Shows
Spring RadioA Socialist Response to Pierre Poilievre Part 4: The Federal Election Debrief ft. Pam FracheWhen we began this mini-series, Pierre Poilievre and the conservatives were looking like they could win big if an election were to be held. However, the Liberal Party’s political fortunes changed in early 2025, as the threat of tariffs consumed Canadian political conversation, an unpopular Trudeau resigned, and Mark Carney became the new leader of the party.
With polls looking good for the Liberals and the race thrown open, Carney called a quick election and pulled off yet another win at the ballot box, leading the Liberals to a fourth term in office and a minority government.
2025-06-281h 00Spring RadioTenant Organizing and Housing Justice feat. Chiara PadovaniThe housing system is designed to make the people at the top richer while the rest of us struggle to pay rent or afford a mortgage. The only way the system will improve is if the working class organize to challenge the status quo.
In today’s episode, we talk with Chiara Padovani, an organizer who has been challenging corporate landlords and building tenant power with her neighbours.
Follow Chiara at https://www.instagram.com/chipadovani/ and https://x.com/chipadovani
Follow the York South-Weston Tenant Union at https://www.instagram.com/yswtenantunion and...2025-05-3147 minSpring RadioTrade Wars and Class War feat. Dave Bush & Deena NewazDonald Trump’s tariffs have set the whole global economy in a frenzy. The trade war is escalating and countries, including Canada, are retaliating with heightened nationalism. In the upcoming federal election in Canada, tariffs and Trump are the most central issue. But what does it mean for workers and the working class? Who benefits from the current economic instability in the world? And who pays the price?
In this episode, Spring members David Bush and Deena Newaz sit down to understand what tariffs mean for the international working class, how it is playing out in Canada, an...2025-04-191h 19Spring RadioA Socialist Response to Poilievre Part 3: Immigration feat. Harshill and VedanthIn this episode, we analyze Pierre Poilievre’s anti-immigration rhetoric and the broader political landscape, including policies and messaging from the federal Liberals, Doug Ford, and Donald Trump.
Spring member Samuel Tetelepta sat down with migrant student organizers Harshill and Vedanth to discuss why we need solidarity, not scapegoating, in this critical moment.
Episode links:
Migrant Students United: https://www.instagram.com/migrantstudentsunited/
Migrant Workers for Change: https://www.instagram.com/migrantworkersalliance/ https://x.com/MWACCanada
Naujawan Support Network: https://www.instagram.com/naujawansupportnetwork/
Vedanth's social: https://www.insta...2025-03-2240 minSpring Radio2025 Ontario Elections feat. Sarah JamaIn this episode we speak with Independent Ontario MPP Sarah Jama about her removal from the Ontario NDP caucus after calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and her ongoing re-election campaign in Hamilton Centre as an independent.
We explore the importance of elections, their limitations under capitalism, and why organizing a strong working-class movement remains crucial regardless of who is in power.
To read and listen to more from Spring, and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca.
This episode was produced in Tkaronto on...2025-02-2232 minSpring RadioBONUS: Red October Talks Now on Youtube!A few months ago, Spring held our Red October conference in downtown Toronto. The three-day conference featured dozens of talks exploring how we can put socialist ideas into action to fight the capitalist ruling class.
These talks have now been uploaded to the Spring Magazine YouTube page. You can find them by searching ‘spring magazine red october 2024 playlist’ on Youtube or through the following link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRILLBhWRpdgMvVi8Ty9a8WWtva4_9Q_U&si=JHs33XTmDwrk549t
We will again be holding Red October in 2025, so remember to get your tickets once they’r...2025-01-3103 minSpring RadioA Socialist Response to Pierre Poilievre Part 2: Housing feat. Ricardo TranjanThis is the second installment in an ongoing series on the rhetoric of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, and his bid to become the next Prime Minister of Canada. With the polling as it stands, it's clear we must be prepared for the very real possibility of a Poilievre led Conservative government in the near future. This series asks, what can socialists do to counter his message?
In this episode, we sat down with writer, policy expert, and friend of Spring, Ricardo Tranjan to discuss the conservative’s slogan ‘build the homes’ and why we may want to look more closely at what...2024-12-2338 minSpring RadioFighting to Save Safe Consumption Sites in Ontario
Today we are looking at the movement to save supervised consumption sites in Ontario, after an unexpected announcement in August that 10 out of 17 sites in the province have been slated for closure by the Ford government following new zoning regulations regarding proximity to schools and daycares. Without mass mobilization and support these sites will be forced to stop providing life saving harm reduction services by April 01, 2025.
