The Hatchet

The budget reveals a staggering $78.3 billion deficit alongside promises of $1 trillion in investments. Hosts dive into unmet housing promises, questioning the effectiveness of the GST cut for first-time buyers. There's skepticism regarding the appointment of Gregor Robertson as the public home builder. Discussions highlight how high housing costs stifle business growth and innovation. Advocates express disappointment, framing the budget as a failure in addressing affordability. It's a critical look at how housing shapes Canada's economic landscape.

So last week, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith used the notwithstanding clause to force Alberta teachers back to work.It’s the first time the notwithstanding clause has ever been used in this kind of a manner to end a labour action. And that’s led to some softening of support for Danielle Smith.But here’s the truth. The latest polls show that if an election were held today, Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party would still easily come out on top.Why is that? How is Smith’s appeal so resilient? And why the hell can’t Naheed Nenshi and the Alberta NDP get their s**t together?Well, luckily for us, Jeremy Appel from The Orchard is here to answer those questions and many more.A few months ago we had a great discussion with Jen Gerson about the unique political figure that is Danielle Smith and her relationship with Alberta’s nascent sovereignty movement. You can think of this conversation with Jeremy as a bit of a sequel to that one.We talk about some of the underlying reasons behind the teacher’s strike, Smith’s continued flirtation with separatism, how she holds her coalition together with culture wars, the return of pipeline politics and of course, the many failures of Alberta’s NDP.Now just for context, this was recorded before Smith invoked the notwithstanding clause, but the discussion is still just as relevant today.Support 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

In this engaging discussion, Adam D.K. King, a Labour studies professor and columnist, dives into the turbulent history of Canada Post's striking workers and their pivotal role in shaping modern labour rights. He challenges the notion that the 'mail is dead,' highlighting package growth and underlying issues. Adam also critiques government interventions favoring management and the implications of privatization on public services. With insights into union strategies and the potential for sectoral bargaining, he advocates for workers' empowerment in the face of evolving challenges.

Edward Hollett, a political commentator and writer specializing in Newfoundland and Labrador politics, dives into the recent provincial election upset. He explores how a well-organized Progressive Conservative campaign toppled the seemingly safe incumbent Liberals. The conversation touches on low voter enthusiasm, the significance of narrow margins in key districts, and the controversial Churchill Falls deal. Hollett also reflects on Andrew Furey's unexpected resignation and what kind of premier Tony Wakeham might become amidst evolving regional dynamics.

Why can’t the government do stuff?I’m not being facetious here. I think most Canadians — in fact, most people who live in western democracies — have a feeling that their governments are incapable of actually delivering on projects or providing services.But it wasn’t always this way. There was an era, not so far back in the future, when the Canadian governments turned petrochemicals into plastics, dug uranium out of the ground, operated airlines and railroads and so much more.But today, governments seem to be focused exclusively on two things: handing out money to big businesses and overseeing an increasingly fraying social safety net.So how exactly did we get here?Nora Loreto has part of the answer. Earlier this year, she released the second book in her Canada in Decline series called Corporate Control.In it, she details the policy decisions that hollowed out the Canadian government and makes it next-to-impossible to actually get anything done.In our conversation, we cover a lot of ground, from free trade to the Chrétien/Martin austerity budgets, the rise and fall of Crown corporations and why governments don’t care about Canadian culture.I think it’s really one of the most interesting discussions we’ve had on this show so far, so I’m excited for you all to give it a listen.Featured in this episode: Nora LoretoTo Learn MoreCorporate Control by Nora Loreto"What Canadian nationalism?" by Nora Loreto on SubstackThe Social Safety Net by Nora LoretoSupport 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

Peter Nowak, an experienced journalist returning to his roots, dives into the world of monopolies and their impact on everyday life. He discusses the rise and fall of public anger toward corporate concentration, revealing how oligopolies affect prices and innovation in Canada. Notably, he shares insights from his time at Tech Savvy, highlighting the need for competition and dedicated reporting on these issues. The conversation touches on misconceptions about national champions and why independent journalism is crucial for tackling monopolistic practices.

