Lyra Evans is no stranger to fighting for change, committing her life to advocating for the unhoused and LGBTQ2S+. After a successful run for Ottawa City District School Board, she is now ready to take her fight for a more just world to the House of Commons, seeking to represent the NDP in Ottawa-Centre. Lyra joins us to discuss the victories she’s had at the school board and her passion for creating change.
Jun 29, 2021•31 min•Season 3Ep. 42
Big news out of Ottawa Centre. MP and Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine McKenna announced she is not running for reelection. With the seat wide open, it is already being reported that Mark Carney, the former head of the Bank of Canada and presumptive replacement for PM Trudeau may jump into the race. Is it his to have? Should elections work this way at all? Then, we discuss the news that more Indigenous families are separated by the state today than at the height of the residential school s...
Jun 28, 2021•29 min•Season 3Ep. 41
751 more graves were found at the former site of the Marieval residential school by the Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan. How many will it take for us to face ourselves? When will the government say it is enough to take responsibility? Then, India Walton becomes the first socialist mayor of a major US city in 61 years with her against all odds win in Buffalo. Her win. is a reminder that change is possible. Is this the start of a new day?
Jun 25, 2021•27 min•Season 3Ep. 40
In preparation of our new Thursday format that will bring in you a round table of journalists, columnists, and pundits discussing the news, ideas, and policies In Canada, we’re trying something new today. each Thursday, we’ll discuss some of the weeks most important, thought provoking, or enraging opinion columns. Today’s columns are: Canada Day is a day for all Canadians — Indigenous and non-Indigenous — to celebrate Mainstreaming of Jew-hatred in Canada Let’s hope ‘kinder capitalism’ outlasts ...
Jun 24, 2021•42 min•Season 3Ep. 39
Sometimes it’s hard not to say “I told you so.” This is one of those times. Canadians are saying hello to our newest Senator, former CLC President Hassan Yussuff. How can labour stand for workers and mean it? Then, arbiters of state violence descend on Toronto’s Trinity Bellwood’s Park while civilians stand against them. What does the violent show of force say about our society? Who is responsible?
Jun 23, 2021•22 min•Season 3Ep. 38
Like New Left Radio? Support the show! What does the future hold for the left? How does the left adapt to, and prepare for, the crises of our time? These we’re the questions that led A.T. Kingsmith and his fellow editors to put together their new book Challenging the Right, Augmenting the Left: Recasting Leftist Imagination . A.T. joins us to talk about the other forward for the Canadian left and the significant challenges that face us in the quest for a better Canada. Can’t get enough NLR? Subs...
Jun 22, 2021•41 min•Season 3Ep. 37
Like NLR? Support the show ! Friday brought a lot of drama for the Canadian Labour Congress as outgoing President Hassan Yussuf used his departure to attack the NDP. Was it just an act to the Liberals he’s a loyalist in a play for a Senate seat? In a new piece in the Globe & Mail, Lawrence Martin bemoans the “retreat of North Americanism” as Ottawa and Washington seemingly grow further apart. Is it a bad thing? What does it mean for Canadian internationalism? Today is National Indigenous Peo...
Jun 21, 2021•27 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Like NLR? Support the show ! In today’s NLR Minute, we talk about the Canadian Labour Congress election, which puts the status quo versus those seeking to build leftist power, the moribund career of Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and the NDP’s surge in the province, and O’Toole and the CPC’s fixation on conspiracy theories at the cost of what is good and right for Canadians.
Jun 18, 2021•27 min•Season 3Ep. 35
With the economy just peeking out from behind the COVID-19 curtain, Statistics Canada warns that inflation is risking our recovery. There’s no doubt that consumer costs are up, but is this something we should be worried about? Is there something else going on here? Since the discovery of the mass grave in Kamloops, we’ve been bracing for another grisly discovery. Now that one has been uncovered, what does it mean moving forward? How can we have true reconciliation? NDP MP for Nunavut, Mumilaaq Q...
Jun 17, 2021•50 min•Season 3Ep. 34
The Green Party of Canada is embattled. 1/3 of the caucus jumped ship. The leader is under fire. Party brass is coming for her head. Elizabeth May *might* still be in charge. There is no shortage of drama and it’s all playing out publicly. We discuss on today’s NLR Minute.
