Brodie, it was terrible before, and was everything I, and many others, feared after.
You are not ready for the moment. This isn't some earnest proposal to join their union. We are under attack and the sooner you realize it, the better. You've legitimised war on Canada followed by tyranny. Congrats.
Congratulations Brodie, you got your head-pats from the American colleagues and audience who want to indulge their own egos and appear sensitive toward the population that Trump is directly threatening.
Let's discuss the pros and cons of being invaded by a foreign power. We would like to hear your opinions on the possible upsides of the resulting death and destruction.
Ah. That could be next week's cross country checkup.
Why are Canadians fed up with the discussion surrounding the peaceful invasion of their country? We'll be asking Mr wonderful (he's not) and a select group of Maga Americans
It’s funny reading the comments. They are so clearly homogeneous you would think they are possible bots
And that’s why your show was so horrific. These aren’t bots. These are overall very clear criticisms of the show that should not have aired when you had already heard that much outrage beforehand
You absolutely were not careful. You gave a key spot on the show to Frum (in Europe) and to Mr. wonderful who harangued the country about the ‘Canadian peso’
These aren’t ’ordinary people’ so don’t lie to us
Your ‘just asking questions’ attitude is and was absurd.
What the heck were you two thinking? It’s an act of war. This is reactionary voyeurism, it’s not useful, its only intent is to elicit a reaction. Do you have any principles? #CrossCountryFuckUp indeed.
Agreeing or disagreeing with them is the beauty of having the CBC and why we MUST protect it at all costs. It is, all things considered, a very unbiased source of news, and sometimes editorial type shows like this are thought provoking. This one missed the mark. That's okay.
I was upset before the show but more upset after. Please read https://timfordwrites.bsky.social 's thread on this matter if you really want to understand why so many of us objected to the framing of the question and the format of the show.
How is asking: How would becoming the 51st state affect you? Not normalizing it?
It literally asks people to start planning how they'll live after the annexation!
I’m going to file another one about this blog post and about the email from Nancy Waugh. As long as they keep committing to this and not admitting any fault I’m gonna keep complaining.
I have had good experience contacting the CBC ombudsperson in regard to stigmatizing language for substance use. It does not necessary not always help. but it compels producers to respond to listener complaints. Write to the producer and follow up with a complaint to the ombudsperson.
Sorry, Brodie. That’s not good enough. You’ve completely misunderstood why Canadians objected to the program. And you didn’t even try to justify inviting Kevin O’Leary to represent Trump. The subject has been discussed ad nauseam. The show was unnecessary.
I’d have like to see a discussion of the legal implications of one country threatening the sovereignty of another. And of the response we might expect from the Commons, NATO, and the UN.
Nothing from NATO nor the UN however Germany has vocalized support for Canadian sovereignty. The UN can not function if nations have veto power and needs to be replaced.
Any serious attempt to make Canada the 51st state ends in political violence at a minimum. Why is our national broadcaster so damn blasé about the matter?
In the end it was an excellent show. I loved hearing from Americans. What struck me was one comment that the Trump issue if 51 st state was not even on their top ten list of items to be concerned about because there are so many wrong doings coming from this administration.
Another example of the least negatively affected and most entitled of ignorant using a platform to dismiss criticism by those more versed in it than you.
You and Ian can both jump in the same self congratulatory lake.
What you are, seemingly, not hearing, is that the question is not a "both sides" issue.
This isn't: UBI. Pros/Cons... discuss.
This is a US President, threatening to economically break our Nation, forcing us into joining the US.
Ignoring our sovereignty.
There is no "discussion".
Okay then why solely platform far right “Canadian experts” like O’Leary and Frum? Surprised Jordan Petersen didn’t make an appearance or Canadian citizen, Elon Musk.
Having watched it, I have made up my mind. It was an absolute disgrace. #CBC needs to review their editorial policies.
Nonconsensual annexation of our country is not a subject that requires a "both sides" conversation. No means no. Platforming useful idiots like O'Leary just made it worse.
@brodiefenlon.bsky.social, just in case you don't understand why people are upset: for many it was the equivalent of having a "both sides" discussion on non-consensual sex, and inviting certain former junior ice hockey players to share their views.
No means no. Canadians do not need to debate this.
One of the callers got it right: where's the show asking Ukrainians to discuss how they feel about annexation by Russia? Oh right, that would be absurd.
They let KOL have the last word & repeated Maple MAGA talking points. Ian was ill prepared to push back. The show was ok, until CBC did the predicted. WHERE was the prudent question for @npr from Ian, “how are you dealing w/Trump threats of defunding like we’re getting from the Conservative Party”?
I didn't listen to it, and I'm happier for ignoring it. Did they take any time at all to game out how we are supposed to get from here to there without swimming in blood and ruining both countries' economies during a lengthy insurrection against the occupying force?
Is your blog your new job? Because the one at the CBC isn’t warranted. And real funny way to try and act clever this morning - you know the letter you actually NEED to type up, and we’re all waiting on it.
Am I now made to understand that your colleague, one Nancy Waugh, has taken it upon herself to send out a mass “letter” to the audience that wrote the CBC in disgust, and before anyone has had the opportunity to hear about an investigation by your Ombudsman as well as the CRTC?? Utterly unacceptable
I will be meeting with my Member of Parliament - also a Cabinet Member - to set up an in-person meeting with concerned people of all stripes you ignored, including First Nations individuals, people of colour, and citizens who make less than a 6 to 7-figure salary, at your office
I will be expecting your presence, Ms. Waugh’s, and that of Mr. Hanomansing - I am familiar with the Toronto CBC office, and it is not some ivory tower from which you can continue to misrepresent the fiasco for which you are responsible.
In sum, you & Ms. Waugh are going to need to inform us to our faces why your decisions lacked foresight, critical thinking, the inclusion of diverse (and necessary) stakeholder perspectives, and especially why you have both simply decided to stand by your shocking wrongheaded pity party blog piece.
