Blueprints of Disruption – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

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Resources:

• CBC: Ontario NDP Removes Sarah Jama from Caucus
• Global News: NS NDP Candidate Tammy Jakeman Speaks Publicly

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.

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All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support us: Patreon

Follow us on Instagram

Resources:

• COVID Conscious Under Capitalism - Blueprints of Disruption
• Rabble Rants: Mask Bans (podcast episode)
• Need a Mask? Can you Donate a Mask? DonateMask.ca
• How to build your own Corsi-Rosenthal Box - Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation
• Guest: Shira Lurie

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

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Resources:

• Other Harm Reduction Resources
• Toronto Life: Safe Consumption Site Kensington Market
• Toronto Star: Supervised Consumption Site What its Really Like
• Leslieville Harm Reduction Coalition

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.

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.

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

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Resources:

• Transgender people and suicide fact sheet - Mental Health Commission of Canada
• Follow Peace Country Progressive Alliance on Meta (Facebook)
• CBC: LGBTQ Hate Crimes on the Rise

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

Follow us on Instagram

Resources:

• Nora Loreto - Who Funds Ontario Proud
• Greenbelt History via TVO

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:

• Intercepted: U.S.-Trained Officers Have Led Numerous Coups in Africa - Referenced in episode.

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:

• Martin Lukacs Book: The Trudeau Formula
• Follow Martin Lukacs on Twitter
• The NDP is run by a consultant class geared toward capitulation
• the Breach: Lobbyists run today’s NDP—and they’re warping the party’s politics

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:

• TTC Riders on Scarborough RT
• CP24: What Olivia Chow is promising to do as Toronto's new mayor | CP24.com
• Transit Federal Funding Information
• CBC: Underfunding Transit in Canada
• CBC: Scarborough RT Derailment
• See Choice Properties Portfolio Yourself
• BlogTO: Loblaw made $508M in the last three months amid cost of living crisis