The Hatchet

Jen Gerson, co-founder of The Line and keen observer of Alberta's political scene, dives into the tumultuous world of Danielle Smith. They dissect Smith's odd alliances with figures like Trump and her controversial proposal for a referendum on Alberta's independence. Gerson critiques the rising separatism, examining its historical roots and implications for both Alberta and Canada. The conversation raises pressing questions about political manipulation and the future of Alberta's identity amidst increasing tensions.

The last time we spoke with John Rapley, economic columnist for the Globe and Mail, it was right after Chrystia Freeland resigned as finance minister, creating a crisis for the Trudeau government.Remember that? It feels like quite a long time ago.Here’s some of what’s happened since then — Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, Donald Trump began to joke about Canada as the 51st state, and then everyone realized that he wasn’t joking, Mark Carney creamed Chrystia Freeland in a Liberal leadership race and became Prime Minister, Trump announced across-the-board tariffs against Canada and Mexico, Trump delayed the across-the-board tariffs against Canada and Mexico, Trump tariffed our aluminum and steel industries, he announced tariffs against the entire world, almost tanked the global economy in the matter of a week, and then delayed his global tariffs, and we had a federal election, with Mark Carney winning a fourth-in-a-row government for the Liberals.In other words, it’s been a crazy few months.So we wanted to catch up with Rapley and talk through all of this stuff and about where Canada goes next.To learn more:“God save Mark Carney, the man with the simple job of completely remaking Canada’s economy”, “Why Canada must align with Europe, the new boomtown” and “Perhaps more trade with China is not a bad idea after all” by John Rapley in The Globe and MailSupport us at hatchetmedia.substack.comThe Hatchet is a podcast and newsletter dedicated to exposing power and money in Canada. We deliver important, original and fascinating journalism about how this country actually works.Music: I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Ft: J Lang, Morusque This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hatchetmedia.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit hatchetmedia.substack.comFinal thoughts on one of the strangest elections in Canadian history from the team at The Hatchet. If you’re in Toronto, make sure to drop by our election watch party at the Dock Ellis.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit hatchetmedia.substack.comFor the first and only time this election, the major federal party leaders (and Yves-François Blanchet) stepped onto a stage and debated each other in English. None of the major parties have released a fully-costed platform. And both Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre have done everything possible to avoid being subjected to the indignity of being interviewed by real journalists in their native language. And so for the majority of Canadians, this debate was their only real opportunity to see the candidates in an environment that wasn’t controlled by their staffers and attendants. So how did they do? What did Canadians learn about how they’d run the country? Will Pierre Poilievre buy me a house? Why doesn’t Mark Carney fight Donald Trump in the octagon? Is Jagmeet Singh enrolling in medical school in order to strengthen our healthcare system? And is Yves-François Blanchet more handsome and charming than Gilles Duceppe? You’ll find out the answer to at least one of those questions in this paid subscriber-only, debate-edition of The Hatchet.

Brookfield has been in the news constantly over the last few weeks. The Conservatives attacked the company for moving the headquarters of one of their subsidiaries to New York City. The NDP have accused it of avoiding taxes through offshore havens. And Prime Minister Mark Carney, the former chairman of Brookfield Asset Management, has found himself on the defensive because of his association with the company.But what these political attacks miss is a far more important story. It’s a story of a company that has been central to Canada’s history and economy for more than a century.So what exactly is Brookfield? That’s a question that we here at The Hatchet have set out to answer.What we found was a company that almost defies description.Brookfield has been a financial universe unto itself, operating by a different set of cosmic laws and fundamental forces than other corporations.It’s a company that’s shown an almost unparalleled talent for reinvention. Over its 125-year-history, it’s morphed from a neo-colonial experiment to Canada’s most ruthless corporate raider to a seemingly boring storehouse of our collective pension earnings.Now it is one of a tiny handful of financial entities that sit at the very centre of the global economy.And so that’s why we’ll be spending this series focusing exclusively on this incredibly important and yet rarely understood company.We’ll be digging into its epic history, its contentious present and what the continued domination of firms like Brookfield could mean for everyday people.In this first episode, we shine a light on it’s first incarnation — Brazilian Traction, Light and Power — and how it managed to dominate the people of South America’s biggest nation for most of the 20th century.Featured in this episode: Tyler ShipleyTo learn moreCanada In The World: Settler Capitalism and the Colonial Imagination by Tyler ShipleyThe Brass Ring: Power, Influence and the Brascan Empire by Patricia Best & Ann ShortellLet Us Prey: The Practices and Profits of Canadian Corporations and Businessmen edited by Robert Chodos & Ray MurphyThe Light: Brazilian Traction, Light, and Power Company Limited, 1899-1945 by Duncan McDowallSupport us at hatchetmedia.substack.comThe Hatchet is a podcast and newsletter dedicated to exposing power and money in Canada. We deliver important, original and fascinating journalism about how this country actually works.Music: I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Ft: J Lang, Morusque This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hatchetmedia.substack.com/subscribe

