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Eight people are in the running for leadership of the Conservative Party, but only one will emerge victorious and get a chance to become the next Prime Minister of Canada. We're joined by Politico’s Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Backbench regular Jason Markusoff to introduce our candidates. What's their vision? What have they done? And who’s most likely to flame out publicly?Links:Subscribe to Politico’s Ottawa Playbook newsletter See the picture of teenage Patrick Brown with a Jean Charest poster on his wallAt the time of recording, Joseph Bourgault was not yet confirmed as a candidate, but he is also in the running. His website is available hereAdditional music from Audio NetworkSponsors: 22 Murders, The Peak, Ground News See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We dig into the first two chapters of the government’s new budget: housing and economic growth. This week’s contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Caroline Elliott, David Moscrop Links:Read Budget 2022Read Jen Gerson’s piece that Caroline mentions, “No One Is Going to Fix Housing”Sponsors: Oxio, 22 Murders, Skipper Otto, Ground News See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What does an apology mean? And what happens next? Fatima speaks to two people who were in Rome to hear the Pope’s apology to Indigenous people over the Residential School system: Norman Yak’e ula, a survivor who has been waiting for 58 years to hear these words; and Taylor Behn-Tsakoza, co-chair of the Assembly of First Nations National Youth Council, who was part of the delegation that got an audience with the Pope. Links:Watch the Pope’s full apology here: Read the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Watch the APTN video we mentioned of Taylor Behn-Tsakoza preparing to go to Rome:Sponsors: Skipper Otto, Ground News, The Peak, 22 MurdersAdditional music by Audio Network See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With deals for affordable childcare now in place across the country, we compare what each province got and discuss what this process might reveal for future programs, like pharmacare.  And we dive into the good, the bad and the ugly of the government’s Emissions Reductions Plan. This week’s contributors: Emilie Nicolas, Drew Brown, Stuart Thomson  Links:- A comparsion of childcare deals across the country.- The Emissions Reduction Plan Sponsors: Oxio, Freshbooks, The Peak Daily See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jagmeet Singh’s Chief of Staff Jennifer Howard was in the room during negotiations for the Liberal-NDP supply and confidence agreement. She breaks down how politicians can work together, even if looks like they hate each other on TV. Further Reading:“Going Inside the Room: How the Liberal-NDP Confidence Deal Happened”https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/03/24/news/going-inside-room-how-liberal-ndp-confidence-deal-happenedSponsors: FreshBooks, The Peak Daily, Ground NewsIf you listen on Apple, subscribe to Canadaland Politics for $2.99/month for ad-free episodes of The Backbench, Wag the Doug and COMMONS:https://apple.co/3wjxaRW See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As nations around the world cut off business with Russia, can Canada help fill the international demand for oil and gas? More importantly, should we? And the pandemic caused unprecedented government spending, as well as shifting priorities on everything from work to healthcare. How will that all play out in the upcoming budget?This week’s contributors: Jason Markusoff, Caroline Elliott, Murad HemmadiLinks:Shannon Proudfoot’s Maclean’s profile of Pierre Pollievre: [https://www.macleans.ca/longforms/why-is-pierre-poilievre-so-angry/]And the accompanying Q&A [https://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/pierre-poilievre-on-his-combative-style-of-politics-and-his-plans-for-canada/]Sponsors: The Peak Daily, FreshBooks, Ground News, Oxio See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As escalation between Russia and Ukraine continues, what is Canada’s role in this ever-changing world? And how do conversations we have on the international stage impact our decisions here at home - and vice versa? Canada's UN Ambassador Bob Rae weighs in.Sponsors: Skipper Otto, Rotman, Ground News See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For the next few months, The Backbench is going to bring you weekly episodes!Expect us to chat with those who are impacted by or impacting what’s happening in Ottawa. We want to put the people back in politics so if you're either of those categories, get in touch at backbench@canadaland.com.Don't worry - We’ll still be bringing you the panel you’ve come to know and love.Our first episode drops next Tuesday. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the war in Ukraine escalates and Canadian leaders head to Europe, we assess the economic and military responses so far. And despite fully grasping the severity of Russian aggression, we want to know: Why does Canada's response to conflict vary so much depending on the country?This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Caroline Elliott, Jaskaran SandhuLinks:The Narwhal's piece about Canadian players still dealing in Russian resourcesMore context on the Canadian discourse re: Sikhs written by JaskaranMore on Ottawa's decision to delay the decision on Newfoundland's Bay du Nord oil projectSponsors: Oxio, Freshbooks See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the Emergencies Act passes and border blockades come down, we examine what impacts the Act and the satellite protests had domestically and internationally. And Canada decides to step up in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia - and it's unclear exactly why.This week's contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff, Emilie NicolasSponsors: Rotman, The Big Story See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 2022 Freedom Convoy has taken over Ottawa, both the city and the political discourse. Why is the federal government so paralyzed by it and will it have a long-term impact on Canadian politics? And as the Conservative Party steps into the post-Erin O'Toole era, we try to figure out what "true blue" means now and whether it has Trumpian characteristics.Sponsors: Rotman & The Big Story See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

