Podcast
What Is Happening Here | Canadaland Investigates
Hosted by Canadaland · EN
Statistically, a Jew in Canada is now 9 times more likely to be a victim of a hate crime than a Jew in the United States. How did this happen in a country known for politeness, diversity, and social democracy? Is this even a real phenomenon, or is anti-zionism being misclassified as antisemitism?
Journalist and Publisher Jesse Brown is diving deep into the subject, travelling across Canada and speaking with Jews, anti-zionist activists, and high-profile public figures, all of whom have seen their lives change since October 7th, 2023.
What Is Happening Here is available now — right here on Canadaland Investigates. Our critically-acclaimed and award-winning limited series, all in one place.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
(BONUS) 2026 Update: What Has Happened Since?
2w ago00:19:31Summary readyHas the wave of hate against Canada's Jews calmed down since the ceasefire? And what impact did this podcast series on the crisis? An overview of the situation in 2026, so far. To fund our awareness campaign for this series and these issues, please email Jesse directly for instructions: jesse@canadaland.com Credits: This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish NewsMade possible by the generous support of The Bissell Family Foundation, George Burger, Dan Debow, Gideon Hayden, Daniel Klass, Norman Levine, Nanette Okun, Leslie Scanlon, Marjorie Skolnik, Lee Zentner, and others. Written and Reported by Jesse BrownResearch and Story Editing by Kate MinskyOriginal Music by SocalledSound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb ThompsonTo support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary#6 Antizionism Is Not Antisemitism
Dec 1700:59:57Summary readyIs hatred against Jews calming down, or is it back for good? Is it correct to consider antizionism the new name of antisemitism, or is it a different ideology entirely? Finally, is antizionism actually pro-Palestinian?Credits: This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish NewsMade possible by the generous support of The Bissell Family Foundation, George Burger, Dan Debow, Gideon Hayden, Daniel Klass, Norman Levine, Nanette Okun, Leslie Scanlon, Marjorie Skolnik, Lee Zentner, and others. Written and Reported by Jesse BrownResearch and Story Editing by Kate MinskyOriginal Music by Socalled with Fred WesleySound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb ThompsonEditorial Input from Michael Fraiman For a list of sources cited in this episode, please refer to this episode’s web page (link)To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary#5 Why Here?
Dec 1000:46:31Summary readyWhy is hatred against Jews so bad in Canada, specifically? Is it because of our government? Is it the failure of the police? Is it because of Muslim immigration? On this episode, three theories, and one conclusion. Credits: This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish NewsMade possible by the generous support of The Bissell Family Foundation, George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Nanette Okun, Leslie Scanlon, Marjorie Skolnik, Lee Zentner, and others. Written and Reported by Jesse BrownResearch and Story Editing by Kate MinskyOriginal Music by SocalledSound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb ThompsonEditorial Input from Michael Fraiman This episode relied on video documentation of the protests at Bathurst and Sheppard filmed by many sources, but none more than Caryma Sa’d and her videographer, Lee.. Special thanks to them and to Jonathan Rothman of The CJN. For a list of sources cited in this episode, please refer to this episode’s web page (link)To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary#4 Inside the Antizionist Movement
Dec 300:47:11Summary readyMoez Zaman is the spokesperson for an antizionist protest that has taken place in the same Jewish neighbourhood in Toronto over 40 times. He says that his group has been unfairly characterized as antisemitic and pro-Hamas. So what do they really believe? What do their signs and chants actually mean? And what responsibility do they take for the impact they are having on their neighbours? Moez sits down for an uncommon exchange about his goals. This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish NewsMade possible by the generous support of The Bissell Family Foundation, George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Nanette Okun, Leslie Scanlon, Marjorie Skolnik, Lee Zentner, and others. Written and Reported by Jesse BrownResearch and Story Editing by Kate MinskyOriginal Music by SocalledSound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb ThompsonEditorial Input from Michael Fraiman This episode relied on video documentation of the protests at Bathurst and Sheppard filmed by many sources, but none more than Caryma Sa’d and her videographer, Lee.. Special thanks to them and to Jonathan Rothman of The CJN. For a list of sources cited in this episode, please refer to this episode’s web page (link)To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
#3 “As a Jew”