I just spent a good portion of my afternoon reflecting in front of my local WWII cenotaph - this will form but merely a portion of what you and Mr. Hanomansing, Ms. Waugh, and very likely your CEO will be discussing with us - and I very much look forward to hearing about the “care” you put in.
You missed an opportunity. I defend the CBC constantly, but this was not responsible. I echo the comments here criticizing the "guests". Kevin O'Leary and David Frum are not the "experts". Be better please. #NotUS
It is frustrating to hear the hosts and then to read in your blog "that's not what we intended", without ever recognizing "that's what you did". You messed up, and by not acknowledging it, it makes us all uncertain that you even understand it, and so we come back to explain it again.
The American take-over is not "a joke" nor "an impossibility". It is underway. (I'll come back to that later). This probably seems laughable to you because you can only imagine it as boots on the ground, tanks rolling in.
The reality is that a takeover happens in a different way - and asking "what would an American takeover of Canada look like and how can we prevent it?" would be a discussion worth having. (As evidenced by your own lack of engagement with the question.)
So why do I say it is already under way? We are in an information war where one of the goals is to shift the Overton window. These trial balloons of trump, are not jokes, they are ordinance in that war. That you have not learned this after years of dealing with trump is distressing.
In the light of this, or is at best incompetent to run a show where you repeatedly pose questions like "is he serious", "is it a joke"? and where the whole tone of the show is designed to help them shift the Overton window.
Who cares what Americans think about this ? What Canadians want to discuss is what to do about it ? How do we respond ?
The Americanization of the CBC has gone on far too long. Please make your guests 100 % non American. And quit referring to President, it’s US President please.
Step down. You're a traitor and a liar.
This isn't "engagement," it's outrage over misuse of an institution purposed to protect Canada from foreign hegemony.
Despite being warned, you amplified fascist foreign enemy propaganda re: an explicit threat to Canadian sovereignty.
It borders on treason.
If this travesty was you being "careful" I don't even want to imagine what careless looks like. But no, you are lying. You know you weren't careful. You were reckless; you invited O'Leary, no First Nations. It was worse than expected, and here you are shamelessly defending your utter incompetence.
I'm just one person, but judging from the comments I am not alone. I love the idea of the CBC, and have always vehemently resisted the calls from the right to defund it. I will continue to do so, but you are not qualified for the job. Get out, you are a shitstain on the CBC's reputation.
That was patronizing.
I don’t think indignant social media posts do much so I’ve written to the ombudsperson.
Telling that you ended with that comment from a Utah listener. Good of them to acknowledge we have opinions I guess? as they sleepwalk thru a coup in their own country.
*headdesk*
Listened to the show on Sunday, as usual. Giving air to non-facts, mistruths, and not questioning false information that could directly harm Canada's sovereignty is a major problem for most Canadians, ya dummies... grow a patriotic bone or two and speak up!
There is no new information in this. It's all the same BS rationalizations that you tried to give before and during the program - which I did listen to and which was everything that people were afraid it would be. Everyone involved in the decision to do this should leave if they want to save the CBC
Your blog claims complaints were from people who hadn’t even heard the show yet. I heard the show and then wrote you a letter. You platformed traitors. But no apology, no ‘we can do better’- just self-congratulation and zero self-awareness of how much you damaged Canada.
Rate this program if it ran when -
a) US troops are massing on the border.
b) US Pres is threatening amassing troops.
c) US Pres is threatening strangulation economics to coerce an annexation.
d) Get it. They are all treacherous.
You are lying traitorous scums. You and Ian.
I think my livid distain for brazen LIARS only comes second to my hatred of duplicitous traitors.
Your lies are so easily fact checked, so there must be a level of Trumpian narcissism going on too.
The program exceeded my worst fears and did max damage to our nation.
Doubling down on a terrible idea that was legitimately a national embarrassment. Yourself and Hanomansing need to resign, today. The damage this has done to the CBC and to Canada as a whole is immense.
This post below was eight days ago. I’m ready to throw my favourite radio out the window this morning. @gregorcraigie.bsky.social’s show is not playing in our house today... (sorry Gregor, not your fault). https://bsky.app/profile/bromptonymous.ca/post/3lia2e4mdoc2n
You're right, I don't think they will get fired. We are just going to have to throw this incident back at them a few thousand times so they understand why we are annoyed.
They’ll still have jobs. Who’s going to fire them? @cbcnews.ca brass very likely don’t see/hear the issue the same way ‘normal’ Canadians do. This will elicit a big ‘meh’ from them.
I thought it had disaster written all over it before listening…I took the time this afternoon to listen to the whole program. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
The worst part was dick head Kevin O’Leary, he’s a trump skid mark.
Let’s be honest the only way Trump is “taking over Canada” is by military force. So you’re asking 🇨🇦 how we feel about our enemy threatening war against us. I would have thought the response to be self evident and not something that had to be asked. Apparently not so here it is:
And I don’t give flying f*ck what every day Americans think about their President threatening war against Canada. They elected the a-hole to do this to us.
What, in your opinion, would a nation have to do to never hear from Kevin O'Leary again? The guy never shuts up. He adds nothing of value to any conversation.
You would have been way better off asking Casey and Finnegan.
Or The Friendly Giant. Rusty and Jerome are ready and they have never been to Maralogo.They are willing to say that comments from a convicted felon sexual assaulter who spouts Russian propaganda are not up for friendly debate.
I’m sure you’re proud of yourself. Rage baiting Cdns already at the end of their goddam tether
Aces for not including any Indigenous voices. You know, the First People’s of this country who might like a seat at the table if we are “discussing” sovereignty
The lack of acceptance of criticism simply fuels calls for the CBC to be defunded.
If you cared about the CBC you would acknowledge the fact that people of all political persuasions are saying you made many mistakes with this episode.
Stop ignoring the people you claim to serve. It’s arrogant.
I've just finished reading your piece and I have to respectfully ask whether you read the comments on this platform or whether you were simply provided with the text of a few angry posts.
I ask this because you make no mention of our concerns about the shifting of the Overton window.
"... they also wanted to open a channel to regular Americans so people on both sides of the border could hear from each other without politicians in the mix."
