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In this episode of Building Left, our guest, PhD candidate Dawn Moffat McMaster, discusses her research on the nonprofit sector as a pathway into electoral politics, why women—though making up the majority of nonprofit workers—remain underrepresented in legislatures, and how parties and local recruitment shape who runs for office.
Join us for a conversation about nonprofits' role in policy and community life, the challenge of assessing electability in a celebrity-driven era, and why community work and local credibility often matters more to voters than a flashy resume.
Background/Further information:
Mark Carney on Climate Change
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Join Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick as they interview Luke Savage. Luke is a writer whose work has appeared in the Toronto Star, the New Statesman, Jacobin and more. He is also the coauthor of Ed Broadbent’s 2023 book Seeking Social Democracy.
Join us for Luke's commentary on the rising popularity of explicitly socialist movements around the world, the failures of Carney's centrism in Canada, and strategies for building broad, bold, progressive political coalitions.
Find Luke on social media:
Substack: Luke Savage | Substack
BlueSky: @lukewsavage.bsky.social — Bluesky
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LukeSavage
Background and further reading:
How Carney is betraying a vision of a fair and strong Canada: Toronto Star
Something's got to give - Luke Savage
Mark Carney's "sovereign wealth fund" is a mirage: Luke Savage
Reclaiming Socialism in Canada’s NDP Leadership Race: Jacobin
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Hosts Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins speak with Guerric Haché, an Electoral District Association (EDA) member in Vancouver Centre, about rebuilding and energizing NDP EDAs.
Guerric is a designer and programmer with 13 years' experience in the video game industry, alongside being as an independent writer and artist, and a prolific nature photographer. Originally from Gatineau, Québec, they've made their home in Vancouver for well over a decade, where they are a member of the EDA for Canada's New Democratic Party in the riding of Vancouver Centre, and a member of COPE, Vancouver's municipal coalition of progressive electors.
Tune-in to hear about practical organizing ideas like member socials, building digital community spaces, and strengthening ties with labour unions and other activist communities. You'll also hear about the rich potential of EDAs to shape party policy, support volunteers, and connect across ridings, without shying away from common structural challenges like generational divides and inexperience with governance practices.
Join Building Left to learn more about concrete ways to connect with your EDA and revitalize the grassroots of democratic socialism in your community.
Connect with Guerric on BlueSky Social: Quillipede (@quillipede.bsky.social) — Bluesky
Background/Further reading and listening:
Mark Carney runs roughshod over the environment
Carney government’s changes to pesticide rules will put safety at risk
Carney government plan targets protections for at-risk whales
Mark Carney has forgotten who helped get him elected
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney is not the climate guy you thought | Seth Klein | The Guardian
By hosting a global weapons bank, Carney is setting up Canada for war profiteering ⋆ The Breach
Carney government eying curbs on right to strike: Unions
ANALYSIS: The anatomy of a stunner in Scarborough Southwest | TVO Today
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In this episode of Building Left, hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick speak with Trevor McAleese, a Kelowna-based video game developer and former federal NDP candidate who is now running for city council. Trevor discusses why municipal politics matter, and explains how he proposes to tackle issues such as affordable housing, short-term rental challenges, childcare, climate change and wildfire preparedness.
The conversation explores campaign organizing differences between federal and municipal races, conservative slate strategies in B.C., and practical solutions like inclusionary zoning, municipally-run childcare, and support for the arts and tech sectors. Trevor shares advice for progressives considering municipal runs and emphasizes the importance of community-focused representation.
More info/background:
Trevor McAleese for Kelowna City Council
Only in Nelson | The feature-length documentary movie
Peggy Nash's Women Winning Office – Between the Lines
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In this episode, hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick speak with El Foulkes, an organizer, union activist and artist who sits on the NDP federal council as a table officer from Quebec.
El explains how the council and executive operate between conventions, shares their experience on transparency, consultation and decision‑making, and discusses internal organizing to strengthen democratic processes across the party. Join us for a conversation about what structural changes are needed within the party and how a model of continuous, grassroots organizing can lead to a more accountable, movement‑focused NDP.
Folllowing that, Kallee and Jaime briefly dig into recent political developments—Avi Lewis’s early moves as NDP leader, federal by-election results and what it means that the Liberal government now holds a majority of seats in the House of Commons.
Background/More information:
NDP Executive & Council (list not updated at time of publication)
Toronto Star: Carney government plans to water down fundraiser rules
Information on Stephen Lewis Memorial
RSVP to attend Stephen Lewis Memorial (livestream)
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Jaime Frederick puts co-host Kallee Lins in the hot seat for a report from the NDP convention in Winnipeg. Join Building Left for a deep dive into Avi Lewis's first-ballot victory, executive council elections, and what the recently passed resolutions reveal about the future direction and unity of the party.
