Doug Ford, Political Genius

All month, we’ve been asking you to share Canadaland with as many people as possible. Our goal was to double our audience.Did we pull it off?Let’s put it this way: Our investigations budget will be increasing substantially and our freelance and fellowship rates are going up by a whopping 50%.More money is going to go into the pockets of working journalists outside of Canadaland and across the country.Thank you.Also, we’ve got tons of live events and other exciting projects lined up throughout the year. Stay tuned.Become a supporter at canadaland.com/joinShare the show and send new listeners over to canadaland.com/share Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doug Ford is facing public scrutiny for his changes to Freedom of Information and his “gravy plane” fiasco. But throughout his career, Ford has leveraged his folksy persona to deflect and distract from his scandals. Behind the shtick is a calculated and effective political communications strategy, but has the “Uncle Doug” routine finally run out of steam?   Off The Record Call-in Details: What social media do you love or hate?Call in and let us know on Thursday April 30,from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM EDT.Head to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dial in at 888-401-7056 Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Sabrina NanjiIt’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes. Further reading: Anti-Doug Ford rallies take place across Ontario to protest OSAP, FOI changes | CBC NewsDoug Ford regularly worked from home after ordering civil servants back to office | Globalnews.ca Ford government passes bill gutting Ontario freedom-of-information access - Toronto StarFord says no one in Canada is scrutinized like he is after backtracking on $28.9M private jet purchase | CBC News Opinion | Doug Ford's problem wasn't the plane, it was the politics - Toronto StarCanada Says Its Gold Is Traceable and Clean. So We Traced It. - The New York Times Manitoba to ban social media, AI chatbots for youth, premier says | CBC News  Sponsors:oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! Douglas:  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.  Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.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 at our store, 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.

Is Alberta separatism being boosted by foreign “slop”? Today host Sam digs into a network of faceless YouTube channels pushing 51st state fantasies, grievance-fueled separatist content, and AI-generated political sludge that’s racked up tens of millions of views. But is this covert foreign interference, or just click-farming wrapped in geopolitics?Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Chris Ross, Jen GersonBackground reading:Alberta government launches information campaign in support of fall referendum questions | CBC NewsJason Kenney warns Alberta independence movement could become ‘a real factor’ in politics | The Globe and MailOn The Line: Jason Kenney on Alberta separatism | The LineAlberta is on a collision course with a dangerous political storm | DavebertaDutch YouTube creators behind Alberta separatist videos getting millions of views - CBC NewsSLOPAGANDA ReportSponsors: 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/canadalandVisit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features. Activate a first plan using the referral code CAN40 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.caDid you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? This week we’re talking to you  about your social media habits. What social media do you love or hate? How do you balance your IRL from your online? Anything you feel is social media counts (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, dating apps?, etc.)Call in and let us know on Thursday April 30, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM ET so mark your calendars!If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join or call in on and we’ll give you a free month of Canadaland premium.It’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or simply send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes.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. Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A random Facebook post. A strip club that burnt down long ago. A mother missing for 30 years.It wasn’t much. But it was enough for reporter Kallan Lyons to start digging into The Fantasia Cold Case.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Kallan Lyons (Reporter), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editing & Post Production), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Fact checking by Julian AbrahamAdditional music by Audio Network More information:Wendy Renee Smith Cold Case Profile - York Regional PoliceCOLD CASE: Fantasia Hotel haunts Wendy Smith’s family years after closure - York RegionSponsors: Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.caDouglas: 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. Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.Fizz: Visit https://fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.It’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or simply send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes.Can’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.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 at our store, 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.