Chaos reigns within the Conservative Party as internal conflicts overshadow the federal election campaign. High-ranking staffers are criticizing their own leaders, calling for a major strategy shift. The episode dives into how these tensions mirror a civil war within the party, revealing the implications for Canadian politics. There's also a critique of the trivial tactics used against opponents, emphasizing a need for more substantive political discourse. The backdrop of turbulent polling forecasts adds to the intrigue of this ongoing saga.

David Pugliese, a seasoned journalist covering Canadian Armed Forces, dives into the intricate relationship between Canada and the U.S. amid rising political tensions. He discusses the military's evolving perceptions on potential U.S. annexation and the implications of integrating foreign systems into Canada’s defense. Pugliese also explores the contrasting views of rank-and-file soldiers versus military leadership, the complexities of NATO in current times, and the Arctic's strategic importance in the defense dialogue.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit hatchetmedia.substack.comSupport us at hatchetmedia.substack.comThe federal election is here! And I think we all know this is going to be a wild one. The last few months have already been some of the strangest in modern Canadian history. But worry not, The Hatchet is here to help understand everything you need to know about this race. In addition to our in-depth coverage, we’re also launching a weekly podcast that will air during the course of the campaign that breaks down everything that’s happening.But this will only be available to our paid supporters, so I really can’t think of a better time to sign up and help support independent Canadian journalism.On this first instalment, Jordan and I walk through what the leaders of the three major federal parties need to do win — or at least not embarrass themselves — during this campaign.Music: I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Ft: J Lang, Morusque

Laurent Carboneau, Director of Policy and Research at the Canadian Council of Innovators, and author of 'At the Trough', dives into Canada's intricate web of corporate welfare. He discusses how government subsidies often fail to yield economic benefits, urging a reevaluation of Canada's industrial strategies. Carboneau also critiques the effectiveness of the super cluster policy and its impact on both large corporations and small businesses. The dialogue touches on historical perspectives, crony capitalism, and the pressing need for improved economic understanding to foster societal equity.

This was the week where Doug Ford finally became Prime Minister.Okay, so technically it’s Mark Carney who was actually sworn in as PM. But for a few weeks, Doug Ford appeared to be leading the nation. After all, it was Ford that was invited down to the Washington for a meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The feds just sort of tagged….along.And there were two people in particular that I wanted to hear ruminating on this moment, two of the longest-standing Fordologists in the land, the former hosts of Wag the Doug, Jonathan Goldsbie and Allison Smith.And luckily for us, they wanted to talk too. Wag the Doug, which used to air on the Canadaland network, where Jordan and I both worked, has been off the air since September. And in their last episode, they ruminated on how in some ways, Doug Ford was the physical embodiment of Ontario, a man who understands the province better than anyone. But my question this week has been, does Doug Ford also understand Canada better than anyone else?And so we brought Allison and Jonathan into the Hatchet studios (my living room) to hear their thoughts on what might be the most interesting moment in Doug Ford’s incredibly strange political career. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hatchetmedia.substack.com/subscribe