We welcome everyone to 2026 in our first episode of the new year with breaking news of the Nova Scotia mass shootings. Having sifted through a trove of emails among RCMP officers assigned to the Mass Casualty Commission analysis of the shootings, citizen investigator Ryan Potter has found evidence of a key individual having had a 'handler'. Paul, Adam, and Ryan discuss what this might mean, and how it impacts our understanding of the events of the NS mass shootings. In addition to the 'handler' reference, Ryan also discovered a medical examiner report that suggested there was a body found in Portapique which was left unaccounted. Also discussed, the Seymour Hersh documentary on Netflix, more examples of AI misuse in the law, the US arrest of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, and the Supreme Court of Canada hearings in R. v. Cope regarding Indigenous sentencing principles.

This week, Paul and Adam look back at the stories covered on Dispersing the Fog in 2025, themes that have weaved their ways through those stories, and some of the great guests who have added to the richness of the show over the past year. As well, they look ahead to 2026 and some of the potential developments with the RCMP, new justice legislation, and other stories that have more to come. This episode is a good way for new audience members to see what kind of stories this show covers, and see what plans are in place for the future. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our viewers and listeners!

This week we take a dive into the new justice legislation proposed by the Federal Government. It is designed to address delays in the criminal courts, and there are elements that should have this effect. Bill C-16 also seeks to criminalize 'coercive control' and makes 'femicide' a crime equal to first degree murder by default. We also welcome back Dave Moore, who describes how he was harassed, surveilled, and set up by his superiors in the RCMP after his work on the Glen Assoun case. Dave details how a restaurant he owned in Hubbards, NS (near Halifax) was burned down by a suspected RCMP confidential informant, and how he figured it all out. Also covered this week - a Mi'kmaq Chief has banned Premier Houston from her reserve for his comments on cannabis dispensaries, the National Police Federation comments on the OPP report on the YVR Four, and Paul reveals his favourite Christmas song.

This week we welcome back former CBC reporter Curt Petrovich, to discuss the report into the four RCMP officers charged after the taser death of Robert Dziekański in the Vancouver Airport in 2007. Curt has written a book on the topic, and walks us beyond the headlines to what really matters about the conduct of those in the RCMP named in the report.Also covered this week, Nova Scotia Justice Minister Scott Armstrong has received a strong reaction from the Chiefs of the 13 Mi'kmaq communities in Nova Scotia (as well as former Justice Minister, Becky Druhan) after writing to them about 'illegal' cannabis dispensaries in their communities. As well, we discuss the immigration consequences of criminal convictions, after a controversial sentencing in Ontario, a Cape Breton police officer who was caught on video stealing a sign from a home being searched for drugs, and which provinces have seen an increase in homicides in the past two years.

This week, we welcome Moira Webster to discuss her former husband, Mike Webster, a former clinical psychologist with a focus on policing (and also CFL football player and professional wrestler). She describes how he was smeared by the RCMP after his comments on the Robert Dziekański taser death, and his role in the Gustafsen Lake standoff (the largest ever RCMP operation to that point). Also discussed, are the death of Sylvio Saulnier in Dieppe, NB, Paul's review of the new Netflix documentary The Stringer, and Adam's upcoming talk on legal issues for men.

Our guest this week is Tammy Oliver McCurdie, sister of the late Jolene Oliver, who was killed along with her partner and daughter in the Portapique, Nova Scotia mass shooting. Tammy is also a member of the Progress Review Committee, tracking the progress on recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission. She describes the terrible hours of uncertainty while she and her family awaited word from someone as to what was taking place, her doubts about the official narrative, and her thoughts on the upcoming book by Lisa Banfield. Before hearing from our guest, we discuss the Ontario Provincial Police report on the RCMP's handling of the four officers involved in the Robert Dziekanski death at the Vancouver Airport, as well as the arrest of the lawyer for former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, Ryan Wedding.