There is abundant evidence that supervised consumption sites provide significant cost savings to the healthcare system, reduce public drug use and discarded paraphernalia, facilitate access to essential wrap-around services, and...2024-11-3043 minSpring RadioOne Front: The Struggle for a Free Palestine and Labour Organizing feat. Moe AlqasemThis month marks one year since Israel escalated its genocidal actions in Palestine. We sat down with Palestinian community organizer, Spring member, and trade unionist Moe Alqasem to reflect on the past year and what comes next. We also spoke with Taher Dahleh (a member of the Communication Workers of America and the Palestinian Youth Movement) and Frank Hammer (a former president of the United Auto Workers local 909) on the importance of unions in the fight for Palestinian liberation.
Join Spring for the Red October conference from October 18 to 20 in Toronto, Canada. There will be talks and...2024-10-1546 minSpring RadioPolitical Prisoners are a Labour Issue feat. Dennise VelascoToday’s episode is about Philippine labour organizing and political prisoners. We spoke with Migrante BC Secretary General, labour organizer, and former political prisoner Dennise Velasco about the ongoing union organizing in the Philippines as well as the situation for political prisoners such as Maoj Maga, and how these struggles connect to the labour movement, Indigenous self-determination, and other movements in so-called Canada.
Join Spring for a weekend of socialist ideas and strategy from October 18 to 20 in Toronto, Canada. Purchase Red October tickets here (PWYC options available): https://www.tickettailor.com/events/springmagazine1/1357089
This episode was...2024-09-1459 minSpring RadioMass Uprising in Bangladesh feat. Anu MuhammadIn this episode, Bangladeshi economist and public intellectual, Anu Mohammad, discusses the working class nature of the mass uprising in Bangladesh and where the country is headed after ousting an authoritarian government.
In Spring’s annual Red October conference, we will be going deeper into the discussion around mass uprisings and revolution, along with other talks on state and elections, fighting the right-wing and fascism, and building workers’ power. Join Spring for a weekend of socialist ideas and strategy from October 18 to 20 in Toronto, Canada. Purchase Red October tickets here (PWYC options available): https://www.tickettailor.com/events...2024-08-2436 minSpring RadioA Socialist Response to Pierre Poilievre Part 1: Justinflation feat. Pam FracheThis episode is the first installment in an ongoing series on the rhetoric of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, and his bid to become the next Prime Minister of Canada. Poilievre's catchy one liners and strong online presence have been working over drive to promote a broadly regressive, neo-liberal and populist agenda as an option for Canada. With the polling as it stands, it is clear we must be prepared for the very real possibility of a Pierre Poilievre led Conservative government in the
near future. But what can we as socialists do to counter his harmful messaging?
2024-07-2751 minSpring RadioLessons from the Student Encampments for PalestineThe fight in the imperial core for a free Palestine has gained new momentum in the last couple months. This is due, in part, to the growing movement of pro-Palestinian student encampments demanding that their universities divest from the genocidal Israeli state.
In this episode, you’ll hear perspectives and insights from Ontario Tech University student Waddah, UCLA student and labour organizer Desmond, and OFL President Laura Walton.
This episode was produced on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
...2024-06-1131 minSpring RadioSolidarity with the People of Sudan feat. Muzan Alneel
In this episode, Spring member Valerie Lannon sits down with Sudanese engineer and Marxist political activist Muzan Alneel to discuss the dire political and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Muzan walks us through the current political situation, resistance efforts on the ground, and the best way for international allies to express their solidarity.
This episode was produced on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
It was produced by Valerie Lannon, Carlie Macfie and Sarah Shahid, with original music by Benjamin Bilgen. To read and listen to...2024-05-0449 minSpring RadioA Socialist Analysis of Climate Change feat. Matthew HuberIn today’s episode, we’re joined by Matthew Huber, author of the excellent book: Climate Change as Class War. We discuss the causes and possible solutions to the climate crisis from a socialist perspective.
This episode was produced on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples.
