More than six months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the smaller of the two nations has proven a worthy adversary, forcing back Russian troops and regaining previously held territory. And despite alleged annexation referendums, Russian forces seem unable to hold back Ukrainian advances. National Post columnist Adam Zivo joins me from Odesa to discuss how the war has changed in the last six months, what the mood is like on the ground away from the front lines, and whether there’s a worry a...
Oct 07, 2022•25 min
Three western provinces are squaring off against the Trudeau government over the enforcement of the planned firearm buyback program. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have all raised objections to the buyback, with Alberta’s justice minister suggesting the province will ask Mounties not to enforce it. National Post political reporter Ryan Tumilty joins the show to discuss what the provinces’ opposition to the buyback is, how the feds have responded, and which level of government ultimately has ...
Oct 05, 2022•18 min
The tragic events that saw 10 people killed in rural Saskatchewan over the Labour Day weekend will get a full public inquest. Saskatchewan’s coroner has announced that in the name of transparency, an inquest will be held next year into the deadly stabbing spree in Weldon and James Smith Cree Nation. Regina Leader Post reporter Larissa Kurz joins Dave to discuss what the inquest will hope to uncover, who will hear evidence, and why the chief coroner says it’s important to conduct this investigati...
Sep 30, 2022•21 min
The post-pandemic economic recovery has brought with it a return to business as usual for many Canadians. But while that’s generally good news, it has also meant a record number of jobs going unfilled, with many sectors unable to operate at capacity due to vacancies. Kevin Carmichael, editor-in-chief of the Financial Post, joins the show to discuss why we’re seeing such high numbers of job vacancies, what it could mean for wage growth in Canada, and what impact that could have on inflation. Back...
Sep 28, 2022•24 min
While Quebec’s election may be all but a done deal, with Francois Legault’s party holding a sizable polling lead over his opponents, it’s far from a sleeper election. Less than two weeks out from voting day and we’ve seen a race that upends traditional patterns of support, and has focused on controversial issues around languages, immigration and notions of freedom. National Post columnist Tasha Kheiriddin joins the show to discuss how Legault has managed to change the power dynamic in Quebec, wh...
Sep 23, 2022•20 min
Millions of Canadians at some point or another have suffered from depression, and sought out treatment. Now, a controversial new study has poked a very large hole in long-held notions around depression and anti-depressants. National Post health reporter Sharon Kirkey joins host Dave Breakenridge to discuss how widespread depression is, what this new study says about the relationship between anti-depressants and depression, and what it could mean for people currently getting treatment, or those s...
Sep 21, 2022•22 min
In the days since the death of Queen Elizabeth, plans for what is expected to be a monumental memorial have been unfolding. With the queen now lying in state in London, attention is focused on her funeral on Monday at Westminster Abbey. Toronto Sun columnist Christina Blizzard joins me to discuss what will happen in the lead-up to the funeral and the day itself, and what is next for the monarchy under the reign of King Charles. Background reading: What now for King Charles III and the Royals? Le...
Sep 15, 2022•21 min
Pierre Poilievre’s first-ballot victory in the Conservative leadership race shows a party more unified than the campaign may have led many to believe. The new opposition leader now faces a tall order: unite his caucus to present a government in waiting in order to beat the Trudeau Liberals in the next election, whenever that may come. National Post political reporter Catherine Levesque joins me to discuss Poilievre’s win, what his message was to Canadians in his first speech as leader, and what ...
Sep 13, 2022•22 min
The manhunt for the last remaining suspect in a series of stabbing attacks in Saskatchewan ended with the capture and death of Myles Sanderson. This brought an end to a horrific series of events that saw 12 people, including the two suspects, killed, and nearly 20 people sent to hospital. Prior to the arrest, host Dave Breakenridge caught up with Saskatoon Star Phoenix reporter Zak Vescera to discuss how the tragedy unfolded, what we know about the victims, and the looming controversy over Myles...
Sep 08, 2022•21 min
In a province facing concerns over health care, education, and what to do with a booming oil-based budget surplus, the race to replace Jason Kenney as United Conservative Party and premier has largely focused on one major issue: Alberta’s autonomy. The discussion about various ways to advance Alberta’s place in Confederation was once again front and centre at the final leadership debate in Edmonton. National Post reporter Tyler Dawson joins the program to discuss Tuesday’s debate, whether anyone...
