What Is Happening Here | Canadaland Investigates

To donate funding so we can complete this series, email [email protected] Police statistics say that a Jew in Canada is now 9 times more likely to be the victim of a hate crime than a Jew in the United States. Others dispute this data, and say antizionism is being conflated with antisemitism.  So what’s the truth?  Host Jesse Brown begins to investigate, by talking to everyday people who say they have experienced discrimination firsthand.  Credits:   This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish News Made possible by the generous support of George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Marjorie Skolnik, and Lee Zentner. Written and Reported by Jesse Brown Research and Story Editing by Kate Minsky Original Music by Socalled Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb Thompson Editorial Input from Michael Fraiman  For a list of sources cited in this episode, visit our website To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To donate funding so we can complete this series, email [email protected]  Let’s look at some complicated cases. These are not Jews who were discriminated against for being Jewish.  Indigo CEO Heather Reisman, teacher Laurie Allen, politician Selina Robinson, professor of medicine Ted Rosenberg – all were arguably targeted for their views and actions, not for their ethnicity.  But does that mean it wasn’t discrimination or hate? And how far into our institutions has this movement gone? Credits:   This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish News Made possible by the generous support of George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Marjorie Skolnik, and Lee Zentner. Written and Reported by Jesse Brown Research and Story Editing by Kate Minsky Original Music by Socalled Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb Thompson Editorial Input from Michael Fraiman  For a list of sources cited in this episode, visit our website. To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jews against Israel have been front and centre in the antizionist movement, their voices featured regularly in media coverage about the conflict.  Their very existence lends credibility to the assertion that antizionism is not antisemitic.  (To donate funding so we can complete this series, email [email protected])  But how representative are they of the Jewish community as a whole? Is their presence being weaponized against Jewish institutions, or are they willingly weaponizing their own Jewishness? And what do these individuals have to say about the presence of antisemitism in their movement?  Dave Meslin is a self-described antizionist Jew. He sits down for an in-depth interview.   CORRECTION (November 27, 2025): an earlier version of this episode mistakenly reported that a group of protesters shouted racist slogans while marching with Palestine Youth Movement at their October 4th, 2025 demonstration. While these protesters were demonstrating on October 4th at the advertised site of the PYM event, they did not in fact participate in the march. Credits:   This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish News Made possible by the generous support of The Bissell Family Foundation, George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Nanette Okun, Leslie Scanlon, Marjorie Skolnik, Lee Zentner, and others.   George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Marjorie Skolnik, and Lee Zentner. Written and Reported by Jesse Brown Research and Story Editing by Kate Minsky Original Music by Socalled Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb Thompson Editorial Input from Michael Fraiman  For a list of sources cited in this episode, visit our website. To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moez Zaman is the spokesperson for an antizionist protest that has taken place in the same Jewish neighbourhood in Toronto over 40 times. He says that his group has been unfairly characterized as antisemitic and pro-Hamas. So what do they really believe? What do their signs and chants actually mean? And what responsibility do they take for the impact they are having on their neighbours? Moez sits down for an uncommon exchange about his goals.  This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish News Made possible by the generous support of The Bissell Family Foundation, George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Nanette Okun, Leslie Scanlon, Marjorie Skolnik, Lee Zentner, and others.  Written and Reported by Jesse Brown Research and Story Editing by Kate Minsky Original Music by Socalled Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb Thompson Editorial Input from Michael Fraiman  This episode relied on video documentation of the protests at Bathurst and Sheppard filmed by many sources, but none more than Caryma Sa’d and her videographer, Lee.. Special thanks to them and to Jonathan Rothman of The CJN.  For a list of sources cited in this episode, please refer to this episode’s web page (link) To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is hatred against Jews so bad in Canada, specifically? Is it because of our government? Is it the failure of the police? Is it because of Muslim immigration? On this episode, three theories, and one conclusion.   Credits:   This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish News Made possible by the generous support of The Bissell Family Foundation, George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Nanette Okun, Leslie Scanlon, Marjorie Skolnik, Lee Zentner, and others.  Written and Reported by Jesse Brown Research and Story Editing by Kate Minsky Original Music by Socalled Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb Thompson Editorial Input from Michael Fraiman  This episode relied on video documentation of the protests at Bathurst and Sheppard filmed by many sources, but none more than Caryma Sa’d and her videographer, Lee.. Special thanks to them and to Jonathan Rothman of The CJN.  