CANADALAND

Question: what is Canada's greatest contribution to the world of comedy? Is it Lorne Michaels and Saturday Night Live, which launched the careers of comedians like Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, and Norm MacDonald? What about Samantha Bee, who broke into the boys club of late night political satire? Nathan Fielder who may have redrawn the lines of reality itself, exposing the absurdity of modern life with his bizarre, intricate pranks? Professor Stephen Leacock, the Mark Twain of Canada?Or is it a hidden-camera, prank comedy show that has been seen by millions and millions of people from all over the world?Just For Laughs Gags has been running for almost 25 years, and it had no reason to stop, except that its parent company filed for creditor protection under Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act on March 5, 2024. What was Gags and what will be missed if it never gets produced again?Today on the show, we hear from the people that made it, and from people that were pranked by them.To learn more:Just for Laughs: Gags – 15 years growing around the world — Radio Canada InternationalJust For Laughs Gags YouTube Channel — YouTubeJoke's on us: Just for Laughs Gags is a heinous Canadian cultural export — National PostThe cost of cringe: Does Just for Laughs: Gags go too far? — National PostHost: Jesse Brown Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Reporter, Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Jonathan Goldsbie (News Editor), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Special thanks: Tamara WiseAdditional music by Audio NetworkSponsors: Article, Squarespace, AG1If 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.You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Il y a du pouvoir dans la réappropriation de son propre récit - c'est pourquoi Beata n'a pas seulement écrit un mémoire sur son expérience de fuite du Rwanda, mais aussi un recueil de poésie. Elle a cherché à retrouver des images qu'elle croyait exister, capturées par la BBC, d'un convoi de camions dans lequel elle était cachée pour fuir le pays - ce qui l'a menée à en découvrir davantage.La conversation examine le rôle des médias occidentaux dans le reportage sur le Rwanda à l'époque. Où se trouvait la presse internationale pendant le génocide et pourquoi le récit était-il si incomplet ? Pourquoi ce génocide n'a-t-il pas été empêché malgré les avertissements plus d'un an auparavant ?There’s power in re-appropriating your own story - which is why Beata has not only written a memoir about her experience fleeing Rwanda, but a book of poetry as well. She sought to track down footage that she believed to exist captured by the BBC of a convoy of trucks she was hidden in to flee the country - which led her on a path to discover more. The conversation examines the role of western media reporting about Rwanda at the time. Where was the international media during the genocide and why was the narrative so incomplete? Why wasn’t this genocide prevented despite warnings over a year prior?Animation : Emilie NicolasGénérique : Aviva Lessard (Production), Tristan Capacchione (Production technique), André Proulx (Coordonnateur à la production), Karyn Pugliese (Rédactrice en chef) Coanimation : Beata Umumbyeyi MairessePour en savoir plus :Culbuter le malheurLe convoiSi vous appréciez ce podcast, soutenez-nous ! Vous obtiendrez un accès en prime à toutes nos émissions gratuitement, y compris les premières diffusions et le contenu bonus. Vous recevrez également notre lettre d'information exclusive, des rabais sur les produits dans notre boutique, des billets pour nos événements en direct et virtuels, et surtout, vous ferez partie de la solution à la crise du journalisme au Canada. Vous ferez en sorte que notre travail reste gratuit et accessible à tout le monde.   Vous pouvez écouter sans publicité sur Amazon Music, inclus avec Prime.If you enjoy this podcast, please support us! You'll get bonus access to all of our shows for free, including early releases and bonus content. You'll also receive our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch in our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and most importantly, you'll be part of the solution to the journalism crisis in Canada. You'll help keep our work free and accessible to everyone.   You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music, included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are New Zealand libertarian think-tanks so into Canada’s Indigenous skyscrapers? In the midst of an ongoing housing crisis, is the Squamish Nation’s Sen̓áḵw project the future of Indigenous land development?As Deadspin’s new ownership pivots to gambling referral, we consider how broadcast bingo supports Indigenous radio. Is “Radio Bingo” a replicable model for diversifying media revenue?Host: Jonathan GoldsbieCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Co-host: Robert Jago Further reading: There’s one government in Canada that’s actually beating back the housing crisis, and it’s not Justin Trudeau’s Liberals or Doug Ford’s Conservatives – Toronto StarVancouver’s new mega-development is big, ambitious and undeniably Indigenous – Maclean’sA Village Burned (2022) – Land Back (CBC Podcasts)A Canadian housing development shows how the value of indigenous land can be unlocked – The Post (NZ)Global Affairs confirms Canadian death in Lebanon, 8th since Israel-Hamas war began – The Canadian PressDeadspin Is Becoming a Gambling Referral Site – 404 MediaRadio bingo sees a surge in interest during pandemic in small towns (2021) – The Globe and Mail Sponsors: Douglas, Calm  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.   