Justin McElroy, a municipal affairs reporter for CBC Vancouver, dives into the quirky complexities of Vancouver's political landscape. He discusses how the city, while stunning, faces glaring issues such as wealth disparity and a housing crisis often overlooked in national discourse. McElroy highlights Vancouver as a trendsetter for other cities and elaborates on the evolution of its political scene, from the NPA's dominance to the rise of left-wing challengers. Expect insights on recent mayoral races, governance challenges, and the uncertainty leading into upcoming elections.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit hatchetmedia.substack.comThis episode is available immediately to paid supporters. For unpaid supporters, we're providing a short preview. Please consider supporting us at hatchetmedia.substack.comThe Canadian Pacific created a nation. But it also destroyed nations in the process.This is our third and final episode in our series about the building of the CPR and the foundation of Canada. And at the heart of this story is an unescapable question — what did it cost to create this country? And who paid that terrible price?In the years after Confederation, Canada signed treaties with numerous Indigenous nations on the plains, promising aid in the event of a famine. But when the buffalo were slaughtered into extinction, the Canadian government was unable — or unwilling — to fulfill its treaty obligations.At the same time, the CPR was facing financial ruin. And if it fell, Canada as an independent political entity would almost certainly cease to exist.Famine, disease, economic collapse — all of these calamities came to a head in 1885, the single most significant year in Canadian history. Which is when Louis Riel rose up once again. Featured in this episode: Stephen BownTo Learn More:Dominion: The Railway and the Rise of Canada by Stephen BownThe Diary of Dukesang Wong: A Voice from Gold Mountain by Dukesang Wong, David McIlwraith & Wanda Joy HoeThe North-West Is Our Mother: The Story of Louis Riel's People, the Métis Nation by Jean TeilletThe National DreamSupport 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 free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit hatchetmedia.substack.comThis episode is available immediately to paid supporters. For unpaid supporters, we're providing a short preview. Please consider supporting us at hatchetmedia.substack.comThere’s a story we like to tell ourselves about how Canada was built. It’s about John A. Macdonald’s fearless vision and how Canadians across the continent came together in a noble quest to create a nation.And then there’s what actually happened.This is the second instalment in our series on the Canadian Pacific Railroad and the founding of Canada. Paid supporters can listen to it immediately. And if you aren’t already supporting us, please consider joining The Hatchet family, it’s only $11 a month.In this episode, we're looking at what happens when the most powerful politician in the land gets into bed with the richest man in the country. And how the workers caught in the wake of their machinations end up paying the price. Prime Minister John A. Macdonald promised to build a railroad that would unite Canada, and went so far as to rig an election to get his way. But the robber barons who financed his corruption ended up turning on him. They blackmailed Canada’s first prime minister and plunged the country into a crisis. And after the rich and powerful were done destroying each other, thousands of workers risked life and limb to build an industrial marvel that would benefit everyone except them. Many of the men who crossed an ocean to do this work wouldn’t make it home alive. And even those who survived saw their rights stripped away, year after year.This is the story of how Canada was really built — political corruption, exploitation and a willingness to sacrifice everyday people at the altar of the progress.Sound familiar?The final episode in our series will be available to paid supporters tomorrow.Featured in this episode: Stephen BownTo Learn More:Dominion: The Railway and the Rise of Canada by Stephen BownThe Diary of Dukesang Wong: A Voice from Gold Mountain by Dukesang Wong, David McIlwraith & Wanda Joy HoeThe North-West Is Our Mother: The Story of Louis Riel's People, the Métis Nation by Jean TeilletThe National DreamSupport 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

In this insightful discussion, Stephen Bown, an accomplished author of 11 books including works on Canadian history, delves into the pivotal role of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in shaping Canada's identity. He highlights the engineering marvels and hardships faced during its construction. The conversation also touches on the cultural impact of the CPR, the struggles of Indigenous peoples, and the economic booms during the Gold Rush era. Bown shares the complexities surrounding figures like Louis Riel, illustrating the deep interconnections of Canada's past with the railway.