Is Canada playing hard to get?

The scramble for CUSMA has begun. Lobbyists are lobbying. Negotiators are negotiating. And, while that’s all kicking off, there’s another less visible channel of diplomacy. The Canada-US Interparliamentary Group. A network of Canadian MPs, senators, and members of Congress who meet every year to keep our relationship going and talk through issues that could otherwise spiral into major disputes. 

This episode, host Sam Konnert takes a look inside the network of politicians trying to keep the Canada-US relationship running smoothly, and speaks with Canadian Senator Michael MacDonald and Politico reporter Nick Taylor-Vaisey.

Host: Sam Konnert

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Nick Taylor-Vaisey, Michael L. MacDonald

Background reading:

• U.S. facing headwinds in trade negotiations with Canada, U.S. ambassador says – CTV News
• Polls show Americans dislike Canada more than ever, and that's bad news for the trade war – Yahoo News
• U.S.–Canada Tariffs: Timeline of Key Dates and Documents
• Canada, allies say they're ready to help secure Strait of Hormuz, but don't say how – CBC News
• G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on support to partners in the Middle East
• Conservative campaign manager shrugs off polls showing Liberals have significant lead – CBC News
• Most NDP leadership candidates say they’re in no hurry to become MPs – Global News

Sponsors: 

Check out https://www.squarespace.com/CANADALAND to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CANADALAND.

Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features, and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.

And did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? Last episode, we talked about rabbit holes.

On the next episode of Off The Record, we’re asking you: What is a piece of fake news that you fell for? AI slop? An April Fools’ joke? Or something altogether more sinister… 

Call in and let us know on Thursday, March 26th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm EST by going to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dialing in at 888-401-7056 when the time comes, so mark your calendars!

If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join or call in on March 26th and we’ll give you a free month of Canadaland premium.

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, 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. 

Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.

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