You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When governments and corporations want to stay on top of the “threats” posed by protest movements — from climate campaigns to animal-rights advocacy — there’s one company that they tend to turn to: Welund. Founded in the UK in 2007, it expanded to North America about a decade later, setting up shop in Calgary (where it’s now called Foresight Reports). So who are they? And what does it mean when public-sector bodies farm out their intelligence gathering to a private firm?To find out, we put our own open-source intelligence skills to the test.Host: Jesse Brown Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Jonathan Goldsbie (News Editor), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Further reading:Secretive intelligence firm with Alberta government contract spying on journalist Brandi Morin — RicochetThe Private Intelligence Firm Keeping Tabs on Environmentalists — Mother JonesBAE spy named by campaigners is friend of leading Tory — The GuardianBP paid ex-MI6 spy firm to snoop on green campaigners — openDemocracyEp. 35 - Larry Hardcastle — Brilliant Business PodcastInformation commissioner finds feds withheld details of relationship with private spy agency — RicochetForesight Reports website — Welund North AmericaSponsors: Squarespace, AG1, Better HelpIf 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.You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Elon Musk rails against content moderation in a disastrous interview with Don Lemon, Jesse and Ivor Shapiro reconsider Canada’s new approach to online speech. Is the Online Harms Act as Orwellian as Margaret Atwood thinks it is? Also, immigration is coming up a lot in the news these days. Is the recent media discourse actually….mature?Clarification: When Jesse reads from Bill C-63 Online Harms Act 17 he says "A person may, with the Attorney General's consent, lay an information before a provincial court judge if the person fears on reasonable grounds that another person will commit hate speech." He meant to say Section 17 "refers to existing parts of the criminal code that govern hate speech."Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guest: Ivor Shapiro   Further reading: Trudeau’s Orwellian online harms bill - The Spectator (UK)Margaret Atwood, Elon Musk call out Trudeau's 'Orwellian' hate speech legislation - National PostFinding a Way Forward for Jews and Palestinians in This Terrible Time [VIDEO] - Centre For Free ExpressionInfectious-disease scientist fired from Winnipeg laboratory surfaces in China - Globe and MailWe’re Falling Into Trump’s Trap… Again - PersuasionImmigration is making Canada's housing more expensive. The government was warned 2 years ago - CBC NewsInternational student charged after alleged voyeurism involving cellphone at U of T residence - CBC News Sponsors: Rotman, Douglas, Indochino  If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, You’ll also get discounts on merch at our store, 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.   You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Mill’s is the co-creator of The New York Times ground-breaking podcast, The Daily, and before that worked on the equally inventive and critically acknowledged podcast Radiolab. He’s also one of the very few journalists to gain the trust of J.K. Rowling for his series The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. Finally, he’s been the subject of critical reporting from Canadaland for his work on the Peabody Award winning series for The New York Times, Caliphate. That series was stripped of the Peabody and Mills himself was “cancelled” for a combination of the Caliphate controversy and a series of attacks on twitter for his past work-place behaviour.It’s a rare opportunity to speak with someone with a CV like Mills’ and even rarer for Jesse to have the opportunity to come face to face with someone who has been the subject of intense scrutiny from Canadaland’s reporting.To hear an extended version of this interview, become a supporter by going to https://canadaland.com/joinTo learn more:Califail — CANADALANDAndy Mills’ Professional Website — Andy MillsCaliphate — The New York TimesThe Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling — The Free PressNew York Times Says ‘Caliphate’ Podcast Fell Short of Standards — The New York TimesAn Arrest in Canada Casts a Shadow on a New York Times Star, and The Times — The New York TimesHost: Jesse Brown Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Jonathan Goldsbie (News Editor), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Sponsors: Douglas, CFUV, Article, SquarespaceIf 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.You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alors que la guerre à Gaza fait rage, Emilie Nicolas et Raed Hammoud font le point sur la couverture de cette guerre dans le cadre de leur travail au sein de l'écosystème médiatique québécois. Raed évoque également le travail documentaire de longue haleine qu'il a réalisé afin de créer des liens entre des personnes de différentes parties du monde, notamment ses séries documentaires T'es où, Youssef ? Immigrants de souche et Demain l'Afrique. As the war in Gaza wages on, Emilie Nicolas and Raed Hammoud take stock of what it’s been like to cover this war in their work in the Quebec media ecosystem. Raed also discusses the long form documentary work he has done in order to create connections between people in different parts of the world, including his docu-series T’es où Youssef, Immigrants de Souche and Demain L’Afrique. Animation : Emilie NicolasGénérique : Aviva Lessard (Production), Tristan Capacchione (Production technique), André Proulx (Coordonnateur à la production), Karyn Pugliese (Rédactrice en chef) Coanimation : Raed HammoudPour en savoir plus :T’es où, Youssef ? - Télé QuébecImmigrants de souche - TV5Demain l’Afrique - TV5Si vous appréciez ce podcast, soutenez-nous ! Vous obtiendrez un accès en prime à toutes nos émissions gratuitement, y compris les premières diffusions et le contenu bonus. Vous recevrez également notre lettre d'information exclusive, des rabais sur les produits dans notre boutique, des billets pour nos événements en direct et virtuels, et surtout, vous ferez partie de la solution à la crise du journalisme au Canada. Vous ferez en sorte que notre travail reste gratuit et accessible à tout le monde.   