Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy

Broadbent Institute

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

    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

    22 min
  2. Class & Climate: Workers' Safety in the Climate Crisis

    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

    1 hr
  3. Socialism After Capitalism

    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

    1h 3m
  4. Social Democrats of the North: Moses Coady, Antigonish Awakening

    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

    20 min
  5. Shaping Canada’s Economic Future with Barry Sawyer, Bea Bruske, and Magali Picard

    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

    23 min
  6. Class & Climate: The Politics of Electrification with Stephen Thomas

    May 11

    Class & Climate: The Politics of Electrification with Stephen Thomas

    The David Suzuki Foundation's Stephen Thomas discusses the political challenges and possibilities for building a truly green Canadian electricity grid. Stephen Thomas is a climate campaigner, policy analyst, and engineer working on the front lines of Canada’s transition to a 100% zero-emissions electricity grid as the Clean Energy Manager for the David Suzuki Foundation. For Class & Climate: Perspectives on a Green Economy, Green Economy Network National Convenor Em Thompson sits down with Stephen to discuss the politics of electrification and the challenges, and the opportunities for building a fully-connected, east-west electricity grid. 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

    49 min
  7. Defending Democracy Across Borders with David Adler

    May 6

    Defending Democracy Across Borders with David Adler

    To defend democracy across borders, we must understand the global right-wing network and build the power to confront it. At the 2026 Progress Summit, David Adler highlighted the organized right-wing network of actors and institutions — what he calls the 'Reactionary International.' Adler is the Co-General Coordinator of the Progressive International, an group that unites, organizes and mobilizes the world’s progressive forces to fight for democracy. On March 5, 2026, he delivered a keynote on the theme of the 2026 Progress Summit: Defending Democracy Across Borders, and moderated a panel discussion featuring: Frederike Boll, Social Democratic Party of Germany, Director of Strategic PlanningJosé Luis Granados Ceja, Drop Site News, Head of Latin America DeskJennifer Pedersen, Canada's NDP, Foreign Policy and Legislative AdvisorRelated Links The Reactionary International Research ConsortiumThe Progressive InternationalThe Panama PapersDrop Site NewsSupport the show

    51 min
  8. Social Democrats of the North: George Hara Williams

    May 1

    Social Democrats of the North: George Hara Williams

    In 1944, the Saskatchewan CCF formed the first social democratic government in North America. Behind this landmark achievement was George Hara Williams, the oft-forgotten architect of the CCF’s success in the province, who laid the organizational groundwork that brought together labour and farmers movements to produce the history-making victory. After building these foundations, he left to fight in the Second World War while still a Member of the Legislative Assembly. He became Minister of Agriculture, returning in time for the election of the CCF government, but this victory was short-lived for Williams. His seldom told story is instrumental to the legends of Tommy Douglas and MJ Coldwell. -- 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

    24 min
See All (78)

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.

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