Monopoly 2 - Big Milk

11/16/22 • 28 min

1 Listener

Some say that they’re a shadowy group that are the true power behind our elected officials, wielding enormous influence that they use to either benefit their friends or crush their enemies.

Others claim that they’re a bulwark against oligopolies, ensuring that rural Canada doesn’t turn into an empty, corporatized hellscape.

But what’s not up for debate is that Big Milk is a big deal.

Featured in this episode: Marlene Haley, Justin Ling, Bruce Muirhead

To learn more

“Cheddargate” by Justin Ling in Maisonneuve

“Milk mystery: As prices soar, dairy farmers plead poverty” by Ashleigh Stewart in Global News

“Critics of supply management are milking the argument” by Bruce Muirhead in Maclean’s

Credits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer and Reporter), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)

Additional music from Audio Network

Sponsors: Douglas, Rotman, Canadian History Ehx

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.

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

Some say that they’re a shadowy group that are the true power behind our elected officials, wielding enormous influence that they use to either benefit their friends or crush their enemies.

Others claim that they’re a bulwark against oligopolies, ensuring that rural Canada doesn’t turn into an empty, corporatized hellscape.

But what’s not up for debate is that Big Milk is a big deal.

Featured in this episode: Marlene Haley, Justin Ling, Bruce Muirhead

To learn more

“Cheddargate” by Justin Ling in Maisonneuve

“Milk mystery: As prices soar, dairy farmers plead poverty” by Ashleigh Stewart in Global News

“Critics of supply management are milking the argument” by Bruce Muirhead in Maclean’s

Credits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer and Reporter), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)

Additional music from Audio Network

Sponsors: Douglas, Rotman, Canadian History Ehx

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

Previous Episode

Monopoly 1 - Lost in the Supermarket

Canadians are being squeezed at every end. When it comes to cell phone bills, grocery bills, housing, entertainment, we’re all paying more than ever before.

But a small number of companies that dominate their industries are reaping in enormous profits.

This season of COMMONS we’ll be digging into all of the monopolies, oligopolies and cartels that dominate our lives. And for our first stop, we head to the supermarket.

Featured in this episode: Vass Bednar, Marco Chown Oved (Toronto Star)

To learn more

“Supermarkets are hiking prices faster than necessary — and profiting from inflation, Star investigation suggests” by Marco Chown Oved in the Toronto Star

Regs to Riches by Vass Bednar

“Canada’s competition watchdog to investigate grocery industry in wake of soaring food prices” by Ghada Alsharif in the Toronto Star

Credits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)

Additional music from Audio Network

If you value this podcast, please support us. We rely on listeners like you paying for journalism. As a supporter, 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 Canadaland merch, invites and tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis and you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Come join us now, click the link in your show notes or go to https://canadaland.com/join

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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

Next Episode

Monopoly 3 - The Hudson’s Bay Company

Today, it’s a department store where you might go to buy perfume or cookware. But the Hudson’s Bay Company was Canada’s first, and its most powerful, monopoly.

It grew from a largely insignificant enterprise into one of the most dominant forces in North America.

The story of the HBC reveals just how deeply embedded monopoly is in Canada’s very fabric.

Featured in this episode: Stephen R. Bown, Jean Teillet

To learn more

The Company: The Rise and Fall of the Hudson’s Bay Empire by Stephen R. Bown

The North-West Is Our Mother: The Story of Louis Riel’s People, The Metis Nation by Jean Teillet

The Other Side of the Ledger: An Indian View of the Hudson's Bay Company by Martin Defalco & Willie Dunn

Credits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Associate Producer), André Proulx (Production Coordinator)

Additional music from Audio Network

Sponsors: Douglas, Oxio

You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

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