Cool Mules | Canadaland Investigates

Episode: We’re in the Fight of Our Lives
Host: Canadaland
Date: October 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This impassioned episode focuses on the existential threat facing Canada’s cultural and political autonomy, spurred by increasing American influence and the perceived fragility of Canadian media and institutions. The host reflects on the necessity of sustained, independent national conversation in the face of eroding boundaries, and issues a rallying cry for listeners to support Canadian independent journalism. The episode weaves together personal anecdotes, observations of Canadian society and media, and the host’s vision for Canadaland’s role in this critical historical moment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Canada’s Threatened Sovereignty

• Anecdote: The episode opens with the host recounting a conversation with a politically connected friend who predicts Canada’s eventual absorption, culturally and economically, into the United States.

  • Canadian businesses and elites are increasingly shifting attention and resources to the US, aided by American tax incentives.
  • The weakening of public services (education, transit, healthcare) and institutions is tied directly to this economic migration and lack of reinvestment.
  • Media consumption patterns reinforce U.S. dominance, with even national outlets like the CBC focusing heavily on American content.

  “We’ll just sort of ease into it. We'll become Americans without a war. No shots will be fired. It'll happen without a debate, without so much as a national discussion.” (05:50)

2. Media’s Role—and Failures

• The host criticizes major Canadian outlets for sidelining Canadian stories in favor of U.S. news cycles.

  • Example: CBC’s daily news podcast only featured one Canada-focused story among the last twelve episodes.

• This media drift, the host argues, contributes to the erosion of national identity and conversation.

  “They may have lost interest in speaking to Canadians about Canada, but Canada's aging institutions are not Canada's people.” (07:35)

3. Canada's Shared Identity

• Despite weakened institutions, the host highlights a rare, recent moment of unity—across political, cultural, and regional lines—around the conviction: “We are not fucking Americans.”

  • Points to grassroots activism and cross-ideological consensus as proof that core Canadian identity persists.

  “Albertan conservatives and Quebec separatists and indigenous land backers and downtown Toronto latte sippers... We all got together around one shared certainty.” (08:10)
  “We are not fucking Americans. We don't want to be and we never will be.” (08:22)

4. The Call for a National Conversation

• The host stresses the need to ramp up internal dialogue, to talk about Canada on Canada’s own terms, and to resist constant American distraction.

• The episode positions Canadaland as uniquely dedicated to fostering this environment—a “common space where debate and facts still matter.”

  “If that insistence is going to stand strong as our actual reality, we are going to need to talk to each other across party lines, across ideological divisions, across this country... We're going to need to stay dialed in with our elbows up.” (09:18)

5. The Purpose and Urgency of Independent Media

• Canadaland’s core rationale is presented: to prioritize Canadian stories, critically and seriously.

• The host unveils details of an upcoming investigative series—a significant, personal project—announcing it will launch after the current crowdfunding campaign.

  “This is the most difficult work I've ever done. It's the first limited series that I've ever hosted on my own... I'll tell you more about this series as our campaign goes on. Don't skip these messages if you're curious to know more.” (13:48)

6. Solidarity Among Independent Outlets

• The host identifies a new wave of independent Canadian media growing up alongside Canadaland.

  • For the first time, the crowdfunding campaign will include partnerships and collaborations with other respected outlets.

  “We are part of a new generation of independent news and media companies... This year we are including some of these other organizations that we so respect in this crowdfunding campaign.” (16:31)

7. The Fight for Independence

• The existential “fight of our lives” is defined as one for independence: not just political sovereignty, but independence from government funding, political ideology, and American cultural hegemony.

  • Emphasis is on honest, critical journalism and a willingness to host open debate from across the spectrum.

  “Independent media, independent of political persuasion, independent of government funding, independent of ideology. We try to have ideas here, not ideology.” (17:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On media abdication:

  "I counted their last 12 episodes, and one of them was about Canada." (06:41)

• On unity in diversity:

  “Albertan conservatives, Quebec separatists, Indigenous land backers, and downtown Toronto latte sippers... We all got together around one shared certainty. We are not fucking Americans. We don't want to be and we never will be.” (08:10)

• On the need for ongoing conversation:

  “We're going to need to shake off the distractions. And there are going to be endless distractions, dramatic, grotesque carnival of distractions coming from America.” (09:30)

• On Canadaland’s founding purpose:

  “Twelve years ago, I just started a podcast so that I could say things that I could not say elsewhere, so that I could talk about the Canadian media... as if it matters.” (11:10)

• On the role of independent media:

  "We have built a common space where debate and facts still matter. And now we're all going to need it." (18:46)

• On practical action:

  “If you want to know something that you can do about the situation that we are all in right now, this is something you can do…” (21:12)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Opening story and U.S. influence analysis: 00:00 – 07:35
• Critique of Canadian media and ignored stories: 06:10 – 08:00
• Description of recent cross-Canada unity: 08:00 – 09:30
• Call for Canadian-focused conversation: 09:30 – 12:00
• Canadaland’s role, achievements, and campaign: 12:00 – 17:44
• Announcement of upcoming investigative series: 13:48 – 16:20
• Solidarity with other independent media: 16:20 – 17:44
• Financial realities and support appeal: 18:46 – end

Tone & Language

The host employs a direct, candid, sometimes profane, but always passionate tone. There’s a sense of urgency throughout, with moments of self-deprecating humor and sincere appeals for support. The episode moves fluidly from personal narrative to incisive critique, concluding with a rousing call both to action and to collective identity.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a heartfelt, forthright meditation on the precariousness of Canadian identity in a time of American incursion—economically, politically, and culturally. It’s also a testament to the power and necessity of independent, Canadian-focused journalism, inviting all listeners to become active participants in the fight for sovereignty by supporting institutions like Canadaland.