CANADALAND

While the Canadian mainstream media was reluctant to reveal unverified information, far right outlets and bad actors swarmed to score political points for their anti-trans agenda.

Why is Jesse Van Rootselaar’s gender the focus of the online discussion? And how should it fit into the coverage?

Mel Woods of Xtra Magazine joins Noor Azrieh.

Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)
Guest: Mel Woods


Further reading:
What we know about the teenager behind the Tumbler Ridge, B.C., mass shooting | CBC News
Deadly B.C. shooting is one of Canada's worst school shootings | CBC News
The Tumbler Ridge shooting is already fuelling anti-trans hate in Canada | Xtra Magazine
At least 43 outlets shared anti-trans misinfo after Charlie Kirk shooting: TJA | Xtra Magazine
OLDCORN: Another transgender mass shooter, and no, gun laws aren’t the problem - Western Standard
Tara Armstrong Post - X/Twiiter
Trans Journalists Association (Style Guide)
Tumbler RidgeLines
Curse of Politics Clip - X/Twitter

Sponsors:

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.

Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

BetterHelp: 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.

Playing rules-based games at the end of the rules-based order.

With the heated rivalry between the US and Canada, athletes speaking out against ICE, and the rupture of old world order in the background, the Olympics are especially political this time around.

Where do politics fit into the winter games and how did hockey become a symbol of geopolitical conflict?

Rahim Mohamed of the National Post gets “Canada Down” with Noor Azrieh.

Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Masteringr), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)
Guest: Rahim Mohamed


Further reading:
Trump’s geopolitical tensions spill into the Winter Olympics - Politico
‘Boots on the Ice’: Hockey and politics are about to collide at the Milan Olympics - The Globe and Mail
U.S. Olympians speaking up about politics at home face online backlash — including from Trump | CBC Sports
Welcome to new cold war as world descends on Italy amid global political chaos | Winter Olympics 2026 | The Guardian
Amid rising political tensions, will there be controversy at the Olympics? - National | Globalnews.ca
Olympic fans are loving the petty commercial battle between Team Canada and Team USA: 'They are so focused on us' - Yahoo News Canada
Tate McRae responds to backlash over U.S. Olympics ad: 'Y'all know I'm Canada down' | CBC News
Paul Brandt removed from Alberta teachers’ convention speaking list - CTV News
Public Servant Surprised by Voicemail from Doug Ford Suggesting They ‘Get Another Job’ - PressProgress

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

BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

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.

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.

NATO is building something new: a Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. Basically a World Bank for war, and Canada wants it.

From Toronto to Montreal to Ottawa to Halifax, mayors are campaigning hard, pitching their cities as the future headquarters of a global military finance hub. Thousands of high-paying jobs, direct access to defence capital and a front-row seat to the new security order are all at stake.

At the same time, Mark Carney is preparing to unveil his long-awaited Defence Industrial Strategy, a plan to pump billions into Canada’s military sector. After years of defence being politically taboo, hard power is suddenly a growth strategy.

So what does that actually mean for the companies building the tech? For the cities fighting to host the bank? And for a country that once prided itself on being defence-averse?

Host: Sam Konnert
Credits: 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: Sonya Shorey, Mayor Andy Fillmore, Maroy Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Rod Phillips, Councillor Brad Bradford and Sam Witherspoon

Background reading:
Canada officially endorses leadership role in new defence bank - The Globe and Mail
Local Ottawa officials 'frustrated' with Ford over support for Toronto's bid for new defence bank - iPolitics
Canada in the running to headquarter new multinational defence bank - The Globe and Mail

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 at douglas.ca/canadaland

Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features. Activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

Buy your next car today with CarGurus to make sure your big deal is the best deal.

Did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? Last episode, we asked you to call in and share interesting stories happening from across the country and you all delivered, and that episode is out now!

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.

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.

The government of New Brunswick has released its much-anticipated report on the mysterious neurological illnesses afflicting many in the province. The report doesn’t just aim to identify what’s behind the “cluster” of disease. It’s far more fundamental than that. Its findings raise questions as to whether the disease itself exists. Is it a single disease or a mass misdiagnosis of unrelated illnesses?

The physician at the heart of the controversy for much of the last decade, Dr. Alier Marrero, has blasted the report and labelled it as a “shockwave” to himself and his patients. He joins us today.

Host: Jesse Brown
Credits: Julian Abraham (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)
Featured Guest: Dr. Allier Marrero

Fact checking by Kallan Lyons
Additional music by Audio Network

More information:

The battle over Canada's mystery brain disease
N.B. report finds herbicides, heavy metals not the cause of 'most' undiagnosed neurological illnesses | CBC News
N.B. report finds no environmental links to unknown neurological illness in patients - The Globe and Mail
Investigation of cases of undiagnosed neurological illness - gnb.ca

Sponsors:

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at https://mubi.com/canadaland

Fizz: Visit https://fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit https://article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

BetterHelp: Visit https://BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

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.

Poilievre’s landslide victory at his leadership review raises questions about the flurry of coverage about his political demise only months ago. Why was there such a disconnect?

With Carney riding high, and Poilievre’s likeability still a concern, Conservatives are betting on the long game (and hoping to avoid a spring election.)

Host: Jesse Brown
Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)
Guest: Harrison Lowman


Further reading:
Poilievre clears leadership review with 87% support, following a rousing, campaign-style speech - CTV News
I’m a former senior aide to Stephen Harper. Pierre Poilievre is dismantling the principled, trustworthy Conservative Party we tried to build - Toronto Star
When a Harper Conservative goes after Pierre Poilievre, you know there’s blood in the water - Toronto Star
Braid: Poilievre's team gets ready for epic leadership review fight in Calgary - Calgary Herald
John Ivison: Bad blood has infected Poilievre's Conservatives, and Liberals are loving it - National Post
There are many reasons why Pierre Poilievre doesn’t want a spring election. There’s one surprising way he could buy more time - Toronto Star
Braid: New-look Pierre Poilievre could be a lot more trouble than the Liberals expect - Calgary Herald
Parks Canada planned to delete a heritage website — but one proud Canadian hit 'Save' | CBC News
Heritage Guide
I’m suing Frank Stronach – and yes, I’m in it for the money - The 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. The Free bundle now ALSO includes a down-alternative duvet and cover! Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.

BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

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.

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.