Original reporting, sharp political analysis, and media criticism you won’t get anywhere else. Keeping you informed about what’s happening now in your country.
Today we’re reopening the files on what might be the strangest and most shocking Canadian media story in recent memory. The Ottawa Citizen journalist, David Pugliese, who was allegedly compromised by the KGB.
On October 24th, 2024, Chris Alexander, former MP and former Harper cabinet minister, also a former Canadian diplomat to Russia, gave sworn testimony at a parliamentary inquiry into Russian interference and disinformation campaigns in Canada. And that’s where the allegations first came to public light.
The story stunned the Canadian media world. David Pugliese has been a fixture in Canadian journalism for almost 40 years. He does serious in-depth reporting about national defense. And the idea that all this time he's been a secret Russian agent, it just seemed nuts.
But these were serious, potentially career-ending, potentially criminal allegations. Pugliese denied the allegations outright in clear and emphatic language. The Canadian Association of Journalists stood by his side and decried the allegations as a McCarthy-esque smear job. And the story, well, google it now, and the internet’s collective wisdom will tell you that the story is debunked.
So why are we talking about it now? Because our investigation raises new questions about the allegations against Pugliese and about the Canadian media’s role in the story.
Host: Jesse Brown
Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Written and Reported by, Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)
If you value this podcast, support us! 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.
Since 2025, Robson quickly established himself as a prolific freelance columnist, with bylines in the Ottawa Citizen, the Montreal Gazette, The Hub, Western Standard, and Policy Options.
But there’s one problem: he doesn’t seem to exist.
When a Turkish journalist began asking Canadian editors to verify Robson’s biographical details, they realized they couldn’t and that Robson’s persona and writing was A.I. generated.
Who or what is behind this mysterious A.I. entity and what does it have to do with Morocco?
Stuart Benson of the Hill Times joins Julian Abraham to go down the Daniel Robson rabbit hole.
BONUS: The Gift of Nuclear Waste and Other Local Stories
Épisode 23
jeudi 1 octobre 2026 • Durée 01:54
Earlier this year, we asked you to call in and tell us about news stories that were a big deal in your town, but were not necessarily getting much, if any, national attention. We ended up hearing some incredible stories and even got a few leads out of that episode.
This week, we decided to dive back into the world of local news and pose the same question to our listeners — and you did not disappoint.
On this episode, we hear what it’s really like to weather a referendum storm from an Alberta citizen, we experience an Ontario town’s “gift of nuclear waste,” and our host James reconnects with an old friend of the forest.
Mark Carney sat down for a wide-ranging hour-long interview with the New York Times. The headlines focused on Canada’s preparations for the “extreme tail risk” of a US invasion, but what else can we learn about Carney’s political approach from the 8000 word transcript?
The interview drew criticism in Canada, centered around Carney’s choice of a foreign outlet, rather than a Canadian one. But what can that tell us about his intended audience and communications strategy?
Zain Velji joins San Grewal to discuss our Prime Minister’s global messaging and the domestic concerns waiting at home.
"Carney Has No Respect for Parliament" - Elizabeth May
Épisode 1443
mardi 29 septembre 2026 • Durée 42:14
Elizabeth May is a fierce, dogged critic. No matter the government. Mark Carney’s Liberals are no exception. I wanted to know what she’s actually seen and heard, because even though Elizabeth May has been pissed before, host Noor Azrieh is sensing a rage she hasn’t seen before.
Plus, after a long hiatus, Parliament reconvened last week. And Mark Carney’s Liberals wasted no time tabling their Building Canada Strong Act. So, what is it?
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)
The City that Gets its News from a Dumpster Company
Épisode 1442
lundi 28 septembre 2026 • Durée 33:42
You can't really call Regina a news desert. They still have a newspaper. But if you actually look under the hood you’ll discover that they stopped printing the newspaper in Regina. They stopped editing it in Regina. The editor lives somewhere else. And as far the CBC goes, well, that acronym is now synonymous with layoffs.
Everyone from the legacy media who purports to be telling people in Regina what is going on in their own community is doing so with less resources than ever before. These are zombie news organizations. That creates a news vacuum. A place for someone new to step in. And somebody did.
And that somebody peddles garbage. That's not a value judgment of this new news source in Regina. It's just the objective truth. They're a garbage company called Just Bins. They provide dumpsters and news to the people of Regina. And they may be providing news to more people in Regina than anyone else.