You failed to mention that the failed political candidate Kevin O'Leary was a guest. Did you not watch the show?
This is not the first time that CBC has given Kevin O'Leary a platform on this issue. Why are you giving an unelected demi-billionaire with connections to Trump this amount of coverage? From my perspective you are enabling Trump's media strategy.
This reminds me of Brexit and the way that the BBC repeatedly gave Farage a voice allowing him, with help of Trump, Gunster Strategies and the Maga movement, to tip the polling at a critical point with disastrous consequences.
I am surprised that CBC has taken this path only days after @pascalestonge.bsky.social stressed your role in protecting the sovereignty of our culture.
Running the program was a mistake. Mischaracterizing the reaction to it is inexcusable.
You STILL don't get it! The simple fact is that *it represents an assault on our SOVEREIGNTY*, from our largest and longest trading partner.
THAT is the only framing here that's legitimate. Your inability to comprehend this is troubling for any editor, let alone one at the *national broadcaster*.
Sir, with respect, you were not careful. It was a terrible idea, badly executed, and Kevin O’Leary is no more qualified to provide intelligent commentary regarding threats of annexation by our closest “ally” than my cat.
Saying the program "wanted to open a channel ... without politicians in the mix" while having David Frum and Kevin O'Leary on is a flat out lie. Actively asking on air for pro-51st state people to call in isn't "good intent" - or even journalism.
I'd like to echo all the articulate and intelligent comments here about the show and your blog. You obviously have not learned anything from the wave of feedback you've received.
Whatever your intent was, this was a harmful segment. You failed to understand and rise to the moment. You platformed O’Leary and Frum instead of “voices who don’t get a microphone”. You allowed swaths of unchecked misinformation. You insulted your listeners.
Will your follow-up question be along the lines of "Do you think Canadian media is clickbaiting two countries into normalizing the idea of invasion, insurgency, and bloody tragedy, and will that bloodshed be a ratings winner?" #CrossCountryFuckUp
I'm a former CBC host. The show was a travesty, a farce, an abomination. The guests were a joke. Two people from Dragon's Den and David Frum? ZERO serious historians, economists, political scientists? Give it up, dude - it's indefensible. Stop digging. #CrossCountryFuckup
from here it looks like another volley in the conservative war on competence. another thing they’re normalizing is the idea that random clowns like o’leary are equal in some way to actual historians etc
Is it clear NOW, on the 3rd anniv of RU’s unprovoked invasion, with the US just voting with RU, NKorea + 15 RU allies on UN res condemning RU aggression in Ukraine, that your and @ianhanomansing “just asking questions” clickbait tactic was irresponsible and wrong?
When @thebeaverton.com meets the moment and understands the existential threat better than @brodiefenlon.bsky.social @ianhanomansing.bsky.social and the CBC.
The CBC news division needs a complete rebuild. It's a national embarrassment, more interested in appeasing powerful interests than reporting current affairs.
You invite us to listen to the program on which your guests were Kevin O'Leary and David Frum because CBC thought it needed not one but two far right wing American residents who still happen to hold Canadian citizenship to opine on the American Anschluss. Hard pass, Mr. Overton.
To toss both O’Leary & Frum in the same political bucket is mistaken. O’Learly is a bonafide grifter, sucking at the DFT/ 🇺🇸Libertarian teat to save a few pennies on his dollars. Frum is a sophisticated conservative who has debated assholes like Bannon & is on record very recently as being firmly …
Frum is a war criminal but, putting that aside, while he's neither a grifter nor Trumpist, he's an American (who happens to have been born here & as a result is a Canadian citizen). American views on this "issue" are irrelevant, same as his views on whether we should have joined his Iraq invasion.
Love that open mind of yours, and your refusal to accept that decent people can make mistakes. Gaining legit allies from within the enemy camp is strategically critical. Identifying who those might be requires conversation.
That's why I put aside the war criminal part though it's not like forgiving someone for the youthful mistake of knocking over a bank or assault.
The issue is that Americans can support Trump on this or not but it has no bearing on us. Turning foreigners is for politics not guests of radio shows.
I think one benefit of hearing from Americans was the realization that most US callers didn’t support our annexation. Now, this was not a random sample, and 50% of the Americans I know support DFT. I agree that international law experts should have been there, not Dragon’s Den personalities.
against the current 🇺🇸 admin. When asked on the Bullwark podcast just weeks ago what keeps him going in 2025 despite his recent family tragedies, he said ‘we can’t let the fuckers win’, referring directly to DFT and his Project 2025 handlers.
O'Leary and Frum belong into different buckets alright, but they're still both slop buckets. Frum is a neocon, and while some of them are now nevertrumpers, they are who brought us to this point. Maybe we should let them join the Maquis for now because we need all hands on deck, but I won't forget.
Everyone to the right of Castro "far right" and David Frum being a speech-writer for Bush II means he is Forever Damned, because if there's one thing the Canadian left agrees on it's the impossibility of principled disagreement and the impossibility of redemption. And they wonder why they lose.
I used to consider myself very much a lefty. I’ve now settled on progressive if I must define it, primarily bc I no longer recognize what passes as L these days.
I'm an anarchist by nature and a social democrat by policy, which is about as far from anarchism as one can get, but the idea of adopting political ideas because they suit my autistic personality rather than because they produce the best life for people by a wide range of metrics seems silly. So...
You focus too much on your intent, and not enough on the effects of your actions.
Hanomansing said "It was never our intent to normalize the idea that Canada would ever become the 51st state", while doing EXACTLY that. Airing that show with that topic IS normalization
First, you announce an upcoming “Fantasy annexation for clicks” show, and then you bring on a notorious, hated, treasonous grifter as a guest to speak to the issue! A guy who has been to Mar a Lardo to sell us out 🤦♂️.
And now you’re double-down blogging on the “wave of protest” that surprised you.🙄
Nobody's going to take your 'serious conversation' seriously when you're trotting out Kevin O'Leary, man. Not the only problem with this one, maybe not even the worst, but definitely a high-profile botch.
You could've done so much better. I hope you do in the future. We need you to.
