CANADALAND

We’re back in the middle of another Donald Trump tariff tantrum—this time over Canada’s trade relationship with China. And yet, for a brief moment, it felt like Canada was riding high on the world stage, with Mark Carney holding court in Davos at the World Economic Forum. So… which version of Canada is real right now? The confident global player, or the country once again bracing for Trump’s mood swings?

Host Noor Azrieh puts that question to New York Times Canada Bureau Chief Matina Stevis-Gridneff, before turning to Ottawa reporter Sam Konnert to take us inside Parliament’s long-awaited return.

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

Guests: Matina Stevis-Gridneff

Background reading:
Trump Calls Out Mark Carney in Davos Speech and Says Canada ‘Should Be Grateful’ – The New York Times
Opinion | Trump Just Proved Mark Carney’s Point – The New York Times
5 things to know about Canada being disinvited from Trump's 'Board of Peace' – Toronto Star
Some Canadians will get GST credit top up to tackle grocery costs: Carney – Global News

Sponsors:
To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features, and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

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.

On the next episode of Off The Record, we’re getting LOCAL. Canadaland's news focus is largely national and provincial: local news just isn't our wheelhouse. But we know there are tons of interesting stories happening in neighbourhoods and small towns all across this country.

So: What’s the gossip in your community’s Facebook group? What’s the heated discussion in your city or town’s subreddit? What’s the local gossip?

Call in and let us know on Thursday, January 29 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm EST by going to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dialing in at 888-401-7056 when the time comes, so mark your calendars!

If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join or call in on Jan 29 and we’ll give you a free month of Canadaland premium.

Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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A criminal gang driving around Toronto in stolen vehicles, impersonating police officers, sexually assaulting women, hate-motivated, and connected to ISIS. It was a shocking, sensational, frightening news story. And chances are you didn’t hear about it. Why?

To answer that question we’re joined today by Ellin Bessner. She has worked for CBC, CTV, covered wars in Africa and Kosovo, and most recently she’s a reporter at the Canadian Jewish News.

Clarification: Bessner covered the war in Kosovo for CTV, but for clarity, she did so while stationed in Italy.

Host: Jesse Brown
Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)
Featured Guest: Ellin Bessner

Fact checking by Kallan Lyons
Additional music by Audio Network

More information:

Project Neapolitan News Release — Toronto Police Service
We watched Al-Quds Day in Toronto. Here’s what we heard — The CJN
Three men accused of hunting women and Jews on Toronto streets as part of hate plot — The National Post
Email response from the RCMP
Email response from the TPS

Off The Record Call-in show information:

We’re doing ANOTHER call-In show: What’s the big story in your local community?

Canadaland's news focus is largely national and provincial. Occasionally we'll talk about something happening in a specific city or town, but local news just isn't our wheelhouse.

But there are tons of interesting stories happening in small towns across this country. What's the gossip on your community's Facebook Group? What's the heated discussion on your local subreddit.

The call-in period will be this Thursday, January 29th, 4:30-6:30 PM ET. When the time comes, head over to https://callinstudio.com/show/canadaland. You can also dial in at 1-888-401-7056.

Sponsors:

Douglas: 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. Visit https://douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at https://mubi.com/canadaland

Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit https://article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

BetterHelp: Visit https://BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

Can’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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 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.
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Alberta separatists are rallying to collect signatures to call a referendum. Meanwhile, with Francois Legault’s resignation, and the separatist Parti Quebecois leading in opinion polls, a referendum is once again a real possibility in Quebec

Are Alberta and Quebec’s separatist movements a real threat to the unity of Canada?

Plus, police officers charged in Manitoba, and fact-checking oil industry spin on CANADALAND.

Host: San Grewal
Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate Producer and Fact Checking) Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)
Guest: Max Fawcett


Further reading:
New poll suggests one in five Albertans would vote to separate | CBC News
What Alberta separatist leaders are telling supporters at secession petition events - Edmonton Journal
Alberta's independence movement is a global rarity: right-wing separatists - National Post
Has Separatism Gone Mainstream in Alberta? | The Tyee
Most Quebecers Oppose Sovereignty. Even More Reject Another Referendum | The Walrus
30 years after cliffhanger vote, Quebec separatists voice hope for independence
Alberta, Quebec referendums likely would fail due to Canadians' anxiety: pollster - Toronto Star
#1294 Oil For Dummies - CANADALAND [Podcast]
FUEL FOR THOUGHT: OPEC rails against peak oil demand threats, but its own investments bear watching | S&P Global
Global oil demand won't peak until 2032, Wood Mackenzie report says | Reuters
Junior officer charged alongside disgraced Winnipeg constable pleads guilty | CBC News

Sponsors:

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

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

As Trump’s threats of taking Greenland intensify, world leaders are in Davos for the World Economic Forum. It’s been a busy week for Mark Carney, following up diplomatic visits to China and Qatar with a landmark speech at the WEF that lays bare the unravelling of the global order.

Plus, allegations of “crying rooms” at the CBC and the one year anniversary of DOGE.

Host: San Grewal
Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kattie Laur (Associate producer and Fact Checking), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)
Guest: Max Fawcett
Additional music by Audio Network


Further reading:
PM Mark Carney speaks at World Economic Forum in Davos – January 20, 2026 - CPAC [YouTube]
'The old order is not coming back,' Carney says in provocative speech at Davos | CBC News
Mark Carney just shook up the world | Canada's National Observer
Carney weighs sending soldiers to Greenland for military exercises with NATO allies: sources | CBC News
Europe condemns Trump’s ‘new colonialism’ as Greenland crisis grows | European Union | The Guardian
Here's what you need to know about the Canada-China deal on EVs and canola | CBC News
Carney cautious about Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ invitation as Champagne rules out $1-billion payment - The Globe and Mail
How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little? - The New York Times
CBC News further expands local journalism, bureaus - CBC
Former CBC human resources employee sues over workplace so toxic staff were given a 'crying room' - National Post

Sponsors:

Douglas: 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. Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.

Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.


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

When the Liberals announced the national gun buyback program in 2019, it was supposed to be a simple and clear choice. A popular policy that made for an easy political win. 6 years later, it's looking more like the gun buyback program backfired on the Liberals. How did we get here?

PLUS - All eyes on Greenland as Trump threatens to take control.

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

Guests: Noah Schwartz

Background reading:
Ottawa unveils next steps in its national gun buyback program. Here are the details – CBC News
Noah Schwartz: Liberals' botched gun buyback program may create a dangerous ‘grey market’ – National Post
Carney weighs sending soldiers to Greenland for military exercises with NATO allies: sources – 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

To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.

And did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? Last episode, we spoke to both listeners and staff about our fears in 2025 and our hopes going into the year ahead.

On the next episode of Off The Record, we’re getting LOCAL. Canadaland's news focus is largely national and provincial: local news just isn't our wheelhouse. But we know there are tons of interesting stories happening in neighbourhoods and small towns all across this country.

So: What’s the gossip in your community’s Facebook group? What’s the heated discussion in your city or town’s subreddit? What’s the local gossip?

Call in and let us know on Thursday, January 29 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm EST by going to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dialing in at 888-401-7056 when the time comes, so mark your calendars!

If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join or call in on January 29 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm EST and we’ll give you a free month of Canadaland premium.

Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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