Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy

Broadbent Institute
  • 0.0 (0)
  • News

The Perspectives Journal Podcast complements the journal and opinions content of Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy, to bring out left-wing ideas and strategy in a new and ever-evolving format. The podcast features interviews with policy experts, to dig deeper into the progressive angles of the issues affecting working-class, ordinary Canadians.Hosted by editor-in-chief, Clement Nocos, the Perspectives Journal Podcast aims to bring forward timely analysis on issues from the multiple crises of the economy, cost-of-living and the environment, to the labour movement, as well as the state of Canadian democracy. The wide reaching breadth of this show aims to help inform policymakers and the public about approaches to today’s pressing problems that are rooted in Ed Broadbent’s Principles for Canadian Social Democracy. Perspectives Journal also produces and features shows hosted by the Broadbent Institute’s friends and affiliates, providing a progressive platform for limited and irregular conversations that are still necessary to enliven Canada’s political discourse. The Perspectives Journal Podcast is a proud members of the Harbinger Media Network, Canada’s progressive podcast community. --- Activists Make History Activists Make History with Peggy Nash is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal that finds the political underdogs and asks how they got started, against the odds, to fight for progressive change. Policymakers, activists and experts from underrepresented communities and backgrounds, that are typically pushed to the margins of Canadian political life, are front and centre in conversation with Peggy Nash, who has been a union activist, a feminist advocate, and a Member of Parliament in Canada’s House of Commons for nearly a decade. --- Social Democrats of the North In Social Democrats of the North: Canadian Visions for Justice & Equality from Confederation to the Quiet Revolution, Dave McGrane, Professor of Political Science at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan, explores the life, times, and ideas of Canada’s most influential social democrats. From Confederation at 1867, to the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, discover the people who shaped social democracy in Canada, the movements that fought for the working-class, and the legacies they’ve left for the wellbeing of all Canadians. There are lessons for activists, and forgotten struggles that apply to today’s wins. After all, the best teacher for a better world tomorrow, is the past. --- Class & Climate Class & Climate: Perspectives on a Green Economy is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal and the Green Economy Network that explores how climate action can create good jobs, make life more affordable, and debunk the myth that workers and the environment are at odds. The Broadbent Institute is a member of the Green Economy Network. GEN brings together labour, environmental, faith, and social justice organizations. If you’re interested in getting involved, please get in touch.

  1. Jul 15

    How a Progressive Government Builds Digital Sovereignty

    Chile’s former Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation explains how her progressive government built capacity for digital sovereignty in anticipation of the age of AI. The global economy is overly dependent on U.S. tech giants for digital infrastructure, data, and artificial intelligence. U.S. laws and corporate dominance threaten external control over digital systems, putting sovereignty, privacy, and democracy at risk. Meanwhile, AI as a tool for the profit of Big Tech companies is threatening jobs, undermining public education, healthcare, and public services, and eroding public trust. But Canada can’t simply avoid technological development and be left behind, dominated by these powers. How should a progressive government approach building digital sovereignty and democratic AI? Aisén Amelia Etcheverry Escudero, recently Chile’s Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation under the Broad Front Party government of President Gabriel Boric, spoke to editor Clement Nocos on the Perspectives Journal Podcast to share her perspective on progressive digital governance and what nation-building for digital sovereignty can look like. – This conversation was recorded on July 8, 2026 as a part of a 2026 Panamerican Congress workshop held in Toronto on AI, Digital Sovereignty and Democracy. In case you missed it: you can now watch the full panel discussion we held on July 9th with former Chilean Innovation Minister Aisén Etcheverry, NDP Leader Avi Lewis, Costa Rican Deputy Sigrid Segura, and Centre for International Policy (US) President Nancy Okail on taking on Big Tech across borders, controlling AI, and defending digital sovereignty. Support the show