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Just days before the federal NDP chooses its new leader in Winnipeg, hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick break down the race to Convention: a mutual endorsement proposition between candidates, strategic ranked-ballot math, attacks over the decade-old Leap Manifesto, and the fallout from Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crossing the floor to the Liberals. Join us as we weigh in on what these flashpoints mean for the party’s direction and electability.
We also debate whether or not the NDP leader needs a seat in the House of Commons, and look ahead to Convention resolutions, by-election math, and rebuilding efforts across the country.
Background reading/viewing:
NDP leadership hopeful rebuffed opponent’s offer of support
Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein read Mean Tweets: https://youtu.be/REdG3VL9Yfo?si=l_XYDDYFGqpeayFn
NDP's Davies says Idlout's decision to join Liberals overrides 'sacred trust' of ballot box | CBC News
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Join Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins for the latest spotlight on NDP leadership hopefuls. Jump in and get to know Heather McPherson!
Heather McPherson, the NDP MP for Edmonton Strathcona and the only sitting MP running for leader, shares the tactics that have led her team in Alberta to repeated electoral successes.
On Building Left, Heather discusses the need for balancing a just transition for oil and gas workers with climate action, immigration politics in Alberta and across the country, and restoring Canada to its ethically-grounded place on the world stage.
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Join hosts Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins as they debrief the final NDP leadership debate held on Feb 19. Questions ranged from energy policy to managing US aggression. (Don't worry—they were speaking English this time, so ideas were much more fulsome!)
This recap covers everything from Tony's memorable zingers to the spicy and thinly veiled jabs between candidates.
What was your takeaway from the debate? Send us a message on social.
Building Left on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/buildingleft.bsky.social
Building Left on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buildingleftpodcast
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Longtime NDP MP Peter Julian joins Building Left to reflect on the party's catastrophic 2025 defeat and the national renewal effort. Julian, alongside former MP Matthew Green, have proposed 25 resolutions for the federal NDP Convention coming up in Winnipeg, resolutions aimed at reviving both the Party structure and its policy commitments.
Peter joins co-hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick to share how key reforms—putting Elections Canada rebates back in the hands of riding associations, building election platforms from existing party policy, and foregrounding the work of the full NDP MP team during elections—can position NDP campaigns for victory.
Learn more about Peter Julian and Matthew Green's initiative at ndprenewal.ca.
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Jess Wittman began climate activism at the age of nine, going door to door. As she grew up, so did her passion for community engagement. She worked on five provincial and federal election campaigns between 2024 and 2025, what she calls a "bootcamp" in political organizing.
Jamie Frederick and Kallee Lins speak with Jess about her role as an NDP regional organizer for the 2025 federal election. This is a deep dive into the nitty gritty of making campaigns happen: juggling Elections Canada regulations, balancing limited resources, and the reality of reaching voters in large, rural ridings.
Take a listen as Jess offers practical advice about preparing for campaigns and asks candid questions about where organizing efforts are best placed in today's political landscape.
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Hosts Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins unpack Emilie Taman's post‑election review of the federal NDP, tracing how the party's pre‑campaign decisions, campaign messaging, other systemic issues and the political landscape all shaped the 2025 result.
The episode discusses the Review & Renewal Report's focus on gaps in fundraising and grassroots support, the party’s relationship with organized labour, and the current challenge of clarifying the NDP’s political identity heading into the 2026 leadership contest.
Notes and other sources:
NDP campaign review cites 'brutal environment' for worst-ever election result | CBC News
Art supplies, beachside walks and a town hall: Inside the bruised NDP's attempts to rebuild | CBC News
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Join Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins as they interview the NDP's leadership candidates. Our latest guest: Tony McQuail!
Tony McQuail is a farmer, educator and lifelong advocate for a fairer and more sustainable Canada. For more than 50 years, he has been a leader in sustainable agriculture and rural development.
Tony’s vision for Canada goes beyond sustainability to true regeneration. His Green Progressive Movement calls for uniting progressive forces to address the root causes of inequality and environmental collapse.
On Building Left, Tony deconstructs his calls for greater representation, regeneration, and redistribution in politics; the urgency he feels about proportional representation; and how progressives can work together across party lines to advance fairer policies for all.
Notes/Links:
Tony McQuail Green Progressive
Donate to Tony's Leadership Campaign
Fair Vote Canada - Proportional Representation
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Hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick break down the NDP's leadership debate last week in Montreal, where a bilingual format exposed uneven French skills among the candidates. Despite policy discussion feeling thin, the event provided a strong snapshot into candidates' personalities and priorities.
Join us as we highlight standout moments from Avi, Tanille, Tony, Rob and Heather, and touch on recurring themes throughout the evening including the party's future in Quebec, reconnecting with labour, and climate action.