This week, we have the pleasure of a rare interview with retired RCMP analyst, Dave Moore. Dave discusses his investigation into the murder of Brenda Way, which he discovered was not committed by Glen Assoun, who had been found guilty, but by serial killer Michael McGray. His investigation was quashed, and the evidence he had gathered was destroyed by officers higher up. Dave tells us about the coverup, and his expectations about the upcoming SiRT re-investigation. Also discussed; - Nova Scotia's new death review committee has been very secrative about the information they are releasing about their first two investigations. - Residents of Conception Bay North say they were left to fend for their own after a serial arsonist hit the area, causing almost 200 homes to burn. - Hells Angels hit man Dean Kelsie complains that the parole board gave too much weight to the views of the families of his victims- There will be no golf course built on protected land at the West Mabou Beach, for now

This week, we welcome back former RCMP Deputy Commissioner, Curt Allen, to discuss some of the stories we have been covering in recent weeks, and get his take on the sexual assault crisis in the Force, as well as the modernization issues flagged by Chief Edgar MacLeod.Also, we discuss wearing poppies in Court, and the recent controversy in NS and Saskatchewan on that topic, as well as the floor crossing of Chris d'Entremont to the governing Liberals, the news that two major league pitchers are in legal trouble after it was reported that they were telling gamblers what pitches they were going to throw, and an executive from the BBC resigning after admitting to doctoring footage.

The guest this week is former police chief Edgar MacLeod, who served in various police forces for 34 years, after which he became Executive Director of the Atlantic Police Academy. Chief MacLeod has a unique perspective on police structures in Canada, and shares his insights.This week, the Supreme Court of Canada handed down two important decisions. One affirmed the 'Good Samaritan' laws for drug overdose situations, and the other removed mandatory minimum jail sentences for those convicted of possessing or distributing child pornography. We analyze those decisions, as well as the political fallout.Before all that, the guys give their breakdowns of Game 7 between the Blue Jays and Dodgers, and the great sport of baseball.

This week, Paul and Adam welcome Paul Derry, who has written extensively about his time as a confidential informant with the RCMP, which started when he was 15 years old. Derry discusses his time in the witness protection program, his lawsuits against the RCMP, and his efforts to work with police forces on how to better handle confidential informants and police agents. Also covered this week are the recent cabinet shuffle in Nova Scotia, which has resulted in our fifth justice minister in four years, and which also saw Premier Huston take on the Energy portfolio. In addition, Paul and Adam talk about the betting scandal in the NBA, which lead to the arrest of three prominent players and former players, including Hall-of-Famer, Chauncey Billups.

This week we are very pleased to welcome former longtime CBC journalist, author Curt Petrovich, to the podcast. Curt has written 'Blamed and Broken, the Mounties and the Death of Robert Dziekanski', an account of the many unusual twists in the story of a Polish immigrant who died after being tased at the Vancouver Airport on October 14, 2007. Two of the four officers involved were convicted of perjury in the case, but those officers have since sued the RCMP for defamation, and one has reached a settlement. Curt discusses the viral video of the incident, the unusual decision to have four separate trials for the four officers, and an upcoming OPP report on the way the four officers were treated by the RCMP.Before welcoming Curt to the show, Paul and Adam discuss the new evidence in the Jack and Lily Sullivan disappearance, and what that might mean in terms of a suspect. It is also a critique of the police for not issuing an Amber Alert. The federal government is introducing bail reform legislation this week, as part of a justice reform package that also includes $1.8 billion for federal policing. The guys discuss that, along with the comments from Pierre Poilievre about the RCMP allowing politics to interfere with their decision making when it came to the potential prosecutions of the Trudeau government.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! This week, we have a special guest, Paul McNamara, who spent many years working undercover operations in Canada, and has since become a target of controversial police investigative tactics. He discusses his experiences with Paul and Adam, including how trying to get a good deal on a pool lead to suspicions that he was a spy.Also covered this week, the latest 'update' from the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission's implementation committee, a former confidential informant suing the RCMP for placing him in a vulnerable position when he was 17, an appeal decision on a new defense to a refusing to take the breathalyzer, and the Jays-Yankees series.