For a list of sources cited in this episode, please refer to this episode’s web page (link) To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is hatred against Jews calming down, or is it back for good? Is it correct to consider antizionism the new name of antisemitism, or is it a different ideology entirely? Finally, is antizionism actually pro-Palestinian? Credits:   This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish News Made possible by the generous support of The Bissell Family Foundation, George Burger, Dan Debow, Gideon Hayden, Daniel Klass, Norman Levine, Nanette Okun, Leslie Scanlon, Marjorie Skolnik, Lee Zentner, and others.  Written and Reported by Jesse Brown Research and Story Editing by Kate Minsky Original Music by Socalled with Fred Wesley Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb Thompson Editorial Input from Michael Fraiman  For a list of sources cited in this episode, please refer to this episode’s web page (link) To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some say Canada is currently in the throes of a horrible surge of anti-Jew hatred. Others say that anti-zionism is being conflated with antisemitism. So which is it? And who is to blame for it — activists, or Israel? What is Happening Here is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish News. Series debuts on November 17th.  Become a Canadaland supporter now and listen to the whole series plus bonus episodes, ad-free. https://canadaland.com/join/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"They pay you in coolness." This show is only possible because people like you believe in it and support it. By becoming a Canadaland supporter, you will be supporting rigorous independent journalism and journalists and making sure many more investigations like this one get published. Just go to canadaland.com/join (Canadian listeners) canadaland.com/investigates (everywhere else) You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"This sounds like easy money." This show is only possible because people like you believe in it and support it. By becoming a Canadaland supporter, you will be supporting rigorous independent journalism and journalists and making sure many more investigations like this one get published. Just go to canadaland.com/join (Canadian listeners) canadaland.com/investigates (everywhere else) You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"It sounded like a multi-level marketing scheme. But for drug trafficking." This show is only possible because people like you believe in it and support it. By becoming a Canadaland supporter, you will be supporting rigorous independent journalism and journalists and making sure many more investigations like this one get published. Just go to canadaland.com/join (Canadian listeners) canadaland.com/investigates (everywhere else) You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"At that point it's really just survival mode." This show is only possible because people like you believe in it and support it. By becoming a Canadaland supporter, you will be supporting rigorous independent journalism and journalists and making sure many more investigations like this one get published. Just go to canadaland.com/join (Canadian listeners) canadaland.com/investigates (everywhere else) You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I think this podcast is a bad idea." This show is only possible because people like you believe in it and support it. By becoming a Canadaland supporter, you will be supporting rigorous independent journalism and journalists and making sure many more investigations like this one get published. Just go to canadaland.com/join (Canadian listeners) canadaland.com/investigates (everywhere else) You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Who just wants to be a nice guy?" This show is only possible because people like you believe in it and support it. By becoming a Canadaland supporter, you will be supporting rigorous independent journalism and journalists and making sure many more investigations like this one get published. Just go to canadaland.com/join (Canadian listeners) canadaland.com/investigates (everywhere else) You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just before 6:30 pm on October 3rd, 1980, Oron Shagrir’s mother, Aliza, was walking down Rue Copernic in Paris, looking to buy some figs. Minutes later, she was killed, along with three others, in an explosion that still haunts France today. 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After decades of dead ends, a young and ambitious judge - known for finding new ways to interpret old evidence - takes over the Copernic synagogue case. He narrows his search down to one man who he finds living a quiet life in the capital city of Canada. 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. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hassan Diab, a sociology professor living in Ottawa, is finishing up his classes for the day when he learns that he is the primary suspect in France’s investigation into the Copernic synagogue bombing. At first, he doesn't believe this. But he begins to sense that he’s being surveilled. Then early one morning, he hears an unexpected knock on his door. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

