JP Hornick, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, talks about how the Doug Ford PC government has corrupted Ontario's public service delivery, the public service's protection of public money and its public service values. JP talks about how an incoming progressive government can repair Ontario's public service.

JP touches on various Ford scandals, including with the province's Skills Development Fund, wildfire-fighting capacity, court delays and the Ontario Student Assistance Plan. Public service money is taxpayer money, JP argues, but the Ford PCs treat it like their own person fund.

Also, guest co-host Aileen Machell talks about incoming BC Conservative premier Doerkson's plans on housing. Tom talks about the cloak of secrecy the Federal Liberals have thrown over who is staffing their Major Projects Office.

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Oliver Pare and Drew Eldrege-Martin join to talk about the recent domination of YouTube shorts in presenting political narratives and the new tools campaigns use to track the strength and shifts of political narratives. And we ask if central campaigns should rethink their structures to better focus on advancing strategic narratives.

Plus, Nikki talks about the future of the North Pacific tanker ban. And Tom talks about some polling shifts and some wildly off polls in the recent Toronto mayoral and council elections.

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Key votes in BC and Alberta have made it clear that the political landscape is shifting. Raj Sihota, Aileen Machell and Shannon Phillips join Nikki to dive into the lessons learned.

Raj highlights that there isn't a single narrative across Canada, but common threads emerge, particularly concerns about economic insecurity.

Our panelists discuss critical lessons for progressive parties. Shannon emphasizes the importance of storytelling in politics, arguing that ideas matter greatly, even in times of algorithm-driven communications.

She critiques the federal government's approach during the Alberta referendum, suggesting that a stronger narrative around the benefits of remaining in Canada was necessary.

Aileen points out the dual narratives at play: frustration versus hope.

She stresses that without a hopeful vision that resonates with people, frustration can win the day, as seen in BC.

The pressing issue of affordability remains a top concern for voters. Our panel stresses the need for progressive parties to connect their policies to the everyday lives of people.

Shannon shares her door-knocking experiences, revealing that specific affordability measures, like savings from ICBC, resonated well with voters.

Progressives need to address the economic anxieties of voters with tangible solutions and compelling narratives. The insights shared by our panelists provide a roadmap for navigating the complexities of modern political campaigning in Canada.

For a deeper dive into these insights and more, listen to the full episode.

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Ron Wells, president of USW 1005, and Jillian Watt, president of CUPE 7800, talk about hundreds of layoffs hitting their members, the reasons for it, the impact on Hamilton, and their mobilization to protect jobs.

Tom digs into the nation-wide labour response to the Federal Liberals’ Bill C-39, which institutionalizes the power of the Labour Minister to ban strikes she deems to be contrary to the “national interest,” a term without legal definition.

Unions are developing their campaign to oppose C-39. Some have explicitly pledged to defy it, which was how how workers prevented section 107 from being used against Air Canada on-flight staff and Ontario’s Bill 28 from being used against school support workers.

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Avi Lewis, leader of the Federal NDP, joins to tell us a bit more about himself and his read on where Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading with Canada. Avi shares his thoughts on how to rebuild the federal NDP by organizing grassroots opposition to privatizations and labour right roll-backs and grassroots support for protecting healthcare.

Also, Nikki looks at Danielle Smith's legislative changes that rob opposition parties of their access to voters' lists. And Tom looks at another Doug Ford scandal -- foot-dragging on investigating an apparent $500 million organized scam from a fund intended to help students get an education.

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Carla Beck, leader of the Saskatchewan NDP, talks about big data centres planned for just outside Regina and Moose Jaw and the Moe government's refusal to explain how the electricity will be provided, the cost to ratepayers or how many jobs will be created. Until the secrecy is lifted and important questions are answered, the Saskatchewan NDP is asking for a pause on the projects.

Also, Nikki takes a look at the internal division that drove Manitoba PC leader Obby Khan to quit. Tom takes a look at some damning Ontario fiscal reports and wonders if we haven't been strong enough in asking conservatives "how will you pay for it?"

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Shannon Devine joins us to talk about her doorstep experience as the NDP's candidate in the April 2025 general election and the August 2026 by-election in Beaches-East York. Shannon talks about the different strategic conditions, the improvement in volunteers, what voters want to talk about on the doorstep, and how she tried to get voters to engage.

Also, Nikki reflects on recent comments from the prime minister that revealed the Canadian military has developed plans for a Trump invasion. Tom digs into the Quebec election and how the "reasonable accommodation" debate that all parties have toyed with is now fueling a culture war from the Quebec Conservative Party.

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Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, joins Left East to West to talk about the trade war that President Trump has declared on Canadians and about Prime Minister Carney's investor agenda. Bea tells us workers are worried about the impact of Trump's attack on them, but also expresses labour's concern that Carney's investor agenda will limit worker rights and privatize key public infrastructure.

Also, Nikki gives us the latest on the BC Conservatives' turmoil and the likelihood of Premier David Eby calling a snap election. Tom looks at the European far-right, its supporters in Premier Danielle Smith's office and their shared focus on taking away rights and benefits from immigrants or temporary workers.

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