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The Walrus
@thewalrus.ca
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Award-winning independent journalism, fact checking, national ideas-focused events, and podcasts. Stay connected: http://thewalrus.ca/newsletters
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Canada is cozying up to the EU.

Last year, Arthur D. Hamdani spoke to Mark Camilleri, president and CEO of the Canada EU Trade and Investment Association, to explore the possibilities of a potential partnership: https://thewalrus.ca/canada-eu/
September 17, 2026 at 12:00 AM
thewalrus.ca
Potash is a major source of revenue for Saskatchewan, much of it driven by exports to the US. But as writer and former public servant Dale Eisler argues, protecting that market can’t be prioritized over Canada’s broader interests. https://thewalrus.ca/potash-trump-trade-war/
On the left: an image of a green bulldozer underground in a mine. On the right: text that “Canada has a weapon in Trump’s trade war. It’s potash. American farmers need it. Let’s use that dependence to fight back”
September 16, 2026 at 10:00 PM
thewalrus.ca
Imagine the déjà vu Mark Carney must be feeling as Alberta follows Brexit’s path, writes Arno Kopecky He had “a front-row seat to the mechanics of political mischief”—and the experience clearly left an indelible mark on his political world view. https://thewalrus.ca/mark-carney-brexit/
On the left: an image of Canadian prime minister Mark Carney standing against a red background. In place of a shadow casted behind him, darker red letters spell out Brexit. On the right: text that reads “Brexit may be haunting Carney’s handling of Alberta separatists. It explains why the prime minister has given the province almost everything it wants.”
September 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM
thewalrus.ca
Wattpad, the app that once felt like a “massive dorm room buzzing with ideas, fan theories, and unhinged creativity,” now has roughly 145 million monthly users. Mihika Agarwal on what the platform has gained—and lost—over its double-decade transformation: https://thewalrus.ca/wattpad-corporate/
On the left: an image of a factory in black and white in front of a white W, the logo for Wattpad, against an orange sky background. On the right: text that reads “As Wattpad takes a corporate turn, users miss its cringe years. Known for freewheeling fanfic, the self-publishing platform is turning into a content factory”
September 16, 2026 at 4:01 PM
thewalrus.ca
Speakers at The Walrus Talks Community Reborn, presented by BMO in partnership with Imagine Canada, will reveal how we can save the services that improve and enrich our lives.

Join us: https://TWT-Community-Reborn.eventbrite.ca/?aff=Social
September 16, 2026 at 3:00 PM
thewalrus.ca
In the 1970s, Canada took measures to regain control of an economy increasingly dominated by foreign companies. Today, Vass Bednar argues, that struggle has moved to “the cloud—infrastructure that manages to somehow be everywhere and nowhere at the same time.” https://ow.ly/iN8k50ZO6Xm
On the left: an image of rolled Canadian $100 bills on a yellow background. The centre bill roll has a green American bill sticking out. Most of the books are spilling down around her. On the right: text that “Canada is losing the fight against foreign ownership. We worried about Americans controlling our mines and factories. Now they dominate our digital economy”
September 16, 2026 at 2:01 PM
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Join us in Toronto for Oxfam Canada presents The Walrus Talks The Billionaire Problem to find out what the rise of the super-rich means for democracy, affordability, and Canada’s future. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-walrus-talks-the-billionaire-problem-tickets-1994952070345?aff=Social
September 16, 2026 at 1:01 PM
thewalrus.ca
Fall is for getting lost in a book. Featuring titles from Drawn & Quarterly Granta Books House of Anansi Press and more, here are the stories (and poems!) The Walrus staff disappeared into this season https://thewalrus.ca/best-books-2026/
On the left: an illustration of a woman with brown hair and glasses trying to hold an armful of books. Most of the books are spilling down around her. On the right: text that “The best books of fall 2026. Ten titles you’ll need to get your hands on”
September 16, 2026 at 12:01 PM
thewalrus.ca
Every year, as camping and hiking reservation windows open in parks nationwide, news outlets and social media fill with laments over crushed vacation plans. Why is it so difficult—and so expensive—for Canadians to enjoy our national and provincial parks? https://ow.ly/Yjjz50ZNA22
On the left: an image of rows of camping icons featuring tents and trees on a light grey background. The icons are a darker grey apart from one in the top left corner that is bright blue. On the right: text that reads “The Ticketmaster of camping: a US company is raking in millions in fees. Long queues. Rising prices. What’s a hike worth in a Canadian park?”
