The Line

We doubt it, but The Line's Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney talk about the goomba anyway.Then the pair discuss Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre sticking to his guns by once again opposing a free trade deal with Ukraine on some dubious carbon tax pricing grounds. Is this evidence that Poilievre is in bed with Vladimir Putin? Well, probably not, argues Gerson; instead it suggests something weirder and in some ways worse.The pair also talk about Poilievre's opposition to puberty blockers, and discuss Alberta's trans policies. Apparently there are some gender affirming top surgeries happening in the province, as reported in the National Post this week. Gurney also notes that he thinks the Ottawa press types are finally starting to figure out how to interview Poilievre. He hopes to see more of that.The Line also talks about the layoffs at Bell Canada; the obligations highly protected industries like Bell ought to have to put some of their misbegotten profits into public good enterprises like journalism. But they don't, and probably won't have to. Lastly, The Line talks about Belleville, Ontario, and why Canadians are getting more and more angry listening to politicians talk about task forces and funding for problems — like opioid overdoses, discarded needles and stolen cars — that don't seem to get better.#Carlson #Putin #Russia #CarbonTax #Ukraine #Transgender #PubertyBlockers #DanielleSmith #Alberta #Layoffs #BCE #RegulatoryCapture

This podcast discusses the recent trans proposals in Alberta, questioning government involvement in areas such as youth sports and gender-affirming surgeries. The hosts criticize Danielle Smith's proposals and the use of useless solutions by federal Liberals. They also explore biases, foreign interference, the need for accountability, and the connection between mental illness and terrorism. Additionally, they discuss different approaches to safe supply programs and healthcare concerns.

This week, The Line's Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson chat about Tucker Carlson's visit to Alberta — or as Liberals put it, the visit of a homophobic hate monger whose presence evokes the threat of violence by MAGA far-right Conservatives. We deem all of this stupid, and expect more stupidity. So much more.Then they chat about Durham Conservative Candidate Jamil Jivani, and what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meant by calling him a "twofer" — racist dog whistle, or manipulative video editing? (It's the video editing.) Regardless, it's all stupid, too.G&G also tackle the Liberals' long-anticipated communications pivot to openly comparing Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to Donald Trump. It's not going to work — and the fact that the Liberals think this is a good idea is demonstrative of just how radically out of touch they are with how angry Canadians are, and what they're struggling with. But maybe we're wrong. Lastly, Gerson rants about Calgary's dystopian hellscape punish-the-povos $.15 fee on paper drive-through bags, and Matt orders her to buy her kiddos an insane amount of fast food. For the likes.#TheLine #JenGerson #MattGurney #TuckerCarlson #Tucker #JordanPeterson #DanielleSmith #cdnpolitics #stupid #twofer #JamilJivani #PierrePoilivre #DonaldTrump 

We're back! After a refreshing holiday, The Line Podcast's Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney are together again to discuss the state of play in Canadian politics. Have the Liberals under Justin Trudeau bottomed out? Why can't they seem to secure a comeback — Gerson thinks she knows: it's because everybody's broke, and the Liberals are fixated on electric vehicles, plastic bags, and carbon taxes. The Line offers a quick update on Israel, and the federal government's incoherent and constantly wavering position on the International Court of Justice: turns out, we will abide by the ruling on whether Israel is committing genocide, even though we don't agree with the premise of the case. That ... does not make sense. Your editors also talk Alberta politics: why did Canada's most energy-rich province almost freeze to death in the cold? And what to make of NDP leader Rachel Notley stepping down from her role. Lastly, Gerson and Gurney talk about Sabrina Maddeaux, the National Post columnist who announced her candidacy for the Conservatives. They then talk more generally about journalists who escape this wretched hive of scum and villainy to enter an even grungier Mos Eisley cantina — politics. Why does this seem to be becoming more normal, and what can you do to prevent more of it? Like and subscribe to The Line www.readtheline.ca#SabrinaMaddeaux #politics #conservative #Canada #justintrudeau #Isreal #ICJ #genocide #Liberal 

The podcast discusses the UN ceasefire vote, Canadian foreign policy, and the Conservatives' votes against the Ukrainian trade deal. They also explore the drama at independent media outlet Canadaland and reflect on the year 2023.

The podcast discusses the controversial incident involving the Calgary mayor's decision to skip a public menorah lighting ceremony, criticizing her response. They also criticize the conservative party's amendments to slow down the parliamentary session. The speaker reflects on the year and discusses sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces. They explore Trudeau's controversies, including blackface incidents and the SNC scandal. The chapter discusses the recent CBC layoffs and CTV's mistaken airing of scenes of war instead of a menorah lighting.

This podcast explores the $100 million Google deal to support Canadian media and the implications for Canadian journalism. They discuss the justification of Hamas hostage taking and the challenges of dealing with irreconcilable differences in society. The hosts also talk about Ottawa bubble stories, the dismissal of certain news stories, and the conservative opposition to the Ukrainian trade deal. Overall, they emphasize the importance of compassion and unity in society.

The podcast discusses the initial fear of terrorism surrounding an explosion at a Canadian border crossing, which turned out to be a traffic accident. They also talk about the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity with government funding and criticize the CRTC's regulation of podcasts. The fall economic statement and the need for action on housing are discussed, as well as the importance of politicians having good interview skills.

The Line Podcast is back! This week, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson reluctantly go over the latest from the Israel-Hamas conflict because, good Lord, that's really all there is to talk about. Statements from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about not killing more women and children were met with rebuke by highly problematic Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Then California Governor Gavin Newsom made fun of Trudeau's weird sock fixation. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh played cute, accusing the IDF of sowing the seeds of "genocide." G&G sigh, and explain again that "genocide" is a word with a real meaning and this is not it. Lastly, our duo dig into polling numbers, and the escalation of antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents in Toronto and Montreal; the denial of antisemitism on the left, followed by the batshit antisemitism on display by the likes of Elon Musk on the right. Everybody has gone nuts. 

In this week's The Line Podcast, Matt Gurney and Jen Gerson describe Canadian foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly's baffling and bizarre statement about getting Hamas — a genocidal death cult openly committed to exterminating the Jews in Israel — back to the bargaining table. Then they talk about the escalation of antisemitic violence and graffiti in Canada, and in Montreal in particular. Concordia University seems to be a real ground zero for anger against Israel — and Jewish students, by extension. Synagogues in Montreal have been subject to Molotov cocktails, and Jewish schools have been shot at. Gurney et al have read enough history books to have seen this all before; they know where the next act in the play goes from here and they are worried. Oh, and in the midst of all this drama, NSICOP issues a blunt report noting that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are not equipped to handle national security threats. Great!