Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Blueprints of Disruption
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| Being Pragmatic: Inside the NS NDP | 27 Nov 2024 | 01:11:24 | |
The Nova Scotia NDP recently removed a candidate over their support for Palestine. This isn't the first time, not for the NS NDP or its counterparts across Canada. This episode provides insight into why so many members choose to stay and what the detriments of that are. For an even deeper dive, check out our podcast playlist, INSIDE THE NDP. _______________ All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon Resources:
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| Masking as a Revolutionary Act | 20 Nov 2024 | 00:48:09 | |
COVID AWARE ORGANIZING If we're going to build accessible, safe spaces to organize, that needs to include ways to reduce COVID transmissions amongst our comrades. Shira Lurie, a COVID aware activist with Protect our Province Nova Scotia (POPNS) and Mask for Mask Queers, joins host Jessa McLean to give easy, affordable precautions we can incorporate into our organizing and event planning. Filling in the gaps where our governments have failed to protect us isn't new to progressives. Neither is having to buck popular trends, or create new ones. So why the resistance to masking and other initiatives around air quality? We unpack that and how we can start to bring more people along, even after five years. _______________ All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon Resources:
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| Harm Reduction and Safe Consumption | 16 Sep 2024 | 00:51:17 | |
Harm reduction advocates have their work cut out for them in this current political climate that has Provincial governments targeting their services using dehumanization language and legislation. Ola Skudlarska, of the Leslieville Harm Reduction Coalition helps myth bust some of the commonly used narratives to criminalize and displace people who use drugs. Safe consumption facilities have been the focal point of moral panic that is playing out in harmful legislation aiming to shut them down. Hear how people are coming together to defend these sites in their communities that provide support, connection, and a pathway to recovery for individuals who use drugs. All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon Resources:
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| Encampments, evictions and resistance | 21 Aug 2023 | 00:53:27 | |
Advocate and Community Worker, Diana Chan McNally unloads on all of the anti-homeless rhetoric and harmful policies that make living on the street even harder. | |||
| Rabble Rant: Evacuated | 20 Aug 2023 | 00:47:50 | |
The entire city of Yellowknife was evacuated after wildfires that have been burning nearby for weeks got too close to leave anything to chance. This massive fire in the NWT has already razed communities to the ground and shows no signs of slowing. The remoteness of the area and the lack of control we have over our resources means long delays, difficult displacements and very little supports for people in crisis. Residents in Kelowna, B.C. and surrounding areas have also been ordered to leave their homes behind as fire nears. And we are just two weeks from the deadly fire in Maui. These fires and their evacuations laid bare just how capitalism has failed to structure us in ways that will allow us to best survive the climate crisis upon us. | |||
| Community Defences | 16 Aug 2023 | 01:07:37 | |
The Peace Country Progressive Alliance are a small network of activists with the daunting task of "fighting hate" in their rural community. That fight utilizes a variety of tactics, including physically standing up to venomous right-wing protestors outside drag story time events. Why do they do it? How do they mobilize in remote parts of the country with very little resources? What does defending the lgbtq community have to do with building working class solidarity? A lot! All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon Resources:
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| Rabble Rant: Corruption, Green and the Greenbelt | 12 Aug 2023 | 00:57:10 | |
The Greenbelt and the Auditor General Report The Ontario Greenbelt's history has been a contentious one. From its creation, it has been resisted by developers whose sought to make obscene profits from unended sprawl. The Greenbelt Act in 2005 did not deter them, only increased their involvement and investment in Provincial politicians. Ford Nation also has a complicated history with the Greenbelt and political resistance to his plans to carve it up and hand it over to his biggest donors. But now, the receipts are official in the form of the Auditor General's report on the land selection process by the Ontario Progressive Conservatives. And it is scathing. As people are process on these details, environmentalists are feeling validated and extremely frustrated. Their warnings and calls to action largely went unheard. The time comes to decide what our collective response needs to be. Some are calling for the OPP's involvement, others for resignations. What can stop this development from happening now? All of these discussions and more in this latest Rabble Rant brought to you by the same folks producing Blueprints of Disruption. All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon Resources: | |||