Host: Jesse Brown
Credits: Kevin O’Keefe (Reporter), Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Production Manager), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher), Caleb Thompson (additional production assistance)
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How Carney Duped the Media
Épisode 1441
vendredi 25 septembre 2026 • Durée 37:48
The announcement that the EU is “opening the door” to Canada for associate membership overshadowed how the story initially broke.
Following detailed reporting in the Wall Street Journal, Carney denied that Canada was seeking membership in the EU.
Days later, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced that Canada was in fact being considered for associate membership.
Why did Carney and government sources initially deny the story? And should Canadian media hold him accountable for misleading the public?
Apocalyptic A.I. headlines are all over the news, following a former Anthropic employee’s whistleblowing on the threat to humanity posed by out of control A.I. systems.
But that was just the start: a flurry of safety-related announcements from major A.I. companies underscored the tangible risk of the technology.
Douglas Soltys of Betakit joins to explain A.I.’s existential media moment, and how it affects Canada’s push for adoption and innovation.
Could Canada emerge as a leader on A.I. regulation?
How Bell's 52 Billion Dollar Data Centre Got Rammed Through
Épisode 1439
mardi 22 septembre 2026 • Durée 41:59
Prime Minister Mark Carney came into office promising to turn Canada into an investment destination. One of the biggest tests of that promise is happening in Saskatchewan.
In this episode, host Noor Azrieh and senior producer Aviva Lessard take you inside the politics that made Bell’s $50 billion AI data centre behemoth in Saskatchewan possible.
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Tristan Capacchione (Senior Production Supervisor), Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)
The Allison Inquiry: Time to Take Vaccine Injuries Seriously
Épisode 1438
lundi 21 septembre 2026 • Durée 50:43
He was the doctor who almost got Joe Rogan cancelled. The controversy he roiled on Rogan brought the show some its highest ever ratings. So you might have been among the 40 million who caught Dr. Peter McCullough on Rogan where he spoke out against the COVID vaccine near the start of the pandemic. He was accused of undermining public health efforts and spreading misinformation.
And last week Dr. McCullough was on Parliament Hill. But chances are you didn’t hear about that appearance. Most of the mainstream media, and nearly all the nation’s MPs, took a pass on attending the Allison Inquiry into injuries sustained by Canadians from the vaccine.
Dr. McCullough joins us today. But he’s not here to debate his opinion on the science of vaccines. Instead we wanted to discuss his experience at the centre of the Rogan controversy. We wanted to ask him whether people should be getting medical advice from shows like Rogan’s. We wanted to know what he thought about the splintering of public faith in mainstream institutions, a splintering that the pandemic sped up. We wanted to know where he thinks all this division has left us. At least, that’s what we set out to do….
Host: Jesse Brown
Credits: Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Chad Galloway (Audio Editing & Production), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)
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If you value this podcast,Support us! 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 atour 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.
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Last week, Canadaland’s senior producer James Nicholson took over Off The Record and asked you about all the interesting stories happening in small towns across Canada.
That episode comes out Oct 1st!
If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!) become a supporter at canadaland.com/join
If you value this podcast, Support us! 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, 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.
Make sure you’re up to date on our upcoming events by going to canadaland.com/live!
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If you value this podcast, support us! 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.
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. Visitdouglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.
If you value this podcast,Support us! 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 atour 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.
What’s a local story you think we should know about? What’s the hot gossip in your community’s Facebook Group? What’s the heated discussion in your city’s subreddit?
Call in and let us know on September 24th, 5-7 pm EDT, by going to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dialing in at 888-401-7056 when the time comes, so mark your calendars!
If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!), become a supporter at canadaland.com/join.
Sponsors:
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. Visitdouglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.
Fizz Mobile: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25 off and 10GB of free data.
If you value this podcast,Support us! 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 atour 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.
Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features, and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25 off and 10GB of free data.
If you’re ready to hear the 'CHA CHING' of your first sale today, head over to SHOPIFY.COM to start your free trial today!
Did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show?
Tons of interesting stories are happening every single day in small towns across Canada — but we can only be in so many places at once. Our show rarely gets to zoom in and see what's happening in the weird and wonderful world of local news.
So tell us: What's a local story you think we should know about? What's the hot gossip in your community's Facebook Group? What's the heated discussion in your city's subreddit?
Call in and let us know on September 24th, 5-7 pm EDT, by going to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dialing in at 888-401-7056 when the time comes, so mark your calendars!
If you want to hear that (or if you want to catch up on all the great episodes of Off The Record you’ve missed!), become a supporter at canadaland.com/join.
If you value this podcast, Support us! 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, 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.
Make sure you’re up to date on our upcoming events by going to canadaland.com/live!
If you value this podcast, support us! 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.
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