We dig into the first two chapters of the government’s new budget: housing and economic growth.
April 19, 2022
The Backbench
#29 Screaming Children, Dying Planet
With deals for affordable childcare now in place across the country, we compare what each province got and discuss what this process might reveal for future programs, like pharmacare. And we dive into the good, the bad and the ugly of the government’s Emissions Reductions Plan.
April 5, 2022
The Backbench
#28 Justin And Jagmeet’s Experiment In Democracy
Jagmeet Singh’s Chief of Staff Jennifer Howard was in the room during negotiations for the Liberal-NDP supply and confidence agreement. She breaks down how politicians can work together, even if looks like they hate each other on TV.
March 29, 2022
Short Cuts
#765 The Best Politics Show In Canada
Short Cuts is off this week, so instead we bring you our latest episode of the best politics show in Canada, The Backbench.
March 24, 2022
The Backbench
#27 A Shit Ton of Energy Insecurity
As nations around the world cut off business with Russia, can Canada help fill the international demand for oil and gas? More importantly, should we? And the pandemic caused unprecedented government spending, as well as shifting priorities on everything from work to healthcare. How will that all play out in the upcoming budget?
March 22, 2022
The Backbench
#26 A Conversation With Bob Rae
As escalation between Russia and Ukraine continues, what is Canada’s role in this ever-changing world? And how do conversations we have on the international stage impact our decisions here at home - and vice versa? Canada's UN Ambassador Bob Rae weighs in.
March 15, 2022
Short Cuts
#761 Patrick Brown Settles For Less
Patrick Brown has had his name cleared - according to an anonymous source. And the media loves a good war story. Karen Geier co-hosts.
March 10, 2022
The Backbench
#25 Contradictions In Conflict
As the war in Ukraine escalates and Canadian leaders head to Europe, we assess the economic and military responses so far. And despite fully grasping the severity of Russian aggression, we want to know: Why does Canada's response to conflict vary so much depending on the country?
This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Caroline Elliott, Jaskaran Sandhu
March 8, 2022
The Backbench
#24 In Case of An Emergency
As the Emergencies Act passes and border blockades come down, we examine what impacts the Act and the satellite protests had domestically and internationally. And Canada decides to step up in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia – and it’s unclear exactly why.
February 22, 2022
Short Cuts
#753 Wrong 2: Wrong Harder
Angry, bias-confirming echo chambers seem evident this week when it comes to the Freedom Convoy. And "a Toronto star at the Toronto Star" dies this week and Jesse dares to speak ill - or at least some truth - about the dead. Maclean's senior writer Paul Wells co-hosts.