Jun 16, 2021•19 min•Season 3Ep. 33
We sit down with Ontario NDP hopeful Bri Gardner about her run to represent the party for Etobicoke-Lakeshore in the 2022 Ontario election. We cover the ONDPs chances against big developers, the housing crisis gripping Ontario, the need for young and motivated candidates to seize this moment, reclaiming power for working Canadians, and more.
Jun 15, 2021•38 min•Season 3Ep. 32
In today’s NLR Minute, we explore Trudeau’s G7 performance, the unflattering press he received, and his super villain energy — it’s tough to be taken seriously when your always at the kids table. Then, the Liberals have a transparency problem. Releasing heavily redacted COVID-19 vaccine contracts late afternoon on Friday, a week before the legislative session is over for summer. What do they have to hide? Why not just be clear and transparent with the Canadian people? Finally, an investor group ...
Jun 14, 2021•25 min•Season 3Ep. 31
It was a big day in the Canadian newsphere! Jenica Atwin crossed the floor, the Green Party is imploding, KXL is dead once and for all (RIP public money), and Doug Ford lashed out at free speech. Join us to analyze the headlines through a democratic socialist lens.
Jun 11, 2021•36 min•Season 3Ep. 30
In light of the deadly terror attack in London this week, thoughts and prayers have been pouring in from every politician in Canada — even those who stood in opposition to publicly condemning Islamophobia. We discuss the politics of hate for political gain that create the environment that led to this moment. Then, the G7 tax agreement on a minimum tax for global multinationals has been hailed by governments, companies, and economists as a major step forward. We discuss co-host Joe Roberts’ piece...
Jun 10, 2021•45 min•Season 3Ep. 29
In today's NLR Minute, we discuss the white supremacist terror attack that left 4 dead and a family devastated. In the aftermath of the attack, there are plenty of words of sympathy and promises of support, but what must be done to change the culture of white supremacy and violence?
Jun 09, 2021•25 min•Season 3Ep. 28
On the left, we often bemoan the media — and for good reason. The media defines the national debate, shaping the political conversation. And establishing the frame in which Canadians view the issues of the day. The voice of the left is often left out or barely given airtime I. The world of corporate owned newspapers, radio stations, and television news. We’re joined by columnist and political commentator Tom Parkin to discuss the state of media in Canada, how left voices can make an impact, and ...
Jun 08, 2021•49 min•Season 3Ep. 27
In today's NLR Minute, we cover the stories you need to know, with an analysis that looks out for the people. Shortages are hitting supply chains and store shelves around the world. How did 'just in time' manufacturing, and the pursuit of profit, let us down? Big business is bad. Small business isn't better. Only democratic socialism can end the cycle . Our friends at Air Canada, have heard the "public disappointment" over bloated bonuses while taking public money. Is their remorse real?...
Jun 07, 2021•21 min•Season 3Ep. 26
On today’s NLR Minute, we cover the prospects for a rebounding job market. Is hiring good for worker wages? We check in on where the government stands an full week after the discovery of a mass grave at a former residential school — shouldn’t we expect action by now? Then, accounting firm KPMG helps Canadians hide their wealth to avoid taxes, let’s hold them criminally liable.
Jun 04, 2021•25 min•Season 3Ep. 25
Air Canada spent the better part of last year working that grift. JT and his pals bought in, gifting $5.9 billion to the multi-billion dollar company. Now we know, Air Canada wasn’t just lobbying, they were busy funneling federal wage subsidies to executives to the tune of $10 million. Will Canada ever be free of the corporate succubus? Just WTF is happening in Ontario? PUBLICLY FUNDED Catholic school boards are debating whether to fly the pride flag and it’s causing quite the hubbub — better qu...
Jun 03, 2021•52 min•Season 3Ep. 24
On today's NLR Minute, we cover a poll conducted by Navigator and the Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation that shows Canadians are sick and tired of capitalism and sociopathic corporations, the new mortgage stress test level and the further consolidation fo the housing market in the hands of the rich, and the TSX passes 20,000 points for the first time — great for shareholders, but it won't help the millions of Canadians struggling financially....