| Rabble Rants: A Coup in Niger / Summer of Strikes | 07 Aug 2023 | 00:51:56 | |
Topic 1: A Coup in Niger The recent coup in Niger has garnered some pretty strong responses from nations like France and the United States, as well as the EU. What is at the root of the global political reaction, and why should we care? There are hints of another proxy war at hand. Imperial interests in African natural resources, namely uranium are huge factors in how sides are shaping up in this latest coup in North West Africa. Topic 2: Summer of Strikes Workers and tenants are fighting back from coast to coast. Hosts Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou Quintero give a rundown of the many locals on strike, as well as the reaction from politicians and the acts of solidarity from the community. Be sure to catch all our other Inside the NDP episodes to get the full picture. All our content is made possible through our Patrons. To support the show: patreon.com/bpofdisruption Resources:
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| Inside the NDP: Corporate Lobbyists Running the Workers Party? | 03 Aug 2023 | 01:08:06 | |
Martin Lukacs, of the Breach and the Guardian, gives the inside scoop on his recent article Lobbyists run today’s NDP—and they’re warping the party’s politics. This investigative report details the roles of the Party's inner circle and the connections they have to corporate lobbying firms advocating for big oil and companies like Air BnB. Why are the 'day jobs' of some of the key players in the NDP's biggest campaign important? Because their rise in the Party coincide with a clear right turn in the policies and platforms being churned out and packaged as progressive. Martin talks about the impact of this trend on Canadian politics and gives us stories and insight from his many experiences with the Party. Be sure to catch all our other Inside the NDP episodes to get the full picture. All our content is made possible through our Patrons. To support the show: patreon.com/bpofdisruption Resources:
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| Rabble Rants: Loblaws Makes a Killing / Scarborough Transit | 31 Jul 2023 | 00:39:45 | |
Rabble Rants Week 2: Topic 1: Loblaws posted record second quarter profits again this year while Canadians are lining up at food banks. Did you also know they (Choice Properties) are also the largest real estate investment trust (REIT) in Canada? And that they are expanding more into residential / rental buildings? Banking, pharmacies, food and shelter - all commodified to the benefit of the wealthiest. Topic 2: After the derailment of a train on the Scarborough light rail network highlights the chronic underfunding of transit, particularly in marginalized neighbourhoods. Many are calling the new Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow, a champion of transit - does this mean things are looking up for commuters? Listen in and find out. References:
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| Blueprints of a Rent Strike | 26 Jul 2023 | 01:06:18 | |
Rent strikes are just one tool in the chest of the York South-Weston Tenant Union in Toronto. Bruno, one of the organizers with the union provides a step by step guide on how they got to where they are now - on strike, withholding rent from landlords who clearly underestimated the collective power of their tenants. Connecting neighbours, finding common ground, overcoming apathy and fear and standing up for their rights. These tenants are "fighting for their right to home". We find out they aren't the only tenants on a rent strike in Ontario - each group working with one another and giving the rest of us the inspiration we need to do the same. Resources: | |||
| Rabble Rants: Search the Landfill and 129 Peter Street | 24 Jul 2023 | 00:44:11 | |
In this weekly roundup, hosts Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou Quintero cover: Search the Landfill: Camp Morgan is a place of resistance - a blockage of the road leading to the private landfill where Police and community members expect to find the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran. The authorities have failed the families and have refused to search the landfill or even stop continued dumping in that location. Hosts cover the anti-Indigenous racism prevalent in this stories as well as the stories of resistance at the blockade and the use of injunctions to stop peaceful protests. 129 Peter Street In an attempt to limit access to the shelter system, the City of Toronto defied their own sanctuary City policy and started turning away asylum seekers. This lead to a large number of people sleeping on the sidewalk outside of 129 Peter Street in an attempt to access services. We talk about the inadequate shelter system, attitudes towards migrants and the unhoused community and the various efforts of mutual aid in response. References and Resources:
Be sure to catch all our other Inside the NDP episodes to get the full picture. All our content is made possible through our Patrons. To support the show: patreon.com/bpofdisruption | |||
| Work or Die: Disabled Under Capitalism | 18 Jul 2023 | 00:58:16 | |
What does Doug Ford mean when he says "every able bodied person should be working"? What is the impact of those words and the legislation behind them? Host Jessa McLean and Disability Advocate Jay Woodruff unpack some of the recent developments in Canadian politics that reinforce the narratives so prevalent under capitalism. Topics include:
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| Reclaiming Social Housing with 230 Fightback | 10 Sep 2024 | 01:02:05 | |
230 Fightback has been battling over a crucial piece of real estate in downtown Toronto for a very long time. A real estate investment company, Kingsett Capital is who owns the building, but their fight has been just as hampered by Toronto City Hall. Hear how the campaign persisted through organizational changes, set backs and discouragement from their own City Councilor. All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon CALL TO ACTION:
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| The Fight for Toronto | 06 Jul 2023 | 00:57:15 | |
A post election wrap up of the Toronto Mayoral election that saw the progressive front runner, Olivia Chow win by a slim margin. Hosts Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou Quintero discuss the tone of the election, examine some of the larger campaigns and breakdown what the results mean for politics in Toronto. We talk about Olivia Chow's "platform", Chloe Brown's impact, the right wing candidates egos and what their results mean. Voter turnout, Provincial politics, the organizing behind the campaigns and the prospect of a progressive Mayor are also big parts of this discussion. All our content is made possible through our Patrons. Thank You. If you can support our work, please consider a small monthly donation. If you have a story idea, email us at bpofdisruption@gmail.com Resources:
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| Inside the NDP: Sidelining Socialism | 26 Jun 2023 | 00:28:03 | |
Despite its roots in Socialism, today's NDP have drifted to the centre in an attempt to appeal to the masses. Needless to say it hasn't worked, and the damage to the political spectrum as been done. Host Jessa McLean lays out an argument that the NDP and their failure to keep Left has shifted the Overton window in Canadian politics. The episode touches on the structure of the Party, its policies, its use of power and social media to demonstrate just how socialism is being sidelined. Be sure to catch all our other Inside the NDP episodes to get the full picture. All our content is made possible through our Patrons. To support the show: patreon.com/bpofdisruption | |||
| My Father's Daughter | 18 Jun 2023 | 01:03:26 | |
For Fathers' Day, host Jessa McLean invites her Dad to talk about what politicized him as a youth and how his involvement in the trade union movement shaped how he understood power structures, politics and his own purpose. The two sound off on their own experiences with the NDP, which are unsurprisingly similar. Its a discussion about passing down working class consciousness through generations and what we choose to do with that knowledge. To follow Jessa on Twitter Jessa 🎙CHECK OUT MY PODCAST (@Jessa_McLean) / Twitter | |||
| Fire is Catching | 14 Jun 2023 | 00:46:08 | |
Can you still smell the smoke? Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou Quintero discuss the wildfires that have been raging across Canada this spring. They discuss climate anxiety, community responses and the disruption needed to prevent further damage to the environment. | |||
| The Fight for Public Transit: TTC Riders | 05 Jun 2023 | 00:50:40 | |
Two transit activists, Jamie and Herman, join host Jessa McLean to dish on the fight for public transit in Toronto. With service cuts the norm, fares rising and a Mayor's race to influence, the volunteers at TTC Riders have a lot of work to do. The guests talk about their favourite tactics, which levers of power they need to pull and why the fight for more accessible, free transit is critical to the movement for equality and climate justice. More on TTC Riders:
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| Burnout: Episode 2 | 29 May 2023 | 01:23:05 | |