Vous pouvez écouter sans publicité sur Amazon Music, inclus avec Prime.If you enjoy this podcast, please support us! You'll get bonus access to all of our shows for free, including early releases and bonus content. You'll also receive our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch in our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and most importantly, you'll be part of the solution to the journalism crisis in Canada. You'll help keep our work free and accessible to everyone.   You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music, included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The laughter has stopped at the Just For Laughs festival, as ownership applies for creditor protection and cancels the Montreal and Toronto 2024 festivals. Toronto Comedian Sam Sferrazza explains how the Just For Laughs systems worked (and didn’t work) for Canadian comedy.Is there anything behind the Katespiracy? As a manipulated photo of Princess Catherine and her kids goes viral worldwide, Jesse wonders if any photograph… ever should have ever been trusted. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guest: Sam Sferrazza Further reading: Comedians reflect on Just For Laughs’ cancellation and the future of comedy - Globe and Mail2024 Just for Laughs comedy festival cancelled, company seeks creditor protection - CBC NewsThe end of SaltWire: What happened and what happens next? - Halifax ExaminerCanada’s foreign correspondents are almost extinct - The HubHot Docs president warns this year's festival could be its last without more financial support - CBC NewsQAnon for Wine Moms - The AtlanticWhat's wrong with this picture? Plenty, say experts - CBC NewsSo Where’s Kate Middleton? - The Big Story - Frequency [podcast]Royal mystery: What’s going on with Kate Middleton? - Front Burner - CBC [podcast] Sponsors: Douglas, oxio, Athletic Greens 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.   You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour used to be a beat. A major beat for any newspaper. Which, you know, makes sense. Because what happens with work, with the world of work, that matters to so many more people than any other section in the newspaper, more than politics or foreign affairs or even business. But the age of the working person's newspaper is just about dead, and along with it, the labour beat.But maybe not to news audiences. We get constant emails from you asking us to take a closer look at work in Canada. The entire new season of our sister show Commons is called Work, and this week we hand the show over to the Commons team. Arshy Mann, Jordan Cornish, and Noor Azrieh are going to tell you about what they have found, about what it means to work and be a worker in Canada.Subscribe to COMMONS: Work in your favourite podcast app here!Host: Jesse Brown Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Sponsors: Squarespace, Rotman, AG1If 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.You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Winnipeg to Wuhan, Canada is embroiled in an international spy situation, but why does no one seem to care anymore? Recent documents released from the investigation of scientist Dr. Xiangguo Qiu contain bombshells that may point back to the COVID lab leak theory. As the obituaries and puff pieces roll in, the Canadian media seems to have forgotten that Brian Mulroney was - in fact - divisive. Correcting the record on “Conservative Titan” Brian Mulroney. Clarification (March 18, 2024): While the Investigative Journalism Foundation’s Open By Default database includes roughly 20,000 records released by federal departments and agencies in response to access-to-information requests, The Globe and Mail’s Secret Canada project is broader in scope, encompassing summaries of more than 300,000 requests made to over 600 federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal institutions across the country.Host: Jesse BrownCredits: James Nicholson(Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guest: Jan Wong Further reading: Lies and scandal: How two rogue scientists at a high-security lab triggered a national security calamity - CBC News The big problem with the Winnipeg lab affair was obvious from the start: too much secrecy - CBC NewsDocuments reveal fired scientists shared information with China - The Decibel PodcastBrian Mulroney, 18th prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan, dead at 84 | Politics - Canadian PressGlobe editorial: Brian Mulroney, the last great prime minister - Globe and MailThe IJF launches ‘Open By Default,’ - Investigative Journalism FoundationChina ends 30-year tradition: premier's annual press conference - Reuters Sponsors: Calm, Douglas, Article 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.  You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.