France requests that Hassan be brought to Paris to stand trial. One of Canada’s most respected lawyers takes the case and fights the extradition. As the hearings drag on for years, more people start to question the French evidence against Diab. If you want to listen to the entire series right now without ads, become a Canadaland Supporter. Shows like ours cannot get made without your support. Go to canadaland.com/join. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hassan Diab faces a new reality in Europe’s largest maximum security prison. But when Marc Trévidic is replaced by new investigative judges, the case is thrown into uncertainty - and Hassan's fortunes begin to shift. If you want to listen to the entire series right now without ads, become a Canadaland Supporter. Shows like ours cannot get made without your support. Go to canadaland.com/join. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in Canada, Hassan Diab’s life is hanging in limbo. He may be arrested at any moment, and Canada’s government won’t ensure his safety. What does justice mean for the victims of the Copernic attack, and what does it mean for Diab and his supporters? This show is only possible because people like you believe in it and support it. By becoming a Canadaland supporter, you will be supporting rigorous independent journalism and journalists and making sure many more investigations like this one get published.  Just go to canadaland.com/join (Canadian listeners) canadaland.com/investigates (everywhere else) You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A sociology professor’s quiet life in Canada gets turned upside down when he is accused of carrying out a 1980 bomb attack on a synagogue in Paris. Hassan Diab says he is innocent — but French investigators are determined to prove otherwise. The Copernic Affair is coming January 22nd.  Become a Canadaland supporter and listen to the whole series early and ad-free. https://canadaland.com/join/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re bringing you something a bit different, made by our friends at Scene On Radio: the debut episode of their seventh season, Capitalism. The world’s dominant economic system is on trial as it hasn’t been for at least half a century. Millions, young people especially, now see capitalism as the problem, not the solution. Others fear throwing out the baby with the bathwater.  By John Biewen, with co-host Ellen McGirt. Interviews with John Fullerton, Cassandra Brooks and Charlene Brooks.  Story editor: Loretta Williams. Music by Michelle Osis, Lilli Haydn, Alex Symcox, and Goodnight, Lucas. Music consulting by Joe Augustine of Narrative Music. Art by Gergo Varga and Harper Biewen.  “Capitalism” is a production of the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University, in partnership with Imperative 21. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do people pretend to be Native? Hosts Robert Jago (Kwantlen First Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe) Angel Ellis (Muscogee (Creek) Nation) begin their journey by asking someone who has been doing just that.  He’s not just your average imposter – "Grand Chief" Guillaume Carle is the king of the “pretendians", a French Canadian who made a small fortune creating his own fake First Nation and issuing phony Indian Status Cards to thousands of other identity thieves.  Pretendians cannot get made without you. For a limited time, become a Canadaland Supporter for just $2/month and get every episode one week early and ad-free. Sponsors: AG1 Betterhelp You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marvin "Casper" Ouimet was your ordinary terrifying Hells Angel mob boss until he was sent to prison for conspiracy to commit murder. That's where he declared himself to be Indigenous. The prison asked no questions, and granted him access to a special program for Native inmates, in which prisoners get private cells, spiritual guidance, better food and ultimately – reduced sentences. But what about the real Natives in these programs? Hosts: Robert Jago & Angel Ellis  Credits: Jesse Brown (Publisher, Executive Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor, Mixer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)    Pretendians cannot get made without you. For a limited time, become a Canadaland Supporter for just $2/month and get every episode one week early and ad-free.  Sponsors: AG1, BetterHelp You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oklahoma's Republican governor Kevin Stitt is a card-carrying member of the Cherokee Nation. So why is he also considered the most "anti-Native governor" in history? A look at his family history reveals some wild surprises, and shows how Indigenous identity can be used as a weapon against Native nations. Pretendians cannot get made without you. For a limited time, become a Canadaland Supporter for just $2/month and get every episode one week early and ad-free.  Sponsors: AG1, BetterHelp You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when Pretendian investigations go wrong? Robert talks to Jacqueline Keeler, the person behind the “Alleged Pretendians List". Then, he talks to Kiros Auld, whose name appeared on that controversial list. The problem? Kiros is legitimately Native. Editors Note - An earlier version of this episode stated that "the Pamunkey Indian Tribe is the only federally recognized tribe in the state of Virginia" Since publishing it was brought to our attention that The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is one of seven federally recognized tribes in the state of Virginia. ​​Pretendians cannot get made without you. Become a Canadaland Supporter and get every episode one week early and ad-free. Sponsors: Betterhelp You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are no shortage of stories about movie stars who played Native and kept the act going even after the cameras stopped rolling. Iron Eyes Cody, Sacheen Littlefeather, and Johnny Depp – being a Pretendian is a Hollywood tradition! A history of how they did it, and how well they were paid for it.  ​​Pretendians cannot get made without you. Become a Canadaland Supporter and get every episode one week early and ad-free. Sponsors: AG1 Betterhelp You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes people fake being Native? How do they explain it once the truth comes out? And is there any way to be not Native, but….Native adjacent? We talk to three people who lived it. ​​Pretendians cannot get made without you. Become a Canadaland Supporter and binge the entire first season ad-free. Sponsors: AG1 Betterhelp You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert and Angel take listeners under the hood of season one of Pretendians. They dig deep into the positive feedback, unexpected outcomes, as well as the criticism of the show so far. They discuss topics for future seasons and reveal what they missed in the first six episodes. Includes updates on “Grand Chief” Guillaume Carle (episode 1), the definition of a “Karendian” (episode 4), and why AI makes the best songs about Pretendians.  ​​Pretendians cannot get made without you. Become a Canadaland Supporter and binge the entire first season ad-free. Sponsors: AG1: Pretendians listeners get a free 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 and 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/pretendians.  BetterHelp: Pretendians listeners head to https://betterhelp.com/pretendians to get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month. Discount code “pretendians” will be automatically applied. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do some of the most prominent and successful Indigenous artists, leaders and thinkers have in common? They aren’t Indigenous.   From major universities, to the halls of power, to Hollywood, there are people claiming to be Indigenous in the interest of power, money, and status. There are dozens of outrageous cases of Indigenous identity fraud that we know about, and likely thousands that we do not.  So why do these so-called “Pretendians” do it? How do they pull it off? And what happens when they are exposed?   Find out on Tuesday, May 14. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Locals call it Murder Bay. It might be the most dangerous city for Indigenous youth in the world. But to others, it's their white nirvana. Host Ryan McMahon wants to know - not who killed all those kids, but what killed them. This is Thunder Bay.  Support us here: canadaland.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dark, grainy, cellphone video leads to criminal charges against the mayor, his wife, the chief of police, and a multimillionaire lawyer turned convicted sex offender, whose wife disappeared years ago. Support us here: canadaland.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nine teenagers died. There is evidence of foul play. There are suspects. There are motives. There have even been confessions. But nobody has ever been charged. In a town with no consequences, it will happen again.  Support us here: canadaland.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Agnew Johnston was a lawyer who represented the state against criminals. But he was a criminal himself, paying underage girls for sex. His defence? Everybody in Thunder Bay is doing it, so why are you picking on me? The story of a case that implicated Thunder Bay's elite.  Support us here: canadaland.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if Thunder Bay isn't broken? What if it's working just as it's supposed to? Support us here: canadaland.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The highest homicide and hate crime rates in the country. A mayor charged with extortion. A police chief who faced trial for obstruction of justice. Nine tragic deaths of Indigenous high schoolers. Why does it all happen here?   Thunder Bay debuts on October 22, 2018. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re bringing you something a bit different: the season premiere of “Reclaimed: The Lifeblood of Navajo Nation”.  Currently, the Navajo Nation has no guaranteed right to use the water that flows in and around their reservation. But this year, that may change — and the future of the tribe will be decided. A long-awaited settlement may be reached between the tribe, their neighboring states and the U.S. government — one that could secure an allocation of the much-contested Colorado River. This series will place the fight for water equity in its historical context, tracing back as far as the creation of the Navajo reservation in the 1800s. It will follow the journey of a Navajo journalist as she strives to understand how this historical fight ties into her family’s personal history.  Subscribe to Reclaimed, and hear more seasons at: https://abcaudio.com/podcasts/reclaimed-navajo-nation/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re bringing you something a bit different, made by our friends at NPR’s long-running, award-winning podcast, Code Switch.  Many Lakota people agree: It's imperative to revitalize the Lakota language. But how exactly to do that is a matter of broader debate. Should Lakota be codified and standardized to make learning it easier? Or should the language stay as it always has been, defined by many different ways of writing and speaking? We explore this complex, multi-generational fight that's been unfolding in the Lakota Nation, from Standing Rock to Pine Ridge. Subscribe to Code Switch, and hear more episodes at: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canadaland covers Canada, period. If there was ever a time to support Canadian news, it’s now. Go to canadaland.com/join and become a supporter today.  Host: Jesse Brown Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thunder Bay host Ryan McMahon pops in to tell you about a new podcast you’re going to want to know about – launching right here on May 14th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canadaland has launched its first ever celebrity interview podcast and it’s not great. It’s The Worst Podcast. Celebrities are always talking about their bests. Now hear them at their worst. Join award-winning filmmaker and noted curmudgeon Alan Zweig for refreshingly honest conversations with “notable people” about the worst things in life. Alan has no interest in best-selling books or Hollywood triumphs, and doesn’t know (or care) much about his guests.  He’s looking for real conversations that dig deep and get to the worst things: nagging fears, embarrassing secrets and haunting regrets. And he’ll no doubt share a few of his own along the way. Listen to The Worst Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.