Ad break

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:

• Project Neapolitan News Release — Toronto Police Service
• We watched Al-Quds Day in Toronto. Here’s what we heard — The CJN
• Three men accused of hunting women and Jews on Toronto streets as part of hate plot — The National Post
• Email response from the RCMP
• Email response from the TPS

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.

Sponsors: 

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.

MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at https://mubi.com/canadaland

Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit https://article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

BetterHelp: Visit https://BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.