January 26, 2026
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CANADALAND
#1302 ISIS is Shockingly Active in Canada
“ They said that Waleed Khan transferred property and funds to ISIS and also was doing the bidding of ISIS and was ready to counsel to commit murders and terrorism.” -Ellin Bessner
Jesse Brown
Host & Publisher
Bruce Thorson
Senior Producer
Tristan Capacchione
Audio Editor & Technical Producer
max collins
Director of Audio

  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:

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.

 

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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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