Labournauts Podcast

With the topic of Electoral Reform becoming more and more relevant both Provincially in British Columbia and Nationally across Canada, the Labournauts thought the timing was right to sit down with Alex Hemingway, Public Finance Policy Analyst from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Alex and Carlos do their best to unpack and explain what a change to our voting system could look like, the potential challenges policy changes like this one could create and some of the recent history this topic has in British Columbia.

Sussanne joins Delta school board trustee and musqueum community activist Rhiannon Bennett and BC Federation of Labour indigenous workers rep Shelley Saje Ricci join sussanne to talk about the March for Reconciliation, inequality, white supremacy and moving reconciliation into "reconciliACTION

Ana Avendaño, Vice President of Labour Participation at United Way Worldwide joins Carlos to talk about community. From her work in Workers Action Centres to being the AFL-CIO Assistant to the President for Immigration and Community Action it's clear that Ana has a passion for her community. She provides some first hand perspective on what Washington, D.C. looks like with Trump as President, the ripple effect this administration is having on community and how the United Way & Labour are stepping up to make a better America for all.

BC MLA Ravi Kahlon joins Carlos to talk about his experiences as a Olympian, the important work he's now doing as the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Multiculturalism in British Columbia, and why Labour Day is important to Ravi, his Family and all British Columbians.

Labounauts regular Adrienne Smith joins Sussanne Skidmore and Carlos To talk about all things "Pride" related.

This episode navigates through the good and not so good parts of being a activist in today's political landscape. We talk about Sussanne's experiences as she travels across Canada taking part in Pride Marches as well as Adrienne's recent experiences dealing with hate speech directed at them after being the spokesperson in a video posted on Facebook.

Enjoy this 3 in 1 bonus episode as Carlos occupies the BC Building Trades Council 19th Annual Charity Golf Tournament.

First, Executive Director of the Build Trades Council, Tom Sigurdson sits down and gives us a brief history lesson on how this council came to be, as well as why it's so important that unions give back to the community.

Next, Chris Lowe from Variety talks with Carlos about the important work his organization does to support children all over the world.

Lastly, Bruce Verchere, Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia sheds some light on the work he and his team are doing to address child hood diabetes. Bruce also drops some knowledge on Carlos as he discusses some of the fascinating break throughs scientists are making with gene modification.

Enjoy! And thanks for listening!!

Trevor Davies, Secretary Treasurer- Canadian Union of Public Employees British Columbia, joins Carlos to discuss all things Government at the BC Building Trades 19th Annual Golf Tournament.

It's the summer and we are posting one of our early epsiodes to give our hosts some time off. This is our episode 5. In this episode we are joined by Diane Irvine and Rachel Roy. They talk to us about Uber, privacy law in the internet age, and what it is like to be a progressive in law school.

Hope you enjoy!

Like Rachel's firm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AQWLaw

Shelina Merani, one of Canada's rising stand up comedian stars and Public Service Alliance of Canada Communications Specialist, sits down with Carlos to discuss her experiences as a Muslim comedian making a name for her self on the stand up scene.

Born in Kenya, raised in Calgary Shelina brings a unique perspective to the stage using humour to bridge serious topics with laughter and consideration. Recently invited to try out for America's Got Talent and now being featured in a CBC Documentary titled "Shelina: Stand Up!" Shelina is dynamic activist destined for greatness.

Episode 33 - "Attack on Vegreville" this episode takes off from Toronto as Carlos is joined by Crystal Warner, National Executive Vice President of the Canada Employment And Immigration Union and Michelle Henderson, NVP for Alberta/NWT/Nunavut CEIU to talk about Trudeau's ongoing attacks on going Vegreville, Alberta.

After campaigning on promises to respect and support rural Canada, Trudeau's government has, without warning, decided to "relocate" the IRCC office which processes temporary and permanent residency applications, studies permits and other immigration files away from rural Vegreville to Edmonton.

This decision has had a ripple effect across the small community of Vegreville and these folks aren't backing down without a fight. Listen to Michelle and Crystal describe the challenges their members are facing and the effects this "relocation" would have on this small town.