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Plus Poilievre’s chances and Montreal’s money pit
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One of the most insidious things that I remember occurring in the debt collection industry was how we offered to close accounts if debtors agreed to pay portions of their balances, usually in the neighbourhood of 50–75 percent of the outstanding amount. We were urged to phrase this offer with a degree of finality: the debtor would think they no longer owed any money, but in reality, there was nothing preventing creditors from rebundling the remainder of the debt with other agencies, all while the meter of interest ticked on. Debts like these seemingly ensured that people would never escape the thumb of usurious creditors, and debt collection, I realized, was but one cog in the silent machinery of the credit system assailing us.

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In the last episode of the season, we’re commemorating 125 years of the Yukon Territory. We discuss the work of digitizing Dene-language tapes, buried Hollywood silent films found in Dawson City, and the pivotal role of Indigenous youth in shaping the Yukon’s future.

Transcripts for all episodes are available in English and French here. Check out the French counterpart of this podcast, called Voyages dans l’histoire canadienne, where we explore more historic Canadian moments.

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At The Walrus Talks It’s Electric, Canada’s leading researchers, engineers, environmental scientists, energy policy experts, technology leaders, and journalists will open our eyes to the future of electrification and the ways it can enhance our lives. Join us for an electrifying conversation that sparks curiosity, ignites change, and illuminates the path toward a brighter, sustainable future.

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Samia Madwar
Senior Editor, The Walrus

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This newsletter was produced by CIBC Digital Journalism Fellow Makda Mulatu. Email us at letters@thewalrus.ca and your letter may be included in a future issue of The Walrus.



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