

The Backbench
CANADALAND
When the group chat’s spiraling and your For You Page is a trainwreck, it’s hard to know what’s real — or what matters. Canadaland Politics (formerly The Backbench) cuts through the noise with bold questions, sharp analysis, and the political news you actually need.Each Tuesday, we’ll ask bold questions and offer sharp analysis, giving you the tools to challenge any perspective — maybe even your own. Canadaland Politics is made by Noor Azrieh, Aviva Lessard and Sam Konnert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 22, 2020 • 44min
Ep. 72 - Snap Election Clapback, CERB Forever!
BC's new Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau weighs in on Premier John Horgan's snap election and ‘cynical' political calculation. And some Liberal MPs are so passionate about a basic income ahead of the throne speech that we had to bring on ‘CEO activist' Floyd Marinescu to offer his lobby group's cost-benefit analysis. This episode is brought to you by CI Direct Investing.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 8, 2020 • 40min
Ep. 71 - Fall Political Preview
Snap election this fall? Erin O'Who? How many jobs can Chrystia Freeland have? And will the U.S. melt down in an apocalyptic civil war that will render it all meaningless? Jen and Sandy look at the season ahead. This episode is brought to you by CI Direct Investing.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 11, 2020 • 37min
Ep. 70 - Who's Afraid Of The COVID Alert App?
Can you guess which OPPO host has downloaded the app? Citizen Lab's Christopher Parsons joins us to assuage privacy concerns and/or irrational fears about the federal government's new app to contain the coronavirus.Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast.While OPPO is not made using supporter funds, CANADALAND's other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 28, 2020 • 44min
Ep. 69 - QAnon Comes To Canada
Cars, machinery, and now conspiracy theories. The U.S. continues its proud tradition of exports to Canada as QAnon gains traction north of the border. Marc-André Argentino joins to walk us through the origins and future of QAnon in Canada.Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast.This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND's other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 14, 2020 • 42min
Ep. 68 - Why Working Moms Are Dreading September
The pandemic has already had a disproportionate impact on women, especially those with children. But how much worse could that be if schools don’t reopen soon? Dr. Sylvia Fuller joins to explain. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast. This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar and Rotman School of Management. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 30, 2020 • 41min
Ep. 67 - Everybody Else Is Abolishing The Police, So Why Can’t We?
As calls to defund continue to grow, why not imagine what Canada would look like without police? Robyn Maynard joins us to unpack the idea. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast. This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 16, 2020 • 42min
Ep. 66 - Get Me Outta Scheer
Now that Jen has thrown out her sourdough starter, it’s time to start paying attention to the race to replace Andrew Scheer. James Moore joins us to run through the field of candidates and explain where the Conservatives stand on the eve of the first party debate. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast. This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter. CORRECTION: This episode incorrectly states that Chantel Moore was killed in an incident with the RCMP. In fact, the incident in question involved Edmunston Police. We regret the error.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 2, 2020 • 36min
Ep. 65 - Stuck In the Middle With Meng Wanzhou
China and the US are facing off in what’s being dubbed a new Cold War. And Canada’s stuck in a tight spot. Last week, a BC judge ruled that Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou’s charges meet the bar of “double criminality,” which means she’s one step closer to being extradited to the US. China is not happy. To dig into what’s at stake, we’re joined by Philip Calvert, a former diplomat in China and Senior Fellow with the China Institute of the University of Alberta. Get In touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @oppocast. This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND's other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter at patreon.com/canadalandSupport the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 19, 2020 • 42min
Ep. 64 - An Epidemic Of Racism
Violent attacks on racialized people are on the rise in Canada — especially against those who look East Asian. We’re joined by reporter Joanna Chiu to discuss what happens when we conflate the actions of a government with individual people. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast. This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 5, 2020 • 28min
Ep. 63 - Under Cover Of Covid
What does the new ban on assault-style firearms in Canada mean? And what’s going on with the dog-whistle racism in the Conservative leadership race? Zain Velji co-hosts. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast. This episode of OPPO is brought to you by WealthBar. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.