The Breach Show

The Canadian government's response to the ICJ ruling on Israel's genocide in Gaza exposes its "egregious double standards" towards the Palestinians. International law expert Mark Kersten joins Martin Lukacs to dissect the historic decision from the UN’s top court.

This week, Martin Lukacs interviews Eriel Deranger, a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the executive director of Indigenous Climate Action. She gives us the 4-1-1 on this year’s UN climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, including the influx of fossil fuel lobbyists, Canada’s paltry commitment to financing Global South countries dealing with the brunt of the climate crisis, what real Indigenous-led solutions look like, and speaking at a rare demonstration for Palestine in the highly repressive UAE. 

Israel’s assault on Gaza has become a flashpoint in Canadian media.  This week, Martin Lukacs and Emma Paling dive deep into the current state of reporting, from CTV’s anti-Palestian bias to the arrest of Palestine solidarity activists in Toronto.

This week, Martin Lukacs interviews Dan Freeman-Maloy, a leading scholar of Canadian foreign policy toward Palestine and director of strategic operations for Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East. From the U.K. to the U.S., Canada has long served as the right-hand man to imperial interests in the Middle East. As an American-backed Israeli army devastates Palestinians in Gaza, Freeman-Maloy breaks down the historical roots of Canada’s long denial of Palestinian rights.

Dania Majid, president of the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association, joins The Breach Show to talk about the legal dimensions of Israel’s escalating assault on Gaza.  As UN experts warn of a “risk of genocide,” is Canada meeting its obligations? And as an occupying state, does Israel actually have a “right to defend itself?” Majid also breaks down the effect of Anti-Palestinian racism and the surge in mobilizing for solidarity with Palestine.

The Breach’s managing editor Martin Lukacs brings a dispatch from the NDP convention in Hamilton, Ont., where Israel’s siege of Gaza and Pierre Poilievre’s popularity dominated the show.  Plus, how Canadian governments across the political spectrum—and the mainstream media—have allowed Israel to act with impunity toward the Palestinians.

The Breach’s Martin Lukacs speaks with Naomi Klein about her new book “Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World.” It dissects an uncanny post-pandemic moment in which a surging right—whether in the United States, Canada, or globally—has absorbed left-wing ideas and regurgitated them as something dark and dangerous.

The Breach Show returned for a special Alberta election night special, and here are some highlights! Hosts Martin Lukacs and Aditya Rao are joined by a great lineup of guests from all over Alberta. Ricardo Acuña, Romy Garrido, Emma Jackson, Angele Alook, Brad Lafortune and Des Bissonnette unpack what Danielle Smith’s win means for Albertans and what Rachel Notley’s uninspiring campaign and ultimate loss mean for the left.

On a special production, The Breach’s El Jones hosts a national conversation about defunding the police with Desmond Cole in Toronto, Meenakshi Mannoe in Vancouver, Leon Laidlaw in Winnipeg, Ted Rutland and Tari Ajadi in Montreal, and Hafsah Mohammad in New Brunswick. Their conversation covers the police backlash to the defund movement, and strategies for organizing against continuing hikes to police budgets.

On The Breach Show this week, guest host Aditya Rao joins panelists Pam Palmater and El Jones.  First up - according to Justin Trudeau, it’s “Electric Vehicle Week” in Canada. We’re joined by author and tech critic Paris Marx, to look at some of the potential environmental and social costs of positioning Canada as a leader in the EV industry.    And what would it take to remake the Ontario NDP as a vehicle for change? Martin Lukacs offers a frank look at the party amidst the search to replace leader Andrea Horwath.