Sep 02, 2022•22 min
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the deaths of thousands of elderly Canadians from coast to coast. But four of those deaths, from a small community hospital in eastern Ontario, are being treated as a murder investigation. Ottawa Citizen reporter Aedan Helmer joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the doctor behind the accusations, who the victims are and what we know about the case so far. Background reading: OPP lay three more first-degree murder charges against doctor in deaths at Hawkesbury hosp...
Aug 25, 2022•16 min
As hospitals across the country face staffing shortages, ward closures and increasing wait times, several premiers had a summit with a federal minister to address healthcare reform. Premiers from Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI sat down with the intergovernmental affairs minister this week to discuss possible solutions. National Post political reporter Bryan Passifiume joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss some of the main issues raised at the summit, what premiers want to see from the ...
Aug 24, 2022•18 min
A year after the Taliban took back control of Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans who helped Canadians during the war are still stuck in the country. Many are living in hiding, fearful of the repercussions they and their families could face if they’re found. National Post reporter Tom Blackwell joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how precarious the situation is for our allies in Afghanistan, why there’s a delay in getting them out, and what the federal government says they’re doing to help. Backgro...
Aug 16, 2022•19 min
The Papal visit to Canada was seen by many as an important step on the path to reconciliation. But did Pope Francis’s apology for the Catholic Church’s role in residential schools go far enough? And in the grand scheme of things, does it make a difference? Doug Cuthand, Indigenous affairs columnist for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Regina Leader-Post joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the significance of the visit, what the Church needs to do now, and what role the federal government has to play...
Aug 05, 2022•18 min
A group of patients have launched a charter challenge to help them get access to what they say is life-saving treatment of psilocybin mushrooms. Psilocybin, more commonly referred to as magic mushrooms, is seen as a way to treat extreme cases of anxiety and depression. Sam Riches, who writes for the National Post and the GrowthOp, joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why psilocybin is seen as a viable treatment in these cases, how hard it is to access, and why these patients are suing the governme...
Aug 04, 2022•17 min
The governing body for hockey in Canada is facing a lot of scrutiny for how it handled the investigation into, and settling of, an alleged sexual assault involving some members of the 2018 world junior team. Sponsors have pulled funding, and executives have appeared before members of parliament to answer questions, but many are wondering what it will take to make systemic change to the organization that governs the game from the grassroots to the elite level. Postmedia national sports writer Sco...
Jul 29, 2022•28 min
When a new federal Conservative leader is elected September 10, will the party rally behind the leader, or will it come out of this contest showing fractures? A moderate group of Conservatives is looking to highlight some more mainstream policies during the campaign, but some within the party feel it’s a shot at perceived front-runner Pierre Poilievre. National Post political reporter Catherine Levesque joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why this group is organizing, what issues they’re advancin...
Jul 26, 2022•23 min
Amid a summer of troubles in Canada’s airline industry, Calgary and Vancouver staff of big player WestJet could soon walk off the job. The strike would be the latest in a line of disruptions Canadian travellers have faced this summer as they take to the skies after two years of pandemic restrictions. Calgary Herald business reporter Josh Aldrich joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss why these WestJet workers could be heading to the picket line, how it potentially adds to existing problems, and when...
Jul 22, 2022•21 min
The leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics arrives in Canada in the coming days, with a focus of the trip being reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and an apology for abuses committed at church-run residential schools. The visit comes amid declining influence and attendance for the church, a change that has been happening over decades. National Post reporter and Michelle Lang Fellow Jessica Mundie joins host Dave Breakenridge to discuss the significance of the Papal visit, how some Catho...
Jul 20, 2022•21 min
In recent weeks on 10/3, we've highlighted a new true crime podcast from Postmedia and Antica productions, called True Crime Byline. The show looks at some of the biggest criminal cases in the country, and what it was like for the journalists who covered them. True Crime Byline is available now, wherever you find this podcast, but have a listen to the first episode right here: This isn't a story about Robert Pickton. Most Canadians know the name Robert Pickton, the pig farmer from a Vancouver su...