    How a Progressive Government Builds Digital Sovereignty

  2. Jun 23

    Class & Climate: Debunking Degrowth with Matt Huber

    Author and professor Matt Huber argues that solving the climate crisis doesn’t require economic "degrowth". On this episode of Class & Climate: Perspectives on a Green Economy, Matt Huber, author of Climate Change as Class War, challenges commonly-held assumptions about responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions, debunking the myth of "degrowth" as the sole solution to our planetary climate crisis. Class & Climate is a podcast series from Perspectives Journal and the Green Economy Network that maps how climate action can deliver jobs and long-term affordability for workers — while debunking myths that these goals are a zero-sum trade-off with a clean environment. Support the show

    Class & Climate: Debunking Degrowth with Matt Huber

  3. Jun 21

    Social Democrats of the North: Frank Calder, Living in Two Worlds

    Early Canadian social democrats routinely ignored the issues facing Indigenous communities, despite regularly claiming concern with poverty and social justice. Frank Calder fought to change this when he was elected as an MLA for the British Columbia CCF in 1949.  As the first status Indigenous person to be elected at either the federal or provincial level in Canada, Calder used his position to advocate for a modern, comprehensive land claims policy to facilitate the negotiation and claims process. His long political career was marked by many successes as he navigated through the different worlds of Indigenous and provincial politics, leaving a lasting impact on Canada's political history. — Social Democrats of the North: Canadian Visions for Justice & Equality from Confederation to the Quiet Revolution is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal by Broadbent Research Fellow and Editorial Committee Member Dave McGrane. Dave McGrane, Professor of Political Science at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan, explores the life, times, and ideas of Canada’s most influential social democrats. From Confederation at 1867, to the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, discover the people who shaped social democracy in Canada, the movements that fought for the working-class, and the legacies they’ve left for the wellbeing of all Canadians. There are lessons for activists, and forgotten struggles that apply to today’s wins. After all, the best teacher for a better world tomorrow, is the past. Social Democrats of the North is a Perspectives Journal Podcast Series, published by the Broadbent Institute. Host & Episode Research – Dave McGrane Producer – Clement Nocos Production Assistant – Jack McClelland Theme music note The tune of US folk song “John Brown’s Body” is used extensively for militant labour movements and group marching, referencing US abolitionist John Brown. The tune has evolved into a number of variations, including ‘The March of the Workers’ in the Labor Reform Songster (1892) by Ontario labour leader Phillips Thompson (Social Democrats of the North Episode 2). Battle Hymn of the Republic medley by Marisa Anderson is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Support the show

    Social Democrats of the North: Frank Calder, Living in Two Worlds

  4. Jun 4

    Social Democrats of the North: M.J. Coldwell, From the Prairies to Parliament

    CCF Leader M.J. Coldwell fought in Parliament to establish unemployment insurance and old age pensions. When the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation burst onto the Canadian political scene as a new socialist political party in the 1930s, there was no guarantee it would survive. Building the CCF during the Great Depression required dedicated organizers and leaders willing to fight for the working class. M.J. Coldwell took on leadership of the CCF, and made it into a well-entrenched and long-lasting force in Canadian politics. As a Saskatchewan MP and CCF Leader, he fought in the House of Commons to establish unemployment insurance, old age pensions, and public health care, helping lay the foundation for Canada's modern social safety net. — Social Democrats of the North: Canadian Visions for Justice & Equality from Confederation to the Quiet Revolution is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal by Broadbent Research Fellow and Editorial Committee Member Dave McGrane. Dave McGrane, Professor of Political Science at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan, explores the life, times, and ideas of Canada’s most influential social democrats. From Confederation at 1867, to the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, discover the people who shaped social democracy in Canada, the movements that fought for the working-class, and the legacies they’ve left for the wellbeing of all Canadians. There are lessons for activists, and forgotten struggles that apply to today’s wins. After all, the best teacher for a better world tomorrow, is the past. Social Democrats of the North is a Perspectives Journal Podcast Series, published by the Broadbent Institute. Host & Episode Research – Dave McGrane Producer – Clement Nocos Production Assistant – Jack McClelland Theme music note The tune of US folk song “John Brown’s Body” is used extensively for militant labour movements and group marching, referencing US abolitionist John Brown. The tune has evolved into a number of variations, including ‘The March of the Workers’ in the Labor Reform Songster (1892) by Ontario labour leader Phillips Thompson (Social Democrats of the North Episode 2). Battle Hymn of the Republic medley by Marisa Anderson is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Support the show