You should consider throwing your hat in the ring over at Rebel News or Epoch times. Oh, wait! The daily wire, perfect. I think you'd make an excellent member of any of their teams.
your entire show was based on the 'normalized' idea
you skipped right over the disruption and bloodshed inherent in subjugating a neighbor, Ukraine-style, since that casts those American listeners you covet so dearly as thugs like the Russians
Read your blog and it’s getting difficult to believe you had any good intentions here. What we were afraid happened and then some more. At a time when all Canadians need to think Vimy not Vichy, you went full Vichy. This will have lasting consequences.
I suggest a follow up show, show Canada you heard their concerns. I think you could easily get Kevin O'Leary back, and perhaps Dani Smith, Shane from Saskatchewan, Devin Dreeshen? Just spitballing here.Ted Cruz? Wayne Gretzky? Fine people on both sides, really get to the crux of the matter.
Don't forget that Boudreau lady from Louisiana, a Trump supporter who wanted nothing more than seeing Canadians be free like in the US. She prays for it. 🙄
Brodie, I did listen, and I did make up my own mind. CBC fucked this one up. It is illegal for the USA to threaten to annex Canada - even by economic rather than military force. They did it anyway. And CBC chose to downplay the threat - by inviting the USA to a cozy chat about it. WTF.
This program utterly undermined my expectations. This was somehow dramatically worse than I envisioned.
You turned me from an ardent defender of our public broadcaster into someone who feels at the very least house needs to be thoroughly cleaned. I won't shed a tear should it be shut down now.
And still you got it wrong. The first phrasing of the question was wrong. The second phrasing of the question was wrong. You could have had a question like: What does soveriegnty mean to Canadians? This was a tone deaf response to a tone-deaf issue. How is that self-inflicted pain feeling?
Everyone I mentioned this to today was gobsmacked that the CBC would do this. You are out of touch and need to pause for a moment and reflect on why you are receiving this public outrage instead of doubling down on the perceived value you think this program brought.
Way to double down on your complete tone deafness. That show did exactly what we said it would do. Hanomansing pandered to American stooge O'leary, didn't push back on Trumpers, and asked "how would becoming the 51st state affect you?" You don't think any of that normalized this BS?? You are a moron
You were not careful. It was not worthwhile. You were irresponsible; ignoring Canadians then doubling down. O’Leary? Talk about a biased guest. Where was the emphasis on the "51st state" comments being an Intl threat?
Let me tell you about Canadians who actually interact with a range of real 🇺🇸 s...
🧵Some Americans see what's going on for what it is they recognize it as a threat they recognize that as an insult, and they feel for us they apologize because they recognize that what's going on is not acceptable.
A larger number of less infirmed Americans see it as a joke they repeat...
3/ the effect of those hearing the "joke" is that it chips away at their cultral identity & the power balance shifts. It reinforces Canadians as weak to be pushed around.
Then you have the Americans who are already bullying us, who actually think it's a good idea. I've had several interactions...
4/ with these types. The insults, the attacks, the hate that we've had to endure; that's what you've continued to stir up by positioning this as a "conversation".
Are you really that disconnected? Other much wiser ppl have highlighted better & broader issues (lack of experts, etc.), I'm trying...
5/ comfort my daughter when she was crying asking me if she's still going to have a country or if we're going to be attacked like Ukraine. It's not alarmist.
There are parallels between how the US talks about us & how Russia spoke about Ukraine; it's been covered by an expert...
You should loose your job for that show. You & Ian. It was a setup from the start. You both sided a threat to national sovereignty, with a guest who had no claim to represent Canada or our opinions. O’Leary is a failed Canadian tv personality and politician. We rejected him. CBC should reject you.
I was side eyeing the program before because that was a very weird format to address the topic, and it was actually more of a farce than I ever anticipated. I’m not a “defund the CBC” type, but it’s definitely starting to look like you all have some serious rot that needs cleaning out.
You all treated the subject with absolute clickbait unseriousness. You platformed a war criminal and a guy who made his money destroying the educational software industry and selling underperforming mutual funds. I deeply regret listening to it because you all will claim that as an achievement.
Contrary to Ian’s claims, you did not bring any useful lessons to the Americans. You all just sane-washed the idea, and presented us as a soft target chock full of Quislings who will welcome Trump’s occupation as conquering heroes with your determination to provide false balance.
You produced a litany of sound bites that can be taken to the toddler in chief and his ghoulish retinue to actually convince them that this is a good idea. But boy oh boy it’s all absolutely worth it to you dipshits because it got clicks.
Or at least saved yourself from getting put up against the wall. “What? Haha! No! We’re not journalists! We know how the Huge Handed Leader detests those! We just run an idiotic talk show!”
These are good ideas but they would not be be implementable with the clowns involved at the CBC at the moment— a cleaning of house is necessary for the CBC to survive
They don't deserve to exist if they are not there when you really need them. Like right now
Unless they can be fixed... In the case of Gaza, this would require an examination of how they ACTIVELY SUPPRESSED what was happening. It was not an issue of money, only not reporting.
Not one academic.
Not one political expert to describe acts of war against Canada.
We are not represented by Dragon's Den celebrities.
Perhaps you are auctioning us off as a small biz to the U.S.?
Perhaps we should sell CBC to NPR?
It's like they got high and went "you know what would be cool?" Spent 1/2 an hour scribbling notes on a pizza box lid, and that was the extent of their planning.
If we're going to tackle existential threats to our country, can we at least do it well? With more of a plan than let's get O'leary
That sounds like effort. It's almost as if you expect the CBC to provide value and information in exchange for our tax dollars, instead of being a sophisticated social club for tastemakers.
Shoveling easy junk-food like O'Leary into the camera lets them fill time without being boring.
The complaints were vindicated by having the freaking Dragons like O'Leary on to belch out disinfo unchallenged.
We know why they have them on. Because they're vivacious and exciting, whereas actual experts are boring and dry, and being engaging *and* correct at the same time is just too much work.
Our independent press is now vanishingly small but Mighty! Smart & sharp!
