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PODCAST

Politics Is Broken

Canadian and Global Politics, Unspun.Politics is messy, loud, and usually full of nonsense. Politics Is Broken takes all that chaos, filters it through a Canadian sense of humour, and hands it back in a way that actually makes sense. Hosted by Brittlestar (Stewart Reynolds) and Lisa B., it’s smart, funny, and just irreverent enough to make the news bearable. www.brittlestar.com

government

All Episodes

25:21

Is Your Next Flight to Calgary on “Air Alabama”?...

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/28

Buckle up — or maybe don’t. The Competition Bureau just floated a plan to let foreign-owned airlines fly domestic routes in Canada, with 100% ownership on the table. The goal? End the reign of the Air Canada–WestJet duopoly and finally make cross-country flights cost less than a second mortgage. We look at what this could mean for Canadian travellers, local carriers, and anyone who’s ever paid $800 to fly to Winnipeg.

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13:23

Rights and Wrongs: Bill C-5 and the Fight on...

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/27

What happens when the federal government drafts a bill that could override Indigenous treaty rights — without asking first? You get Bill C-5. This week, we break down the protests, the political fallout, and the pushback from First Nations leaders across Ontario. It's a showdown over fast-tracking development, environmental protections, and whether Ottawa actually listens when it says it will.

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30:22

Your Down Payment Just Laughed: Canada’s Housing...

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/25

Ever feel like your dream home is laughing at you? This week, we dive into the CMHC’s jaw-dropping report that says Canada needs to build 4.8 million homes in the next 10 years just to make housing slightly affordable again. We unpack what that means, why it’s such a colossal challenge, and whether we can actually pull it off — or if we’re just pouring foundation into a sinkhole.

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19:40

Read the Room: Alberta Finally Admits Nobody Wants...

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/22

After two years of political foot-dragging, the Alberta government quietly dropped the results of its own pension poll — and it’s about as subtle as a fire alarm. Turns out, most Albertans want nothing to do with ditching the Canada Pension Plan. We unpack the fallout, the accusations of secrecy, and why the province is still clinging to a plan almost no one asked for. Spoiler: it’s not about retirement security, it’s about politics.

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16:44

Where Are the Canadian Stars? (Besides Us, obviously)

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/20

At this year’s Canadian Screen Awards, the biggest winners were… not Canadian. Industry insiders at Banff ask: Why can’t we build our own stars instead of borrowing them from the U.S. and TikTok? It’s time for Canada to stop being humble and start being famous.

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11:06

Too Many People, Not Enough Houses: Poilievre’s...

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/19

Canada’s growing fast, and Pierre Poilievre wants to hit the brakes—hard. But is it really about the numbers, or just a convenient scapegoat for the housing mess? We unpack the politics of population and why your rent is now a second job.

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12:44

Tariff Tantrums: Canada and the U.S. Trade Like It’s...

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/17

Trump’s back on his trade war BS, and Canada’s caught in the crossfire. PM Carney is trying to de-escalate while still calling the new tariffs “unlawful and unjustified.” It’s a tense negotiation between allies who act more like exes with joint custody of aluminum.

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30:03

Dinner Party Diplomacy: Canada’s Awkward G7 Guest List

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/15

A peaceful summit with a side of controversy: Canada wants to talk energy and peace, but some of the guest list reads like a political true crime podcast. We break down the strategic tightrope walk of inviting the world's most “complicated” leaders.

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14:10

Coffee Crisis! Why Loblaws Just Cancelled Your Cup of...

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/13

Loblaws yanked Folgers coffee off its shelves over "unjustified" price hikes—and Canadians are caught in the middle of a corporate caffeine standoff. We sip through the details of this grocery aisle drama and what it says about the bigger battle over food prices.

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18:48

7% Unemployment — Should We Be Worried?

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/12

Canada’s unemployment rate just bumped up to 7%, and suddenly that "labour shortage" we kept hearing about feels like a distant memory. We break down what’s behind the numbers, why jobs aren’t keeping pace, and what it all means for Canadians trying to make a living.

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18:34

Building Fortress Canada: Bill C-2 and the War on...