    Social Democrats of the North: M.J. Coldwell, From the Prairies to Parliament

  5. May 27

    Class & Climate: Workers' Safety in the Climate Crisis

    How are unions protecting workers’ health and safety as temperatures rise, fires and floods increase, and environmental regulations are gutted? On May Day 2026, the Green Economy Network's Em Thompson brought together union health and safety experts for a public conversation on workers’ safety in the climate crisis. How is the labour union movement protecting workers from rising temperatures, increasing disasters, and weakening environmental regulations? Panelists include: Alex Callahan, National Director of Health, Safety and Environment with the Canadian Labour Congress.Anne Tennier, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Roger Duffy, Health & Safety Representative Canadian Union of Public EmployeesClass & Climate is a podcast series from Perspectives Journal and the Green Economy Network that maps how climate action can deliver jobs and long-term affordability for workers — while debunking myths that these goals are a zero-sum trade-off with a clean environment. Support the show

    Class & Climate: Workers' Safety in the Climate Crisis

  6. May 22

    Socialism After Capitalism

    2026 Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize and Lecturer Bhaskar Sunkara spoke to Luke Savage at Toronto Metropolitan University about what a modern 21st century socialism should look like. What’s worked, what’s failed, and what comes next? Is economic democracy compatible with capitalism? When so many figures, from Rosa Luxemburg, to Ed Broadbent, to Tony Blair, have at one point called themselves “social democrats,” is there a tension or confusion between social democracy and socialism? Sunkara’s discussion previews his forthcoming, co-authored book entitled The Blueprint: How Socialism Can Work in the Real World, as well as his thoughts on Zohran Mamdani’s historic campaign to become the democratic socialist Mayor of New York City. Listen to and read Bhaskar Sunkara’s full 2026 Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture, ‘Market Socialism Against Capitalism,’ in Perspectives Journal. Buy Seeking Social Democracy, Ed Broadbent’s book co-authored by Luke Savage, Frances Abele, and Jonathan Sas, and subscribe to Luke Savage’s Substack. Support the show

    Socialism After Capitalism

  7. May 20

    Social Democrats of the North: Moses Coady, Antigonish Awakening

    Coady's ideas about collectivism and co-operation represented the first real challenge to the conservatism of Nova Scotia’s political culture. Moses Coady was a Catholic priest, a scholar at St. Francis Xavier University and, most importantly, he was an organizer who was best known for leading the Antigonish Movement: a co-operative movement focused on adult education, microfinance, and rural development. The Antigonish Movement, based at St. FX, sparked a co-operative movement wave across the Maritimes, establishing credit unions, schools, and co-ops throughout the region during the early 20th century. The co-operative and collectivist institutions he developed helped to blunt the impacts of the Great Depression on the working class. Coady's collectivist ideals and co-operative organizing through the Antigonish Movement challenged the conservative political culture of Nova Scotia and laid the foundations for the CCF's and NDP's later influence in Atlantic Canada. -- Social Democrats of the North: Canadian Visions for Justice & Equality from Confederation to the Quiet Revolution is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal by Broadbent Research Fellow and Editorial Committee Member Dave McGrane. Dave McGrane, Professor of Political Science at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan, explores the life, times, and ideas of Canada’s most influential social democrats. From Confederation at 1867, to the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, discover the people who shaped social democracy in Canada, the movements that fought for the working-class, and the legacies they’ve left for the wellbeing of all Canadians. There are lessons for activists, and forgotten struggles that apply to today’s wins. After all, the best teacher for a better world tomorrow, is the past. Social Democrats of the North is a Perspectives Journal Podcast Series, published by the Broadbent Institute. Host & Episode Research – Dave McGrane Producer – Clement Nocos Production Assistant – Jack McClelland -- Theme music note The tune of US folk song “John Brown’s Body” is used extensively for militant labour movements and group marching, referencing US abolitionist John Brown. The tune has evolved into a number of variations, including ‘The March of the Workers’ in the Labor Reform Songster (1892) by Ontario labour leader Phillips Thompson (Social Democrats of the North Episode 2). Battle Hymn of the Republic medley by Marisa Anderson is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Support the show

