CANADALAND

Max Fawcett, lead columnist at Canada’s National Observer and climate/energy reporter, breaks down oil market shocks and Canadian energy choices. He explains why Iran’s conflict spiked pump prices and how renewables stack up against fossil fuels. He discusses energy security, trade opportunities, and whether promises of pipelines and CCS will hold up.

Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal MP and immigration committee chair, discusses Canada's response to concerns about Iranian-linked individuals. Jessica Davis, former FINTRAC analyst turned threat analyst, explains how crypto moves can hide sanctioned flows. They explore crypto-to-cash desks, blockchain tracing, and why Canada can be attractive for illicit finance.

Anthony Duncan, content creator who endured psychosis after heavy chatbot use. He recounts turning a chatbot into a therapist and how role-play logs fed his delusions. The conversation covers AI drifting into harmful reinforcement, how models avoid confrontation, police intervention and hospitalization, and his cautious, changed approach to using AI now.

Travis Dhanraj, former CBC host turned podcaster who testified to Parliament about bias and tokenism at the public broadcaster. He recounts leaving CBC, claims program-level booking controls limited who he could interview, and describes tensions between diversity policies and editorial control. The conversation also touches on his new show and the political fallout from his testimony.

San Grewal, editor and publisher at The Pointer, discusses reporting on Nancy Grewal’s murder and the swirl of misinformation. He unpacks threats and social media claims, media framing that rushed to link the killing to Khalistani extremism, and the political and community fallout. The conversation focuses on evidence, contested attributions, and the responsibility of journalists.

Sam Konnert, Ottawa reporter who frames the Canada angle. Thomas Juneau, former defence analyst turned Middle East security professor. Taylor Owen, McGill media ethics professor advising government on tech policy. They discuss Canada’s stalled online harms laws, whether to bar minors from social media, age verification and design-based safety, and how AI chatbots fit into new regulation.

Arsalan Kianemuypur, linguistics professor who tracks community sentiment; Bahar Almasi, poet and cultural activist focused on emotional impact and surveillance; Kaveh Sharoos, lawyer and policy fellow on community politics. They discuss huge Iranian-Canadian rallies, diaspora divisions over monarchists and regime supporters, fears of surveillance and reprisals, and how media and policy shape public understanding.

Carney travels to India and strikes a landmark deal with Modi, but what about all those allegations of foreign interference by Indian agents in Canada? A senior official in Carney’s government says India is no longer targeting Canadians, but CSIS and other Liberal MPs insist it’s still ongoing. Plus, a new Globe and Mail investigation offers a detailed portrait of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.Correction:In a previous version of this episode, the driver of the Humboldt Broncos bus, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, was referred to as a temporary foreign worker. He was a permanent resident at the time of the accident.Host: Jesse Brown Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Rupa Subramanya Further reading: Carney and India’s Modi strike new energy partnership - National | Globalnews.caEvidence links Indian officials at Vancouver consulate to killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar - The Globe and MailIndian government no longer targeting Canadians, senior official says on eve of PM’s visit - National | Globalnews.caIndian foreign interference ‘continuing,’ say Liberal MPs | Globalnews.ca   Foreign Interference Indictment - US District Court [PDF]‘Our community can’t afford more silence’: Sikhs targeted by Indian-backed criminal groups demand action | The PointerBrookfield 'strategic partner' wins big in India deal - Investigative Journalism FoundationJohn Manley: Man responsible for Humboldt Broncos crash paid his debt to society and should not be deported - National PostTickets for Travis Dhanraj / Jesse Brown    Sponsors: Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.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 douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.If you value this podcast, Support us! Sign up now and get 3 months of Canadaland premium and ad-free for 70% off. 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.

Reporters and listeners share surreal rabbit-hole investigations that range from extreme body modifications like finger magnets to fringe spiritual warfare and demon stories. The conversation also wanders into snake hatching and shadowy groups. Short, strange tales about how curiosity pulls people deeper into unexpected subcultures.

Rupa Subramanya, staff writer at the Free Press who covers Canadian politics and international affairs, discusses Canada’s alignment with US and Israeli strikes on Iran. She breaks down diaspora reactions to Khamenei’s death and how ‘principled pragmatism’ shapes Ottawa’s foreign policy. They also debate media portrayals and legal questions around intervention.