We can defund the CBC & sell your licences to the Canadian Assoc of Independent Journalists. https://caoij.ca/about-2/
Did you not learn in childhood that intentions are irrelevant compared to actions? I listened. Like I do every week. The show was poorly executed without a single expert, just talking heads. You need to stop justifying and need to dissect how you could have been so out of step with your listeners.
What a load of self-congratulating pablum. There is no mention of David Frum and Kevin O'Leary being guests. They might as well gone for the trifecta and invited Wayne Gretzky on, too. If this had been a real discussion, it would have been framed around forced annexation, not Trump's rhetoric.
Exactly this. It's a load of "poor, misunderstood us, who have only the best intentions but were judged before we could even speak" - but this is posted after the debacle, with no mention of the debacle that actually occurred and the blowback from people who did listen to them speak 😒
It's like in hockey. It doesn't matter what your intention was when your stick hits the other player in the head. It could have been a total accident, but you are responsible for your stick, so off to the box you go.
You had David Frum and O’Leary as guests, but not a single Indigenous or Quebecois leader or constitutional law expert. On a show about the annexation of Canada.
You’re either incompetent or intentionally trying to normalize expansionist far-right rhetoric, take your pick.
It’s completely incompetent. And it’s not just CCC and the CBC who are incompetent to meet this moment. Most politicians and most journalists have garnered their skills in an era that has disappeared since inauguration day. That does not excuse anything. I’m just saying I sort of understand.
The other thing that really bothered me in Fenton's apology today is that he said the show was about 'hearing from ordinary Canadians who have heard mostly from politicians on annexation' and then proceeded to amplify two of the most divisive right wing political pundits available.
Yeah, that was the final giveaway; first he mischaracterized the comments he got (they were generally a lot more thoughtful than he was), and then he shoved that self-satisfied, lying blog post in front of us without leaving a space for direct feedback.
reminds me of 'fact checking' done on C19 since 2022. Have they even once shared to Cdns that Covid's Airborne & those msks&hepa filters in classrms/offices still damn important? No! Let's wash hands for airborne diseases we pretend are gone despite everyone being sick always. Ian & BonnieH said so.
Looking forward to the program where callers can discuss the pros and cons of eating glass, because apparently every terrible idea needs to be normalized and given air time.
Great job, Brodie. You really earned that self-fellating blog post.
Oooft! Posted at 6 a.m. You were on top of this. Well done. 👏🏼 The negative reaction to the CCC ep. before it aired yesterday was bizarre, borderline fascist even. I’m glad it aired. It’s imp. Americans be informed on how Canadians feel about this 51st state nonsense.
Bringing Kevin O'Liar and David Frum on for no clear reason didn't much convey good will towards actual Canadians. Would love to know the reasoning behind that choice.
You: "I encourage you to listen and/or watch — and then make up your own mind."
Me: I watched it, it wasn't as bad as I feared, but objectively, your framing of the discussion was TERRIBLE. You asked what people thought of American threats against Canadian sovereignty, without calling it that.
It's a risky game, if you were trusting that the call-in folks would make the points that your framing deliberately left out.
But giving Kevin O'Leary free rein to lie, shout, and overtly misrepresent reality? All on its own, that one decision makes me doubt your every other decision here.
"There are also lessons about how good intent can be derailed by word choice": you're the editor-in-chief; Ian has been in journalism for decades, and NOW you're learning this?
How was it possible for you to have failed to recognize how terrible your first version of the program's question was?
You’d think, that with all of the condemnation, you’d at least reflect on why Canadians are so angry and disappointed. You’d also reflect on why there were no Indigenous leaders or French speakers involved in this process. It’s almost as if you really don’t care and you just want to sow division.
How about fact checking your MAGA guest?! You could have an entire episode on fact checking all the misinformation the dictator to the South & all his fascist minions spew?! The fact that there was zero pushback on the lies just legitimizes their claims. Really disappointed by this episode.
After-the-fact revisionism isn't a good look, but you stumbled onto the reason for the outrage. This event was never billed as a "broadcast on Trump's annexation threats".
You platformed people (O'Leary) who spew lies upon lies and went unchallenged. If you cannot have someone to push back on lies, then what is the point of journalists and our CBC? Be better. Stop having liars on the show. We don't need right wing fucknuts on the show.
Nothing like proving that you’re taking the threat of war seriously by having it discussed by a Bush era war criminal and the cast of Shark Tank. Resign. #CrossCountryFuckup
I apologize for this comment. It was actually the cast of Dragon’s Den, the Canadian version of Shark Tank. Doesn’t improve things in the slightest. #CrossCountryFuckup
Just think of the message you could have sent the crypto-fascist Trump regime and Americans, had you reflected on the social media outrage in the days prior to broadcast, and cancelled the show. There would be news items across the world about the justifiable Canadian outrage. You all failed us.
CBC clutching pearls over the 'startling claims' by the public that their framing was insulting & dangerous (objections to which were stubbornly mischaracterized) is a whole mood. It's also curious that this important 'neutral' discussion platformed two prominent stars of Dragon's Den - a CBC show.
So, not even an ounce of contrition from you or Ian... just a doubling-down that most CBC listeners have got it all wrong, and you guys know what's best.
You had Kevin O’Leary on the show — WHY???
What an absolute joke — and here you are, still desperately trying to justify this bullshit. There’s no justification for platforming a know-nothing fascist clown.
Shame on you, CBC
And protest afterwards. As soon as Hanomansing announced that O’Leary, a known Trump apologist/propagandist, was going to be coming on, I just shut it off.
You don’t need to “both sides” the continued existence of our country. It’s completely irresponsible. You deserve the blowback.
also the idea that criticism of the show prior to it airing is unfair because it wasn’t fully-informed is BS.
many warned it was a bad idea to elect the very felon who dreamt up the 51st state crap to begin with prez prior to his *1st win*. i guess they should have let him have a go (or two) first?
If it made it past the pitch meeting and they thought the "reframing" was good enough, then there's no way they'll ever do a substantive post mortem. Spent 30 years in broadcasting, final 2 as the operations manager. I've never seen anything purposefully this bad.
