Topic: Canada Strike

Over 155,000 federal workers in Canada have gone on strike, causing major disruptions to government services including tax processing and immigration. Simultaneously, the U.S. State Department is facing a massive backlog of passport applications, with wait times reaching 13 weeks. The hosts speculate that these delays may be a deliberate attempt to restrict international travel.

A historical comparison is drawn between current Canadian protests and the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, the largest strike in Canadian history. The discussion highlights "Bloody Saturday," where military personnel and machine gun units were deployed against strikers, resulting in deaths and injuries. The hosts note the presence of "strike breakers" in both historical and modern contexts, identifying the current media as modern-day strike breakers.

Canadian border service agents issued a strike notice just days before the country was set to reopen to vaccinated Americans. However, because 90% of the 9,000 workers are classified as "essential," the impact on travel and trade is expected to be minimal. The strike is primarily focused on "toxic workplace culture" and contract protections rather than a full work stoppage.

A shortage of jet fuel in the Western U.S. is impacting flights and wildfire-fighting efforts, reportedly due to a lack of tanker truck drivers. Airlines have resorted to "tanker flights," where planes carry extra fuel to drop off at other locations. Additionally, Canadian border officers have voted to strike for higher pay, threatening to halt all vehicle traffic and freight across the border starting August 6th.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing a hunger strike by members of the Mohawk community over a land struggle in Quebec. Despite his promises of reconciliation with First Nations, local leaders accuse his government of ignoring their concerns. Meanwhile, Barack Obama endorsed Trudeau for re-election despite the recent controversy surrounding Trudeau's past use of blackface.

Justin Trudeau confirmed plans to withdraw Canadian fighter jets from the coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria, signaling a shift in Canadian foreign policy. The hosts discuss Trudeau's public speaking mannerisms, specifically a perceived lisp, and compare it to the more stoic presentation of Stephen Harper. They also mention Trudeau's intention to reconsider Canada's participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.