Starting January 1st, the criminal interest rate on predatory lending will be lowered, meaning it should be safer to take out payday and installment loans. But these businesses have a tendency to skirt the law, adding unexpected fees and insurance rates to keep borrowers in the hole.

Sam welcomes Donna Borden to the show - an organizer with ACORN. She’s been a victim to these loans, and is now fighting against them. Will the crackdown work and really help lower people’s payments? How can we make short term loans a real option for people struggling, without the sky-high payments?

Host: Sam Konnert

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

Guests: Donna Borden

Background reading:

• Debt struggles spark concerns - Toronto Star
• Anti-poverty advocates call payday lenders 'criminal,' urge feds to cap interest rates | CBC
• New rules to curb predatory lending still leave many vulnerable - Globe and Mail
• How a $200 payday loan cost over $31,000 - CBC Radio

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It was a hell of a day for the Liberals yesterday, as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland abruptly abandoned her post. Now, all fingers are pointed at one man: Justin Trudeau.

So what happened? And where do we go from here? Reporter for the Hill Times Stuart Benson sits down with Sam to break down Justin’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Host: Sam Konnert

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Production Manager) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Stuart Benson

Background reading:

• Federal deficit balloons to $61.9B as government tables economic update on chaotic day in Ottawa – CBC
• Trudeau taps Dominic LeBlanc to serve as finance minister after Chrystia Freeland's shock resignation | CBC
• Chrystia Freeland’s years of loyalty culminate in a humiliating and tragic end | Globe and Mail
• Freeland’s grenade brings crisis on top of crisis to a flailing Trudeau government | Globe and Mail

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The political gender divide isnt just a U.S. phenonmenon, its showing up globally, from the U.K. to South Korea. It’s only a matter of time before the next Canadian election wherethese political dynamics could soon take center stage. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Jack Gordon, a young conservative, to ask what he’s thinking about politics these days? And, why conservative politics are resonating with young Canadian men?

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (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: Jack Gordon

Background reading:

• Young Canadians now more politically conservative than their elders – National Post
• Poilievre’s Youth: Meet the young voters supporting the Conservatives – Global News
• Hasan Piker on how Trump seized online culture – CBC Podcasts, Frontburner
• Abacus Data Poll: Conservatives lead by 22 as surrounding impressions hold steady
• What’s behind the global political divide between young men and women? – The Guardian
• Why Trump Thinks He Needs Young Men to Win – TIME

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Last Monday, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump posted to his beloved Truth Social with a hefty threat. If Canada and Mexico don't get the border in order, or the drugs in check, he’ll slap a 25 per cent tariff on all goods. These tariffs could crash several major U.S. industries and ruin Canada’s economy. But this isn’t the first time Trump’s threatened Canada. Host Noor Azrieh sits down with Vipal Monga to ask, did Canadian politicians learn anything from dealing with Trump the first time around, or are they stumbling into Trump 2.0 just as clueless?

And, the latest on a BC lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors and alleged interference in the Conservative leadership race that got Conservative Leader Pierre Polievre elected.

Host: Noor Azrieh

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

Guests: Vipal Monga

Further Reading On Our Website

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Parliament froze in late September after the Conservatives launched a privilege motion, bogging down the government and demanding the Liberals hand over documents relating to a “green slush fund.”

Since then, the House has been on pause – no bills, no legislation, no nothing. Despite important government matters, this freeze could go on for a very long time, costing taxpayers millions.

Laura Osmon, The Logic’s Ottawa reporter, joins the show to make sense of this procedural nightmare, and explain how we could get out of this gridlock.

Host: Sam Konnert

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

Guests: Laura Osmon, MP Peter Julian

Background reading:

• No clear end in sight as House of Commons gridlock approaches 2-month mark | CBC News
• Trudeau to unveil GST relief in multibillion-dollar affordability announcement | Globe and Mail
• House filibuster is putting money for military, dental care, and keeping the government lights on at risk | The Hill Times

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled a rehauled Bill of Rights with changes aimed at ending vaccine mandates, protecting gun ownership and ensuring property rights–a move she claims as “reflection of our shared values.” But it doesn't stop there, over 30 bills are making their way through the Alberta legislature, so host Noor Azrieh sits down with Ryan Jespersen and Mel Woods to make sense of the controversial changes and make sense of whether or not this bold stand for freedom (or play for Smith’s right-wing base) may alienate other Albertans.

And, the latest on the Canada post strike, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 7 minute video addressing the mistakes made on immigration.

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (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: Ryan Jespersen, Mel Woods

Background reading:

• Alberta Bill of Rights
• Premier Danielle Smith announces plan to reinforce vaccine choice in Alberta Bill of Rights - CBC News
• Things ‘more intense’ since Alberta policies dropped, says mom of trans kid - Xtra Magazine
• Canada Post, union to return to bargaining Monday after federal government appoints special mediator - Toronto Star
• Why Canada’s changing its immigration system

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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.

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Last week, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese landed in Canada, setting off a firestorm of controversy that Canadian politics was not ready for. She’s been accused of antisemitism, refused meetings by government officials, and had her talks protested.

She’s been calling the war in Gaza a genocide, but the big question isn’t what she has to say, but whether or not she was someone anyone should even be listening to.

This week, we sit down with Albanese to discuss the genocide, the accusations against her, and the power of the UN.

Host: Noor Azrieh

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

Guests: Francesca Albanese

Photo credit: AFP pic

Background reading:

• UN rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories says she was ‘snubbed’ by Canadian government - Toronto Star
• Canada refuses to comment on US sale of Canadian-made weapons to Israel - Al Jazeera
• Calls mount for Canada to bar UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese over antisemitic remarks - National Post
• UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories holds news conference
• 30 Jewish Organizations: We Support UN Human Rights Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

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It’s the 60th US Presidential election, and the stakes feel like they’ve never been higher. This episode is a pulse check on what people are doing, thinking, and feeling on our side of that Windsor-Detroit border. Host Noor Azrieh also looks back on the 2016 election and her feeling of powerlessness, and addresses the stakes, impact, and consequences of this election.

And, the latest on Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre’s proposed GST cut for home sales, Alberta’s bill of rights (again…), and Canada’s collective failure in upholding the legacy of Murray Sinclair.

CORRECTIONS 11/05/2024:

• This episode incorrectly identifies Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu as the President, we apologize for the error.
• On this episode, the goods and services tax (GST) is incorrectly referred to as the "general sales tax".

Host: Noor Azrieh

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

Guests: Michael Breshgold, Georganne Burke

Background reading:

• #94 Can Kamala Save Canada from Trump? - Canadaland
• U.S. election: How would Harris, Trump immigration plans impact Canada? - Global News
• Organizers for both parties mobilizing to get Americans in Canada to vote - CBC News
• Canadian support for Donald Trump higher than in last U.S. presidential election, survey finds - CTV News
• Where Do Trump and Harris Stand on Israel-Gaza Conflict? - The New York Times

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

Canada needs rigorous, deeply reported independent journalism now more than ever. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a yearly Canadaland Supporter today and get three months of perks and benefits for free.

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