Short Cuts is off this week, so instead we bring you our latest episode of the best politics show in Canada, The Backbench.

As nations around the world cut off business with Russia, can Canada help fill the international demand for oil and gas? More importantly, should we? And the pandemic caused unprecedented government spending, as well as shifting priorities on everything from work to healthcare. How will that all play out in the upcoming budget?

So many journalists would look down their noses and sneer at the likes of BlogTO, Narcity or MTL Blog. But while hard news is struggling to find a funding model that works, BlogTO just sold for $15 million.

Canadian MPs wax poetic about how President Zelensky inspires them… but is that really going to change anything? And how defamation lawsuits help cover up the truth and keep journalists silent. Jan Wong co-hosts. 

It’s once again that time of year when the stars of Ontario politics come out to — well, not shine, exactly, so much as drably absorb a depressing fluorescent glow. The 3rd Douggie Awards honour the terrible and hilarious developments of the past 12 months or so that made us laugh ’til we cried or cry 'til we laughed. Allison and Jonathan hand out the prizes, and all signs point to a triumphant night for The Power of the Doug.

As escalation between Russia and Ukraine continues, what is Canada’s role in this ever-changing world? And how do conversations we have on the international stage impact our decisions here at home - and vice versa? Canada's UN Ambassador Bob Rae weighs in.

Sarah Polley has come forward with memories of a violent sexual encounter with Jian Ghomeshi when she was 16. But why is the press tongue-tied about describing the alleged violence?

Patrick Brown has had his name cleared - according to an anonymous source. And the media loves a good war story. Karen Geier co-hosts. 

As the war in Ukraine escalates and Canadian leaders head to Europe, we assess the economic and military responses so far. And despite fully grasping the severity of Russian aggression, we want to know: Why does Canada's response to conflict vary so much depending on the country? This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Caroline Elliott, Jaskaran Sandhu

Before there was an invasion in Ukraine, there was an information war. A deep-dive into the inner workings of Russia's information chaos machine.