On this second episode of Burnout, Host Jay Woodruff talks with Anthony Marco, President of Hamilton & District Labour Council, about what burnout means and how he tries to balance his activism with work, and the importance of artistic expression and solidarity in preventing burnout. They also discuss how the normalizing of burnout starts in our education system and follows us throughout our lives. 23e4805ce5e5e8d475a3d33ee24ba1d4e8abf10e | |||
| Inside the NDP: Controlled Convention | 25 May 2023 | 01:46:35 | |
Political Conventions aren't for everyone. Literally. Hosts Jessa McLean, Jay Woodruff and Santiago Helou Quintero talk about the orchestrated and controlled ways in which the NDP gather (some of) their members every two years. Once you understand the purpose of Conventions, you start to get a picture of what political partisanship really is. Most people will be suprised at the accounts from NDP federal council member Kristine Wickner and former BCNDP member Chris, who give first hand accounts of authoritarian and undemocratic practices that exist in Canada's 'workers' party. | |||
| Making Movements IrRESISTible | 11 May 2023 | 01:06:35 | |
Labour rights activist and community organizer, Pam Frache from Justice for Workers joins host Jessa McLean to talk about what its like organizing against the likes of Doug Ford. The discussion centres on how to bring enjoyment and equity to movements, and how to make sure they can sustain the steady political onslaught. Formerly knows as the Fight for $15 and Fairness, the folks working out of the Workers Action Centre have a lot of experience securing victories and maintaining their momentum in tough times. This episode features some practical knowledge sharing and storytelling that give a picture of what its actually like on the ground advocating for better. Comparisons are made to partisan spaces in terms of approach, experience and output. The title of the episode is from a quote that resonates with Pam to "make your movement irresistible". | |||
| Candid Candidate: Interview with Chloe Brown | 07 May 2023 | 01:13:26 | |
In a crowded field of candidates for Toronto Mayor, Chloe Brown’s grassroots campaign stands out as one of the most unique. Chloe ran an impressive campaign last October finishing 3rd with an incredibly efficient dollar-to-vote ratio of only $0.20. In this interview, Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou Quintero talk to Chloe about her experience as a Policy Analyst, how this campaign is different from last time, her platform and whether is she running to win. | |||
| Rabble Rousers on: The Race for Toronto Mayor Candidates 101 | 04 May 2023 | 01:00:32 | |
Toronto residents have a lot of candidates to chose from. Rabble Rousers Santiago Helou Quintero and Jessa McLean breakdown the top six candidates in the Race for Toronto Mayor. They go through the platforms, messaging and political records trying to makes sense of this crowded ballot of candidates. The episode starts off with what the hosts consider the front running right-wing candidates, current councillors Brad Bradford, Ana Bailão and former Police Chief Mark Saunders. They then discuss three more choices for Mayor that progressives might be eyeing, Olivia Chow, Chloe Brown and Josh Matlow. | |||
| On ADHD | 05 Sep 2024 | 01:00:30 | |
Our hosts get personal with their lived experiences with ADHD. Its a very candid discussion on how ADHD impacts their lives, the accommodations that help them thrive and the politics behind preventing us from realizing more inclusive spaces for neurodivergent folks. The episode was largely left uncut to better demonstrate some of the very characteristics people associate with ADHD, but also to challenge the misconceptions that are out there. _________________ All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon Resources:
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| Social Media as a Revolutionary Tool? | 01 May 2023 | 00:57:21 | |
Can Social Media be used for effective change? Matt Dusenbury from the Communications Firm, Smoke & Felt joins the studio. We discuss the importance of leveraging these free tools, but also their limitations. Other items discussed:
To find out more about Matt: | |||
| Doug Ford's Police Pipeline | 26 Apr 2023 | 01:02:25 | |
With the recent announcement by Ontario Premier Doug Ford that he intends to create a police pipeline to keep people safe, it was time for another discussion around defunding the police. Points of discussion include:
Sources:
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| Burnout: A MiniSeries | 21 Apr 2023 | 01:02:29 | |
In this first episode of the miniseries, host Jay Woodruff interviews fellow Rabble Rouser, Jessa McLean in a frank and deeply personal discussion about Burnout. What is it? How does it impact our lives and our movements? The condition of perpetual exhaustion, brought on by various stressors, impacts a lot of activists. Why? What is it about the systems we live in that causes to many people to become overwhelmed? Join us as we attempt to normalize these discussions around mental health and our movements. | |||