How can you say a show platforming Kevin O'Leary and David Frum and Arlene Dickenson is hearing from voices we don't get to hear? There are actual experts in national identity and sovereignty that don't have major platforms. Instead you got public figures who are all about making money off disorder.
I don't think I can stomach listening to it. Whatever his many shortcomings, Frum has expressed alarm at the misogyny in Trumpism / US alt-right. Did he discuss it in this broadcast?
It's pretty much 'anti expert'...
Just because someone is loud, or well known doesn't put them in a position of real knowledge. Entertainment value is not expertise.
Stop. No. Canadians are not stupid and you are salivating at all the "engagement" the episode garnered. I hope you get every consequence you deserve for first thinking this was a great idea, and then for trying to sane-wash your treasonous efforts. SHAME. No more CBC for me.
Respectfully Brody, I think people are trying to tell you it’s NOT business as usual. All journalism is in some way activism and IMHO the CBC News has for too long fallen into the trap of presenting moral equivalence, intentionally or not, and thinking thats balanced journalism.
Brodie you could have titled it “No Fucking Chance: A conversation with our oppressors”… like read the fucking room here man, if the CBC isn’t going to be aggressively pro-Canadian then what’s the point of a national broadcaster?
Your “worthwhile exercise” was facile and insulting. Your “giving voice to people” featured O’Leary lying and bashing our PM. I listened. I was disgusted. Worse than click-bait, it was rage-bait. Hanomansing’s patronizing tones might have soothed some but y’all ought to be ashamed of selling out.
Thanks Brodie, mind made. I think you may want to consider how your decisions reflect on the CBC. From a grossly naive framing, to platforming a deeply unserious and unqualified liar, to a lack of actual experts. None of this breeds confidence.
When lies are repeated, people begin to believe them (eg. the lady from New Orleans who thought that Canada and Australia aren’t free). This is the danger of a program that amplifies (legitimizes?) Trump’s false claims about Canada. In future, please challenge with facts instead of “both sides-ism”.
It should get a tsunami now. Putting Canada at risk by both-siding the threat of annexation by a madman !! JeeezusHbaldheaded! On top of everything else you a such a sickening liar. 100's ?? I lost count in the low THOUSANDS.
Resign.
The media was FULLY responsible for sane-washing the trump admins actions for years and still do. Everything is fucked there because of tabloid inspired news agencies. You’re no better.
The downfall of Canada will be lead by the MSM. Thanks Brodie, dipshit.
Kevin O'Leary spouting disinformation AND David Frum? You think those ideologues are appropriate guests? Rather than, say, historians or other actual experts?
Your article is off-base and condescending. Please stop digging and just apologize. A mea culpa is the only way out of this.
I don't give a flying fart what your intent was. You guys botched this, and when your long-time supporters squawked you doubled down. Five white guests, all in their 60s, including one who's been slagging Canada for years. You're out of touch and maybe out of your depth. Move on, and reassign Ian.
No one fall for this ongoing CBC grift. Corporate media is all about engagement now (which I guess I'm adding to here). It's just a job to them but for the people it's our lives. Number go up. The work of fighting against centrist/right wing policies continues. Clicking less on CBC moving forward.
Just want to add this to show one way the CBC pushes engagement. The journalist sounds like he's asking in good faith, the person makes the effort to respond with thoughtful points then, radio silence from the journalist.
I watched the full show and I was left the poorer for it. Two dragons den hosts and David Frum and no pushback from the host nor experts asked to weigh in. The fact you are proud of this absolutely amoral self-satisfied content is alarming.
The show was worse and more irresponsible than I expected it to be.
This blog only confirms to me that you are, at the moment, unsuited for your position and responsibilities. Your reflections suggest you are not fully self-aware as a journalist and leader. Sorry.
If you believe the CCC format is fit for purpose for a serious discussion of this issue, I have a bridge, etc. FYI, the people pushing back on this are CBC defenders + the only thing that travesty accomplished was animosity towards the CBC. Also, people can protest anytime they want in a democracy
I too am incredulous that nobody at the CBC seems remotely aware of who they have offended here. These comments are definitely not coming from the Defund the CBC crowd
The best of intentions don't save the program from execrable choices of guests and the complete avoidance on the editorial side of a simple but really important fact that isn't getting much media play:
Threatening annexation is a breach of the UN charter.
Here's the thing: while it's charming to hear what Jenny and Bob on the street have to say about bringing highland cattle to the San Diego Zoo or whatever, this is a deep and complicated topic. It's not just that people have big fee-fees.
You neglected to inform your audience of the complexities.
US (or even antecedent colonial) aggression towards Canada has a *long* and colourful history. Where was your historian to give us "my only reply will be from the mouths of my cannons!"
Where was your political scientist to talk to us about Manifest Destiny (very relevant, no)?
Comments
https://bsky.app/profile/vancitymike.com/post/3lixsrjiq422i
You are not ready for the moment. This isn't some earnest proposal to join their union. We are under attack and the sooner you realize it, the better. You've legitimised war on Canada followed by tyranny. Congrats.
After demonstrating you don't understand anything, you want clicks for your own blog analyzing your lack of understanding?
So you are the most interesting part of the story... to yourself.
Not to me tho.
Won't be reading any of your future "insights" either.
Why are Canadians fed up with the discussion surrounding the peaceful invasion of their country? We'll be asking Mr wonderful (he's not) and a select group of Maga Americans
Is it grammar mistakes? Poor postal service? Threats to your country's sovereignty? Maybe it's stickers on fruit.
Call in and make your voice heard!
And that’s why your show was so horrific. These aren’t bots. These are overall very clear criticisms of the show that should not have aired when you had already heard that much outrage beforehand
These aren’t ’ordinary people’ so don’t lie to us
Your ‘just asking questions’ attitude is and was absurd.
SMARTEN UP, CBC. 😘
It literally asks people to start planning how they'll live after the annexation!
