What should I watch in Canada?

March 12, 2025 8:35 AM

Inspired by not being able to watch the bulk of the clips in this FPP, what other great streamable Canadian content will be available to me when I visit Canada next week that I'm not usually able to watch at home in the US?

Youtube, netflix, and hulu are all fair game. I'm most interested in standalone content or limited-run series that I can possibly finish in my 5 days of free time after work obligations. I'm not trying to get hooked on anything that I won't be able to finish once I get back!

posted by juliapangolin to Media & Arts (14 answers total)

Saint-Pierre is available on CBC Gem. The story is fine, standard cop drama whatever, but as an extended tourist video for Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, it's amazing.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:49 AM on March 12 [5 favorites]

North of North! Eight episodes, a little less than a half hour each.

We're All Gonna Die (Even Jay Baruchel)! Six episodes, also about a half hour or less each.

NoN is on CBC Gem; We're All Gonna Die is on Crave.
posted by Kitteh at 9:02 AM on March 12 [2 favorites]

I just ant to point out that Hulu isn’t available in Canada, we get a lot of that content through Disney+ (and it’s branded as Star).

I’d second downloading the CBC Gem app for Canadian content that you couldn’t otherwise stream in the USA.
posted by VirginiaPlain at 9:02 AM on March 12 [3 favorites]

Corner Gas, on Crave in Canada, is a warm, silly dad joke of a show that is my current "warm hug" program when I've had a hard day. It's just about the ur-sitcom for me in terms of classic structure, setting, characters, etc.
posted by Shepherd at 9:20 AM on March 12 [2 favorites]

Baroness Von Sketch is great fun, and I imagine not available in the US?
posted by Laura in Canada at 9:54 AM on March 12 [2 favorites]

Like any comedic news recap show, This Hour has 22 Minutes, has had its ups and downs, but with everything going on in the world these days, it seems pretty sharp again. (For example, its Zelenskyy/Trump White House meeting bit put the focus of the satire where it should be, on Trump, as opposed to the SNL version which just seemed really mean-spirited.)

22 Minutes star Mark Critch, produces Son of a Critch, which is sort of a Young Sheldon/Wonder Years look back at growing up in Newfoundland in the 1980s. It's a pretty solid melancholic but still funny half hour of viewing that includes lots of cultural touchpoints that mean a lot to Canadians and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

If you like Saint-Pierre (and I totally agree with the assessment above) and want more Allan Hawco, the fire up Republic of Doyle (also available on Pluto TV when you're back home).
posted by sardonyx at 12:00 PM on March 12 [2 favorites]

If you were a fan of Suits and want to see what Patrick Adams got up to after that show wrapped, there's Plan B, a time-travel do-over show that seems to feature a new cast every season. The first season is set in Montreal.
posted by sardonyx at 12:04 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

"Baroness Von Sketch is great fun, and I imagine not available in the US?"

It is available through Pluto TV with commercials and some seasons are on various other services.

And it is an amazing show.
posted by ITravelMontana at 1:25 PM on March 12

You could also download the CTV app for more Canadian content.

I wouldn't recommend subscribing to Crave for 5 days only. It's quite pricy compared to other streaming services, IMO.
posted by VirginiaPlain at 2:56 PM on March 12

There are some great web series on gem! I liked my 90 year old roommate, the ninth, and lots of the other short series. Each episode is under 10 minutes.
posted by Valancy Rachel at 3:39 PM on March 12

includes lots of cultural touchpoints that mean a lot to Canadians and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians

And Catholics. That episode where they talk about the Mt. Cashel orphanage abuse scandal? That was a substantial ripple. Many of us lost our faith that day.

I'd suggest The Office Movers (it's on Crave). Or maybe Shorsey, a spin off from Letterkenny which has a surprising amount of heart for a one off character and the biggest booster of Sudbury Ontario since Stompin' Tom.
posted by Ashwagandha at 4:55 PM on March 12 [1 favorite]

Nthing North of North.
posted by sonofsnark at 8:34 PM on March 12

Mod note: Two deleted. Keep in mind this is specifically about Canadian content, people.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 5:21 AM on March 13

Ok so CBC Gem should be enough to keep you going for a short visit and I nth the above recommendations.

I also like (on Gem) Allegiance, police drama filmed in Surrey! If police drama is your thing check it out. You might see some familiar faces!

Still Standing on CBC Gem features a bunch of small towns and how they are struggling and surviving as small towns do. I've found it moving and funny and a bit of a way to have a Cross Canada tour. The host is a comedian best known for his role on Murdoch Mysteries (and if you like gentle period mysteries check that out too--bonus of Murdoch is that it features Canadian historical moments in odd ways)

CBC Gem Films section has a spotlight on Canadian film section. Everything from classics like rocker comedy Fubar, quirky I've heard the mermaids singing, rom coms Bollywood Hollywood and Double Happiness to Coming of Age (during the Oka Crisis) award winner Beans and the strange true story of Blackberry as told by Jay Baruschel.

The NFB has a lot of great content https://www.nfb.ca/documentary/. I find myself wanting to recommend "Final Offer" which is a documentary with unbelievable access inside contract negotiations between auto workers and General Motors. Absolutely fascinating and particularly fascinating to re-watch as the cross-border tariff fight hits auto workers.
posted by chapps at 2:40 PM on March 15 [2 favorites]