| Leftist Alliances and Power Struggles: A History Lesson | 10 Apr 2023 | 01:03:34 | |
Author and Professor James Naylor gives hosts Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou Quintero a history lesson on Labour politics and alliances of the past. They look to moments of heightened working class consciousness and unrest for lessons to apply to today’s Canadian political climate. Topics include the United Farmers of Ontario (UFO), the Winnipeg Strike, the formation of the CCF, Socialist purges and power struggles. One of the major questions we try to answer goes at the political divide that appears to exist between rural and urban voters. And that is “Why can’t the NDP capture the rural vote?” Prof. Naylor’s answer to that surprises us. In the end we see a lot of parallels between the history our guest provides us and the current Canadian political situation. Maybe just not the ones we wanted to see… To read more from James Naylor:
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| Decriminalizing Sex Work | 03 Apr 2023 | 01:16:02 | |
Sex Workers in Canada face incredible barriers in their lives due to the criminalization of their work. Jenn Clamen, National Director of the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform, describes the impacts this has on the daily lives of sex workers and the various ways in which their coalition has been fighting back. The discussion centres on a recent Constitutional challenge working its way through the courts that will serve to decriminalize sex work, and the alliance's history fighting for the rights of sex workers in Canada. Why did they choose the courts as their field of battle? Where are they getting support from? And who is getting in their way? For more information:
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| Disruptive Dialectics: Coalitions, Canadian Democracy & Selective Representation | 30 Mar 2023 | 00:38:01 | |
Hosts Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou Quintero try to answer the question of whether or not parties should represent a certain demographic. The topic comes up amidst a broader discussion on coalitions and the urban / rural electoral divide that has frustrated the Canadian Left. | |||
| Nationalism and the Working Class | 21 Mar 2023 | 01:11:21 | |
We know what kind of Nationalism we don't like, but is that enough? Guest Chris Fairweather, academic, activist and labour organizer, talks about the pervasiveness of nationalism and the impact is has on the working class with host Jessa McLean and co-host/producer, Santiago Helou Quintero. Together they examine the work it takes to shape Canadian nationalist pride (statescraft), how its weaponized, and the ways it erases class lines, state violence and international solidarity. Other questions we explore:
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| Let Them Eat Cake | 12 Mar 2023 | 01:03:37 | |
Together with Santiago Helou Quintero, Jessa McLean breaks down what happened during the Agricultural Committee hearings featuring the grocery giant CEOs. Its a discussion on Canadian politics (populism), food insecurity, and the need for a class analysis from the electoral Left. | |||
| A Community Union: ACORN Canada | 06 Mar 2023 | 00:58:35 | |
An interview with Alejandra Ruiz Vargas, National Representative and East York Chapter Leader, for ACORN Canada. Alejandra is a also a front line housing worker, longtime advocate and former political candidate. She shares just how Acorn grows it membership and determines its priorities. Acorn is membership based, and almost entirely funded by those members. We explore the impact of their approach and the values that drive their work. Alejandra shares some of the victories ACORN has experienced, recently and historically - and reminds us of the importance of celebrating gains we make. | |||
| Biased and Based Journalism | 24 Feb 2023 | 01:14:56 | |
Producer and Journalism Student, Santiago Helou Quintero dishes on what went down at Toronto City Hall during a February 2023 protest over John Tory's budget. It opens up a larger discussion on what the role of media should be, and the inherent bias that exists in all publications. Activist journalists are becoming more visible, but that hasn't been without consequence. | |||
| Blueprints of a Rent Strike Victory | 29 Aug 2024 | 00:41:54 | |
Hear a story of tenants forming a union to fight back against a slumlord, going on Rent Strike and winning! Bruno, an organizer with York-South Weston Tenants Union is back to share a victory from an unlikely place, the Ontario Landlord Tenant Board. We previously heard from Bruno on one of our favourite episodes, Blueprints of a Rent Strike. We don't just get the story - we get the blueprints of how they did it. _________________ All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon And be sure to check out our other podcast: Resources:
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| LIVESTREAM: Fighting Legislated Poverty - A Panel | 18 Feb 2023 | 02:01:05 | |