Because, if nothing else, your choice of question, and choice of "guests", need to be assessed impartially.
https://cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/ombudsman/contact
#crosscountryfuckup
https://bsky.app/profile/rosalynroy.bsky.social/post/3liufvixqak2h
#tradewar #traitors hosted Kevin O'Weary!
#cdnpoli
You disgustingly gave traitors a platform.
Well that's cold comfort.
Opponent 10x your size is threatening to destroy you.
Now imagine, in reaction, instead of saying "Don't kill Brodie!" we propose a CONVERSATION of pros and cons.
You'd be: "TAKE YOUR 'pros' AND GET FUCKED!"
"I could have his car!" "He'd pay less taxes!"
Fuck that. "What good if I'm DEAD?" you'd say.
Does "What do you think of killing Brodie?" fix this?
Fuck no.
Does it mean we "fear" discussing it? Also NO!
It's just the FRAMING that's horrible.
You and Ian can both jump in the same self congratulatory lake.
This isn't: UBI. Pros/Cons... discuss.
This is a US President, threatening to economically break our Nation, forcing us into joining the US.
Ignoring our sovereignty.
There is no "discussion".
Resign.
Okay then why solely platform far right “Canadian experts” like O’Leary and Frum? Surprised Jordan Petersen didn’t make an appearance or Canadian citizen, Elon Musk.
Who approved the publication of this self-serving tripe? They need to be fired too.
Thanks in advance for ignoring a request from the hoi poloi.
Keep contacting the Ombudsman:
https://cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/ombudsman/contact
Nonconsensual annexation of our country is not a subject that requires a "both sides" conversation. No means no. Platforming useful idiots like O'Leary just made it worse.
No means no. Canadians do not need to debate this.
They sure make it hard to support the public broadcaster sometimes.
Just because bombs aren't being dropped on Ottawa doesn't mean we are not currently under attack.
The Americanization of the CBC has gone on far too long. Please make your guests 100 % non American. And quit referring to President, it’s US President please.
Awful.
This isn't "engagement," it's outrage over misuse of an institution purposed to protect Canada from foreign hegemony.
Despite being warned, you amplified fascist foreign enemy propaganda re: an explicit threat to Canadian sovereignty.
It borders on treason.
I don’t think indignant social media posts do much so I’ve written to the ombudsperson.
Telling that you ended with that comment from a Utah listener. Good of them to acknowledge we have opinions I guess? as they sleepwalk thru a coup in their own country.
*headdesk*
https://www.cbsc.ca/make-a-complaint/
a) US troops are massing on the border.
b) US Pres is threatening amassing troops.
c) US Pres is threatening strangulation economics to coerce an annexation.
d) Get it. They are all treacherous.
You are lying traitorous scums. You and Ian.
Your lies are so easily fact checked, so there must be a level of Trumpian narcissism going on too.
The program exceeded my worst fears and did max damage to our nation.
I doubt they'll still have jobs by this afternoon.
Good riddance.
Look how long it took the CBC to get rid of Jian Ghomeshi.
They put up with what he was doing wrong behind the scenes at the CBC for years.
The worst part was dick head Kevin O’Leary, he’s a trump skid mark.
FUCK NO
You would have been way better off asking Casey and Finnegan.
Aces for not including any Indigenous voices. You know, the First People’s of this country who might like a seat at the table if we are “discussing” sovereignty
Or a Francophone voice
Amazing work
If you cared about the CBC you would acknowledge the fact that people of all political persuasions are saying you made many mistakes with this episode.
Stop ignoring the people you claim to serve. It’s arrogant.
I ask this because you make no mention of our concerns about the shifting of the Overton window.
"... they also wanted to open a channel to regular Americans so people on both sides of the border could hear from each other without politicians in the mix."
You failed to mention that the failed political candidate Kevin O'Leary was a guest. Did you not watch the show?
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/kevin-o-leary-and-the-51st-state-1.7435746
Is O'Leary Canada's Farage?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-the-bad-boys-of-brexit-forged-ties-with-russia-and-the-trump-campaign--and-came-under-investigators-scrutiny/2018/06/28/6e3a5e9c-7656-11e8-b4b7-308400242c2e_story.html
Running the program was a mistake. Mischaracterizing the reaction to it is inexcusable.
Do better.
https://bsky.app/profile/pascalestonge.bsky.social/post/3linhbpcqvc2b
THAT is the only framing here that's legitimate. Your inability to comprehend this is troubling for any editor, let alone one at the *national broadcaster*.
"On the next Cross Country Checkup - a convicted sex predator wants to break into your house, and steal all your shit, should you let them?"
C'mon, you're breaking real ground here!
The road to hell was paved with…
We've gone from "just asking questions" into "just listening to 'just asking questions'" territory...
The US president used violent rhetoric to talk about taking over your country. Talks down to you & says he knows you what you want.
Ty for removing yourself from my journalism consumption
https://bsky.app/profile/newseye.bsky.social/post/3liwsv7whx22b
https://bsky.app/profile/thebeaverton.com/post/3liwnclyfus2i
The issue is that Americans can support Trump on this or not but it has no bearing on us. Turning foreigners is for politics not guests of radio shows.
Hanomansing said "It was never our intent to normalize the idea that Canada would ever become the 51st state", while doing EXACTLY that. Airing that show with that topic IS normalization
And I expect you know that.
🤷🏻♀️
And now you’re double-down blogging on the “wave of protest” that surprised you.🙄
Fuck O’Leary and fuck the cbc for airing this nonsense
You could've done so much better. I hope you do in the future. We need you to.
your entire show was based on the 'normalized' idea
you skipped right over the disruption and bloodshed inherent in subjugating a neighbor, Ukraine-style, since that casts those American listeners you covet so dearly as thugs like the Russians
you categorize the political subjugation of Canada by a rogue and thuggish US administration through economic and/or military means as a "newsy topic"
also: David Frum, the WMD war criminal speech writer? Kevin O'Leary, the Trump bootlicker? gtfo
How deeply embarassing for you.
https://www.thebeaverton.com/2025/02/trudeau-invites-zelensky-to-friendly-pick-your-brain-coffee-chat-about-being-invaded-by-warmongering-neighbour/
Defending the show just makes you even more like a quisling.