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/10

The government rolled out its "Strong Borders Act"—but is it protecting Canadians, or just making life harder for the most vulnerable? We unpack the fine print of Bill C-2, the backlash it’s sparked, and why "Fortress Canada" might not be the look we think it is.

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21:46

Canada’s on Fire (Again). Why This Keeps Happening

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/08

Western Canada is on fire again—literally. And the smoke? It’s touring the country like it’s got a new album to promote. We dig into why our skies are choking, why fire season is now just "season," and what this says about Canada’s climate future (hint: it’s not great).

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45:28

Conservatives Can’t Stop LOSING - Here’s Why

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/06/01

In this week’s Podcast Is Broken, Brittlestar, Lisa, and Steve dig into why Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party keep stumbling — and why they seem stuck in endless campaign mode. From budget myths to culture war dead-ends to a base that’s hard to grow, we unpack what’s really going on. Also: puppies, heat maps, and a surprise musical number.The video version of this podcast is only available to paid subscribers at Brittlestar.com. The audio version is free on your favourite podcast

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53:11

IS CANADA POST WORTH SAVING?

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/05/25

The gang asks the big question: what is Canada Post supposed to be—profitable business or essential public service? Brittlestar, Lisa, and Steve dive into the ongoing labour tension, funding fiascos, and why your grandma’s birthday card might be the last thing holding the country together. Featuring postal banking, rural mail routes, union beefs, and the great mystery of what Lisa keeps ordering from BC. A funny, passionate, and surprisingly heartfelt debate on the future of a Canadian

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57:31

Butter, Borders & the New Cabinet Smell

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/05/18

In this very official episode of Podcast Is Broken, Brittlestar, Lisa, and Steve discuss Canada’s newly shuffled cabinet, debate the tallest minister, and offer life-changing (or at least breakfast-improving) life hacks—like how to properly cut a bag of milk and why butter deserves its own peeler. They also dig into the increasingly weird experience of crossing the U.S. border, the dangers of forgetting history, and why some folks seem hellbent on staying stupid. It’s politics, sociology, spray

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54:59

CARNEY MUGS TRUMP

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/05/11

Prime Minister Carney spent some time in the hot seat in the Oval Office with Donald Trump and managed to do his best Jim Halpert from The Office impression. Not content to be ignored Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told Carney and the rest of Canada something like “Nice place you got here… be a shame if something happened to it.”The video version of this podcast is only available to paid subscribers at Brittlestar.com. The audio version is free on your favourite podcast platforms. We love all

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58:36

POST ELECTION HANGOVER CURE

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/05/04

Canada’s Federal Election is over… or is it?? Join us as we gloat about Poilievre plummeting, marvel at Trump’s transient temerity, guffaw at Doug Ford’s floppiness, and demand a refund from Nickelback. The video version of this podcast is only available to paid subscribers at Brittlestar.com. The audio version is free on your favourite podcast platforms. We love all subscribers.

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55:53

ELECTION EVE!

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/04/27

Politicos, nerds, and the generally concerned about the sovereignty of Canada will find it hard to get to sleep tonight as visions of ballots dance through their heads! Join us as we talk about the highs and lows of this lightspeed month-long federal election campaign!The video version of this podcast is only available to paid subscribers at Brittlestar.com. The audio version is free on your favourite podcast platforms. We love all subscribers.https://pod.link/1730993828

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42:32

Possible PM Karina Gould Kills With Kindness - AUDIO...

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/01/19

Liberal House Leader and Burlington MP Karina Gould has entered the Liberal Party leadership race and entered the PiBU (Podcast Is Broken Universe). She talks about arguing policy not personal and damn that sounds good.The video version of this podcast is only available to paid subscribers.The audio version is free here and on podcast platforms.We love all subscribers. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

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65:10

Elizabeth May Tells All - AUDIO ONLY

Politics Is Broken ·

2025/01/19

Leader of the Green Party of Canada dishes the dirt on Poilievre still not getting his security clearance and tells us what Trump can do with his 51st State talk.The video version of this podcast is only available to paid subscribers.The audio version is free here and on podcast platforms.We love all subscribers. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.brittlestar.com/subscribe

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