The Backbench

Our new host, Mattea Roach, ponders Poilievre’s political playbook with Riley Yesno, David Moscrop and Catherine Griwkowsky on this week’s panel episode. And you know the saying, leaders come and go. As Pierre Poilievre makes his way into the Conservative leadership, Queen Elizabeth II has left us. Is it time to crack open our constitution and jettison the monarchy once and for all? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re thrilled to announce that Mattea Roach will be hosting the brand new season of the Backbench. She’s best known for her 23-game winning streak on Jeopardy!, but Mattea also has a keen interest in politics and has a background in sexual diversity studies, political science, and women and gender studies.In this teaser episode, Mattea is joined with Backbench Producer Aviva Lessard and Associate Producer Noor Azrieh for a sneak peak at what they hope to accomplish in the new season. Support CANADALAND: https://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where are the fresh faces in Canadian politics? Today, we dive into career politicians—the good the bad, and the ugly. Plus, why can’t our various levels of government just work together? It’s time to end the federal, provincial and municipal war. Also, guest contributors join Fatima’s last episode for her last point of order segment.Panelists: Emilie Nicolas, Murad Hemmadi, Stuart ThomsonGuest Contributors: Raisa Patel, David Moscrop, Jason Markusoff Links: https://www.keenan.ca/Sponsors: Oxio, Douglas, The PeakAdditional music by Audio Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we talk about what constitutes good leadership, and why our leaders are struggling to meet the moment amid a global ripple of failed democratic leadership. Plus, is provincial immigration autonomy going to save us from the 2.7 million applicant backlog? Producers note: Due to technical difficulties, Fatima's voice may sound a little different.Panelists: Drew Brown, Riley Yesno, Jaskaran SandhuSponsors: Oxio, Douglas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jerry DeMarco, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, delves into the Canadian federal response to climate change, and why our response is still insufficient. DeMarco unpacks 30 years of failed climate progress and offers an analysis of our government’s actions and inactions to deal with our seemingly impending doom.Links:2022 Reports 1 to 5 of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to the Parliament of CanadaFederal environment commissioner presents his 2022 spring reports – April 26, 2022Sponsors:Oxio, The Peak, Calm, Douglas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s 2022 and our politics remain dominated by men. We talked to three women who spent time in office to try to find out why.We’re joined by former NDP MP Peggy Nash, current NDP MP Leah Gazan, and former Vancouver city councillor Andrea Reimer. This event was organized by Between the Lines, the publisher of Peggy Nash’s book Women Winning Office: An Activist’s Guide To Getting Elected.Panelists: Peggy Nash, Leah Gazan, Andrea ReimerSponsors: Oxio, Douglas, Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are our policing systems broken? Today, we dive into reimagining public safety following an array of policing scandals across the country. Plus, what did our government achieve and fail to achieve in Parliament this past year?Sponsors: Images Festival, Calm, The Peak Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is happening to the Canadian economy? Stephen Gordon, director of the department of economics at Université Laval, helps unpack the ins and outs of the Bank of Canada, an institution we know little about. He talks to Fatima about the worries of a hyper-politicized economy and helps us understand how the next months under this economic turmoil will unfold.Sponsors: Oxio, 22 Murders Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could changing Canada’s electoral system solve the crisis of voter apathy? Today, we dive into electoral reform. Plus, a new bill that would give border guards wide discretion to search our phones and computers.UPDATE: After we recorded on Monday, senators on the national security and defence committee passed an amendment to Bill S-7 to replace the term "reasonable general concern" with "reasonable grounds to suspect." Read more here: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/senate-amends-bill-that-would-create-controversial-new-standard-for-cellphone-searches-at-borderPanelists: Drew Brown, David Moscrop, Raisa PatelLinks: Read Senator Paula Simons’ op-ed about Bill S-7 in The Line: https://theline.substack.com/p/paula-simons-the-government-is-tryingSponsors: Douglas, 22 Murders, The Peak Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shiv Ruparell is a young, transit-loving, urban bike advocate. He’s also a conservative, born and raised in Alberta, who has been active in politics at all levels. He talks to Fatima his view of conservative politics right now and why he remains optimistic about our political future. Sponsors: Oxio, Calm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.