The Backbench

Alberta Premier and UCP leader Danielle Smith has unveiled what many are describing as some of the strictest anti-trans policies in the country. Shortly after, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who famously stated he would lead a “mind your own damn business party,” didn’t mind his own damn business and supported Smith’s move in interfering with trans kids' access to healthcare. Why is it that conservatives are so obsessed with trans people? Mattea Roach asked Hannah Hodson, former Candidate for the Federal Conservatives, and Mel Woods, senior editor at Xtra Magazine.Host: Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor) Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guests: Hannah Hodson, Mel WoodsBackground reading:Alberta’s New Policies: Anti-trans, Anti-evidence from The TyeeThe cruelty and calm of Alberta's attack on trans rights from Xtra MagazineThe 1st openly trans Conservative candidate calls out party's new gender policies from the CBCAlberta premier’s pronoun policy spurs concern from law expert about vulnerable children from Global NewsPremier Smith says Alberta's gender identity policies are based on a concern about 'what will happen' from CTV NewsConservatives tell MPs not to comment on Alberta transgender policies, prioritize parental rights, internal e-mail shows from The Globe and MailSponsors: AG1, DouglasIf 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, 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.

The ICJ court ruled that Palestinians in Gaza face a “real and imminent risk” of genocide, and laid out the provisional measures Israel must take in order to prevent it. Canada has a legal duty to take steps to prevent genocide - yet their relationship to Israel may compromise their obligations to the Genocide Convention. What will it take for Canada to pivot on its special relationship with Israel? And might Canada be complicit in genocide?Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guests: Amanda Ghahremani, Farida Deif, Mark KerstenBackground reading:Ratification of the Genocide ConventionStatement by Minister Joly on South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice Ruling by UN’s top court means Canada and the U.S. could be complicit in Gaza genocide from The ConversationClaims that Israel is imposing 'apartheid' on Palestinians put new pressure on Trudeau Liberals from CBC News. South Africa’s legal effort to declare Israel’s actions ‘genocidal in character’ poses dilemma for Canada from The Globe and Mail.Canada should halt weapons shipments to Israel, arms control advocate says from The Globe and Mail.International law, not history, holds the promise of protecting life in Gaza from the Toronto Star.Sponsors: Douglas, AG1If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, 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.

Lack of investment in affordable rental units, increased financialization of housing, soaring land prices, and jacked-up mortgage rates are just some of the reasons behind the rental and housing crisis we find ourselves in. But how the hell do we get out of this crisis while still being able to sip on our $5 coffees? Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor) Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guests: Jen St. Denis, Tanya BurkartBackground reading:Fact Checking Poilievre’s ‘Housing Hell’ Video - The TyeeWhy Can’t We Build Like It’s the 1970s? - The TyeePeople love living in co-ops — so why did Canada kill the program? - RicochetTo solve Canada’s housing crisis, make renting great again - National ObserverHousing Hell - Pierre PoilievreSponsors: 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, 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.

This year has been one hell of a political rollercoaster. Host, Mattea Roach, sits down with Riley Yesno, Nick Taylor-Vaisey, and Kyle Duggan to make sense of key political moments of this year, and to make predictions of their future implications. They unpack everything from Canada’s foreign interference problem and the controversial carbon tax, to the housing crisis and the NDP-Liberal confidence agreement. Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guests: Nick Taylor-Vaisey, Riley Yesno, Kyle DugganBackground reading:Secret files show CSIS worried Canada has 'no consequences' for foreign state interference – The Toronto StarCanada to pause carbon tax on home heating oil for three years –  ReutersHousing hell: How we got here and how we get out – Twitter @PierrePoilievreLiberals say pharmacare bill unlikely to pass this year, despite promise to NDP – CP24 Sponsors: oxio, Douglas 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, 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.

We’re bringing you a special episode from the Canadaland feed.  It’s the holidays, and on your TV or radio you’re inevitably hit with ads telling you that this is the season of giving - it’s time to donate to a food drive. Conservative politicians, Liberal politicians, banks, broadcasters, grocery stores: they all are united in this message. With the promotion of food banks from virtually every institution and elected official in the country, you might conclude that they are the best solution to food insecurity. Except - they’re not. Food bank use in Canada is at an all-time high, and experts, community organizers, even staff at food banks say that the growing need just shows how our government has failed to address poverty and hold corporations to account.Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Jesse Brown (Host & Publisher), Cherise Seucharan (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (Audio and Technical Producer), Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Sponsors: oxio, Douglas 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, 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.