Canada has left disabled people behind. Provincial support programs do anything but. The result is Legislated Poverty. Disabled advocates from across Ontario join this panel discussion on the ways in which people are fighting back. Included in the discussion is a critique of Bill C22, a debate on tactics and an exploration of a way forward. Panels include: Rabia Khedr, Disability Without Poverty; Isabella Gamk, Toronto Mayoral candidate and activist, Kemal Ahmed, ONDP Disability Co-Chair and Accessibility Expert, and Christine Calvert, disabled activist and caregiver. | |||
| Leadership Cults in Politics | 08 Feb 2023 | 00:54:40 | |
Why do we put so much emotional stock and resources into 'leaders'? And what is that costing us politically? Host Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou Quintero make the case that the focus and energy we spend on leaders, both our own and that of our opponents, is a detriment to the movement - a distraction from actual problems and policies to fix them. They discuss the trappings of playing to the leader vs. leader narrative, why they exist and how we can move away from these 'leadership cults' in politics. | |||
| Inherently Political: Street Nurse | 31 Jan 2023 | 00:58:22 | |
Guest Cathy Crowe has spent years as a street nurse, an inherently political job. She works with people who live at the intersection of failed housing policies and a crumbling public healthcare system. After years learning from the unhoused community and advocating not just for their needs, but to an end to homeless itself, Cathy knows how imperative this fight is and where we are falling short. We hear the different tactics being employed to secure the most basic rights for people living Street nursing was a profession meant to be temporary, but is now needed more than ever. on the streets, a job that got harder to do during the pandemic. As we find out, homelessness isn't just a denial of housing, but often of healthcare as well. Street nursing was a profession meant to be temporary, but is now needed more than ever. | |||
| Challenging Canadian Imperialism | 22 Jan 2023 | 00:59:06 | |
Canadian foreign policy is not what most Canadians think it is. The narrative had for a long time been one of peacekeepers. Our approach now clearly one of open aggression, with the impact of Canada’s weapon sales, resource extraction industry and outright participation in right wing coups being felt across the globe, but are Canadians in large partaware of all of this? Special Guest, Yves Engler answers that question and more. He’s an expert in Canadian foreign policy and an activist in his own right and has written extensively on Canada’s complicit and often violent foreign policies and its hypocritical approach to international relations. Haiti, Ukraine, Venezuela and more examples are discussed. Yves makes an argument that some of these issues are just as urgent as the fight for climate action and workers’ rights. He also discusses the tactics he uses to raise the profile of some of these issues, alongside the consciousness of Canadians. Find more of Yves Work: | |||
| Community Based Journalism | 18 Jan 2023 | 01:03:16 | |
Kevin Taghabon of the Hoser joins the team at Blueprints for a discussion on Community based journalism, specifically the work of the Hoser, an independent media outlet based out of Toronto. Their "hyper local" approach allows them to produce quality, in depth reports that feature the voices of the marginalized. Voices often left out of main stream media. We get the scoop on some of the Hoser's top stories, a hint of what's to come and a bit of current politically commentary. You'll also hear how a few comrades formed a collective that now includes a podcast, a website and a monthly printed newspaper - without charging a dime or capitulating to advertisers. Most importantly, we discuss how all of this work plays into the larger progressive movement in Canada. Related links: | |||
| Pushing the Green Party Left | 05 Jan 2023 | 01:01:07 | |
Canadian Partisan politics strikes again. Looks like the NDP isn't the only Canadian political party making life difficult for eco-socialists. Longtime Green Party of Quebec leader Alex Tyrell joins host Jessa McLean to talk about the energy he's spent trying to push the Green Party Left, both on the Provincial level and federally, the barriers put in his place and why being openly socialist is critical to making space for more leftist politics. | |||
| A Developer's Democracy | 23 Dec 2022 | 00:58:42 | |
With the passing of Bill 23 by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, it is becoming even more clear to voters that developers run the Province. Their sphere of influence goes beyond the carving up of the Greenbelt. This episode uses Ontario examples to show how detrimental the relationship between ultra wealthy developers and politicians is to the wellbeing of our communities. It isn't just campaign donations, developers are wining and dining politicians, founding and funding right-wing third party 'advertisers' and clearly writing policies that cater to their every need. Resources linked to the show:
