CANADALAND CANADALAND

Why it's Illegal to Spy on Cows in Ontario

Jun 29, 2026 · 35m

Summary

This episode examines Ontario’s “ag-gag” laws, which criminalize lying to gain access to farms for undercover investigations. Host Jesse Brown interviews Camille Labchuck of Animal Justice, who argues the laws violate freedom of expression and hinder public awareness of animal welfare issues. Conversely, beef farmer Jason LeBlanc defends the legislation, citing biosecurity risks and the need to protect families from deceptive activists. The discussion highlights the tension between investigative journalism and agricultural privacy.

Topics discussed

Intro, sponsors, and the history of investigative journalism Ontario's 'Ag-Gag' law and the recent court ruling Canada Land Audio Journalism Fellowship announcement Interview with Jesse Brown on animal rights and free speech TaskRabbit sponsorship segment Legal implications for whistleblowers and journalists Interview with farmer Jason on biosecurity and privacy Discussion on farm scale, disease outbreaks, and public trust Outro, supporter perks, and TED Talks Daily promo
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