The Line

In this week's The Line Podcast, recorded on March 1, 2024, Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney discuss evil, death and growing old. All cheerful stuff. First they offer quick thoughts and condolences on the passing of former prime minister Brian Mulroney. Then they delve into the Liberals' proposed Online Harms Act, and conclude that while most of it is reasonable and does attempt to deal with legitimate and pressing concerns — like inappropriate revenge related material, and content related to the exploitation of underage peoples — the Liberals have gone off the rails in their attempts to reign in "hate speech" by reviving Section 13, a loathed and rejected provision that this country had already spent years litigating, and ultimately throwing up. The Online Harms Act will further empower Human Rights Tribunals to crack down on "hate speech" with a threat of serious fines. The bill introduces house arrest for pre-crime — it would allow authorities to impinge upon the liberties of individuals whom they believe might commit hate speech. The dynamic duo go on to discuss the latest information about the Chinese infiltration of the Winnipeg-based National Microbiology Lab, and the abuse of terms like "national security" to cover for embarrassment, folly, and failure. Then they lay into the latest drama from the ArriveCan scam — in which the federal government managed to spend $59 million on a phone app that now involves a PPC candidate and CEO who was apparently using his full-time job at the Department of National Defence as a side hustle. Amazing country, this. #OnlineHarmsAct #FreeSpeech #HateSpeech #ArriveCan #BrianMulroney #WinnipegLab #NationalSecurity #Canada #Politics 

Oh yes, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre — ostensible defender of limited government and freedom — is coming for your goon caves. (Google it, if you have to, but not at work.) More specifically, the CPC leader is supporting bill S-210, which seeks to age-gate porn, blocking access by minors. Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney clash on the issue; both agree that this makes for terrible, albeit emotionally popular, policy. They disagree about whether it will make for good politics. Then they go on to discuss the imminent Online Harms Act — bookies have high odds on that one being a total disaster. From there, your hosts veer to Poilievre's opposition to "biological males" in female spaces like sport leagues, washrooms and changerooms. Interestingly, the duo note, this position is not panning out to be even a two-day news story when only a few years ago, such statements would have destroyed a politician. The Line then chat about Dr. Phil on Joe Rogan. Did a Canadian parliamentarian really argue that there are no "parental rights" in Canada? Is that true? They then admit to having conflicted feelings over the fall of Vice, which announced this week that it would be no more. Is this a case of "go woke, go broke?" For a final ramble, Jen Gerson gets into Alberta's moratorium on renewable energy but, frankly, we admit, the jerking off segment of this podcast is better. So yeah. Come for the politics. Stay for the masturbation references.#PierrePoilievre #Conservative #JustinTrudeau #Canada #cdnPoli #politics  #JoeRogan #DrPhil #Dr.Phil #Trans #Bathrooms #s210 #AgeGate #Porn #gooncave #Vice #GoWokeGoBroke

This week's The Line Podcast, recorded on Feb. 16, 2024, sees Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson talk about federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault's bizarre statement promising no new federal funding for big new road projects. And, yes, we know that roads fall under provincial and municipal jurisdiction — as does housing, energy policy, health care, and a host of other issues in which the feds do not hesitate to involve themselves. Also, if electric vehicles aren't the answer, why are we investing billions of taxpayer dollars into subsidized EV factories, while also phasing out the sale of internal combustion engine cars, Mr. Guilbeault? Then the dynamic duo go on to discuss Gerson's bizarre testimony at the Heritage committee. We think they want the media to host a party to discuss the state of the media and to be invited — to which we say: "And who is paying the drinks tab, sir?"The NDP's Charlie Angus is proposing a new law to ban oil and gas advertising — which is making us re-think bans on tobacco advertising. Turns out, it was a slippery slope! Smoke if you get 'em?Lastly, The Line team talks about a pro-Palestinian protest that just happened to proclaim the joys of intifada in front of a historically Jewish hospital — and the resentment of being asked to ignore the evidence of our own eyes. #EV #Roads #StevenGuilbeault #TheLine #MattGurney #JenGerson #NationalMediaForum #Mt.Sinai #CRTC #HeritageCommittee #Canada #Politics #Poilievre #Trudeau

A special edition of The Line Podcast for Thursday Feb. 15; Don't worry fans, Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney will be back on Friday to talk Canadian politics. But until then, join special guest Patricia Treble, Canadian royal watcher and writer at the Write Royalty Substacak. In this episode, they discuss King Charles III's cancer diagnosis; what that means for the operation of government, and when a regency could be declared. Paired with news that Catherine, Princess of Wales underwent abdominal surgery in hospital, the newfound transparency represents a sea change for the Royal family, which has historically been far more reticent to discuss their health matters. Then Gerson and Treble dive into all things Harry and Meghan because -- well -- they cannot help themselves. In the wake of the King's terrible cancer news, the Sussexes attempt a rebrand with a new website. And Meghan announces a deal with a podcasting production firm Lemonada. Is a comeback on the make? Lastly, Netflix dropped its teaser trailer for Scoop, a movie that is set to explore the downfall of Prince Andrew thanks to his notorious relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. If you're a fan of Royal Tea, do consider joining us for a cuppa.  #Harry #Meghan #Sussex #Charles #Catherine #Cancer #Royal #Lemonada #podcast #Netflix #Scoop #Andrew #William #Catherine #Regency