September 15, 2026 at 10:00 PM
thewalrus.ca
“Canada has long been culturally occupied by the US, but in matters of governance, we have tended to aspire to a different standard,” writes Matt Malone. “That aspiration goes to the very formation of our country.” https://thewalrus.ca/canada-was-the-best-country-in-the-world-to-live/
On the left: an image of the Canadian flag torn at the top in a jagged, declining pattern that mimics a downward-trending graph. On the right: text that reads “Canada was the ‘best country in the world to live.’ What happened? I went looking for answers in the nations that surpassed us.”
September 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM
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Join us online for Belonging Forum presents The Walrus Talks at Home: Midlife and Belonging. Researchers, experts, and storytellers will explore why connection becomes harder to maintain in midlife—and what we can do about it. https://thewalrustalks-midlife.eventbrite.ca/?aff=Social
September 15, 2026 at 7:01 PM
thewalrus.ca
In this episode of This Being Human from the @agakhanmuseum.org, Islamic art historian Christiane Gruber explores the contradictions of Islamic art, depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, and the growing field of eco-Islamic art.
🎧 Listen: lnk.to/this-being-h...
September 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM
thewalrus.ca
Join us for the second of three 2026 McGill Max Bell Lectures with authors Ricardo Hausmann and Eric Protzer for McGill University and Max Bell School of Public Policy present The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America. https://twth-canada-after-america.eventbrite.ca/?aff=Social
September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
thewalrus.ca
Naheed Nenshi arrived as a star candidate to battle Danielle Smith. But two years into his leadership, his poll numbers show little evidence of a breakout. Can Alberta’s NDP leader find his footing? Writer Tim Querengesser explores: https://ow.ly/NxQh50ZNzV8
On the left: a photo of a man in a suit and glasses with short dark hair against a black background. A family is seen moving out at the ground floor of the building. On the right: text that reads “As Alberta’s referendum looms, where is Naheed Nenshi? The NDP leader hasn’t quite seized the moment, despite Danielle Smith’s fumbles”
September 15, 2026 at 4:01 PM
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From advancing infrastructure to strengthening environmental stewardship alongside Indigenous Nations and communities, MacEwan University presents The Walrus Talks North of Now will examine the emerging challenges – and opportunities – impacting the North's future. https://ow.ly/iY8450ZNAQH
September 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM
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Facing a separatist referendum push from Premier Danielle Smith, Prime Minister Mark Carney is offering concessions on oil and gas. As writer Arno Kopecky notes, the move marks a sharp tactical pivot. Will appeasing Alberta secure national unity? https://thewalrus.ca/mark-carney-brexit/
On the left: an image of Canadian prime minister Mark Carney standing against a red background. In place of a shadow casted behind him, darker red letters spell out Brexit. On the right: text that reads “Brexit may be haunting Carney’s handling of Alberta separatists. It explains why the prime minister has given the province almost everything it wants.”
