The Canadian Returnee Podcast

Canadian Returnee
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Passionate writer and observer navigating life in Canada, exploring topics like culture, politics, and personal growth, after living abroad for years. Sharing honest insights and sparking thoughtful conversations. canadianreturnee.substack.com

  1. Canada Caught in the Iran–Israel–US Conflict

    1D AGO

    Canada Caught in the Iran–Israel–US Conflict

    On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a massive air campaign against Iran called Operation Epic Fury. The strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear program and top leadership, and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed. The attacks triggered immediate retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah, with missile strikes, regional tensions exploding, and threats to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important oil shipping routes in the world. At first, Canada’s government came out swinging in support. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the strikes were about stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons and called the regime a major source of global instability. While travelling in Australia, Carney began walking things back, saying the war represents a failure of the international system and warning that the strikes might not align with international law, especially since there was no UN involvement and allies weren’t consulted. Meanwhile, here at home, Canadians are seriously divided. New polling shows only about a third support the strikes, while nearly half oppose them. Many people also think the world is now less safe, and most believe the conflict could drag on for a long time. Canada says it isn’t involved militarily. However, officials won’t completely rule out joining if allies ask. Experts warn that pressure from Washington, especially from the Trump administration, could come in the form of trade threats or demands for Canadian naval support to protect shipping lanes. So the big question now is whether Canada stays on the sidelines or gets pulled deeper into a conflict that’s already shaking global politics. If you found this helpful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. And if you want to support more free content like this, consider grabbing a paid subscription or buying me a coffee. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Canadian Returnee at canadianreturnee.substack.com/subscribe

    17 min
  2. Canada’s $6.6B Defence Reset Explained

    MAR 1

    Canada’s $6.6B Defence Reset Explained

    Canada is in the middle of what some are calling a full-on defence renaissance. Under Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ottawa is rolling out a $6.6-billion Defence Industrial Strategy aimed at rebuilding sovereign military muscle and cutting back our long-standing dependence on the U.S. The goal? Hit 5% of GDP on defence by 2035 and bring more of the work and intellectual property home. A big piece of this is the new Alliance of Canadian Defence Companies, representing 500+ Canadian-owned firms pushing for more domestic contracts. The feds want to boost Canadian companies’ share of defence work from 43% to 70%. On procurement, things are moving fast. The Navy plans to replace the aging Victoria-class submarine fleet with up to 12 new subs. And in the skies, Canada has committed to 16 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, though Sweden’s Saab JAS 39 Gripen is still in the conversation, promising Canadian jobs and local production. Meanwhile, recruitment is up nearly 13%, and the Canadian Armed Forces are close to hitting 90% of their 7,600-person target. Arctic sovereignty is also front and centre, with regions like Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Alberta all playing a role in strengthening Canada’s northern presence. This is about sovereignty, supply chains, jobs, and Canada stepping up in a more uncertain world. If you found this helpful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Also, if you want to support more free content, consider grabbing a paid subscription or buying me a coffee; it really helps keep this going. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Canadian Returnee at canadianreturnee.substack.com/subscribe

    20 min
  3. Tumbler Ridge Shooting: What Happened & What’s Next

    FEB 22

    Tumbler Ridge Shooting: What Happened & What’s Next

    On February 10, 2026, the tiny town of Tumbler Ridge was shaken by one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history. An 18-year-old former student, Jesse Van Rootselaar, first killed her mother and stepbrother at home, then drove to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Police got the call around 1:30 p.m. and were on scene in two minutes, likely stopping even more lives from being lost. In total, nine people died, including the shooter, and more than two dozen were injured. The victims were kids, mostly 11 to 13 years old, plus a beloved teacher’s aide. Survivors are still recovering, including one 12-year-old girl fighting to heal in a Vancouver hospital. We’re also learning more about the suspect’s history: past mental health interventions, prior firearm seizures from the home, and disturbing online activity. However, there’s still no clear motive. The Government of British Columbia says students will never have to return to the original school building. Fourteen portable classrooms are being rushed in even as the town deals with brutal -40 degree wind chills. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby have both pledged support, but locals are worried long-term mental health resources could fade once the headlines do. In a town of just 2,400 people, everyone knows everyone. The grief and recovery are personal. If you found this helpful, please like, share, and subscribe. Consider a paid subscription or buying me a coffee to help keep this content free and independent. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Canadian Returnee at canadianreturnee.substack.com/subscribe

