The Backbench

A fiery election in Alberta. No, literally Alberta’s on fire this provincial election. AND, a $95 billion dollar lawsuit against the Ontario and Canadian Government challenging a lack of consent around resource extraction and the way treaty rights are upheld. This week longtime guest, first time host Riley Yesno is filling in for Mattea Roach.Host:  Riley YesnoCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guests: Catherine Griwkowsky, Emma Jackson, Emma McIntoshBackground reading:Party leaders walk fine line of an emergency during election campaign, Exit right: How Notley and Smith shifted Alberta's political spectrumCan you talk yourself out of power? That's the question facing Danielle Smith in Alberta's election.‘A skeleton crew’: UCP cuts led to Alberta wildfire disasterBC battles of mineral titlesAs mining fight escalates, First Nations challenge Ontario’s powerSponsors: BRYCE@100, Athletic Greens, BetterHelpIf 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, 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 week host Mattea Roach is joined by Riley Yesno, Karen Restoule, and Ethan Cox to unpack the The Public Service Alliance of Canada Strike, and the increase of police involved deaths. PSAC has reached a tentative contract agreement after almost two weeks of striking against its employer – the Government of Canada. AND, there’s a sharp rise in police-involved deaths peaking in 2022. What is really going on here?Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guests: Riley Yesno, Karen Restoule, Ethan CoxSources:Overpaid or undervalued? Politics divides opinions of federal employees’ working conditions & compensationTrudeau says government making 'serious offers' to end public service strikeData shows that police-involved deaths in Canada are on the riseCanadian police used deadly force at record rates in 2022, new research findsParamedic tells inquest he misjudged Myles Gray's race because of severe bruising after police fightDoug Ford wants to boost police ranks by lowering the education requirements for officersSponsors: Douglas, Athletic Greens, BetterHelpIf you value this podcast, Support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases & bonus content. 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 week Mattea Roach, is joined by Ziya Jones, Riley Yesno, and Frances Bula, to talk about public safety. A few weeks ago unhoused folks in Vancouver were met with displacement and decampment by police and bylaw officers. Who is this supposed solution meant for? AND, transgender and queer people have been facing a new wave of violent attacks globally. What kinds of protections might actually help?Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guests: Ziya Jones, Riley Yesno, Frances BulaBackground reading:Vancouver police, city staff begin removing encampment on East Hastings StreetNational Housing Strategy ActOntario NDP urges legal protections for drag performancesDrag events in Canada are facing a ‘crisis’ of hate, advocate warns. What can be done?Anti-gay activists target children’s libraries and drag queen story hoursCanada’s federal budget promises anti-hate action, but can the government actually do anything?Sponsors: Athletic Greens, BetterHelpIf 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.

It’s that time of the year again! Budget season… AND, the story about Chinese government influence just keeps getting even more complicated. This week Mattea Roach is joined by Murad Hemmadi, Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Stuart Thomson to unpack how the complex issue of government interference is being seized on by various parties, and how feasible Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland’s proposed budget is for this country’s future. Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guests: Murad Hemmadi, Nick Taylor-Vaisey, Stuart Thomson Background reading:Freeland's green economy spending aimed at competing with U.S. Inflation Reduction ActChrystia Freeland's federal budget throws new spending at inflation-weary CanadiansChapter 3: A Made-In-Canada Plan: Affordable Energy, Good Jobs, and a Growing Clean Economy | Budget 2023Highlights from the 2023 federal budget | CBC NewsSponsors: Douglas, PSAC, Athletic Greens, Images FestivalIf 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.

Dig into Canadian politics from the best seats in the House. Join host Mattea Roach and our rotating roster of panelists from across the country while we engage in discussions about what is happening in Canadian politics right now, and why it matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, marking it as the biggest bank failure in the United States since the 2008 Financial Crisis. AND, our three top grocers testified at the House of Commons recently, but Canadians learned very little. This week host Mattea Roach is joined by Murad Hemmadi, Meagan Simpson, and Arshy Mann to unpack the future of the bank and tech industries, and why many Canadians are feeling the strain every time they step into a grocery store, all while grocers are making record profits. Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guests: Murad Hemmadi, Meagan Simpson, Arshy MannA full list of background reading can be found on our website.Sponsors: Rotman, Bryce@100, 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.