Grocery prices are back in the news… again. How are they ripping us off this time?It turns out the whole system looks a lot like three kids in a trench coat, except each kid is a different layer of the supply chain, and they’re all insisting their margins are razor-thin while your grocery bill gets higher and higher.So are tax rebates or public grocery stores the solution, or just bandages on a much deeper problem?None of this is new, but you know what is new? Surveillance pricing! This dystopian algorithm could adjust what you pay based on the sensitive personal data on your phone. Polls suggest nobody wants this. So why is regulation still lagging behind?It’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes. Host: James NicholsonCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Andrea Varsany (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Keldon BesterFurther reading: Canada Needs More Grocery Competition NDP Leader Avi Lewis pushes for publicly funded grocery stores Response from the Retail Council of Canada to the consultation on the Market study of retail groceryNDP motion urging ban on algorithmic pricing defeated in House of Commons One-time GST top-up to land in Canadians' accounts in June, Grocery Benefit in July Highest food price growth in 40 years pushes Canadians further behind Consultation on Algorithmic Pricing and Competition: What We Heard Gravy Plane Song - Alex Huot [X/Twitter] Stefan Watkins Thread [X/Twitter]Naming Names: Attorney General Bonta Secures Public Access to Evidence in Amazon Price Fixing Case  Sponsors:oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.caDouglas:  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.  Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.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 at our store, 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.

Mark Carney is a YouTuber now.Over the weekend the Prime Minister released the first episode of his new YouTube series Forward Guidance. It’s a tightly scripted, “intimate” video designed to project calm authority while walking Canadians through an increasingly shaky relationship with the United States. It’s part history lesson, part recycled campaign slogans, and highly reminiscent of FDR’s fire side chats. What’s the goal here? Carney frames Canada’s economic relationship with the U.S. as a growing liability and seems to be preparing Canadians for tough times ahead. But is he just shifting the blame?It’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes. Host: James NicholsonCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Andrea Varsany (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Zain VeljiFurther reading: Forward Guidance with Prime Minister Mark CarneyCarney must make cuts, not only invest more: former Bank of Canada governor | Power & PoliticsCarney says U.S. ties have become ‘weaknesses’ to correct | Power & PoliticsCarney’s 'Canada Strong' blueprint enters new phase as Prime Minister doubles down on economic self-reliance 'Something we haven’t seen from a Prime Minister before,' analyst on Carney's address to Canadians Fact-checking Mark Carney’s housing and trade deal claims in video address to CanadiansWilliam Watson: Carney’s 'forward guidance' is mainly 'backward spinning'Carney Sells Economic Independence in Strong Video Performance  Rosie Barton on Carney's new videoZain Velji's podcast, The Strategists  Alberta premier denies claims of UCP interference on electoral boundaries | CBC News #1184 Canada’s Greatest Game (No, Not That One) – CANADALAND  Sponsors:Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN40 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.caBetterHelp:  Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month. 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 at our store, 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.

