The Decibel

The Liberal Party is in a ‘dire state’. From questions over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s continued leadership to the collapse of the supply and confidence deal with the NDP, to their poor polling numbers compared to the Conservatives – the ruling party appears to be at the weakest in years. What, if anything, can they do to win back Canadian voters with a federal election on the horizon?

The Globe’s political columnist John Ibbitson joins the podcast to talk about the inner turmoil of the party and whether Trudeau could step down.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Ema...

Since the 2023 Giller Prize ceremony, Scotiabank, the fiction prize’s lead sponsor, has been the target of protests over its stake in Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence contractor. Though all of Canada’s Big Six banks hold stake in Elbit Systems, Scotiabank has drawn a heightened level of scrutiny and protest since the October 7th attacks.

Globe arts and business reporter Josh O’Kane and business reporter David Milstead are on the show to talk about how prominent Elbit Systems is in Canadian investment portfolios, and what sets Scotiabank’s investment in Elbit Systems apart from other Canadian...

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are set to face off in what will likely be the only debate between them on September 10th at 9 p.m. ET. And as far as debates go, the stakes are high after the last debate ultimately led to Joe Biden stepping down as the Democratic candidate.

To help you follow along to the various points that Harris and Trump raise, Adrian Morrow, The Globe’s U.S. correspondent in Washington, wrote out bingo cards. He is on the show to play some debate bingo with Menaka Raman-Wilms. 

Questions? Comments? Ide...

A new phase in the war in Ukraine began when Ukrainian forces took Russian territory in August. A month later, the Russians fired back, dealing Ukraine one of its deadliest days after missiles struck a military academy on September 3. 

The renewed intensity has led to more calls for Western help. And one of the main advocates on this cause has been Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska. The Globe and  Mail’s Janice Dickson spoke with Ms. Zelenska in Kyiv this summer. She shares highlights from that interview. 

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com</

Police say that it’s the biggest art fraud in world history—and it happened here in Canada. It centres around the art of the renowned Anishinaabe painter Norval Morrisseau, and there are potentially thousands of fakes out there, including in prominent institutions across Canada.

The Globe’s Parliamentary reporter Kristy Kirkup tells us the details of this $100 million dollar fraud, how a homicide case blew it open, and the impact it’s had on the legacy of this trailblazing Indigenous artist.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com

Since March 2022, the NDP has been propping up the Liberals in a supply and confidence agreement, that saw both parties support each other and strike deals to pass legislation. That agreement was originally meant to hold until June 2025, before the party breaks for a scheduled election that fall. But that relationship is now over. On Wednesday, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh released a video saying he’s ‘ripping up’ that agreement early. 

Marieke Walsh is a senior political reporter for the Globe. She’s on the show to talk about why the NDP is pulling their support now, and what...

As long as there have been cities, there have been pest problems. Beneath our feet, rats scurry about and feed off our garbage. They breed quickly and plentifully. Above our heads, pigeons flock and dive, crowding around park benches and generally making a mess. The prairies have been contending with feral swine. Pest control has always been a delicate dance for cities, but now, they’re turning to new methods.

Oliver Moore is the Globe’s urban affairs reporter. He’s on the show to talk about why rats and pigeons have such a hold on our cities...

This week, most kids across the country are headed back to school. That transition can bring a lot of feelings – excitement, but also nervousness and anxiety. And this year, along with the usual transition, some students can expect another big change – provinces across the country are bringing in stricter regulations around cellphone use.

Psychologist and children’s book author Dr. Jillian Roberts is on the show to talk about how parents can help their children navigate back-to-school anxiety. But first, Caroline Alphonso, the Globe’s education reporter, joins the show to talk about the state of youth mental h...

Buying and owning a home in Canada is an endless source of frustration. Many have been priced out, while competition is high as a lack of housing stock runs up against a rapidly growing population. While more homes are needed to alleviate the stress, getting shovels into the ground isn’t as simple as it sounds.

The Globe’s Jason Kirby, Matt Lundy and Mark Rendell recently broke down the reasons behind why most Canadians can’t afford a home right now. Jason Kirby is on the show to explain the not-so-obvious reasons why housing affordability and opport...

The government has announced that they are cutting down on the numbers of low-wage temporary foreign workers being admitted into the country. The new rules will reverse pandemic-era changes to the program, which led to a sharp rise in numbers. The announcement also comes on the heels of a UN report calling the program a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery.”

The Globe’s economics reporter Matt Lundy breaks down what’s driving the change, and how it will impact businesses and workers.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com