Man of Steel, Nation of Bloat
02/11/25 • 28 min
The government hired 110,000 workers over the past 10 years, did we get 110,000 times more efficient? It doesn’t look like it, but veteran public servant Michael Wernick breaks it all down for Noor.
And, yes folks, we’re talking about tariffs again, because Donald Trump enacted a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, with NO exceptions. Plus, our nominations for Fentanyl Czar, and the defamation case against Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman, CIJA, and Ezra Levant.
Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)
Guests: Michael Wernick
Background reading:
- How a ballooning public sector is reshaping Canada’s economy - The Globe and Mail
- Attrition is the 'worst way' to shrink federal public service, says former clerk - Yahoo News
- Opinion: Canada can learn from Trump and cut its bloated bureaucracy - The Globe and Mail
- Poilievre says he wants to cut the federal public service, doesn't mind remote work - CBC News
- What does Justin Trudeau's departure mean for federal public servants? - CBC News
Sponsors:
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The government hired 110,000 workers over the past 10 years, did we get 110,000 times more efficient? It doesn’t look like it, but veteran public servant Michael Wernick breaks it all down for Noor.
And, yes folks, we’re talking about tariffs again, because Donald Trump enacted a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, with NO exceptions. Plus, our nominations for Fentanyl Czar, and the defamation case against Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman, CIJA, and Ezra Levant.
Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)
Guests: Michael Wernick
Background reading:
- How a ballooning public sector is reshaping Canada’s economy - The Globe and Mail
- Attrition is the 'worst way' to shrink federal public service, says former clerk - Yahoo News
- Opinion: Canada can learn from Trump and cut its bloated bureaucracy - The Globe and Mail
- Poilievre says he wants to cut the federal public service, doesn't mind remote work - CBC News
- What does Justin Trudeau's departure mean for federal public servants? - CBC News
Sponsors:
Take action at remoteworks.ca today to support a future of work that benefits everyone.
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.
Previous Episode
Three Businesses Jerked Around by Trump
On Saturday, President Trump followed through with his promise of 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods and 10 percent on energy. We clapped back with our own.
But late yesterday, after a couple of calls between the two leaders, Trump relented after Trudeau said he outlined Canada’s $1.3 billion border plan and also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl. Trump said he’d pause for 30 days.
A trade war is bad, but some businesses might fare better than others. Our producers went out to see how they were reacting.
Host: Sam Konnert
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Host/Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)
Guests: Jeff Kirstein, Adam Brierley, Kacee Vasudeva
Background reading:
- These industries would be hit hardest by Trump's 25 per cent tariffs - DiscoverHumboldt.com
- Trump has a 'good talk' with Trudeau — then calls again for Canada to become 51st state
- Mexico president says U.S. tariffs on her country delayed for 1 month
- Defence minister accelerates 2% NATO spending timeline to 2027 amid pressure from Trump
Photo credit: Presidencia de la República Mexicana via Flickr
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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.
Next Episode
Jagmeet Singh On Why He Won't Step Down
Jagmeet Singh has taken a lot of shit: his nice watch, his ambivalence on taking down the Liberals, and of course his polling. But he says he’s not giving up. He says he’s here to win.
Sit down with Noor as she goes past the “corporate interest” talking points and grills the leader on all things NDP. Why doesn’t he have a successor? Why won’t he step down? Why is he so fancy for a lefty?
Host: Noor Azrieh
Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)
Guests: Jagmeet Singh
Background reading:
- #115 Did Jagmeet Singh Miss His Big Chance? - CANADALAND
- Get ready for an early federal election, NDP tells candidates in an internal memo – CBC News
- Jagmeet Singh's NDP is in deep trouble – National Observer
- Singh says he will bring down government in March but wants to pass Trump tariff relief first – CBC News
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
Take action at remoteworks.ca today to support a future of work that benefits everyone.
Stay tuned for the video version of this podcast by subscribing to Canadaland Podcasts on YouTube channel.
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.
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