Episode Details

Mark Carney is busy trying to Trump-proof Canada with a flurry of trade deals and whispers of a mega anti-Trump alliance linking Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Trade researcher Stuart Trew joins host Noor Azrieh to argue that more free trade isn’t a master plan; it’s diminishing returns with nicer branding.

Plus, Ottawa reporter Sam Konnert breaks down Canada’s newly released Defence Industrial Strategy: 70% Canadian content, massive growth targets, and a promise to rebuild both the military and the domestic defence industry at the same time. The catch? Canada’s notoriously slow procurement system, and big questions about bureaucracy, “maple-washing,” and whether Ottawa can actually move at the speed it’s promising.

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Mia Johnson (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Stuart Trew

Background reading:

• Carney constructs a mega anti-Trump trade alliance – POLITICO
• Trump forces a rewrite of Canada’s trade strategy – POLITICO
• John Ivison: Canada's pivot to Europe for trade gains traction as Trump loses momentum – National Post
• Deconstructing the Defence Industrial Strategy - Philippe Lagassé’s Substack
• U.S. Supreme Court decision on Trump's tariffs could bring more trade uncertainty to Canada – CBC News
• Canada’s defence industrial policy would rather Buy Canadian than Buy the Best  – The Globe and Mail
• Canada’s New Defence Strategy Is Bold and Unprecedented. Will It Work? – The Walrus

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/canadaland

Visit fizz.ca to learn more about Fizz mobile and its long list of added-value features. Activate a first plan using the referral code CAN25 to get 25$ off and 10GB of free data.

Did you know we have a monthly supporter exclusive show?

On the next episode of Off The Record, we’re asking you - what’s a rabbit hole you dove into or just know a lot about, because of something you saw in the news or online? Was it a conspiracy? Wellness? Crypto? Culture war issues? What pulled you in? And are you still down there???

Call in and let us know on Feb 26th - That’s THIS Thursday - from 4:30pm to 6:30pm EST by going to callinstudio.com/show/canadaland or dialing in at 888-401-7056 when the time comes, so mark your calendars!

You can listen to these amazing, supporter-exclusive episo