A few years ago, British Columbia made history by becoming the first province to turn the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into law through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). It passed unanimously, with just 14 minutes of debate.Seven years later, DRIPA is at the center of one of the most divisive political fights in the country. Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Arno Kopecky, Adam Olsen (SȾHENEP), Geoffrey Moyse, Huy’wu’qw Shana Thomas (Laxele’wuts’aat)Here's our episode about the Cowichan decision.Background reading:'A reversal of a reverse-course': Political scientist eager to hear Eby address DRIPA questions – CityNewsB.C. premier backs away from suspending DRIPA after concerns from MLAs and anger from First Nations – Vancouver SunB.C. government pulls back on DRIPA suspension again amid First Nations opposition – CBC NewsB.C. seeks to challenge landmark court ruling over mineral rights and DRIPA – CBC NewsRichmond mayor asks Cowichan Nation to put intentions in writing after ruling – Global NewsSponsors: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free!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/canadalandAnd did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? Last episode, we talked about fake news! On the next episode of Off The Record, we’re asking you all about Social Media.As journalists, we are EXTREMELY online. It’s a peril that comes with the job.What social media do you love or hate? How do you balance your IRL from your online? Anything you feel is social media counts (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, dating apps, etc.)Call in and let us know on Thursday, April 30, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM ET, so mark your calendars!If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join or call in on Thursday, April 30th and we’ll give you a free month of Canadaland premium.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. Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're talking about the breakdown of discourse — the culture wars.It's not just in universities, it affects our interactions with everything from the government to schools, workplaces, and more. After over ten years of it, it seems more pointless and degrading than ever.  Ric Bienstock is a director of the new two-part CBC documentary series, Speechless. It explores a variety of student protest movements from Evergreen College in 2017 to today's protests against what's happening in Gaza.Her film poses some key questions. How did we get here? What is bringing the worst out of all of us? And can we learn how to speak to each other again? Host: Stephen MarcheCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Additional music by Audio NetworkFact checking by Kallan LyonsMore information:Speechless Part 1 — CBCSpeechless Part 2 — CBCSummary of Evergreen College Protest — Duke Law, WikipediaThe politics of culture wars in contemporary Canada — Macdonald-Laurier InstituteCarole Hooven: Why I Left Harvard — Minding the CampusTeaching standardized English isn't racism—it's education — Fair For AllTufts University student targeted by Trump administration completes PhD — The GuardianSponsors: Squarespace: Check out https://squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.Fizz: Visit https://fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.Douglas:  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.  Visit https://douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.BetterHelp: Visit https://betterhelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.It’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or simply send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes.Can’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.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 at our store, 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.

With his new majority, the timer really starts on Carney’s ability to provide meaningful results for Canadians. San Grewal and Kaveh Shahrooz consider if Carney has made headway on key issues like affordability, housing, immigration, and crime. He said he’d move fast, but what’s the hold up? It’s crowd-finding time at Canadaland! Share this episode with three people or send them over to canadaland.com/share and we’ll help them get started with a starter pack of some of our favourite episodes. Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Kaveh ShahroozAdditional music by Audio Network Further reading: Opinion | Calling out Carney's 'fancy' education is loser talk. No wonder the Conservatives doubled down on it - Toronto Star Jen Gerson: Everything is going well in Liberal-land. Just ask them. - The Line John Ivison: Reflections on Mark Carney’s ambitions on the Titanic's anniversary - National PostThe odd floor-crossing is one thing, but on this scale it undermines our system of government - The Globe and Mail Majority (62%) of Canadians Say Floor Crossing Should Not Be Allowed | IpsosWealthsimple partners with Elon Musk’s X for direct stock trading via social media | BetaKit Alberta government takes aim at Globe reporter over coverage of procurement scandal - Globe and Mail    Sponsors: Douglas:  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.  Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! 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 at our store, 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.

With peace talks stalled, Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the ceasefire set to expire next week, the situation in Iran is precarious.Meanwhile, in Canada, the mood in the large Iranian-Canadian diaspora is changing, as the Iranian regime remains in place while the impacts of the war on civilians and infrastructure accumulate. With the geopolitics of the Middle East in flux, could Canada play a larger role in the region going forward? Carney has already signalled renewed economic ties with Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, but should Canada pursue more diplomatic efforts in the Gulf? Correction: In a previous version of this episode, San Grewal refers to Iran potentially weaponizing plutonium. This has been corrected to uranium.Host: San GrewalCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Kaveh ShahroozAdditional music by Audio Network Further reading: How will the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports work, and what will it achieve? | CBC News Canada’s new UAE trade and investment deal is bad news - CCPA After the Iran war: 5 possible outcomes and 4 ways Canada can flex its middle-power muscle - The Conversation I fear the violence of war but I also fear a future where nothing changes in Iran | CBC NewsCarney says Canadian military participation in Middle East war can't be ruled out | National News | thecanadianpressnews.ca  SCOOP: The firing CityNews won’t explain - Policorner #721 Enormous Fires Everywhere - CANADALAND [Podcast] #1328 The Murder of Nancy Grewal - CANADALAND [Podcast]  Sponsors: Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN40 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.Douglas: 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. Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.caIf 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 at our store, 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.