Nov 2600:52:16Summary readyJews against Israel have been front and centre in the antizionist movement, their voices featured regularly in media coverage about the conflict. Their very existence lends credibility to the assertion that antizionism is not antisemitic. (To donate funding so we can complete this series, email jesse@canadaland.com) But how representative are they of the Jewish community as a whole? Is their presence being weaponized against Jewish institutions, or are they willingly weaponizing their own Jewishness? And what do these individuals have to say about the presence of antisemitism in their movement? Dave Meslin is a self-described antizionist Jew. He sits down for an in-depth interview. CORRECTION (November 27, 2025): an earlier version of this episode mistakenly reported that a group of protesters shouted racist slogans while marching with Palestine Youth Movement at their October 4th, 2025 demonstration. While these protesters were demonstrating on October 4th at the advertised site of the PYM event, they did not in fact participate in the march.Credits: This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish NewsMade possible by the generous support of The Bissell Family Foundation, George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Nanette Okun, Leslie Scanlon, Marjorie Skolnik, Lee Zentner, and others. George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Marjorie Skolnik, and Lee Zentner.Written and Reported by Jesse BrownResearch and Story Editing by Kate MinskyOriginal Music by SocalledSound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb ThompsonEditorial Input from Michael Fraiman For a list of sources cited in this episode, visit our website.To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
#2 The Purge
Nov 1700:46:41Summary readyTo donate funding so we can complete this series, email jesse@canadaland.com Let’s look at some complicated cases. These are not Jews who were discriminated against for being Jewish. Indigo CEO Heather Reisman, teacher Laurie Allen, politician Selina Robinson, professor of medicine Ted Rosenberg – all were arguably targeted for their views and actions, not for their ethnicity. But does that mean it wasn’t discrimination or hate? And how far into our institutions has this movement gone?Credits: This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish NewsMade possible by the generous support of George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Marjorie Skolnik, and Lee Zentner.Written and Reported by Jesse BrownResearch and Story Editing by Kate MinskyOriginal Music by SocalledSound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb ThompsonEditorial Input from Michael Fraiman For a list of sources cited in this episode, visit our website.To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
#1 Unsafe or Uncomfortable?
Nov 1700:47:36Summary readyTo donate funding so we can complete this series, email jesse@canadaland.comPolice statistics say that a Jew in Canada is now 9 times more likely to be the victim of a hate crime than a Jew in the United States. Others dispute this data, and say antizionism is being conflated with antisemitism. So what’s the truth? Host Jesse Brown begins to investigate, by talking to everyday people who say they have experienced discrimination firsthand. Credits: This series is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish NewsMade possible by the generous support of George Burger, Dan Debow, Daniel Klass, Marjorie Skolnik, and Lee Zentner.Written and Reported by Jesse BrownResearch and Story Editing by Kate MinskyOriginal Music by SocalledSound Design, Mixing and Mastering by Caleb ThompsonEditorial Input from Michael Fraiman For a list of sources cited in this episode, visit our website To support Canadaland, visit http://canadaland.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
Introducing: What Is Happening Here (Official Trailer)
Nov 1000:04:26Summary readySome say Canada is currently in the throes of a horrible surge of anti-Jew hatred. Others say that anti-zionism is being conflated with antisemitism.So which is it? And who is to blame for it — activists, or Israel?What is Happening Here is a co-production of Canadaland and The Canadian Jewish News. Series debuts on November 17th. Become a Canadaland supporter now and listen to the whole series plus bonus episodes, ad-free. https://canadaland.com/join/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
We're in the Fight of Our Lives
Oct 2000:13:23Summary readyCanadaland covers Canada, period.If there was ever a time to support Canadian news, it’s now. Go to canadaland.com/join and become a supporter today. Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Audio Editor & Technical Producer), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary
Episode 6: Finesse
Jul 900:25:41Summary ready"Who just wants to be a nice guy?"This show is only possible because people like you believe in it and support it. By becoming a Canadaland supporter, you will be supporting rigorous independent journalism and journalists and making sure many more investigations like this one get published. Just go to canadaland.com/join (Canadian listeners) canadaland.com/investigates (everywhere else)You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Summary