CANADALAND

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.

Shirley Tagalik, a community researcher who runs the Akumivik Society in Arviat, Nunavut, blends Inuit knowledge with Western science. Christine Bishop, a retired federal ecotoxicologist with decades at Environment and Climate Change Canada, explains contaminant monitoring. They discuss microplastics testing, community-led sample collection, long-term national monitoring, and what losing lab capacity means for public safety and policy.

Gemma Boothroyd, an investigative reporter who used interviews, documents and whistleblowers, digs into a $25M government-funded aircraft mechanic training project. She outlines allegations of plagiarism, use of ChatGPT to patch materials, resulting AI hallucinations, conflicted contractors and gaps in government oversight. The report raises questions about value, safety and who benefited.

Luke Savage, freelance journalist who writes for outlets like The Atlantic and The Guardian, analyzes the NDP leadership race and Canadian politics. He discusses the bland final debate, why the race is undercovered, the party’s structural limits, bilingual and Quebec challenges, and whether the NDP should occupy centre-left space or push bolder, practical left policies.

Luke Savage, freelance journalist who writes for outlets like the Atlantic and Guardian, discusses OpenAI's handling of troubling ChatGPT interactions tied to the Tumbler Ridge shooting. He unpacks why US outlets break Canadian scoops. They examine what OpenAI reportedly saw and ignored, political reactions in Canada, and tensions between Silicon Valley's culture and safety obligations.

Sam Konnert, Ottawa reporter covering federal politics and defence procurement. Stuart Trew, trade researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. They discuss Mark Carney’s push to build a 40‑country anti‑Trump trade bloc. They unpack Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy with 70% Canadian content and big growth targets. They debate trade deal limits, procurement slowdowns, and risks of maple‑washing.

Trent Ernst, the one-man publisher of Tumblerridgelines in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., is a local reporter who chronicled everything from council meetings to a mass shooting. He recounts being the only journalist on scene, handling livestreams and verification under pressure. He talks about correcting misinformation, shielding his community from sensational coverage, and staying to keep reporting after the world moved on.

Julian Abraham, Canadaland reporter covering politics, breaks down the Conservative Party shakeup and Pierre Poilievre’s pivot into fitness culture. They discuss Poilievre’s kettlebell video, rumblings of MPs crossing the floor, allegations of coercion and blackmail, and how online “looks-maxxing” and MAGA influences are reshaping party dynamics.

Julian Abraham, a reporter who covers Toronto police corruption, breaks down Project South. He outlines massive allegations linking officers to attempted assassinations, illegal firearms and drug trafficking. They trace the tow-truck mafia, explain how an attempted hit exposed officers, and examine institutional reactions and provincewide probes.

Wade Deisman, a criminologist focused on policing and intelligence, offers expert analysis on extortion dynamics. Jinny Sims, former MP and radio worker, shares a first-hand account of a studio shooting and community impact. They discuss Surrey’s surge in extortion and shootings. They explore transnational links, why authorities struggle to respond, and calls for coordinated leadership and community resilience.