Nothing much had ever been expected from soccer in Canada—or at least from men's soccer in Canada, and mainstream soccer fandom. Until recently. After our women's team showed the world we could punch well above our weight in the 2000s, the game started to gather steam. Now, after a successful run by the mean's team at the World Cup, and what has been by all accounts a superb atmosphere at the games played in Toronto and Vancouver, are we finally a 'soccer nation'? And is it worth the hundreds of millions of dollars it cost to do it?

James Sharman, one of Canada's leading soccer analysts and commentators, and a co-host of Footy Prime, joins us to explain how soccer in Canada came this far, both on and off the pitch, and where it might be going next.

Feedback from listeners is so, so welcome. If you have something to say, email us: hello.cancon@gmail.com.

The House of Commons is a staid, formal institution. Right? It's been that way for well over a century. Gentlemen (and eventually Gentlewomen) debating important issues in a dignified manner? Not always.

The real history of our halls of power includes exploding protesters, lots of cats and nudity and myriad other strange situations that crop up when flawed people hold power, public citizens protest and everyone pushes for their own proposals.

On this special Canada Day episode, we're joined by Charlie Feldman, author of Unparliamentary: Tales from Canada's colourful Parliamentary past. He shows us exactly how wild it's been at times on Parliament Hill, and how all of that comes together to make us who we are.

Please show some love to our sponsor, Go RVing Canada, if you're thinking of getting out and exploring this massive country this summer.

Feedback from listeners is so, so welcome. If you have something to say, email us: hello.cancon@gmail.com.

Ticks in this country used to be a minor, if dangerous, annoyance. That's changing quickly. Not only are the traditional deer ticks that we've lived with in some areas of the country spreading further north than ever before, other species that carry different tick-borne disease than what we've come to expect. Some of them increasingly harmful.

Driving this explosion are a combination of factors. Climate change, of course. But it goes beyond that. So what do you need to know about which ticks are where? What can you do to protect yourself and your family? And what can Canada do, as a whole, to beter prevent and treat tick-borne illnesses?

Just before the long weekend, when we all head out in tick-filled paradise, Toronto-based journalist Rebecca Gao delivers some straightforward tick talk to help you understand how we got here and what happens next.

Also: Tick puns!

Please take a moment to check out our sponsor, Go RVing Canada, to learn more about how you can explore the wilds of Canada in your own (tick-free!) paradise on wheels.

Feedback from listeners is so, so welcome. If you have something to say, email us: hello.cancon@gmail.com.