
COMMONS
COMMONS is a documentary podcast that proves Canada is anything but boring. Each season, host Arshy Mann guides you through the country’s dark underbelly, bringing you stories about crime, corruption and all manner of misdeeds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Jan 9, 2018 • 27min
Ep. 86 - Throwing Shade at 2017: A Political Awards Show
We look back on some notably weird political moments of 2017 and collectively cringe. Featuring guests Tim Fontaine (of Walking Eagle News) and Scott Vrooman (of Centrism Dot Biz).Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 19, 2017 • 42min
Ep 85. - Invisible Victims: The Quest for Police Accountability
Stronger police accountability is an acute need across Canada. In Ontario, recommendations for stronger police oversight are being drafted into legislation. In this episode, we explore the suspicious death of Cheyenne Fox and the ensuing (lack of) investigation. We then speak to a former director of Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, Ian Scott, who takes us inside the organizations responsible for holding police accountable. The final part of our policing miniseries.Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 5, 2017 • 41min
Ep. 84 - Invisible Victims: How Police Botched the Robert Pickton Case
"If the police don't want you to see a file, you're never gonna know it exists." We speak with Lorimer Shenher, a former police officer who was in charge of investigating the growing number of disappearing women from Vancouver's downtown Eastside, about how law enforcement overlooked a serial killer. Part one of a two part series on Canada's policing system and police accountability.Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 21, 2017 • 41min
Ep. 83 - No Protest is Genteel: On Antifa
Live from Vancouver: We speak with organizers Garth Mullins and Annie Ohana to unpack what it means to resist fascism in BC. Featuring Hadiya Roderique and guest host Sandy Garossino.Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 7, 2017 • 35min
As If They Were Pets: The Sixties Scoop
Betty Ann Adam is a reporter with the Saskatoon Star Phoenix. She is also a survivor of the "Sixties Scoop". When she was a toddler, the Canadian government pried her from her mother's arms. She was raised by foster parents. A modern version of this is still happening to Indigenous children across Canada. Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 24, 2017 • 46min
On NAFTA And Niqabs
Quebec's racist bill, unveiled. Plus NAFTA explained by one of its founders, former Mulroney Chief of Staff Hugh Segal. And Vancouver? Commons is headed to your burg! Support us at patreon.com/CANADALAND and see this year's goals and rewards. Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 10, 2017 • 46min
Why We Need Higher Taxes, A Canadian Mt. Rushmore And A Population Of 100 Million
The Liberals put forth a proposal to tax the hell out of small businesses. At least that's how it's being painted by the Opposition. In reality, the proposed changes would have virtually zero impact on the majority of small business owners, but would focus on self-incorporated doctors. And it wouldn't raise their taxes, per se, but alter how they can claim their family members as employees, and change how the money they park in investments rather than being poured back into their businesses is assessed. Fortunately, we have Laval economics professor Stephen Gordon to make sense of this. And you know what would ease the burden on the beleaguered doctors? Another 65 million Canadians who could share the pain. That's what author and Globe & Mail columnist Doug Saunders would like to see.Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 3, 2017 • 24min
BONUS EPISODE -- Jagmeet Singh - The Full Interview
On Episode 79 of Commons we spoke with three of the four NDP leadership candidates: Niki Ashton, Charlie Angus and Jagmeet Singh. These interviews were recorded before Singh's first-ballot victory on Sunday, October 1. As a bonus to Commons listeners, we present the full interview with now NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 26, 2017 • 1h 6min
Ashton, Angus & Singh - Oh My!
Three Commons hosts, three NDP leadership hopefuls, one sweltering studio. On this episode, just days before the first vote closes in the race, we speak with Niki Ashton, Jagmeet Singh and Charlie Angus about Canada-Indigenous relations, the environment, the economy and the future of the party.Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 12, 2017 • 55min
Guy Caron, Guaranteed Income And Climate Refugees
Welcome back to a brand-new season of Commons! To kick things off, the Commons team is profiling each of the four candidates vying to replace Thomas Mulcair as leader of the federal NDP. This week, we speak with Guy Caron. Also, we look at the summer political stories that evolved while we were on hiatus: the Charlottesville tragedy and subsequent events in Canada, the influx of asylum seekers crossing the border and Trudeau's cabinet shuffle which may have just doubled the bureaucracy for Indigenous peoples. Support COMMONS: http://commonspodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.