

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

Dec 3, 2019 • 49min
Ep. 52 - The Guy Behind Ontario Proud
A very special interview with the person behind your least favourite meme pages, Ontario Proud and Canada Proud. Plus, an update on Canada-China relations by way of an interview with two Hong Kong pro-democracy figures. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast. This episode of OPPO is brought to you by FreshBooks and Audible. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter. ᐧSupport the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 26, 2019 • 36min
Ep. 51 - Ministry Of Pandering
We take a look at the Liberal government’s cabinet appointments, check in on the scandals and simmering resentment in Canada's "West," and read some highlights from the listener mailbag. This episode of OPPO is brought to you by FreshBooks and WealthBar. While OPPO is not made using Patreon funds, CANADALAND’s other shows rely on listener support. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast. Additional music: Hooky with Sloane by Bird CreekCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/…Music provided by FreeMusic109 https://youtube.com/FreeMusic109Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 19, 2019 • 46min
Ep. 50 - 50 Things We Want From The 43rd Parliament
For our 50th episode, we have 50 demands for the government. What's on your wish list? Email oppo@canadalandshow.com or tweet @OPPOcast. Support Canadaland Media at patreon.com/canadaland This episode is sponsored by FreshBooks (freshbooks.com) and WealthBar (wealthbar.com/canadaland). Additional music: Hooky with Sloane by Bird Creek Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by FreeMusic109 https://youtube.com/FreeMusic109Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 12, 2019 • 50min
Ep. 49 - Lisa Raitt’s Conservative Party Autopsy
The former deputy leader of the Conservative Party just lost her seat. She opens up about what went wrong in the election. Support Canadaland Media at patreon.com/canadaland. This episode was sponsored by Freshbooks (freshbooks.com/oppo) and Audible (audible.ca/canada). Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter @OPPOcast.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 5, 2019 • 42min
Ep. 48 - Useful Losers
A look at the smaller parties' fates, a farewell to Elizabeth May, and the cabinet prediction that's giving Justin nightmares. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter/Facebook @OPPOcast. See OPPO live at the Hot Docs Podcast Festival on November 7. Buy tickets here. Support Canadaland Media at patreon.com/canadaland. This episode was sponsored by Freshbooks (freshbooks.com/oppo) and WealthBar (wealthbar.com/canadaland).Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 29, 2019 • 42min
Ep. 47 - Is Scheer Done?
Jen's back! And she's kept a list of the worst election moments. Plus, will the Conservatives kick out Andrew Scheer? And what the rest of Canada needs to know about #Wexit. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOcast. Support Canadaland Media at patreon.com/canadaland.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 22, 2019 • 17min
Ep. 46 - About Last Night
OPPO breaks down the election results from the midst of the Liberal victory (sort of) party. Get in touch at oppo@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOcast. The episode was sponsored by the new book, Highway of Tears. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this episode said that the Liberals picked up a seat in Northern Saskatchewan. That seat ended up going to the Conservatives. That detail has been removed from the show.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 18, 2019 • 42min
Ep. 45 - We Haven't Gotten To Truth Yet
It's a special pre-election bonus OPPO! We talk about the party platforms and issues that actually matter to Indigenous peoples this election. Guests: Ryan McMahon, comedian and host of the Thunder Bay podcast. @RMComedy Karyn Pugliese, Nieman Journalism Fellow, former executive producer at APTN, and future journalism professor at Ryerson University. @karyn_pugliese From the show: Read Kenneth Jackson's APTN investigation into deaths in the child welfare system here. This episode is sponsored by Freshbooks: https://www.freshbooks.com/Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 15, 2019 • 47min
Ep. 44 - OPPO's Big Queer Foreign Policy Extravaganza!
What do the federal parties say about LGBTQ issues? (No we're not talking about gay marriage). And uh...why is no one talking about foreign policy? Guests: Erica Lenti, senior editor at Xtra, and National Post columnist Colby Cosh. Follow Erica at @ericalenti and find Colby @colbycosh. Read Xtra's story on their LGBTQ2 candidate survey here. Read Canadaland's reporting on the unfounded Trudeau story rumours here. Tell us what you think of the show! Email oppo@canadalandshow.com or tweet @OPPOcast. This episode was sponsored by: Audible: https://www.audible.ca/canada Freshbooks: https://www.freshbooks.com/ Highway of Tears by Jessica McDiarmid: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/548115/highway-of-tears-by-jessica-mcdiarmid/9780385687577Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 8, 2019 • 46min
Ep. 43 - The First Official Leaders' Debate
We survived debate night! Mostly. Plus, we break down the parties' environmental platforms with energy and environmental economist Andrew Leach. Get in touch at OPPO@canadalandshow.com or on Twitter and Facebook @OPPOcast.Support the show: https://backbench.supercast.tech/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.