Editor's note: For additional context Hamas emerged in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising, or intifada, as an outgrowth of the Muslim Brotherhood's Palestinian branch. The group is committed to armed resistance against Israel and the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state in Israel's place. For more: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2284721219710#:~:text=A%20spotlight%20was%20cast%20on,Ashley%20Fraser%20explores%20its%20origins.In Canada, the political discourse on the news coming out of Israel and Palestine has given Backbench host, some “serious whiplash.” Discussions happening online seem extremely polarized, making it difficult to have productive and nuanced conversations. In this episode, Mattea sits down with Muhannad Ayyash, a Palestinian Professor of Sociology, and Jeremy Appel, a journalist and author, to get to the root of this contention.  Host: Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guests: Muhannad Ayyash, Jeremy AppelBackground reading:Lobby group pushes Canada to conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism – The BreachWeaponisation of anti-Semitism is bad for Palestinians – and Jews – Al JazeeraWalk-outs, sit-ins, pickets in Montreal in support of Palestinians in Gaza – CBC NewsMosque attack victims shaken after hate-motivated assaults lead to Toronto man's arrest – CBC NewsThese troubling times have revealed my Jewish parents were right about hate – Toronto StarSponsors: oxio, Athletic GreensIf 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, 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.

Often underreported or ignored by national media, the unique and complex issues facing the people who call Yukon home rarely get the attention they deserve. In this LIVE TAPING Mattea Roach, Michelle Friesen, Tosh Southwick, and Carissa Waugh take part in a smart, nuanced, and engaging conversation centering the opportunities, and political and social challenges up north. But most importantly, this episode speaks to the absolute need to have tough and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about reconciliation. Host: Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guests: Michelle Friesen, Tosh Southwick, Carissa WaughBackground reading:Curing the ‘colonial hangover’: how Yukon First Nations became trailblazers of Indigenous governance - The NarwhalIndigenous self-government in Yukon holds lessons for all of Canada - Policy Options'It's going to take the community': Yukon faces Canada's worst toxic drug death rate - CBC NewsUmbrella Final AgreementTogether Today for our Children TomorrowSponsors: Douglas, CanvaIf 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, 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.

Why did Canada abstain on an emergency resolution at the UN General Assembly calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities” in Gaza? Mattea Roach, Emilie Nicolas, Ethan Cox & Murtaza Hussain will break down the past 3 weeks' worth of news in the backdrop of decades of context, and get granular about Canada's response to it all. Host: Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor/Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Ethan Cox, Murtaza HussainBackground reading:Canada-Israel relationsCanada-West Bank-the Gaza Strip relationsWho governs the West Bank? Understanding Palestinian political leadership - NPRWhat is the Gaza Strip? - NPRA Canadian Politician Has Been Sacked for Calling for a Cease-Fire in Palestine - JacobinCanada’s Rejection of Amnesty’s Apartheid Report Not Based on Specific Evidence, according to ATIP request - CJPMEConservative MP Tim Uppal sorry for role in 'divisiveness' of Harper-era policies - CTV NewsThe Baffling Politics of Stephen Harper and Israel - Al JazeeraTrudeau says UN vote not a shift in Canada's 'steadfast' support of Israel - CBC NewsSponsors: Rotman, Douglas If you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases & bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch, tickets to our live & virtual events, & more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free & 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 you think about film, art and creativity, government policy probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Make no mistake about it, our policy makers & politicians can crucially impact the art we make, who gets to make it, & the culture we consume. Good policy can create a thriving, diverse culture — & bad policy can destroy it. Mattea Roach joins Matt Hatfield, Haydn Wazelle, Karen Lam, & Dennis Heaton for an unforgettable LIVE podcast taping with the Vancouver International Film Festival at the Rio Threatre. They explore the contentious Bill C-11 & its potential to disrupt the status quo, & the hot strike summer the media industry is having this year. Host: Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor in Chief)Guests: Matt Hatfield, Haydn Wazelle, Karen Lam, Dennis HeatonBackground reading:Bill C-11: What to know about the Online Streaming Act from The Globe and MailHow the Online Streaming Act will support Canadian content from The ConversationTaming the tech giants will cause collateral damage from Policy OptionsWriters Guild of Canada Studying Tentative WGA Deal for Precedent in Local Contract Talks from The Hollywood ReporterSponsors: DouglasIf 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, 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.

Support us now! Click here: canadaland.com/joinThe first episode of Canadaland was published ten years ago today. If we were to announce this is the last episode of Canadaland, no one would be surprised.Journalism in Canada is in a fight for its life. You can have an impact. Head to canadaland.com/join to become a supporter today.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.