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.

Halifax, like many cities in Canada, faces a housing crunch. Not because of how big it is geographically. There's plenty of room. But because of how hard it can be for cities to rezone for increased density and create more affordable housing. If you live in a city of decent size, you're probably familiar with why: NIMBYs, lobbyists and all the assorted complaints and opposition and money that tends to stop ambitious city-planning in its tracks. And governments that can't look further than all that opposition in the next election.

A little while ago, Halifax simply ... ignored that. Council passed an ambitious plan to rezone much of the downtown. A few years later, the results are visible to everyone, and the next step is planned. The question is, will council be willing to buck the most stubborn of all city growth opponents: The suburbs?

Today's episode features local independent journalist and founder of Grand Parade Matt Stickland, describing Halifax's ambitious housing plan. And its uncertain future.

(Please take a moment to visit our sponsor Go RVing Canada, and learn a little more about how easy it is to get out there and explore our country this summer.)

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