Canada's intelligence landscape is as unique as the country itself. In an evolving global threat environment, fostering informed discussions on intelligence has become increasingly vital to the national security discourse. Secure Line Podcast is designed to influence and inform the national dialogue on security and intelligence in Canada, and internationally. Secure Line is brought to you by the Canadian Association for Security & Intelligence Studies (CASIS).
Publisher
Jessica Davis, Stephanie Carvin, Leah West (A CASIS podcast)
Illicit Political Finance: Rethinking Money and Influence
What happens when foreign interference isn’t just about disinformation, espionage, or covert influence—but about money?
In this episode of Secure Line, Stephanie Carvin and Leah West are joined by Jessica Davis to discuss illicit political finance and the vulnerabilities in Canada’s political finance system. Using the Alberta referendum as a starting point, they examine gaps in political finance rules, the role of nonprofits and third-party actors, and the challenges of identifying foreign money and influence before it shapes political processes.
The conversation moves from Russian influence operations and financially motivated online “rage bait” to the growing concerns surrounding overt American involvement in Canadian politics. The hosts also explore why Canada’s existing laws and institutions can struggle to respond: some activities fall into regulatory gaps, some carry little more than financial penalties, and others may be politically consequential without being criminal at all.
Finally, Jessica explains her emerging framework for understanding illicit political finance through its actors, objectives, and methods—and why putting finance at the centre of the analysis could help Canada better anticipate, identify, and disrupt foreign interference.
22 Sept 2026
Hate in the Algorithm: From Global Narratives to Local Harm
Secure Line returns for Season Four with a look at how online extremist narratives are shaping attitudes toward women and 2SLGBTQI+ communities in rural Eastern Ontario. Stephanie Carvin and Leah West discuss the findings of a multi-year research project funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada, which combines analysis of approximately 9,000 hours of online content with interviews and roundtables involving frontline social workers.
The research identifies a sharp increase in misogynistic and anti-trans content beginning around 2022, alongside reports of growing resistance to Pride events, gender-based violence services, sex education, and other community initiatives. The episode explores how global narratives are reinforced by local influencers, how social media can normalize pre-existing prejudices, and how geographic isolation and limited public services intensify the consequences for people living in rural communities. Jessica Davis also examines how influencers monetize extremist content—and how donations allow supporters to strengthen their own identification with these movements.
Finally, the hosts consider what governments can realistically do about content that is harmful but not necessarily unlawful, including platform regulation, digital-safety oversight, civil remedies, education, and alternatives to youth social-media bans.
27 Jun 2026
PODMERGENCY: Montreal Attack
In this emergency episode, the team examines the deadly attack targeting ILO's Montreal headquarters and what it reveals about Canada's evolving extremist threat landscape. They unpack the perpetrator's manifesto, the convergence of misogynistic, anti-capitalist and conspiratorial ideologies, why they believe the attack should be understood as terrorism, and the troubling lack of public and political recognition of misogyny as a driver of violent extremism. The discussion also explores media narratives, prevention efforts, and what Canada must do to better address this growing threat.
Who has been a guest on Secure Line
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Shashank Joshi
Catherine McKenna
Thomas Juneau
Asaf Lubin
Russell Buchan
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
1,918
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
37 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
39
Social presence
0
YouTube
74
Engagement
51
Contact Secure Line
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Jess and Leah and Steph and Jessica Davis and Stephanie Carvin host the show. Published by Jessica Davis, Stephanie Carvin, Leah West (A CASIS podcast).
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Secure Line take guests?
The show does not typically feature guests, based on episode analyses.
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