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 Change

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! 

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. 

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 

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.

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

Welcome back to Building Left, the podcast where hosts Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins dive into the evolving landscape of social democracy and progressive politics in Canada.

In this episode, the hosts are joined by Dr. Jared Wesley, a political scientist from the University of Alberta. Dr. Wesley dives into how individual Albertans make sense of their political identity, challenging the stereotypical conservative image of the province, and raises issues like the "spiral of silence" that can keep progressive voices sidelined. 

Join the conversation for political insights that impact ridings across the country. Dr. Wesley's research and experience speaks to the importance of fostering belonging, bridging perceived political divides and communication strategies to find common ground on specific issues. 

Sources and Background Reading: 

Jared Wesley's website

No I in Team: Party Loyalty in Canadian Politics by Alex Marland, Jared J. Wesley and Mireille Lalancette

How Minds Change by David McCraney

Alberta's distorted view of their own political culture

Deep Engagement Canvassing - Neighbours United

As centre-right pundits greatly exaggerate the imminent demise of the NDP, one grassroots organization is proposing bold renewal of the party from the ground up.

In this episode, Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins are joined by Ji Won Jung from Reclaim Canada's NDP. Learn more about the movement and what you can do to get involved and help rebuild the NDP.

Following Building Left's first guest interview, you'll get the rundown on the NDP's review and renewal process, the leadership contest, and Alberta's by-election. Join us for a recap of a jam-packed week in progressive politics!

NDP launches 2025 campaign review and renewal process « Canada's NDP

Reclaim Canada's NDP Press Release

Toronto Star: Campaign to woo NDP donors away from central party 'misguided,' says ex-strategist

Globe & Mail (K Yakabuski): As the NDP faces financial crisis, radical flamethrowers play with matches - The Globe and Mail

NDP members will choose their next leader in March 2026 « Canada's NDP

Two former NDP MPs rule out bids to lead party as leadership rules issued - The Globe and Mail

Yves Engler - Canadian Author and Activist

Fred DeLorey: Why the NDP may be in even bigger trouble than we think - The Hub

Globe & Mail (A. Coyne): New leader, or new system? The Conservatives ponder life under two-party politics - The Globe and Mail

Battle River-Crowfoot Byelection - List of candidates

Katherine Swampy « Canada's NDP

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