We doubt it, but The Line's Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney talk about the goomba anyway.Then the pair discuss Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre sticking to his guns by once again opposing a free trade deal with Ukraine on some dubious carbon tax pricing grounds. Is this evidence that Poilievre is in bed with Vladimir Putin? Well, probably not, argues Gerson; instead it suggests something weirder and in some ways worse.The pair also talk about Poilievre's opposition to puberty blockers, and discuss Alberta's trans policies. Apparently there are some gender affirming top surgeries happening in the province, as reported in the National Post this week. Gurney also notes that he thinks the Ottawa press types are finally starting to figure out how to interview Poilievre. He hopes to see more of that.The Line also talks about the layoffs at Bell Canada; the obligations highly protected industries like Bell ought to have to put some of their misbegotten profits into public good enterprises like journalism. But they don't, and probably won't have to. Lastly, The Line talks about Belleville, Ontario, and why Canadians are getting more and more angry listening to politicians talk about task forces and funding for problems — like opioid overdoses, discarded needles and stolen cars — that don't seem to get better.#Carlson #Putin #Russia #CarbonTax #Ukraine #Transgender #PubertyBlockers #DanielleSmith #Alberta #Layoffs #BCE #RegulatoryCapture

This podcast discusses the recent trans proposals in Alberta, questioning government involvement in areas such as youth sports and gender-affirming surgeries. The hosts criticize Danielle Smith's proposals and the use of useless solutions by federal Liberals. They also explore biases, foreign interference, the need for accountability, and the connection between mental illness and terrorism. Additionally, they discuss different approaches to safe supply programs and healthcare concerns.

This week, The Line's Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson chat about Tucker Carlson's visit to Alberta — or as Liberals put it, the visit of a homophobic hate monger whose presence evokes the threat of violence by MAGA far-right Conservatives. We deem all of this stupid, and expect more stupidity. So much more.Then they chat about Durham Conservative Candidate Jamil Jivani, and what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meant by calling him a "twofer" — racist dog whistle, or manipulative video editing? (It's the video editing.) Regardless, it's all stupid, too.G&G also tackle the Liberals' long-anticipated communications pivot to openly comparing Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to Donald Trump. It's not going to work — and the fact that the Liberals think this is a good idea is demonstrative of just how radically out of touch they are with how angry Canadians are, and what they're struggling with. But maybe we're wrong. Lastly, Gerson rants about Calgary's dystopian hellscape punish-the-povos $.15 fee on paper drive-through bags, and Matt orders her to buy her kiddos an insane amount of fast food. For the likes.#TheLine #JenGerson #MattGurney #TuckerCarlson #Tucker #JordanPeterson #DanielleSmith #cdnpolitics #stupid #twofer #JamilJivani #PierrePoilivre #DonaldTrump 

We're back! After a refreshing holiday, The Line Podcast's Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney are together again to discuss the state of play in Canadian politics. Have the Liberals under Justin Trudeau bottomed out? Why can't they seem to secure a comeback — Gerson thinks she knows: it's because everybody's broke, and the Liberals are fixated on electric vehicles, plastic bags, and carbon taxes. The Line offers a quick update on Israel, and the federal government's incoherent and constantly wavering position on the International Court of Justice: turns out, we will abide by the ruling on whether Israel is committing genocide, even though we don't agree with the premise of the case. That ... does not make sense. Your editors also talk Alberta politics: why did Canada's most energy-rich province almost freeze to death in the cold? And what to make of NDP leader Rachel Notley stepping down from her role. Lastly, Gerson and Gurney talk about Sabrina Maddeaux, the National Post columnist who announced her candidacy for the Conservatives. They then talk more generally about journalists who escape this wretched hive of scum and villainy to enter an even grungier Mos Eisley cantina — politics. Why does this seem to be becoming more normal, and what can you do to prevent more of it? Like and subscribe to The Line www.readtheline.ca#SabrinaMaddeaux #politics #conservative #Canada #justintrudeau #Isreal #ICJ #genocide #Liberal 

The podcast discusses the UN ceasefire vote, Canadian foreign policy, and the Conservatives' votes against the Ukrainian trade deal. They also explore the drama at independent media outlet Canadaland and reflect on the year 2023.

The podcast discusses the controversial incident involving the Calgary mayor's decision to skip a public menorah lighting ceremony, criticizing her response. They also criticize the conservative party's amendments to slow down the parliamentary session. The speaker reflects on the year and discusses sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces. They explore Trudeau's controversies, including blackface incidents and the SNC scandal. The chapter discusses the recent CBC layoffs and CTV's mistaken airing of scenes of war instead of a menorah lighting.