This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit hatchetmedia.substack.comFor the first and only time this election, the major federal party leaders (and Yves-François Blanchet) stepped onto a stage and debated each other in English. None of the major parties have released a fully-costed platform. And both Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre have done everything possible to avoid being subjected to the indignity of being interviewed by real journalists in their native language. And so for the majority of Canadians, this debate was their only real opportunity to see the candidates in an environment that wasn’t controlled by their staffers and attendants. So how did they do? What did Canadians learn about how they’d run the country? Will Pierre Poilievre buy me a house? Why doesn’t Mark Carney fight Donald Trump in the octagon? Is Jagmeet Singh enrolling in medical school in order to strengthen our healthcare system? And is Yves-François Blanchet more handsome and charming than Gilles Duceppe? You’ll find out the answer to at least one of those questions in this paid subscriber-only, debate-edition of The Hatchet.
--------
7:57
The Canadian Octopus | Brookfield
Brookfield has been in the news constantly over the last few weeks. The Conservatives attacked the company for moving the headquarters of one of their subsidiaries to New York City. The NDP have accused it of avoiding taxes through offshore havens. And Prime Minister Mark Carney, the former chairman of Brookfield Asset Management, has found himself on the defensive because of his association with the company.But what these political attacks miss is a far more important story. It’s a story of a company that has been central to Canada’s history and economy for more than a century.So what exactly is Brookfield? That’s a question that we here at The Hatchet have set out to answer.What we found was a company that almost defies description.Brookfield has been a financial universe unto itself, operating by a different set of cosmic laws and fundamental forces than other corporations.It’s a company that’s shown an almost unparalleled talent for reinvention. Over its 125-year-history, it’s morphed from a neo-colonial experiment to Canada’s most ruthless corporate raider to a seemingly boring storehouse of our collective pension earnings.Now it is one of a tiny handful of financial entities that sit at the very centre of the global economy.And so that’s why we’ll be spending this series focusing exclusively on this incredibly important and yet rarely understood company.We’ll be digging into its epic history, its contentious present and what the continued domination of firms like Brookfield could mean for everyday people.In this first episode, we shine a light on it’s first incarnation — Brazilian Traction, Light and Power — and how it managed to dominate the people of South America’s biggest nation for most of the 20th century.Featured in this episode: Tyler ShipleyTo learn moreCanada In The World: Settler Capitalism and the Colonial Imagination by Tyler ShipleyThe Brass Ring: Power, Influence and the Brascan Empire by Patricia Best & Ann ShortellLet Us Prey: The Practices and Profits of Canadian Corporations and Businessmen edited by Robert Chodos & Ray MurphyThe Light: Brazilian Traction, Light, and Power Company Limited, 1899-1945 by Duncan McDowallSupport us at hatchetmedia.substack.comThe Hatchet is a podcast and newsletter dedicated to exposing power and money in Canada. We deliver important, original and fascinating journalism about how this country actually works.Music: I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Ft: J Lang, Morusque This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hatchetmedia.substack.com/subscribe
--------
28:46
Pierre’s Polycrisis
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit hatchetmedia.substack.comSupport us at hatchetmedia.substack.comIt’s week two of the federal election and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives are off to a rocky start.There’s been reporting in most major news outlets about turmoil behind-the-scenes. And high ranking staffers have been openly criticizing his campaign and pushing for a change in direction.The drama has pretty much eclipsed everything else for the federal Conservatives, so that’s what’s on the agenda for our second episode on the federal election.We dig into the whole saga and break down everything that’s happened so far.This episode is only available to paid supporters. Please consider supporting our work!To learn more:“Insiders say Pierre Poilievre called Doug Ford for ‘advice’ — but the premier said he’ll be ‘staying out’ of the election” and “Doug Ford’s internal polling paints grim election prospects for Pierre Poilievre in Ontario” by Robert Benzie in The Toronto Star “Pressure mounts on Poilievre to refocus Conservative campaign on Donald Trump” by Robert Fife and Stephanie Levitz in The Globe and Mail “‘The wheels are off’: Senior Conservatives think the Poilievre campaign needs a reset” by Alex Boutilier in Global News “Conservatives fear 'dysfunctional' campaign and 'civil war' in the party: sources” by Catherine Cullen, Kate McKenna and John Paul Tasker in CBC NewsMusic: I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Ft: J Lang, Morusque
--------
6:23
"They're Ready to Defend This Country": Canada's Military in the Age of Trump
With the American government regularly threatening annexation on a weekly basis, there’s one question that I’ve had on the top of my mind — what does the Canadian military think about all of this?We’re well past the point where anyone can argue that this is a joke or that Trump isn’t being serious. I don’t think it’s a surprise for anyone that the Canadian Armed Forces are almost entirely dependent on the United States. And partially because of that fact, senior Canadian commanders often have a positive view of the American military. So has anything changed? How long can we rely on the U.S.? And what does the average enlisted man and woman think about the prospect of an invasion from the South?There’s no one better to help answer some of these questions than David Pugliese, who has covered the Canadian Armed Forces for the Ottawa Citizen for three decades.We put all of these questions to him and more. Featured in this episode: David Pugliese (Ottawa Citizen)To learn more“Having U.S.-controlled system running Canada’s new warships too risky, warns former navy commander” by David Pugliese in The Ottawa Citizen“Canadian general who recommended F-35 deal now calls for purchase of other jets” by David Pugliese in The Ottawa Citizen“Feds partner with Australia on $6-billion Arctic radar project in 'slap in the face' to Canadian company” by David Pugliese in The Ottawa CitizenSupport us at hatchetmedia.substack.comThe Hatchet is a podcast and newsletter dedicated to exposing power and money in Canada. We deliver important, original and fascinating journalism about how this country actually works.Music: I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Ft: J Lang, Morusque This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hatchetmedia.substack.com/subscribe
--------
24:29
Mark, Pierre & the Great Campaign of 2025
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit hatchetmedia.substack.comSupport us at hatchetmedia.substack.comThe federal election is here! And I think we all know this is going to be a wild one. The last few months have already been some of the strangest in modern Canadian history. But worry not, The Hatchet is here to help understand everything you need to know about this race. In addition to our in-depth coverage, we’re also launching a weekly podcast that will air during the course of the campaign that breaks down everything that’s happening.But this will only be available to our paid supporters, so I really can’t think of a better time to sign up and help support independent Canadian journalism.On this first instalment, Jordan and I walk through what the leaders of the three major federal parties need to do win — or at least not embarrass themselves — during this campaign.Music: I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Ft: J Lang, Morusque
The Hatchet is a weekly podcast and newsletter dedicated to exposing power and money in Canada. Hosted by Arshy Mann, The Hatchet delivers important, original and fascinating journalism about how this country actually works, in a way that no one else can. hatchetmedia.substack.com
Canada - english