Building Left Podcast

05/23/2026

Ever wondered how to get involved with your local NDP Electoral District Association (EDA)? In this episode, we get into both the how and the why with Guerric Haché, an EDA member in Vancouver Centre, and we also discuss rebuilding and energizing federal NDP EDAs.

Tune in to hear about practical organizing ideas like member socials, building digital community spaces, and strengthening ties with labour unions and other activist communities. You'll also learn about the rich potential of EDAs to shape party policy, support volunteers, and connect across ridings, without shying away from common structural challenges like generational divides and possibly outmoded governance practices.

Guerric is a designer and programmer with 13 years' experience in the video game industry, alongside being an independent writer and artist, and a prolific nature photographer. Originally from Gatineau, Québec, they've made their home in Vancouver for well over a decade, where they are not only an EDA member but also a member of COPE, Vancouver's municipal coalition of progressive electors.

Hosts Jaime Frederick and Kallee Lins speak with Guerric Haché, an Electoral District Association (EDA) member in Vancouver Centre, about rebuilding and energizing NDP EDAs. Guerric is a designer and programmer with 13 years' experience in the video game industry, alongside being as an independent ...

05/16/2026

Earlier this week, Building Left co-host Jaime Frederick, in his day job, had the honour of interviewing author Omar El Akkad about his excoriating critique of Western liberalism and capitalist imperialism in his 2025 memoir One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.

El Akkad's book, written in response to the genocide in Gaza, won the 2025 National Book Award for non-fiction in the US. He was in Castlegar, BC, yesterday to deliver the Mir Lecture at Selkirk College.

You can check out the complete interview here:

By Jaime Frederick, Local Journalism Initiative Author and journalist Omar El Akkad’s 2025 memoir, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always […]

05/05/2026

🗳️Considering a run for municipal politics? Check out our conversation with Trevor McAleese, a Kelowna-based video game developer and former federal NDP candidate who is now running for city council.

🎧Trevor discusses why municipal politics matter, and explains how he proposes to tackle issues such as affordable housing, short-term rental challenges, climate change and wildfire preparedness. All with an agenda aims to put the interests of everyday people first, and a focus on expanding transit, childcare, and career opportunities in technology, the arts, and a revitalized agricultural sector.

More info: https://www.trevorforkelowna.ca/

In this episode of Building Left, hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick speak with Trevor McAleese, a Kelowna-based video game developer and former federal NDP candidate who is now running for city council. Trevor discusses why municipal politics matter, and explains how he proposes to tackle issues...

04/17/2026

💥New Episode! Often when we think of political parties, we tend to assume the power of the party leader is paramount, but many within the NDP are working towards a more democratic distribution of power among the grassroots. Some of these fair-minded folks were recently elected to the party's Federal Executive & Council in what has been described as a bit of a shakeup to those governing bodies.

🎧 In the latest episode of Building Left we are joined by El Foulkes, an organizer, union activist and artist who sits on the NDP Federal Council as a table officer from Quebec. Join us as El explains the role of council and the executive, shares their experience on transparency, consultation and decision‑making, and discusses internal organizing to strengthen democratic processes across the party. Canada’s NDP / Le NPD du Canada

On Podbean or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick speak with El Foulkes, an organizer, union activist and artist who sits on the NDP federal council as a table officer from Quebec. El explains how the council and executive operate between conventions, shares their experience on transparency, co...

04/07/2026

🎙️New Episode: Convention Confidential

🎧 Jaime Frederick puts co-host Kallee Lins in the hot seat for a report from the convention in Winnipeg. Join us for a look into Avi Lewis's first-ballot victory, executive council elections, and what the recently passed resolutions from the floor of the convention reveal about the future direction and unity of the party.

Jaime Frederick puts co-host Kallee Lins in the hot seat for a report from the NDP convention in Winnipeg. Join Building Left for a deep dive into Avi Lewis's first-ballot victory, executive council elections, and what the recently passed resolutions reveal about the future direction and unity of th...

03/29/2026

Avi Lewis has been elected as the new leader of the NDP!

New NDP Leader Avi Lewis spoke after a first-ballot victory on Sunday at the party's convention in Winnipeg. Winning the leadership with 56 per cent of the vote, Lewis called on the NDP to build 'a shared future, a government that works for the many, not the money.'

03/29/2026

The results are in! Congratulations to Avi Lewis, Leader of Canada's NDP.

After an exciting leadership race, we're fired up and ready for the important work ahead.

A huge thank you to over 100,000 members who signed up and took action — your participation keeps this movement strong!

03/25/2026

🎧 Backroom Deals & Ranked Ballots

On the eve of the Convention in Winnipeg, where the party will choose its new federal leader, Building Left hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick break down the latest developments in the race: a mutual endorsement proposition between candidates, strategic ranked-ballot math, attacks over the decade-old Leap Manifesto, and the fallout from Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crossing the floor to the Liberals.

Join us as we weigh in on what these flashpoints mean for the party’s direction and electability. We also debate whether or not the NDP leader needs a seat in the House of Commons, and look ahead to Convention resolutions, by-election math, and what's next in terms of rebuilding the party across the country.

Just days before the federal NDP chooses its new leader in Winnipeg, hosts Kallee Lins and Jaime Frederick break down the race to Convention: a mutual endorsement proposition between candidates, strategic ranked-ballot math, attacks over the decade-old Leap Manifesto, and the fallout from Nunavut MP...

03/10/2026

🗳️ Still undecided on how to rank the candidates in the NDP Leadership Race? Building Left has got you covered—check out our Candidate Spotlight interviews:

⭐️ Tanille Johnston:
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-aksm2-19c6d15

⭐️ Avi Lewis:
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zae8y-199540e

⭐️ Heather McPherson MP:
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-k55qf-1a621f7

⭐️ Tony McQuail:
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-53szi-19f5153

Join hosts Kallee Lins & Jaime Frederick in candid conversation with leadership candidates to help you make your choice(s)!

On Podbean or wherever you get your podcasts. https://building-left.pod bean.com

More info on voting: https://leadership.ndp.ca/faq

03/10/2026

🗳️ Voting is now open in the NDP Leadership race! Cast your ballot before March 28!

🤔 Still undecided on how to rank the candidates? Building Left has got you covered—check out our Candidate Spotlight interviews:

⭐️ Tanille Johnston: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-aksm2-19c6d15

⭐️ Avi Lewis: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zae8y-199540e

⭐️ Heather McPherson MP: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-k55qf-1a621f7

⭐️ Tony McQuail: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-53szi-19f5153

Hosts Kallee Lins & Jaime Frederick in candid conversation with leadership candidates to help you make your choice(s)!

On Podbean or wherever you get your podcasts. https://building-left.pod bean.com

More info on the race: https://leadership.ndp.ca

What’s next for the NDP and social democracy in Canada? We’re digging into the future of the political left from a rural, western perspective—real talk, grassroots voices, and no Ottawa filter. With hosts Jaime Frederick & Kallee Lins.