Building Left

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.
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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.

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. 

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

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

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

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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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.

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

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.