Serious political discourse for the rest of us.

The Backbench

Hosted by Mattea Roach

Your Twitter feed is a dumpster fire, and dinner table discussions aren’t exactly what they used to be. That’s why in 2024, The Backbench is going to bring the issues that matter into focus — and have fun doing it.

With the next federal election looming, host Mattea Roach (Jeopardy! Super Champion) and featured guests will help you make sense of Canadian politics with a mix of engaging, myth-busting, rug-pulling analysis and personal stories straight from the mouths of those caught in the crosshairs.

Latest Episodes Most Popular

State of Emergency Rooms

We’re bringing you a special episode today from our friends at Commons. Over thirteen seasons, Commons has exposed Canada’s foundational reliance on monopolies, our addiction to real estate and the dark side of hockey. In their new season, host Arshy Mann is now dissecting the state of work in Canada to ask – how did we get here? And what can we do to fight back?
April 9, 2024

#86 The Convoy Keeps Rolling

When the trucks moved out of Ottawa in 2022, our public discourse changed. Grievance politics thrived, and our political parties adapted.
March 26, 2024

#85 The Hate U Post

Richard Warman used to take neo-nazis he found online to the human rights commission. He used an obscure provision called Section 13, which was repealed in 2014. 
March 12, 2024

#84 Failing Universities 101

Canadian universities are barely scraping by. Queen’s is in a whole lot of debt, Laurentian declared insolvency in 2021, Alberta universities are slashing budgets, and McGill and Concordia are in danger over an out-of-province tuition battle.
February 27, 2024

#83 Why Are Conservatives Obsessed With Trans People?

Alberta Premier and UCP leader Danielle Smith has unveiled what many are describing as some of the strictest anti-trans policies in the country.
February 13, 2024

#82 Could Canada Be Complicit in a ‘Plausible Genocide’?

The ICJ court ruled that Palestinians in Gaza face a “real and imminent risk” of genocide, and laid out the provisional measures Israel must take in order to prevent it.
January 30, 2024

#81 Selling Sunset, Buying Stress

How the hell do we get out of this crisis while still being able to sip on our $5 coffees? 
January 16, 2024

#80 2023 Was the Year of Political Nonsense

This year has been one hell of a political rollercoaster.
December 26, 2023
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