#crosscountryfuckup
The critical conversation to have is “How does Canada respond to a threat to our sovereignty?”, not “Is it really a threat tho”.
You still aren’t listening, pal.
Even if we all agree that you /meant/ well, the road to hell, and all that.
People aren’t big on being told to ignore the evidence of their lying eyes/ears and just ‘trust me bro’.
You turned me from an ardent defender of our public broadcaster into someone who feels at the very least house needs to be thoroughly cleaned. I won't shed a tear should it be shut down now.
You still don`t get that it's how you asked the question. May as well add MAGA to your bio.
The Youtube comment section below the video doesn't allow anybody to post any comments about the show.
That says everything that needs to be said about the CBC.
And not one word of what it says is good.
You should not be using taxpayer funds to normalize atrocity.
Let me tell you about Canadians who actually interact with a range of real 🇺🇸 s...
A larger number of less infirmed Americans see it as a joke they repeat...
Then you have the Americans who are already bullying us, who actually think it's a good idea. I've had several interactions...
Are you really that disconnected? Other much wiser ppl have highlighted better & broader issues (lack of experts, etc.), I'm trying...
There are parallels between how the US talks about us & how Russia spoke about Ukraine; it's been covered by an expert...
Then so am I.
Don't expect those of us rerouting our future based on the threats to the south to back down on your misstep. This isn't getting swept under the rug.
Even The Beaverton has more integrity.
https://bsky.app/profile/thebeaverton.com/post/3liwnclyfus2i
Fucking hell.
I fully support keeping CBC and funding it so it doesn’t need commercial revenue from corporate CEO’s..
Like public run insurance I think we need citizen oversight committees.
How could citizens assembly be used in restructuring and ongoing oversight?
I do think the producers need a review after what happened this weekend.
There have been concerns around PnP & Rosie’s show mentioned on Bluesky too.
The website also has tracking for adverts, that should be gone (same with Canada post).
It’s difficult to organize, if a handful of people are willing to organize a movement could grow.
But I do think it's necessary they excuse themselves, there's no regaining the trust
They should be DEFUNDED
Unless they can be fixed... In the case of Gaza, this would require an examination of how they ACTIVELY SUPPRESSED what was happening. It was not an issue of money, only not reporting.
Not one political expert to describe acts of war against Canada.
We are not represented by Dragon's Den celebrities.
Perhaps you are auctioning us off as a small biz to the U.S.?
Perhaps we should sell CBC to NPR?
If we're going to tackle existential threats to our country, can we at least do it well? With more of a plan than let's get O'leary
Shoveling easy junk-food like O'Leary into the camera lets them fill time without being boring.
It's been the tone of their reporting for some time now.
This just got the attention of the whole country as to what their intentions are.
We know why they have them on. Because they're vivacious and exciting, whereas actual experts are boring and dry, and being engaging *and* correct at the same time is just too much work.
We can defund the CBC & sell your licences to the Canadian Assoc of Independent Journalists.
https://caoij.ca/about-2/
Then stop normalizing it.
The choice of guests made it even worse. O’Leary and Frum? Really?
Thanks for confirming what I've suspected for a while.
You’re either incompetent or intentionally trying to normalize expansionist far-right rhetoric, take your pick.
My feedback will go to the ombudsman.
This was a bad idea from the start. But, the execution of it was disastrous.
It's not time for navel gazing. It's mea culpa time buddy.
Great job, Brodie. You really earned that self-fellating blog post.
The show was bad, and the premise is worse.
Me: I watched it, it wasn't as bad as I feared, but objectively, your framing of the discussion was TERRIBLE. You asked what people thought of American threats against Canadian sovereignty, without calling it that.
But giving Kevin O'Leary free rein to lie, shout, and overtly misrepresent reality? All on its own, that one decision makes me doubt your every other decision here.
How was it possible for you to have failed to recognize how terrible your first version of the program's question was?
quit your job and go poke a moose with a stick, you clownass quisling
How pathetic.
What an absolute joke — and here you are, still desperately trying to justify this bullshit. There’s no justification for platforming a know-nothing fascist clown.
Shame on you, CBC
You don’t need to “both sides” the continued existence of our country. It’s completely irresponsible. You deserve the blowback.
Not only were everyone's fears correct, CBC did worse than feared by inviting guests like O'Leary.
You and your team should be ashamed. Reflect and apologise.
#cdnpoli #CBC
many warned it was a bad idea to elect the very felon who dreamt up the 51st state crap to begin with prez prior to his *1st win*. i guess they should have let him have a go (or two) first?
I listened to the show, Brodie.
It was poorly conceived, planned, & executed.
A proper post-mortem is needed.
https://bsky.app/profile/mikeananny.bsky.social/post/3liuwstb5k226
I am contacting the Ombudsman to give a professional assessment of the collective failures that had to occur for this to have reached the air.
Everyone involved has neither the wisdom nor maturity to handle their jobs.
Just because someone is loud, or well known doesn't put them in a position of real knowledge. Entertainment value is not expertise.
Oh, and I'm a huge CBC supporter. That's why I felt betrayed.
Resign.
The downfall of Canada will be lead by the MSM. Thanks Brodie, dipshit.
Your article is off-base and condescending. Please stop digging and just apologize. A mea culpa is the only way out of this.
This blog only confirms to me that you are, at the moment, unsuited for your position and responsibilities. Your reflections suggest you are not fully self-aware as a journalist and leader. Sorry.
A sabbatical might be good.
Threatening annexation is a breach of the UN charter.
You neglected to inform your audience of the complexities.
Where was your political scientist to talk to us about Manifest Destiny (very relevant, no)?
Nowhere.
A few guests slipped in some intelligent observations, but otherwise our expert was pseudo-Canadian fork-tongued skink Kevin O'Leary.
Seriously.
Absolutely, your framing and exposition of the topic was well below any reasonable standard for a subject of this substance and import.
Absolutely, the CBC will be hearing about this for weeks.
Our neighbour is threatening to END US.
It ain't tea time.