    Social Democrats of the North: Moses Coady, Antigonish Awakening

  8. May 14

    Shaping Canada’s Economic Future with Barry Sawyer, Bea Bruske, and Magali Picard

    At the 2026 Progress Summit: Defending Democracy Across Borders, Canada’s labour leaders discussed what labour is fighting for: a different economic and trade future that puts workers at the centre. As Trump-era trade and economic policies reshape decisions about jobs, industry, and investment, workers and communities in Canada are feeling the effects. From manufacturing to public services to war-shock inflation, economic choices are being made that will reshape the future of work on both sides of the border, often without workers at the table. Panelists include: Bea Bruske, Canadian Labour Congress, PresidentMagali Picard, Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), PrésidenteBarry Sawyer, UFCW Canada, National PresidentThe panel discussion was moderated by Jen Hassum, Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute. Support the show

    Shaping Canada’s Economic Future with Barry Sawyer, Bea Bruske, and Magali Picard
See All (81)

About

The Perspectives Journal Podcast complements the journal and opinions content of Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy, to bring out left-wing ideas and strategy in a new and ever-evolving format. The podcast features interviews with policy experts, to dig deeper into the progressive angles of the issues affecting working-class, ordinary Canadians.Hosted by editor-in-chief, Clement Nocos, the Perspectives Journal Podcast aims to bring forward timely analysis on issues from the multiple crises of the economy, cost-of-living and the environment, to the labour movement, as well as the state of Canadian democracy. The wide reaching breadth of this show aims to help inform policymakers and the public about approaches to today’s pressing problems that are rooted in Ed Broadbent’s Principles for Canadian Social Democracy. Perspectives Journal also produces and features shows hosted by the Broadbent Institute’s friends and affiliates, providing a progressive platform for limited and irregular conversations that are still necessary to enliven Canada’s political discourse. The Perspectives Journal Podcast is a proud members of the Harbinger Media Network, Canada’s progressive podcast community. --- Activists Make History Activists Make History with Peggy Nash is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal that finds the political underdogs and asks how they got started, against the odds, to fight for progressive change. Policymakers, activists and experts from underrepresented communities and backgrounds, that are typically pushed to the margins of Canadian political life, are front and centre in conversation with Peggy Nash, who has been a union activist, a feminist advocate, and a Member of Parliament in Canada’s House of Commons for nearly a decade. --- Social Democrats of the North In Social Democrats of the North: Canadian Visions for Justice & Equality from Confederation to the Quiet Revolution, Dave McGrane, Professor of Political Science at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan, explores the life, times, and ideas of Canada’s most influential social democrats. From Confederation at 1867, to the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, discover the people who shaped social democracy in Canada, the movements that fought for the working-class, and the legacies they’ve left for the wellbeing of all Canadians. There are lessons for activists, and forgotten struggles that apply to today’s wins. After all, the best teacher for a better world tomorrow, is the past. --- Class & Climate Class & Climate: Perspectives on a Green Economy is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal and the Green Economy Network that explores how climate action can create good jobs, make life more affordable, and debunk the myth that workers and the environment are at odds. The Broadbent Institute is a member of the Green Economy Network. GEN brings together labour, environmental, faith, and social justice organizations. If you’re interested in getting involved, please get in touch.

Information

You Might Also Like