CANADALAND

Air Canada’s CEO retires early following backlash around his inability to speak French.

An English-only statement from Michael Rousseau following the tragic accident at LaGuardia airport sparked a heated debate around bilingualism. Politicians expressed their disappointment, columnists and commenters online debated Air Canada’s language requirements. Even Elon Musk weighed in.

Should we get serious about bilingualism or is this debate a sign that we’re not a serious country?

Host: Jesse Brown
Credits: 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: Douglas Soltys


Further reading:
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau to retire later this year following language controversy | CBC News
Chris Selley: It's insane to focus on the French of Air Canada's CEO - National Post
In Air Canada’s French fallout, it is unfairly treated as both a private and public entity - The Globe and Mail
Air Canada learned nothing during the five years since its last French scandal - The Globe and Mail
'Can you redo that in English?': Air Canada CEO's 5-year struggle with French - Montreal Gazette
‘That’s crazy’ Elon Musk weighs in on Air Canada CEO resignation, French-language laws -CTV News
Will Xanadu lead Canadian tech back to public markets? | BetaKit
#1176 Men’s Elegant Cardigan, XL - CANADALAND [Podcast]

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Mark Carney has proposed a 1,000-kilometre high-speed rail line connecting Toronto to Quebec City, with trains reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h. It would be Canada’s first true high-speed rail system. On paper, the idea is appealing. But building it is far from straightforward.

Host Noor Azrieh, tries to answer the question: how do you build ambitious, nation-shaping infrastructure in a country where the human realities on the ground are so complex?

Host: Noor Azrieh
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: Katie Koopman, Lindsay Davidson, Andrew Hyett, Paul Langan, Conservative MP Philip Lawrence

Background reading:
Canada is getting high-speed rail
Alto's CEO answers questions about the high-speed rail project – CBC News
High-speed rail project connecting Toronto and Quebec City sparks backlash over cost, land use – The Globe and Mail
Local researchers fill information gap in high-speed rail debate – The Kingston Whig Standard
Chris Selley: More alarming numbers for Canada's high-speed rail fantasy – National Post

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Did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show?

Last week, we asked you if you’ve ever fallen for fake news. I guess even our savvy, discerning audience isn’t infallible. You all had a lot to say! So this week on Off The Record, it’s time to talk about fake news.

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 March 26th and we’ll give you a free month of Canadaland premium.

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Why are media companies like CNN and Substack joining forces with prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi?

Both Polymarket and Kalshi have been all over the news and editorial pages: will these markets be a blight of insider trading and foreign interference? The next step on the slippery slope to online gambling addiction? Should we really be able to bet on kidnapping, war, the timing of someone else's death?

But thanks to recent partnerships between big media and the prediction market companies, Polymarket and Kalshi are moving from being the subject of headlines to the co-creators of those headlines.

Up until last week this was mostly an American game that Canadians could surreptitiously play through VPNs. Then it was announced that Canadian fintech company Wealthsimple, cleared regulatory hurdles to bring the markets to its millions of existing customers, bringing the tech to the masses.

Gemma Boothroyd brings us the story.

Host: Jesse Brown
Credits: Gemma Boothroyd (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Fact checking by Julian Abraham
Additional music by Audio Network

More information:

Strait of Hormuz tanker traffic won't return to normal for months, Kalshi bettors predict — CNBC
"Controversial" predictions trading model could let you profit from real-world outcomes. — Global news
NHL player poll: As sports betting increases, so do harassing messages — and Venmo requests — The Athletic
Polymarket gamblers threaten Israeli journalist over missile strike story | Israel | — The Guardian
MLB further embraces sports betting in deal with prediction platform Polymarket — The Athletic
Polymarket and Dow Jones, Publisher of The Wall Street Journal, Announce Exclusive Prediction Market Partnership — Dow Jones
Power Corporation Announces Additional Investment in Wealthsimple — Power Corporation
Betting on the Gatorade color? A former company executive reveals how it’s selected — The Athletic

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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.
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The NDP is picking a new leader, but can any of the candidates lead them back to relevance?

In Manitoba this weekend, the NDP is gathering to name a new leader, but a recent poll suggests that almost half of previous NDP voters don’t recognize the names of the candidates.

Avi Lewis is the frontrunner, with impressive fundraising and big ideas, but will his playbook translate into national interest in the party?

Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: 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: Zain Velji


Further reading:
Almost half of former NDP voters don't recognize names of leadership candidates: poll - CTV News
A Low-Energy, High-Stakes NDP Leadership Race - Policy Magazine
The NDP has become a party of puppy dogs - The Globe and Mail
He comes from a line of old-school NDP leaders — but can Avi Lewis make the party feel new again? - Toronto Star
In a provincial first, Alberta government to partially fund independent school construction | CBC News
U.S. sanctions Vancouver company for alleged ties to Hezbollah | Globalnews.ca

Sponsors:

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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 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.
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How does Rogan fit into Poilievre’s larger strategic shift?

Pierre Poilievre’s appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience has already been viewed by millions, and, surprisingly, many political commentators in Canada are applauding his performance.

Zain Velji joins Noor Azrieh to consider what Poilievre’s longform bro-fest can tell us about his political strategy going forward.

Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: 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: Zain Velji
Additional music by Audio Network

On the next episode of Off The Record, we’re asking you: What is a piece of fake news that you fell for? AI slop? An April Fools’ joke? Or something altogether more sinister…

Call in and let us know on Thursday, March 26th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm EDT by going to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dialing in at 888-401-7056


Further reading:
Joe Rogan Experience #2470 - Pierre Poilievre [YouTube]
The Elite have Betrayed the People - Canada’s Opposition Leader, Pierre Poilievre - Triggernometry [YouTube]
Poilievre set up ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ interview himself, Conservative campaign manager says - CTV News
7 key takeaways from Poilievre's Joe Rogan interview | CBC News
‘Different side’ of Poilievre seen on Joe Rogan podcast: Mulcair – CTVNews [Video]
Advocacy groups call on feds to review Alberta's Bill 11 health-care reforms | CBC News
Canadian government backtracks on using media subsidy criteria as accreditation - The Orchard [Substack]

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.

Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN40 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.

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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 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.
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