Building Left

Punk in a Blazer Productions
  • 5.0 (6)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

What’s next for the NDP and democratic socialism in Canada? We’re digging into the future of the political left from a rural, western perspective—real talk, grassroots voices, and no Ottawa filter. With hosts Jaime Frederick & Kallee Lins.

  1. 3D AGO

    Revitalizing the NDP: How EDAs Can Be Living Spaces Year-Round

    Hosts Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins speak with Guerric Haché, an Electoral District Association (EDA) member in Vancouver Centre, about rebuilding and energizing NDP EDAs. Guerric is a designer and programmer with 13 years' experience in the video game industry, alongside being as an independent writer and artist, and a prolific nature photographer. Originally from Gatineau, Québec, they've made their home in Vancouver for well over a decade, where they are a member of the EDA for Canada's New Democratic Party in the riding of Vancouver Centre, and a member of COPE, Vancouver's municipal coalition of progressive electors. Tune-in to hear about practical organizing ideas like member socials, building digital community spaces, and strengthening ties with labour unions and other activist communities. You'll also hear about the rich potential of EDAs to shape party policy, support volunteers, and connect across ridings, without shying away from common structural challenges like generational divides and inexperience with governance practices.  Join Building Left to learn more about concrete ways to connect with your EDA and revitalize the grassroots of democratic socialism in your community.  Connect with Guerric on BlueSky Social: Quillipede (@quillipede.bsky.social) — Bluesky Background/Further reading and listening: Mark Carney runs roughshod over the environment Carney government’s changes to pesticide rules will put safety at risk Carney government plan targets protections for at-risk whales Mark Carney has forgotten who helped get him elected Canadian prime minister Mark Carney is not the climate guy you thought | Seth Klein | The Guardian By hosting a global weapons bank, Carney is setting up Canada for war profiteering ⋆ The Breach Carney government eying curbs on right to strike: Unions ANALYSIS: The anatomy of a stunner in Scarborough Southwest | TVO Today

    1h 8m

  2. MAY 5

    Workers First at City Hall? How One Progressive is Shifting to Municipal Politics

    In this episode of Building Left, hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick speak with Trevor McAleese, a Kelowna-based video game developer and former federal NDP candidate who is now running for city council. Trevor discusses why municipal politics matter, and explains how he proposes to tackle issues such as affordable housing, short-term rental challenges, childcare, climate change and wildfire preparedness. The conversation explores campaign organizing differences between federal and municipal races, conservative slate strategies in B.C., and practical solutions like inclusionary zoning, municipally-run childcare, and support for the arts and tech sectors. Trevor shares advice for progressives considering municipal runs and emphasizes the importance of community-focused representation. More info/background: Trevor McAleese for Kelowna City Council Only in Nelson | The feature-length documentary movie Peggy Nash's Women Winning Office – Between the Lines

    50 min

  3. APR 17

    Inside the NDP: How Federal Council Really Works

    In this episode, hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick speak with El Foulkes, an organizer, union activist and artist who sits on the NDP federal council as a table officer from Quebec. El explains how the council and executive operate between conventions, shares their experience on transparency, consultation and decision‑making, and discusses internal organizing to strengthen democratic processes across the party. Join us for a conversation about what structural changes are needed within the party and how a model of continuous, grassroots organizing can lead to a more accountable, movement‑focused NDP. Folllowing that, Kallee and Jaime briefly dig into recent political developments—Avi Lewis’s early moves as NDP leader, federal by-election results and what it means that the Liberal government now holds a majority of seats in the House of Commons. Background/More information: NDP Executive & Council (list not updated at time of publication) Toronto Star: Carney government plans to water down fundraiser rules Information on Stephen Lewis Memorial RSVP to attend Stephen Lewis Memorial (livestream)

    58 min

  4. APR 6

    Convention Confidential: What you may have missed from the debates, elections and tributes

    Jaime Frederick puts co-host Kallee Lins in the hot seat for a report from the NDP convention in Winnipeg. Join Building Left for a deep dive into Avi Lewis's first-ballot victory, executive council elections, and what the recently passed resolutions reveal about the future direction and unity of the party.

    1h 4m

  5. MAR 25

    Backroom Deals & Ranked Ballots: On the Eve of the NDP Convention

    Just days before the federal NDP chooses its new leader in Winnipeg, hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick break down the race to Convention: a mutual endorsement proposition between candidates, strategic ranked-ballot math, attacks over the decade-old Leap Manifesto, and the fallout from Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crossing the floor to the Liberals. Join us as we weigh in on what these flashpoints mean for the party’s direction and electability. We also debate whether or not the NDP leader needs a seat in the House of Commons, and look ahead to Convention resolutions, by-election math, and rebuilding efforts across the country. Background reading/viewing: NDP leadership hopeful rebuffed opponent’s offer of support Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein read Mean Tweets: https://youtu.be/REdG3VL9Yfo?si=l_XYDDYFGqpeayFn NDP's Davies says Idlout's decision to join Liberals overrides 'sacred trust' of ballot box | CBC News

    46 min

  6. MAR 5

    Candidate Spotlight: Heather McPherson

    Join Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins for the latest spotlight on NDP leadership hopefuls. Jump in and get to know Heather McPherson! Heather McPherson, the NDP MP for Edmonton Strathcona and the only sitting MP running for leader, shares the tactics that have led her team in Alberta to repeated electoral successes.  On Building Left, Heather discusses the need for balancing a just transition for oil and gas workers with climate action, immigration politics in Alberta and across the country, and restoring Canada to its ethically-grounded place on the world stage.

    40 min

  7. FEB 26

    The Final Showdown: NDP Leadership Candidates Face-off in English Debate

    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. Building Left on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/buildingleft.bsky.social Building Left on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buildingleftpodcast

    55 min

  8. FEB 12

    Rebuilding for Strength: A Conversation with Peter Julian

    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.

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

What’s next for the NDP and democratic socialism in Canada? We’re digging into the future of the political left from a rural, western perspective—real talk, grassroots voices, and no Ottawa filter. With hosts Jaime Frederick & Kallee Lins.

Information

  • Creator
    Punk in a Blazer Productions
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Building Left

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