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| Lessons From: South America | 15 Dec 2022 | 01:17:31 | |
With Canadian politics void of real resistance to Capitalism, the show looks to South America for some revolutionary lessons. Guest Alexander Moldovan shares some of what he learned while studying social movements in Venezuela, much of it by way of telling the stories of workers and communities fighting back while building networks of support. While examining the ways in which movements play a role in shaping the political landscape in South America, hosts Santiago Helou Quintero and Jessa McLean draw comparisons to Canadian situation. | |||
| Making Mass Actions Count | 01 Dec 2022 | 00:55:00 | |
Ontario's General Strike never did materialize, and in the aftermath there's a lot of analysis to do. John Clarke, Professor at York University and longtime organizer, joins host Jessa McLean to compare the 2022 strike by CUPE workers to the 1995 Days of Action against them Premier Mike Harris. They discuss some of the trappings that exist in these moments, and how they too often lead to a de-escalation that benefits the ruling class. A big part of the discussion is on how we can collectively capitalize on these sometimes very temporary shifts in power to center social movements and achieve real gains for the working class. | |||
| Climate Justice: Knowing Friend from Foe | 16 Nov 2022 | 01:22:27 | |
Most of us realize the climate crisis at hand requires urgent, transformative action. If everyone knows, then what is stopping us? Who exactly is getting in the way of Climate Justice in Canada? Besides Big Oil and Gas Executives of course. Torrance Coste of Wilderness Committee helps us wade through the politics around climate action, and the different relationships that complicate the matter. With an NDP government in B.C. one would have thought environmentalists had found an ally. Sadly, this has not been the case. Real tensions exist, even on the Left, on just what a Just Transition means. This episode explores various narratives surrounding the move away from fossil fuels and the greenwashing that can be pervasive. | |||
| Haiti's Multinational Security Problem | 27 Aug 2024 | 01:17:09 | |
Canada's has deep ties to Haiti's current political dilemma, and deep pockets when it comes to meddling in their democracy. Since 2022, that is $300 million and counting. Teacher and writer Travis Ross, of the Canada-Haiti Information Project gets us up to speed on what is happening on the ground in Haiti right now and how we got there. It includes a foreign policy discussion, but also explains from a local perspective the various coalitions and classes battling it out on the streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Learn more on this topic:
All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon | |||
| Inside the NDP: Why They Came for Me | 13 Nov 2022 | 01:27:46 | |
After coming under attack from the Ontario NDP for criticizing the Party, host Jessa McLean jumped into the studio to record a response. It is a deeply personal account of her journey through partisan politics in an attempt to explain why the NDP is trying to silence her, and how this is part of a larger pattern to push out socialists and internal advocates. To read the letter from the Ontario NDP referenced in the episode in full, Jessa has included it on her Twitter feed: | |||
| Disability Justice: Left Off the Agenda | 10 Nov 2022 | 01:16:04 | |
If there is one area the Left needs to improve, it is around Disability Rights. Some of the policies coming out of the NDP are problematic, some even detrimental to disability justice. We focus on ODSP, MAiD, the Federal Disability Benefit and of course, the response to COVID. NDP Disability Co-Chair, Jay Woodruff provides an inside perspective on what its like trying to advocate for better policies and meaningful accommodations within Canada's progressive party. It isn't just electoral politics failing disabled people. This episode explores the many ways in which many movements have left disability justice off their agendas. | |||
| Ontario Fights Back - Building up to a General Strike | 07 Nov 2022 | 01:07:37 | |
With 55,000 CUPE Education workers walking off the job in defiance of legislation which made any job action illegal, there have been renewed calls for a Provincial wide General Strike. Host Jessa McLean and journalist/producer Santiago Helou Quintero discuss the core issues at stake in Ontario. With the use of the Notwithstanding Clause to override Charter Rights, and the push to destroy public services, this fight has become more than just a demand for fair wages. Premier Ford has started something...but what? And will Labour seize this moment effectively and inclusively? Lots of possibilities to discuss. Additional Resources: | |||