian protests.
Host: Mattea Roach
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Nathan Burley (Music)
Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Catherine Griwkowsky, David Moscrop
Background reading:
New Alberta Premier Danielle Smith dials back sovereignty pledgeIn reversal of policy, adviser says Danielle Smith's sovereignty act would respect Supreme Court decisionsOpinion: Is Canadian federalism unravelling?GOLDSTEIN: Trudeau talks out of both sides of his mouth on IranStung by criticism, Trudeau government changes course on IranOpinion: What Canadians are getting wrong about the hijab protests in IranOpinion: Trudeau government out of touch on dealing with Iran
Sponsors: oxio
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
NDP - New Dental Plan
Our host Mattea Roach, tackles the “new” and “exciting” Federal dental plan with Riley Yesno, Stuart Thomson, and Nick Taylor-Vaisey. The NDP are patting themselves on the back for getting something done in Ottawa—but how much have they really accomplished here? Speaking of “new” and “exciting” we need to talk about the IRCC’s new proposed immigration pathways that seem to be recycled old ones.
Links:
Dental:
Politico piece re: dental
Immigration:
CTV piece: Migrant workers continue to call for change after death of Jamaican worker at Ontario farmToronto Star piece: Here’s Canada’s new plan to help foreign students and workers become permanent residents. Some say it isn’t nearly new enough
Sponsors: Douglas, oxio, Toronto Star Podcasts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Customer Reviews
Fantastic show
As a Canadian political junkie I often get my fix following US politics. Until now I had yet to find a thoughtful, intelligent debate on Canadian politics. I have definitely found that and more with your show. Keep up the great work and I will support in any way possible.
Cheers
Eric U
Fatima is an expert interviewer
I love this podcast and the way Fatima interviews. My favourite episode was when she interviewed a PPC voter. As someone more on the left, I would love if Fatima could continue to interview people who have views that are more on the fringe to help bridge understanding across the political divide.
Surprised by The bias
First episode I listened to was the Oct 18th show. I couldn’t believe the subjectivity your “alberta expert” had. You did a good job at dismissing all of Alberta’s concerns, it would be interesting if you explored why alberta feels the way they do vs calling the proposed sovereignty act absurd. I will continue my hunt for a fact stating Canadian political pod cast. Your French guest that said Quebec and alberta are just different. Not a single fact was actually stated in issuing that opinion. To many feelings no facts and data.