Jun 02, 2021•17 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Being poor is hard. It complicates day to day life and adds stress to already stressful situations — it also kills you. We’re joined by Dr. Dennis Raphael, Professor at the School of Health Policy and Management at York University in Toronto who shares that poverty kills Canadians early and increases the likelihood of contracting nearly every major terminal illness — poverty is the number one cause of death among Canadians. Ottawa knows it, and your elected officials know it — who is going to do...
Jun 01, 2021•51 min•Season 3Ep. 22
It's been a difficult weekend since the discovery of a mass grave at a residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. In our very first NLR Minute, we look at how this story is unfolding, the official response, and what what questions this raises for Canadians. Links & Resources from episode: Petition for a National Day of Mourning for the Lost Children of Residential School First Nations Child & Family Caring Society - Educational Resources National Centre for Truth and Reconciliatio...
May 31, 2021•18 min•Season 3Ep. 21
We’ve heard it all from the Liberal Party and Justin Trudeau. The Liberals are the party that will bring proportional representation. The Liberals are the party that will bring Canadians universal pharmacare. The Liberals are the party that will end systemic racism. None of it is true. With the Comservatives floundering in their attempt to sway voters, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh calling them out, and the broken promises piling up — have Canadian voters had enough?
May 27, 2021•45 min•Season 3Ep. 20
NDP MP, and warrior for the people, Matthew Green stops by to dive deep into the issues that are shaping Canada today. In a wide ranging conversation, we discuss his worldview, the origin of his passion for change, and the political urgency of this moment. Green says we have the opportunity to build substantive power on the left, not simply rabble from the sidelines (or confined to Twitter), and that we can do it by offering a new vision of a better country that serves us all.
May 25, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 19
Well, they finally did it. After bemoaning their own privatization of Connaught Labs, the government made an investment in domestic vaccine manufacturing. Hooray? Hardly. 2020 was the year of COVID, and as it turns out, the year of the lobbyist. All the government money the pandemic provided was chum in the water for the lobby sharks and they went for it in a big way. The Liberal government in Newfoundland takes a crack at a “Big Reset.” The only problem is that it’s packed with austerity, slamm...
May 20, 2021•52 min•Season 3Ep. 18
NDP candidate for Toronto-Centre, Brian Chang joins us on this episode of New Left Radio. A lifelong organizer, Brian has been up against the Liberal machine in Toronto-Centre before and shares that sometimes the difference between a people focused and a power focused campaign can be measured in Perrier. We explore his Toronto by-election run, the pressure put on him by Green Party activists to step aside and ignore Democratic choice, what inspires him to put it on all in the line and run for of...
May 18, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 17
It is rare for hard a hitting investigative piece to cast a light on something of importance in Canadian media. The law is stacked against the truth coming to light, independent media budgets are low, and the majority of media is corporate owned. We discuss the excellent work that the Ottawa Citizen is doing to bring accountability to military intelligence (yep, it’s confirmed, they spied on BLM protesters) and the media outlets that we can turn to for great coverage and analysis. Then, we discu...
May 13, 2021•45 min•Season 3Ep. 16
The struggle for justice in Israel/Palestine on the left has changed dramatically since 1948. We welcome Dr. Noam Chomsky to discuss the issue, what led to the current terrain, and what the future may hold. Note: This episode was pre-recorded before the recent rising violence against Palestinians in Jersualem.
May 11, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 15
We’ve been hearing about the potential of an upcoming election ad nauseum since what seems like the day after the last election. The Liberals and Justin Trudeau are chomping at the bit to regain a majority and cast off the pressure of the NDP. With all the rumours swirling around, when might we expect the hammer to drop, what’s at stake for the major parties, how can they position themselves to win, and do we have any hope?
May 06, 2021•46 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Burnaby North-Seymour NDP hopeful Markiel Simpson joins us to explore his path to politics, the huge challenges facing Canadians, and the why he’s choosing to run for office. He shares his stance on the issues, his feelings around the Twitter drama around his candidacy, and why he is ready to lead Canada forward.
May 04, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 13
