The Backbench

Auteur(s): CANADALAND
  • Résumé

  • If your Twitter feed’s a dumpster fire, and your dinner table discussions aren’t what they used to be, The Backbench has the insights you need on Canada's most important political issues.


    Each Tuesday, we’ll ask bold questions and offer sharp analysis, giving you the tools to challenge any perspective — maybe even your own.


    With the next federal election looming, you’ll want us in your ears and your back pocket.



    The Backbench is made by Noor Azrieh, Aviva Lessard and Sam Konnert.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2021 CANADALAND
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Épisodes
  • Jagmeet Singh On Why He Won't Step Down
    Feb 18 2025

    Jagmeet Singh has taken a lot of shit: his nice watch, his ambivalence on taking down the Liberals, and of course his polling. But he says he’s not giving up. He says he’s here to win.


    Sit down with Noor as she goes past the “corporate interest” talking points and grills the leader on all things NDP. Why doesn’t he have a successor? Why won’t he step down? Why is he so fancy for a lefty?


    Host: Noor Azrieh

    Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)


    Guests: Jagmeet Singh


    Background reading:

    • #115 Did Jagmeet Singh Miss His Big Chance? - CANADALAND
    • Get ready for an early federal election, NDP tells candidates in an internal memo – CBC News
    • Jagmeet Singh's NDP is in deep trouble – National Observer
    • Singh says he will bring down government in March but wants to pass Trump tariff relief first – CBC News


    Sponsors:

    Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadaland


    Take action at remoteworks.ca today to support a future of work that benefits everyone.


    Stay tuned for the video version of this podcast by subscribing to Canadaland Podcasts on YouTube channel.


    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.

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    36 min
  • Man of Steel, Nation of Bloat
    Feb 11 2025

    The government hired 110,000 workers over the past 10 years, did we get 110,000 times more efficient? It doesn’t look like it, but veteran public servant Michael Wernick breaks it all down for Noor.


    And, yes folks, we’re talking about tariffs again, because Donald Trump enacted a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, with NO exceptions. Plus, our nominations for Fentanyl Czar, and the defamation case against Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman, CIJA, and Ezra Levant.


    Host: Noor Azrieh

    Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

    Guests: Michael Wernick


    Background reading:

    • How a ballooning public sector is reshaping Canada’s economy - The Globe and Mail
    • Attrition is the 'worst way' to shrink federal public service, says former clerk - Yahoo News
    • Opinion: Canada can learn from Trump and cut its bloated bureaucracy - The Globe and Mail
    • Poilievre says he wants to cut the federal public service, doesn't mind remote work - CBC News
    • What does Justin Trudeau's departure mean for federal public servants? - CBC News



    Sponsors:

    Take action at remoteworks.ca today to support a future of work that benefits everyone.


    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.

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    28 min
  • Three Businesses Jerked Around by Trump
    Feb 4 2025

    On Saturday, President Trump followed through with his promise of 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods and 10 percent on energy. We clapped back with our own.


    But late yesterday, after a couple of calls between the two leaders, Trump relented after Trudeau said he outlined Canada’s $1.3 billion border plan and also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl. Trump said he’d pause for 30 days.


    A trade war is bad, but some businesses might fare better than others. Our producers went out to see how they were reacting.


    Host: Sam Konnert

    Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

    Guests: Jeff Kirstein, Adam Brierley, Kacee Vasudeva


    Background reading:

    • These industries would be hit hardest by Trump's 25 per cent tariffs - DiscoverHumboldt.com
    • Trump has a 'good talk' with Trudeau — then calls again for Canada to become 51st state
    • Mexico president says U.S. tariffs on her country delayed for 1 month
    • Defence minister accelerates 2% NATO spending timeline to 2027 amid pressure from Trump


    Photo credit: Presidencia de la República Mexicana via Flickr


    Sponsors:


    Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadaland


    Take action at remoteworks.ca today to support a future of work that benefits everyone.


    For more information about Canada-first advertising on Canadaland please contact dory@canadaland.com


    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.

    Voir plus Voir moins
    29 min

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