September 15, 2026 at 2:01 PM
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Want to sharpen your fact-checking and research skills? The Walrus is hiring two Editorial Fellows for remote, paid, 12-month positions starting Monday, November 16, 2026. Apply by Monday, October 5. https://thewalrus.ca/about/careers/
Careers & Fellowships | The Walrus
Jobs, fellowships, and internships at the Walrus Foundation
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September 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM
thewalrus.ca
From “freewheeling corner of the internet” to sophisticated content pipeline, Wattpad has turned fandom into intellectual property with “built-in audiences.” Journalist Mihika Agarwal takes a look at the evolution of a once-niche creative platform: https://thewalrus.ca/wattpad-corporate/
On the left: an image of a factory in black and white in front of a white W, the logo for Wattpad, against an orange sky background. On the right: text that reads “As Wattpad takes a corporate turn, users miss its cringe years. Known for freewheeling fanfic, the self-publishing platform is turning into a content factory”
September 15, 2026 at 12:01 PM
thewalrus.ca
Canada wants proof that government can still get things done. Mark Carney’s answer? Pipelines, investment, and development. But writer Stewart Prest warns that if younger and marginalized Canadians are left behind, populist backlash may return. https://ow.ly/wWu950ZN3jy
On the left: a mirrored image of two Mark Carneys; the righthand Carney is blue, and the lefthand is red. On the right: text that reads “Canada’s most popular Conservative is Mark Carney. His economic agenda has scrambled the political map. The question is how long it can last”
September 14, 2026 at 10:00 PM
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“Housing is an extractive industry, like mining gold,” writes Leilani Farha. “Financial firms approach housing the way mining companies approach ore deposits, identifying valuable sites and moving in to extract maximum value.” https://ow.ly/UPTg50ZN31m
On the left: an image of a man standing in front of a building with an ATM face spitting money. A family is seen moving out at the ground floor of the building. On the right: text that reads “The corporate takeover of Canada’s apartments is worse than you think. Property investors have discovered that getting rid of tenants is very good business”
September 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM
thewalrus.ca
BC Parks charges campers a $6 “transaction fee,” $5 surcharge for using its call centre, and $6 fee for changes and cancellations. In 2023, it processed over 366,000 reservations—meaning reservation fees alone brought in more than $2.1 million. https://thewalrus.ca/the-ticketmaster-of-camping/
On the left: an image of rows of camping icons featuring tents and trees on a light grey background. The icons are a darker grey apart from one in the top left corner that is bright blue. On the right: text that reads “The Ticketmaster of camping: a US company is raking in millions in fees. Long queues. Rising prices. What’s a hike worth in a Canadian park?”
September 14, 2026 at 4:01 PM
thewalrus.ca
At The Walrus Talks Community Reborn, presented by BMO in partnership with Imagine Canada, leading thinkers and civic leaders will explore how nonprofits are the glue holding our society together.

Join us in Toronto or online to learn more. https://TWT-Community-Reborn.eventbrite.ca/?aff=Social
September 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM
thewalrus.ca
Canada’s democratic decline isn’t just about politicians, notes Matt Malone. A weakened transparency system, less watchdogs, and growing private power have left citizens with less information and less influence. https://thewalrus.ca/canada-was-the-best-country-in-the-world-to-live/
On the left: an image of the Canadian flag torn at the top in a jagged, declining pattern that mimics a downward-trending graph. On the right: text that reads “Canada was the ‘best country in the world to live.’ What happened? I went looking for answers in the nations that surpassed us.”
September 14, 2026 at 2:01 PM
thewalrus.ca
As a historic transfer of wealth approaches between generations, join us in Toronto or online for Oxfam Canada presents The Walrus Talks The Billionaire Problem for an increasingly urgent conversation about the impacts of extreme wealth concentration. https://ow.ly/ME6I50ZN3kq
September 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM
thewalrus.ca
Mark Carney once fought Brexit warnings. Now, he’s tackling Alberta separation by giving oil patch leaders almost everything they want. The Walrus contributing writer Arno Kopecky asks if Canada has traded its climate goals for “Project Appeasement”: https://thewalrus.ca/mark-carney-brexit/
On the left: an image of Canadian prime minister Mark Carney standing against a red background. In place of a shadow casted behind him, darker red letters spell out Brexit. On the right: text that reads “Brexit may be haunting Carney’s handling of Alberta separatists. It explains why the prime minister has given the province almost everything it wants.”
September 14, 2026 at 12:01 PM