Jul 15, 2022•49 min
The race to replace Erin O’Toole as leader of Canada’s Conservatives took a surprising turn with the party’s leadership committee removing Patrick Brown as a candidate. It’s alleged that a private corporation had paid members of Brown’s campaign staff, which would be a violation of Canadian election law. National Post political reporter Ryan Tumilty joins host Dave Breakenridge to discuss how these allegations came to light, whether Brown has any recourse, and how this changes the race in the re...
Jul 14, 2022•23 min
As candidates duke it out over who is best to lead the Conservative Party of Canada, many in the conservative movement are asking what the party itself should look like, and how to best position itself to beat the Liberals in the next election. After three straight losses, many see the next campaign as being mission-critical for the party. Tasha Kheiriddin, principal at Navigator LTD and author of new book The Right Path, joins host Dave Breakenridge to discuss how Conservative politics have bec...
Jul 07, 2022•26 min
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade has set off a spate of controversy over whether access to abortion will be severely limited or outright banned in many states. And, as their closest neighbour, the issue has spilled over into Canada. National Post columnist Sabrina Maddeaux joins Dave to discuss why the fallout from the Roe decision could have ramifications for Canadian women who work, study and travel in the U.S., and why some feel the federal government should pass legislation to ...
Jul 05, 2022•23 min
The inquiry into Canada’s worst mass shooting has developed into a political scandal, with allegations the head of the RCMP interfered with the investigation to help push Liberal firearms policy. In notes uncovered by the Mass Casualty Commission, it appears that Commissioner Brenda Lucki demanded Nova Scotia RCMP release the types of guns Gabriel Wortman used to kill more than 20 people in advance of the rollout of new gun control measures. National Post reporter Tristin Hopper joins Dave to di...
Jun 30, 2022•23 min
Early in the race to replace Jason Kenney as leader of Alberta’s conservatives, the conversation has turned to the province’s place in Confederation, with one frontrunner pushing an aggressive strategy. Danielle Smith is proposing an Alberta Sovereignty Act, which would allow the province to supersede federal law deemed not to be in Alberta’s interests. National Post reporter Tyler Dawson joins Dave to discuss the thinking behind the “Free Alberta Strategy,” how it could potentially be used, and...
Jun 28, 2022•21 min
Openness and transparency are key tenets of our justice system. But what happens when more and more information is locked behind a publication ban? In a first-of-its-kind investigation, reporters Adrian Humphreys and Talha Hashmani looked into the rising number of discretionary publication bans in both criminal and civil cases. Adrian joins Dave to discuss why more publication bans are being granted, how these bans intrude on the notion of open courts, and how that can erode credibility in the j...
Jun 23, 2022•23 min
What is it like to cover some of the most notorious criminal cases in Canadian history, to dig into a story, and follow the details as it winds through court? How do the really big cases affect the reporters on those stories? Kathleen Goldhar, host of True Crime Byline, a new podcast from Postmedia and Antica Productions, joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss the new show, what listeners can expect, and why stories like this resonate with people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...
Jun 21, 2022•19 min
A decade after she died by suicide, the case against Amanda Todd’s alleged tormentor has landed in a B.C. courtroom. Dutch national Aydin Coban is facing a number of charges in what the Crown prosecutor is calling a horrific case of sextortion. Vancouver Sun reporter Susan Lazaruk joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss what the Crown is alleging Coban did to Amanda Todd, how they’re trying to prove their case, and what court has heard in the trial so far. Background reading: B.C. girl Amanda Todd vi...
Jun 16, 2022•20 min
A Canadian airline crew has been stuck in an ongoing nightmare, ever since they alerted police in the Dominican Republic to the presence of cocaine in a compartment on their charter aircraft. For their efforts, they were jailed, subject to threats and have been ordered to stay put in the Caribbean nation. National Post reporter Tom Blackwell joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how the crew found themselves in this mess, what their experience in jail was like, and whether there is any political ma...
Jun 10, 2022•21 min
Ontario voters handed Premier Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario a renewed mandate with even more seats than the last election. The PCs managed a strong win despite the fact that less than 50 per cent of voters turned up at the polls. The loss also has both main opposition parties looking for new leaders. National Post politics reporter Bryan Passifiume joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss how Ford and the PCs managed such a decisive win, how the opposition parties regroup...
Jun 07, 2022•23 min