People have been declaring that they have stopped donating their money and/or time to the NDP recently. Why is the NDP struggling to retain self-described progressives? What is the party's role in federal politics today?This week's contributors:Lori Idlout, NDP MP (Nunavut) Peggy Nash, Former NDP MP & Finance Critic (Parkdale-High Park, Ontario)Des Bisonnette, President of NDP EDA (Lakeland, Alberta) & Member of the Democratic Socialists of Canada Sponsors: Hot Docs Podcast Festival, Island Crime See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Three generations of Indigenous panelists join us this week on what The Backbench thought was the biggest story of 2021: the unmarked graves on former residential school grounds. We break format to take stock of what has been promised and repromised, the diversity of demands from Indigenous communities, and what a new "interlocutor" position can do to help with healing.Guests: Leena Minifie, Riley Yesno feat. Romeo SaganashLinks:Trudeau’s promises to Assembly of First Nations in 2015Globe and Mail piece re: interlocutorCBC's piece re: pending $40-billion settlement See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Political showmanship about #Justinflation abound, just as the Liberal government is set to release their Fall Economic Statement this week. And it's our last episode of 2021! We offer some highlights and lowlights of the year.This week's contributors: Murad Hemmadi, Jason Markusoff, Jaskaran SandhuLinks:Since recording, Justin Trudeau has said he will not yet intervene in Quebec's Bill 21Sponsors: Rotman Negotiations Program See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

BC's emergency on top of emergency has us wondering where the federal government needs to step in. And the latest "lockdown bill" and Throne Speech reveals where our federal government is at.This week's contributors: Caroline Elliott, Leena Minifie, Stuart Thomson ft. MP Dan AlbasLinks: Did you miss the Throne Speech? Read it here.Sponsors: Rotman, Amnesty International  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Support The Backbench at canadaland.com/joinPrime Minister Trudeau celebrated Canada's role at COP26 - but what is there to celebrate really? And Conservatives MPs try to start a 'civil liberties caucus' while the Liberal caucus vote not to empower themselves. This week's contributors: Caroline Elliott, Emilie Nicolas, Riley YesnoSponsors: Rotman, Amnesty International  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s crowdfunding season at Canadaland! Please consider supporting us at canadaland.com/joinAlberta thinks it made a "powerful" statement to Ottawa this week. And the Bank of Canada says inflation is persistent, which can also be perceived as good news if you look really hard.This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Murad Hemmadi, Jason MarkusoffLinks: Trevor Tombe's tool that helped us understand equalization payments a bit betterThe Conversation's piece on equalization overhaulThe TikTok on inflation from KyneChrystia Freeland's statement about reining in COVID-19 measuresThis episode is supported by Amnesty International.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s crowdfunding season at Canadaland! Please consider supporting us at canadaland.com/joinWe invited former MPs on because it was supposed to be the first week of Parliament. It got pushed back, but we get into what the first days of Parliament are like and what issues this government will be inheriting anyway. This week's contributors: Former MP Kenny Chiu & Former MP Catherine McKennaLinks:Kenny Chiu references this page on the BC government website on how emissions have increased in the provinceCatherine McKenna references economists Andrew Leach and Trevor Tombe who have both argued carbon pricing does reduce emissions. Follow their work here and here respectively.When we followed up with Catherine McKenna for links, she pointed us to this.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Trudeau drops the first apology of his third term and has us wondering how reconciliation can go beyond symbolic actions. And as the Two Michaels make it home, what have we learned from this whole saga?This week's contributors: Joanna Chiu, Stuart Thomson, Riley YesnoLinks:Riley's piece on the spring federal budgetMore on what Land Back & Cash Back are aboutHow to order Joanna's book, "China Unbound"This episode is supported by Dispatch Coffee.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, we bring you something different: an in-depth chat with a People’s Party of Canada supporter. Derek Taylor emailed Fatima after she called the party racist. He agreed to an interview. Derek gets into how he heard about the party, why he supports them, and the direction the party has taken since its creation in 2018. This is the extended version of an interview featured on Canadaland.This episode is supported by Dispatch Coffee and Rotman.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.