Advertise on podcast: Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his government’s intention to privatize Canada’s airports at the Canada Investment Summit convened in Toronto on September 15, 2026. The Summit brought together CEOs and financiers from around the world to raise capital financing for so-called “nation building” major projects across Canada in commodities, trade and digital infrastructure. Airport privatization was also one of the major announcements made at the Summit, and it appears to have raised the eyebrows of many, including those in the travel industry, among government caucus members, and among Canada’s labour unions. With precise timing, the week before this Investment Summit announcement, the Canadian Labour Congress released a new report entitled: Public Runways, Private Profits: Why Airport Privatization Would be Risky and Costly for Canadians The report raises questions about the stated goals of airport privatization: ultimately to lower costs of their operation – and looks to other examples of airport and infrastructure privatization around the world where the opposite has happened – that costs of have increased. Canada’s labour unions have come out opposed to the transfer of ownership to private equity interests, maintaining that the essential services and infrastructure remain in the hands of public control. However, defenders of this privatization have already pushed back against concern, arguing that Canadian airports aren’t publicly owned anyway. Then why the need to privatize, and who’s airport is it anyway? To clarify the confusion, DT Cochrane, Senior Economist at the Canadian Labour Congress talks to Clement Nocos for the Perspectives Journal Podcast about the CLC's new report and what airport privatization means for Canadians. NOTES Public Runways, Private Profits: Why Airport Privatization Would be Risky and Costly for Canadians, Canadian Labour Congress, September 2026. 'Canada's 4 largest airports to be opened up to private investment, Carney says,' CBC News, September 15, 2026. Press Release: The first Canada Investment Summit unleashes nearly $500 billion of new investment in Canada, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, September 15, 2026. Support the show

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The UK-based climate activist and writer explains how the Conferences of Parties have bureaucratized climate organizing. Martin Empson is a climate activist from the UK and the editor and a contributor to System Change not Climate Change, a book of essays from socialists around the world on the nature of capitalism's ecological crisis and the radical response that is needed. On this eighth episode of Class & Climate: Perspectives on a Green Economy, the Green Economy Network's national convenor Em Thompson sits down with Martin Empson to reveal how COPs (Conferences of Parties) have bureaucratized climate organizing. 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

Learn about the unique Catholic roots of Quebec's social democratic tradition. While Quebec's social democratic tradition is often traced back to the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, the province's left-wing roots are planted deeper than that. This episode examines the Catholic roots of social democracy surrounding L’École Sociale Populaire. This socially-driven organization of Jesuit priests had a dramatic effect on Quebec politics during the 1930s, revealing Quebec social democracy to be a genuinely homegrown phenomenon, unique from its left-wing counterparts in English 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 democracy has long been a powerful political force in British Columbia. This episode explores its origins in the province through the lives and ideas of two of British Columbia’s left-wing pioneers: Ernest Winch and Harold Winch. This father-son duo was known for uncompromising Marxist defence of the interests of workers against exploitation by big business, enshrining a class dynamic to BC politics that impacts electoral outcomes to this day. -- 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