    16 min
  4. Black History Month 2026: Canada Marks It Together

    FEB 15

    Black History Month 2026: Canada Marks It Together

    February 2026 kicked off Black History Month across Canada with a mix of symbolism, community pride, and politics. Cities like Barrie and Saint John raised the Pan-African flag outside city halls, giving Black communities visible recognition right where local decisions get made. These were emotional, meaningful, and rooted in representation. On the ground, the focus wasn’t just on the ceremony. In Ottawa, Black-owned businesses were front and centre, with local cafes and community spaces highlighted as places for connection, dialogue, and belonging. It was a reminder that culture and community live in everyday spaces. At the national level, Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted a Black History Month reception early in the month, putting federal recognition behind the observance and reinforcing the contributions of Black Canadians to the country’s past and present. From city halls to coffee shops to Parliament, Black History Month 2026 showed up at every level. If you found this useful, give the podcast a like, share it with someone who should hear it, and subscribe. If you want to support independent work like this, consider a paid subscription or buying me a coffee so I can keep the free content coming. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Canadian Returnee at canadianreturnee.substack.com/subscribe

    17 min
  5. When Suicide Seduces: Navigating Mental Health, Repatriation, and the Search for Belonging with @CanadianReturnee

    FEB 10

    When Suicide Seduces: Navigating Mental Health, Repatriation, and the Search for Belonging with @CanadianReturnee

    February is the month in which suicide peaks. This morning, I joined with Canadian Returnee for an honest discussion of suicide, exploring the impact of immigration and repatriation on mental health, how lack of support increases suicide risk, and how to help loved ones at risk. If you’re hurting, reach out - and don’t give up. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Canadian Returnee at canadianreturnee.substack.com/subscribe

    24 min
  6. Bank of Canada Holds Rates as Trade Worries Loom

    FEB 8

    Bank of Canada Holds Rates as Trade Worries Loom

    The Bank of Canada hit pause again in January, keeping interest rates at 2.25%. No hike, no cut, just a cautious wait-and-see move. Inflation is basically where the Bank wants it, growth is slowing, and jobs aren’t exactly booming. With a major CUSMA review coming this summer and fresh tariff threats flying around, the Bank says uncertainty is off the charts. Governor Tiff Macklem was pretty blunt: the days of smooth, rules-based trade with the U.S. are likely over, and Canada’s economy is going to feel that. For households and businesses, rates staying put means borrowing costs aren’t getting worse, but they’re not getting easier either. If this kind of no-nonsense breakdown helps you make sense of what’s going on, give it a like, share it with a friend, and subscribe. You can also support the work with a paid subscription or buy me a coffee, which helps keep the free content coming. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Canadian Returnee at canadianreturnee.substack.com/subscribe

    14 min
  7. MMIWG2S: Canada’s Ongoing Crisis We Can’t Ignore

    FEB 1

    MMIWG2S: Canada’s Ongoing Crisis We Can’t Ignore

    Today, we’re talking about one of the hardest truths Canada keeps dodging: the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. For decades, families have been shouting into the void while police, courts, health systems, and governments looked away. This is the result of colonial policies, racism, broken institutions, and generations of trauma that Canada still hasn’t fully owned. The National Inquiry called what’s happening a genocide. From ignored missing persons cases to lost evidence to children taken from hospitals and families left without answers, this is a systemic failure that cuts deep, especially in provinces like Quebec. We’ll break down how we got here, why government promises keep falling short, and why Indigenous families and survivors are still leading the fight for justice, healing, and real change. If this mattered to you, please like, share, and subscribe. Consider supporting us with a paid subscription or buying me a coffee so I can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Canadian Returnee at canadianreturnee.substack.com/subscribe

    13 min
  8. Greenland Isn’t for Sale: Inuit Push Back on Trump

    JAN 25

    Greenland Isn’t for Sale: Inuit Push Back on Trump

    The Trump administration is openly talking about taking over Greenland, not buying it, just taking it, claiming it’s about “national security.” Inuit leaders across Greenland and Canada aren’t buying that for a second. Instead, they see this as old-school colonialism dressed up in geopolitics, with Greenland’s minerals and resources as the real prize. Inuit activist Aaju Peter and others are calling for calm, unity, and diplomacy, speaking with one voice and not reacting out of fear. Canada and the Nordic countries have stepped up, backing Greenland’s sovereignty and international law. The whole thing is also pulling Canada and Greenland closer together, politically and culturally, especially as Arctic tensions rise. Bottom line: Greenland belongs to the Inuit, not superpower ambition, and this moment is about Indigenous sovereignty, solidarity across borders, and who really gets to decide the future of the Arctic. If you found this useful, please like, share, and subscribe. Want to support independent work like this? Grab a paid subscription or buy me a coffee so I can keep this content free. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Canadian Returnee at canadianreturnee.substack.com/subscribe

    14 min
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Passionate writer and observer navigating life in Canada, exploring topics like culture, politics, and personal growth, after living abroad for years. Sharing honest insights and sparking thoughtful conversations. canadianreturnee.substack.com

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