August 21, 2026
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Short Cuts
#1421 Are e-Scooters a Public Menace or the Future of Transportation?
E-scooters are making headlines as a dangerous transportation option. From Xav Trudeau not wearing a helmet in an e-Scooter ad, to editorials calling them a scourge.
Julian Abraham
Reporter
James Nicholson
Producer
Caleb Thompson
Audio Editor
Tristan Capacchione
Senior Production Supervisor
Jesse Brown
Host & Publisher

Are they a dangerous public nuisance or a sign that we haven’t yet embraced the future of transportation? Arno Kopecky joins Julian Abraham to kick around the coverage of electric micromobility options, and to consider if Canada is a regressive country when it comes to transportation. 

 

Plus, why we shouldn’t refer to any agreement with Trump as a “deal.”

 

Host: Julian Abraham

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Arno Kopecky

Photo: Kristoffer Trolle 

 

Next month on Off The Record we are back to our call-in show format. On Thursday August 27, 2026 we will be taking your calls on a new question:

 

What do you wish you had known when starting school or what’s a piece of advice you would give to someone starting school. Kindergarten, Middle school, High school, CEGEP, university, anything!

 

The call-in period will be Thursday, August 27th, 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.

 

Further reading: 

 

Sponsors:

 

Squarespace: Check out https://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.

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.

oxio: Head over to https://canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! 

 

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. 

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E-scooters are making headlines as a dangerous transportation option. From Xav Trudeau not wearing a helmet in an e-Scooter ad, to editorials calling them a scourge.
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