The Hatchet

Support us at hatchetmedia.substack.comIn 1978, a South African accountant orchestrated one of the most audacious and ruthless hostile takeovers in the history of Canadian business.His name was Jack Cockwell. And over the next decade, he would build a corporate empire unlike anything Canada had ever seen.This is the third episode in our series examining the history of Brookfield. In our first two episodes, we traced the company’s lineage through Brazilian Traction, the neo-colonial monopoly that dominated South America, and through the Bronfmans, the bootlegging dynasty that supplied liquor to American gangsters during Prohibition.But those were just the origin stories. This episode is about what happened when those two worlds collided.Edper-Brascan controlled over 500 companies. The beer you drank, the team you watched, the mall you shopped at, the house you lived in — all of it could be traced back to this sprawling conglomerate. At its height, it was worth more than $120 billion.All of this was Jack Cockwell’s domain. Immigrant, corporate philosopher, ruthless operator, Cockwell single-handedly imposed his will on Canada’s business establishment and dominated the 1980s like no one else.But by the end of the decade, people on Bay Street began to whisper.Something was rotten at the heart of Cockwell’s empire. They said that the whole thing was a mirage. A lie. A house of card waiting to fall over.They all turned out to be right.To learn more:The Brass Ring: Power, Influence and the Brascan Empire by Patricia Best & Ann ShortellEdper by Keith Dalrymple“The Edper Puzzle” by Kimberly Noble in The Globe and Mail“The Second Coming” by Rod McQueen in The Financial Post“Fears for a Leveraged Leviathan” by Clyde Farnsworth in The New York Times“He was a titan of Bay Street and a senator. But J. Trevor Eyton died owing millions in taxes and on the verge of bankruptcy” by David Bruser & Jesse McLean in The Toronto Star 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, Jordan Cornish, a producer and reporter, teams up with veteran journalist Stephen Maher, who’s covered the Bronfman family's intriguing history. They dive into the origins of the Bronfman dynasty, revealing how Jewish cowboys and American gangsters intertwined to create immense wealth. The conversation unpacks the family's links to organized crime during Prohibition, examines their political corruption, and highlights Sam Bronfman’s transformation from bootlegger to business magnate. It's a fascinating look at a legacy marked by both philanthropic efforts and darker truths.

Tyler Shipley, a professor and author, dives into the historical intricacies of Brookfield and its entanglements in Brazil. He reveals how Canadian capital shaped Brazilian utilities in the late 1800s, highlighting the controversial Light company’s monopoly and the dark tactics used to maintain control. The discussion touches on political corruption, the legacy of the 1929 flood, and eventual transformation into Brascan. Shipley connects past exploitation to Brookfield's current strategies, underscoring the company's far-reaching influence in both Canada and Brazil.

In this engaging discussion, Jeet Heer, a Canadian journalist and commentator known for his insightful analysis, unpacks the complex legacy of Jeffrey Epstein. Heer argues that Epstein should be viewed as a 'warlord,' outlining how he operated with impunity through international security deals. He dives into leaked emails revealing Epstein's ties to elites and political networks, including Steve Bannon and Israeli intelligence. The conversation sheds light on the systemic issues within mainstream media coverage and hints at future revelations about Epstein's connections.

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.