CANADALAND

“Nothing about this World Cup is uniting the world. If anything, it's dividing it further.” -Karim Zidan

So it looks like technically Canada is in the midst of a “technical” recession, but, technicalities aside, is a 0.2% drop in growth really that big a deal?​Carney hasn’t said much on the subject, just that this is just a “settling-in period” while his policies take effect. On the other hand, Poilievre seems almost gleeful, saying that it’s a result of a “banker who can’t budget”. Oh, and he’s made a whole attack ad dunking on the technicalities of a technical recession with a little help from generative AI. Is this what politics has come to?Host: James NicholsonCredits: Andrea Varsany (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Douglas SoltysAdditional music by Audio NetworkApply to CANADALAND’s Audio Journalism Fellowship at labs.canadaland.comGo to canadaland.com/live  to find out more about our live show, June 18th at the Halifax Convention Centre!Further reading: Sharan Kaur: Why top economists are rejecting the ‘recession’ narrative - CTV News‘Technical Recession’, the Backstory: Why has the Canadian Economy Flatlined? - Policy MagazineCarney addresses technical recession, says economy going through 'settling-in' period - CBC News51st state 'a great discussion' for Trump and Carney, says Hoekstra as president trolls ahead of trade talks - CBC NewsCanada Dips Into Technical Recession for First Time Since 2020 - BloombergCanada enters surprise technical recession amid tariff uncertainty - ReutersCanada is in a ‘technical’ recession. Here’s why economists are pushing back on that label - The Toronto StarIs a technical recession technically a problem for Mark Carney? - CBC NewsFIRST READING: Is the technical recession recession just a technicality, technically?     - Yahoo News Canada Sponsors: Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN40 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.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.  Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.caIf 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carney just released his new 55-page strategy, “AI for All,” to much fanfare, over $2B in funding commitments, and…very few details on how he’s going to accomplish any of it.Canadians were at the forefront of AI’s creation, yet we’re already falling behind in harnessing this revolutionary technology. But most of us aren’t convinced that AI is safe: not for the environment, or the kids, or our personal privacy. Plus, it seems like no one’s figured out how to actually make a return on their investment.​So, is Canada investing in a product that’s doomed to fail?Host: James NicholsonCredits: Andrea Varsany (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)Guest: Douglas SoltysApply to CANADALAND’s Audio Journalism Fellowship at labs.canadaland.comGo to canadaland.com/live  to find out more about our live show, June 18th at the Halifax Convention Centre!Further reading: Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All - Government of Canada Canada’s AI strategy won’t build necessary trust - The Globe and MailCanada’s AI strategy promises to protect citizens. Critics say it still lacks teeth | BetaKit  Canada Finally Has a National AI Strategy. Experts Hate It | The WalrusCarney government to ban social media for kids younger than 16, but will allow exemptions - National Post Minister defends Canada’s new AI strategy | Front Burner [YouTube]This is our time: Canada’s national AI strategy is an incredible step forward - The Globe and MailAnthopic, OpenAI Should Not Be Allowed to IPO, Says Ed Zitron - Bloomberg [YouTube]BetaKit Most Ambitious - BetakitOttawa to direct CRTC to scrap demands for streamers to fund local news, niche broadcasters - The Globe and Mail        Sponsors:Fizz: Visit fizz.ca and activate a first plan using the referral code CAN40 to get 40$ off and 10GB of free data.Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.caTaskrabbit: Get fifteen dollars off your first task RIGHT NOW with promo code CANADALAND at Taskrabbit.ca  or with the Taskrabbit app 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Sam spent a day at Canada's biggest defence trade show asking about autonomous weapons.The good news: Canada says humans must always be part of the decision to kill. The bad news: nobody can define what that means, the US just voted against a UN resolution banning killer robots, and Pete Hegseth wants the Pentagon to be an "AI-first warfighting force."Sam talks to an AI researcher, an underwater robot CEO, a defence contractor who tells it like it is, and an ethicist who somehow remains hopeful. Have a tip? [email protected]: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Jason Millar, Randy GoebelBackground reading:For Canada, the march of the killer robots is getting hard to avoid | The LogicJudge temporarily blocks Pentagon's blacklist of AI company Anthropic | CBC NewsAt Canada’s biggest weapons show, the soldiers were the target | Globe and MailCanada’s largest arms expo drawing record turnout as Ottawa boosts defence spendingGo to Canadaland.com/live to find out more about our live show, June 18th at the Halifax Convention Centre! Sponsors: 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 at douglas.ca/canadalandHead over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free!Head to squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, use OFFER CODE:Canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.Did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show? Last episode, y’all called to chat with host Sam Konnert about your favourite story.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 or call in on and we’ll give you a free month of Canadaland premium.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. Can't get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“ If you don't know who Cohere is, you will.” -Mark Carney