This week we are thrilled to welcome Janet Merlo to the show. Janet is a former RCMP officer, who was central to the exposing of sexual abuse within the force. Her efforts resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement, involving over 3000 complainants from all provinces and territories, and all ranks and ages. Janet describes her time in the Force, talks about the barriers in reporting, and also expresses some hope that things will improve within the RCMP.Also covered in this episode are the reactions of the Halifax Police Board on proposed changes to the structure of policing in Nova Scotia, a dispute between the Edmonton Police and Crown prosecutors about a homicide plea deal, the Manchester (England) police admission that they shot an innocent civilian, as well as Maxwell Apartment and a new line of skincare products featuring the RCMP branding.

This week, Paul and Adam discuss the news that Lisa Banfield (along with two co-authors, her sister Maureen, and writer Sherri Aikenhead) has written a book about her experiences with NS mass shooter Gabriel Wortman. The book is set for release in January, 2026. The guys deconstruct the news release, and predict what might be included in the upcoming work.Also covered this week is the news that dogs have been brought in from out of province by the RCMP to assist with the search for missing Pictou County children Jack and Lilly Sullivan, the arrest of Deputy Commissioner David Teboul, and the arguments before the Supreme Court of Canada on whether provinces are entitled to use and reuse the notwithstanding clause of the constitution (the Federal gov't says that invoking the notwithstanding clause every five years undermines the rights of Canadians such that it should not be permitted).

This week, Paul is joining from BC, having spent an eventful week on an Alaskan cruise. In a very 'Paul' coincidence, he had dinner one night with a woman who worked on the Swiss Air investigation for Delta Airlines, who had some interesting details to pass on.For this week's show, Adam and Paul discuss the Charlie Kirk assassination, Amy Hamm's article comparing Vancouver's approach to drug use to that of Boston, and Sam Cooper's piece on former Canadian Olympian (and now FBI's top 10 most wanted drug kingpin) Ryan Wedding. The Wedding story describes why Canada is seen internationally as a preferred drug transshipment location.

In the second part of our conversation with forensics expert, and author of a book detailing the cover up of the true cause of the Swiss Air 111 crash off of Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Tom Juby. In this part of the discussion, Mr. Juby details the efforts he made to make his (verified) findings accepted by those in authority, and the direct pushback and interference he experienced as he did so. We discuss the potential ties to MI6 and the FBI, as well as what may have happened to the half billion worth of diamonds and jewels that were never located.

Tom Juby joins the show again for an in-depth discussion of Swiss Air Flight 111, which crashed into the ocean off Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia just over 27 years ago, on September 2, 1998. Mr. Juby was assigned to document and catalogue the recovered bodies, and hundreds of thousands of plane parts that were recovered from the water. In the face of direction from his superiors to alter his notes and avoid any discussion of potential criminality, Mr. Juby persisted in his investigation, showing that the fire that brought down the plane was deliberately set. Adam and Paul go through his compelling claims with him, and discuss potential theories about what may really have taken place.

This week, Paul and Adam welcome retired undercover operator and supervisor Claude Chapados to discuss how undercover operations unfold, how officers from different police forces are trained, and many other topics. He gives his view on what involvement Gabriel Wortman may have had with the police.Also discussed are the updates on the Jack and Lilly Sullivan disappearance in Nova Scotia, the $94K fine levied against BC nurse Amy Hamm for comments on transgender people, the Kawartha Lakes homeowner who is charged with assaulting someone breaking into their home, and the limited impact of Hurricane Erin on the dry weather in Nova Scotia.

This week, we are happy to welcome our friend, citizen investigator Chad Jones. Chad is here to give us new insight into how the final moments of the NS mass shooting lend credence to theories about the killing of Corie Ellison. Before speaking with Chad, Adam and Paul discuss the recent criticism of NS Premier Houston from the Canadian Bar Association over the NS Court of Appeal's refusal to answer the reference on the Chignecto Isthmus. Also discussed is the Conservative Party announcement that they will introduce legislation banning judges from considering immigration consequences of those being sentenced for criminal offenses.

This week we are very pleased to be joined by Prof. Wayne MacKay. If you have listened or read any Nova Scotia story about law in the past decade, you will be familiar with Prof. MacKay. Here, he shares his views on the recent NS Police Review, issues with transparency in government, and the proceedings of the Mass Casualty Commission. Prof. MacKay also discusses the recent ban on forest-based activity, and compares it to the pandemic restrictions in terms of Charter-compliance.