The views and opinions shared by the hosts are their own and are in no way representative of Canada's NDP or other organizations with which they are affiliated.
Notes/Corrections:
The demonstration mentioned in the episode, attended by some of the leadership candidates in Montreal on Saturday, November 29, was focused on support for fundamental human rights threatened by legislation being put forward by Francois Legault's CAQ government in Quebec.
The "CLAC," mentioned by Heather McPherson in the debate, is the Christian Labour Association of Canada, a Canadian independent trade union founded in 1952, which has been characterized by other Canadian trade unions as a "company union" for its support of employer‑friendly legislation.
Readings/Sources (articles that informed this episode):
Les candidats à la chefferie du NPD débattent dans un français laborieux | Le Devoir
NDP leadership hopefuls confront their French shortcomings in Montreal debate | Montreal Gazette
NDP leadership candidates pitch for party rebuild in debate | Toronto Star
The NDP’s leadership candidates aren't fluent in French. Will that hurt the party's future? | CBC News
How Mark Carney lost his cabinet’s green conscience | Toronto Star
CBC's Katherine Cullen interviews Dr. Samantha Nutt of War Child Canada on changes to Canada's foreign aid and foreign policy (interview begins at 39:03) | The House | On Demand | CBC Listen
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Join Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins as they interview the NDP's leadership candidates. Our latest guest: Tanille Johnston!
Tanille Johnston is a proud Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ woman from the We Wai Kai First Nation. A dedicated social worker, mother, and bold new voice for the future of the NDP, Tanille currently serves as Director of Community Programs with the First Nations Health Authority and as a City Councillor in Campbell River, BC.
On Building Left, Tanille discusses the government’s missed opportunity for investment into First Nations, practical solutions to strengthen rural communities, the benefits of a guaranteed liveable basic income and the urgency of keeping relationships at the forefront of efforts to rebuild and grow support for the NDP.
Follow Building Left on
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/buildingleft.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576826052411
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Join Building Left to break down Mark Carney's first federal budget. The document lays out deep program cuts, 40,000 public sector job losses, and a large spike in defence spending, alongside some encouraging moves on housing investment, apprenticeship support and automatic tax filing for a mixed bag of austerity and "generational investments."
We're unraveling budget week's political fallout — a high-profile floor crossing, Conservative disarray, the NDP's difficult choice, and whether we could be facing a chilly winter election.
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Back in April, Jäger Rosenberg made headlines as the youngest person running in the Canadian federal election. He was the NDP candidate in the BC riding of West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country. Last year he also ran as a nominee for the BC NDP candidacy in the provincial riding of Powell River–Sunshine Coast. He’s currently a member of the executive for the BC Young New Democrats and a member of the BC NDP Provincial Council. Currently, he’s running for the position of president of the BC NDP and working to inspire young people to join the NDP movement.
Tune in as Jäger shares his passion for mental health activism, his journey into politics and why we shouldn't just be building stronger connections between youth and our political system—we should be lowering the voting age to get them involved earlier.
Select writing by Jäger:
Opinion: Young people are the most affected by politics — but the last to be heard
I Ran for the NDP and Lost. We Need to ChangeRecent Leadership Candidate Forums:
Canadian Labour Congress Forum
Leadership Candidates Speak at Nanaimo-Ladysmith EDA AGM
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Join Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins as they interview the NDP's leadership candidates. First up: Avi Lewis! Avi Lewis is a veteran journalist, educator, and activist with 35 years of movement-building experience, combining grassroots organizing with the ability to reach millions. On Building Left, Avi discusses his long history with the NDP and proposes policies like a public option for groceries, the need for a uniquely Canadian foreign policy direction, nation-building clean energy investments and so much more. Tune in for a movement-minded approach to rebuilding the party and confronting today's economic and social emergencies.
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Veteran NDP MP (1997-2015) and activist Libby Davies discusses the importance of democracy within the party as the NDP navigates its leadership race. Along the way, she highlights routes for grassroots engagement, recalls Jack Layton’s authentic leadership, and discusses the value of unity as we work to solve the urgent issues facing us all.
Join Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick for a conversation with a political legend who has managed to maintain warmth and hope throughout her long political career.
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Hosts Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins break down the opening weeks of the federal NDP leadership race, newly declared candidate Avi Lewis, controversial hopefuls, and the divergent directions contenders are staking out.
Join us as we review the party's latest actions in support of labour rights—putting forward a private member’s bill to remove Section 107 from the Canada Labour Code—along with questions about maintaining unity on the left, and what this leadership fight means for the NDP’s future strategy.
More information:
New Democrats challenge Liberals on right for workers to strike
- Visa fler