It was produced by Deena Newaz, Josh Frame, and Spencer Bridgman, with original music by Benjamin Bilgen. To read and listen to more from Spring, and to find out how to join the Spri...2024-04-0634 minSpring RadioMigrant Spring & the Fight for Status for AllToday’s episode is about the Migrant Spring: a campaign pushing for permanent resident status to all undocumented people in Canada. We spoke with Migrant Workers Alliance for Change organizer Sarom Rho about the campaign, why it is so necessary in this moment, and how it connects with the fight for a Free Palestine.
To see if there’s a Migrant Spring action being held near you, go to migrantrights.ca/events/mar16/.
This episode was produced on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Hauden...2024-03-1541 minSpring RadioLessons from the Quebec Common FrontIn this episode we tune in to a condensed version of Spring's recent conversation with Benoit Renaud, a Quebec education worker and socialist, about lessons we can learn from the Quebec labour movement.
Listeners tuning in from outside of Quebec may be surprised to learn that more than half a million public sector workers went on strike in November and December. It was the largest strike in Quebec’s history and one of the largest in the history of Canada. The Common Front strategy in Quebec has a rich history in the province— and the coalition on strike...2024-03-0241 minSpring RadioThe Spirit of Revolution (Red October)This episode is about the spirit and energy of a revolution. You’ll hear a talk from Spring members Deena Newaz and Peter Hogarth that was originally recorded on October 14, 2023 as part of Spring’s Red October conference.
The talk centres around the Russian revolution of 1917 and its impact not only on the Russian working class, but on people facing oppression at the hands of the ruling class around the world — from India to Peru, and from 1917 to today.
This episode was recorded in Tkaronto on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the...2024-01-2033 minSpring RadioLooking at the year in labour struggles and the role of labour journalismIn this episode, Spring Member Dave Bush sits down with labour journalist Emily Leedham to reflect on workers’ struggles in Canada in 2023, and the state of labour journalism.
This episode was recorded on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
It was produced by Dave Bush, Carlie Macfie and Josh Frame, with original music by Benjamin Bilgen. To read and listen to more from Spring, and find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca.
2023-12-301h 05Spring RadioCentering Equity in the Fight for Workers’ Power (Red October 2023)At Spring’s inaugural Red October conference, Spring members Krisna Saravanamuttu, Loretta Fisher, and Robyn Letson presented talks at the session titled “Centering Equity in the Fight for Workers’ Power”. In this episode, we share excerpts from their talks where they discuss why fighting transphobia, homophobia, racism, and sexism is inherently a workers’ issue and why socialists need to build anti-oppressive, multi-racial working class movements.
This episode was recorded on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
It was produced by Ayana Ad...2023-12-0933 minSpring RadioLegacy of OCAP: The past, present and future of anti-poverty movements in OntarioIn this episode, Spring members Krisna Saravanamuttu and Adam Lee sit down with John Clark, co-founder of Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) to discuss the organization’s years of militancy and how it built a coalition of organizers from varying left tendencies and developed a basis of unity.
This is part of a longer interview that will be published in Spring Magazine soon.
While OCAP has folded, the struggle against capitalism, state-sanctioned poverty, and artificial borders lives on. It lives in the form of vibrant, multi-racial movements for decent work, for permanent immigration status for all...2023-11-2530 minSpring RadioOrganizing for a ceasefire and an end to the occupation of PalestineIn this episode, we look at the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the urgent need for a ceasefire and an end to the occupation of Palestine by the Israeli state.
The episode features Dania Majid, a Palestinian activist and lawyer with the Arab-Canadian Lawyers Association, Suzanne Weiss a Holocaust survivor, author, activist, and James Clark a Spring member and organizer. You’ll also hear a poem from Maysam Ghani recited at a recent vigil for Gaza organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement.
If you’re part of an organization, please go to CeasfireNow.ca to see if...2023-11-1040 minSpring RadioThe YSW Tenant Union Rent Strike and the Struggle for Affordable HousingIn this inaugural episode of Spring Radio, we look at the exploitation of tenants by landlords and the struggle to fight back.
We begin by looking at the Canadian housing system and how it's designed to squeeze the working class for the benefit of landlords. Next, we focus in on how one group of tenants—the York South-Weston Tenant Union—are fighting back against their greedy landlords through a rent strike. Spring Radio field reporter Benjamin Bilgen links up with organizers from the tenant union to get a look at what organizing a rent strike looks...2023-10-1330 min