Host Mattea Roach is joined by Emilie Nicolas, Stuart Thomson and Les Perreaux to talk about the latest at Roxham Road, the irregular border crossing where thousands of asylum seekers flock to Canada. What’s bringing them here and what’s happening once they arrive?  And a subset of Google users in Canada have discovered a bunch of Canadian news mysteriously disappearing from their search results… whose fault is this, and should we be concerned? We unpack the Online News Act, Bill C-18.Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Stuart Thomson, Les PerreauxBackground reading:Canadians Fume as Migrants Surge at Their Border - New York TimesIt’s time to close the breach at Roxham Road and enforce Canada’s borders - Globe and MailNiagara Falls facing 'limits' in accommodating influx of asylum seekers, mayor says - CBC NewsRoxham: The little country road that became a big political headache for the Trudeau government - CBC NewsGoogle threatens Canada, because it can - Globe and MailThe Bill C-18 Reality: Everyone Loses When the Government Mandates Payments for Links - Michael GeistSponsors: Douglas, Bryce@100, 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.

Host Mattea Roach is joined by Nick Taylor-Vaisey, David Moscrop and Sandy Garossino to talk about the two objects shot down over Canada. Is this a question of national security? Or a weather monitoring program gone wrong? It’s probably not aliens, right? Also, the Rouleau Report was released shortly after RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki announced the end of her tenure. The RCMP has felt the impact of scandal after scandal, so what kind of leadership is required to move forward and build better?Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guests: Nick Taylor-Vaisey, David Moscrop, Sandy GarossinoBackground reading:U.S. fighter jet shoots down ‘cylindrical object’ flying over Yukon on orders from Trudeau, BidenObjects shot out of North American skies likely not used for spying, Biden saysA hobby club in Illinois is missing a balloon. Was it shot down over Yukon?The timing of Brenda Lucki's RCMP departureAfter year of scandals, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki announces retirementRCMP’s Brenda Lucki says she will retire next month: ‘I did my best’Sponsors: Rotman, 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.

A proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit has been reached between the federal government and 325 First Nations, which applies to Indigenous children who attended residential schools during the day—students who were left out of the 2006 residential schools settlement. This episode gets into the legal elements of this lawsuit, how we got here, and what impacts it might have going forward. And, all 13 provinces and territories are calling for “immediate action” to strengthen Canada’s bail system in the wake of the death of an Ontario Provincial Police officer in late December. What does the bail system look like in Canada? How is this specific moment being politicized?  And, what would the consequences of bail reform be?Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guests: Riley Yesno, Karen Restoule, Patricia BarkaskasBackground reading:Canada’s $2.8 billion settlement with Indigenous Day Scholars is a long-time coming$2.8-billion settlement reached in class action lawsuit over residential schoolsHow does Canada's bail system actually work? And where does it fall short?Premiers demand bail reform in letter to Trudeau after killing of OPP officerSponsors: Douglas, 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.

Armed conflicts across the world are increasingly demanding the attention of Canadians and prompting the federal government to get involved. This episode, host Mattea Roach is joined by Emilie Nicolas, Arshy Mann, and Steven Chase to talk about what Canadian intervention in Haiti could and should look like, and they also tackle the existential questions we have about our military: What is the state of our military? Are we prepared to take on an expanded role? Should we?Host: Mattea RoachCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor)Guests: Emilie Nicolas, Arshy Mann, Steven ChaseBackground reading:Bob Rae: Major military intervention in Haiti would not have sustainable impactAdam Zivo: Is Canada not sending its tanks to Ukraine because they're broken?Fiscal watchdog raises concern about $15-billion in unexplained military spending in 2022 federal budgetCurrent Operations and Joint Military Exercises listCanada’s military pulling back in Middle East as European, domestic needs riseEmilie Nicolas: What should Canada's involvement in Haiti look like?Sponsors: Rotman, 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 at our store, 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.