CANADALAND

Canada is the only Five Eyes country without a foreign intelligence service like the CIA or MI6, but that might be about to change.

Last week’s federal budget gave CSIS $6 billion over ten years, and the Prime Minister’s top security adviser said the government plans to change the law so CSIS can spy abroad.

Managing editor Harrison Lowman talks to Phil Gurski, a 32-year veteran of Canadian intelligence, who has spent years arguing that Canada needs its own CIA. Do we even need a foreign intelligence service? What would spying abroad actually look like? And should Canada be tapping the phones of its allies?

Plus: a former Desjardins CEO runs to replace Steven Guilbeault, Carney skips Washington and COP31 for a global summit tour that ends in China, and Elizabeth May backs a petition to legalize non-sexual public nudity.

Host: Sam Konnert
Credits: Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and post production), Jesse Brown (Editor in Chief), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Phil Gurski

Background reading:
Canada’s military and spy agency are getting spending boosts in Budget 2026 (Global News)
The Plan for a Stronger Canada: National Security for Canadians (Privy Council Office)
Internal memo flags the promise and pitfalls of expanding CSIS’s foreign spy role (The Canadian Press)
Debate over a foreign spy service for Canada influenced by allies, money: study (The Canadian Press, via CTV)
Phil Gurski: Canada needs its own CIA (The Hub)

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Today, we're talking about medical assistance in dying. Should you be able to ask for it in advance for a time when you can no longer consent? And is it wrong to exclude people whose only condition is mental illness?

We’re speaking with two people who testified before Parliament this spring and see this very differently.

NOTE: This episode includes a discussion of suicide and medical assistance in dying. If that’s hard to listen to, it’s okay to skip this one.

Host: Archie Matlow
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Julian Abraham (Fact Check), Harrison Lowman (Managing Editor), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher), Tony Wang (Artwork)
Guests: Jocelyn Downie, Dr. Ramona Coelho

Additional music by Audio network
Background reading:
Dying with Dignity
Medical assistance in dying: Overview — Government of Canada
The faces of MAID — The Globe & Mail

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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.

Make sure you’re up to date on our upcoming events by going to canadaland.com/live!

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Scott Robertson is a real guy watching an alarming amount of Canadian political television, and hand-clipping the two minutes that will end up on your social media feeds.

Noor Azrieh meets the man behind the viral clips of Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre and Doug Ford to talk bias, his MeidasTouch job, and why CBC’s David Cochrane isn’t thrilled about being clipped.

Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: James Nicholson (Senior Producer), Julian Abraham (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Mixing & Mastering), Harrison Lowman (Managing Editor), Jesse Brown (Editor & Publisher)
Guest: Scott Robertston

Additional music by Audio Network

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This past month Canadaland changed the line-up of hosts on all of our weekly shows. Some familiar faces, sure, but occupying new roles. So, we thought this was the perfect time to learn more about them. We opened the lines and you called in with questions.

What are they going to do differently with the shows? What makes them tick? What’s the one killer interview they want to do?

You asked us anything and we answered everything.

Host: Sam Konnert
Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), Harrison Lowman (Managing Editor), Jesse Brown (Publisher)
Guests: Noor Azrieh, Archie Matlow

Photo: Tony Wang
Additional music by Audio Network

This show is available exclusively to Canadaland supporters. To become one, go to https://canadaland.com/join/. 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, and you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody.
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Ottawa plans to invest up to $1.6 billion in Canadian AI “champion” Cohere, and AI Minister Evan Solomon has a podcast to sell the story.

Douglas joins Noor Azrieh to unpack the national pride, the hype, and the questions missing from the coverage.

Plus, whether Canada should send experimental math rock aliens, Angine de Poitrine, to Eurovision. And whether This Hour Has 22 Minutes possibly predicted the new US press secretary (the one and only) Nicki Minaj.

Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: James Nicholson (Senior Producer), Julian Abraham (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Mixing & Mastering), Harrison Lowman (Managing Editor), Jesse Brown (Editor & Publisher)
Guest: Douglas Soltys

Additional music by Audio Network

Further reading:
Why Canada’s Cohere stake has struck a nerve – BetaKit
Finance Minister calls Cohere the “poster child” for government investment – BetaKit
Canada to invest up to $1.6B in Toronto-based AI company Cohere – CBC News
Canada to Take Equity Stake in AI Firm Cohere – The Wall Street Journal
Ottawa to invest up to $1.6-billion in Cohere as AI firm’s valuation soars to $35.7-billion – The Globe and Mail
Building Secure AI in Canada | Aidan Gomez and Joëlle Pineau – AI Minister Evan Solomon
Angine de Poitrine review – mind-boggling math rock mastery from freaky Québécois duo – The Guardian
‘This Hour Has 22 Minutes,’ a Canadian Sketch Show, Beats American Late Night to the Punchline – The New York Times

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. The Free bundle now includes a down-alternative duvet and cover! Visit Douglas.ca/Canadaland to claim this offer!

Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free!

If you’re ready to launch your business before Black Friday, go to SHOPIFY.COM to start your free trial.

It’s our annual crowdfunding month! You can become a supporter starting for just $5/month by going to canadaland.com/join — we’ll even throw in a free tote bag. And be sure to stay tuned for some big announcements over the next few weeks.

Make sure you’re up to date on our upcoming events by going to canadaland.com/live!

Can't get enough Canadaland? Check out our Substack, follow us @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram and @Canadaland_Media on TikTok!
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