Building Left

Candidate Spotlight: Tony McQuail

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

Bilingual Blues: Unpacking the NDP's First Leadership Debate

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

Candidate Spotlight: Tanille Johnston

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. 
 
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The Ups, Downs and Deficits of Carney's First Budget

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.

The Future of Our Movement: An Interview with Jäger Rosenberg

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

Candidate Spotlight: Avi Lewis

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.

Bridging Divides: A Conversation with Libby Davies

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. 

We're Off to the Races: Leadership Campaigns Begin and Section 107

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 

Voters Flipping from Orange to Blue: Lessons from Niagara

Hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick are joined by Christian Audette to explore the growing shift of working-class voters from the NDP to the Conservatives.
Christian is a local organiser and small business owner in the Niagara region of Ontario. After working on both federal and provincial campaigns, he has on-the-ground insights to share about voters' economic anxiety, provincial vs. federal dynamics, and practical steps the NDP can take to reconnect with working-class communities.

Inside the NDP Leadership Race

As the NDP leadership race warms up, Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins  explore the rules and dynamics shaping the contest and assess the early contenders.
Yves Engler, an outspoken activist, raises questions about barriers to entry and accuses the party of favouritism, particularly toward Heather McPherson (MP, Edmonton-Strathcona), known as a more moderate voice.
From the cost of entry, to signature requirements and upcoming debates, join us as we tour through the terrain of the leadership race and ask, "Who will make it to the starting line?"
More information:
Rules Governing Leadership Contest 2026 « Canada's NDP