logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2025
2m 16s

What Are You Still Doing Here?!

Canadaland
About this episode

The Backbench has moved!


Episodes of The Backbench have been available on the Canadaland feed for a few months now, alongside lots of other great content — from original reporting to media criticism to our brand-new support-only show.


Starting now, The Backbench feed (this one!) will no longer be publishing new episodes, but the show lives on! You can still find new episodes of this show every Tuesday on Canadaland.


Just search “Canadaland” in your podcast player of choice, and we’ll see you there.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Nov 17
Introducing: What Is Happening Here (Official Trailer)
<p>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.</p><br><p>So which is it? And who is to blame for it — activists, or Israel?</p><br><p><em>What is Happening Here </em>is a co- ... Show More
4m 23s
Oct 20
We're in the Fight of Our Lives
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 BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher) Hosted on Ac ... Show More
13m 23s
Jul 2025
Looking for The Backbench? We’ve moved!
Since the end of last year, episodes of The Backbench have been available on the Canadaland feed, alongside lots of other great content — oftentimes featuring voices you may be familiar with from The Backbench. Starting in July 2025, The Backbench feed (this one!) will no longer ... Show More
2m 58s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
The Free Speech Debate
<p>After the government announced it may ditch the Conservatives' law to fight cancel culture on campuses, Ed Vaizey asks whether freedom of speech at University is under threat. He hears the cases for and against - including from former universities minister Robert Halfon, who w ... Show More
48m 10s
Sep 16
Ep. 253: Pam Bondi says hate speech is not free speech — is she right?
FIRE staff also take your questions on Charlie Kirk's assassination, President Trump's lawsuit against The New York Times, cancel culture, and more. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:42 Attorney General Pam Bondi's comments that "hate speech" is distinct from "free speech" 02:23 Is it O ... Show More
1h 5m
Sep 2024
Ep. 1437 - Brazil Bans Free Speech in the Name of Democracy. Are We Next?
Today on the Matt Walsh Show, Brazil has essentially abolished free speech in its country as it shuts down X to prevent people from criticizing the government. You'd think the defenders of "democracy" in this country would condemn this sort of thing, but instead, they're cheering ... Show More
1h 4m
Aug 22
A free speech showdown.
The FTC warns one country’s “online safety” may be another’s “censorship.” A new bipartisan bill aims to reduce barriers to federal cyber jobs. MURKY PANDA targets government, technology, academia, legal, and professional services in North America. MITRE updates their hardware we ... Show More
31m 48s
Aug 28
Ep. 250: Civil rights, hate speech, and the First Amendment
We know the First Amendment protects hate speech. But has it always done so? And how have civil rights groups responded when their members are the target of hate speech? University of Iowa Law Professor Samantha Barbas is the author of a new law review article, "How American Civi ... Show More
57m 4s
Apr 2024
Defending Pornography, Hate Speech and the ACLU: Nadine Strossen on The Unspeakable
<p>This week, Meghan talks with legal scholar, former law professor, and legendary free speech advocate Nadine Strossen.</p> <p>Nadine was president of the American Civil Liberties Union from 1991 to 2008 and she's the author of many books, including Defending Pornography, which ... Show More
1h 21m
Jan 2025
Why is Liz Truss threatening to sue Keir Starmer?
<p>Liz Truss - reports the Telegraph - has sent the Prime Minister a 'Cease and desist' letter threatening him with legal action for saying that she 'crashed the economy'. Her lawyers contest that the statement is 'false and defamatory' and contributed to her losing her Norfolk ... Show More
38m 12s
Jul 2024
(Short Cuts) Pierre Keeps it Hot After Trump Gets Shot
<p>Do we need to “dial down” our political rhetoric in Canada, following the attempted assassination of Trump? Canadian journalism icon Jan Wong joins us to consider Canadian responses to American political violence.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Plus, following the death of Canadian author Al ... Show More
34m 38s
Mar 2020
Ladies, Know Your First Amendment Rights.
The threat to our First Amendment right of free speech is growing. College campuses continue to embrace progressive policies that restrict student's ability to voice their opinions and beliefs. Lawyer and First Amendment Expert Harmeet Dhillon joins Problematic Women to discuss f ... Show More
16m 47s