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This week on rabble radio, rabble contributor Doreen Nicoll speaks to Katie Purdy, a drag performer in Oakville, Ontario. Purdy is on a mission to host more drag events in the Great Toronto Area. Katie Purdy (or, as they're known in drag, Capt Danny Bailey) is a new face in the Canadian drag scene. Largely influenced by the style of Elton John, The Beatles, and Ninja Sex Party, Purdy's drag act is fluid – one performance may be drag king, next may be queen. Out of drag, Purdy identifies as a pansexual gender queer or "cis-ish" and does not care about labels. Later this month, Purdy is hosting Take Me to the Drag Show! Learn more about this event below. Take Me to the Drag Show! When: February 18, 2023 (doors open at 7pm show starts at 8pm) Where: Seasons Brasserie, downtown Oakville, Ont. Hosted by local drag artist Capt Danny Bailey, featuring home town icon Adrianna Exposée, plus Toronto stars Krēme Inakuchi, and Tash Riot! Join us at the historic Seasons Brasserie for an evening of memorable drag numbers, and delicious hor d'oeuvres. Show will be 18+ due to the possibility of adult themes and profanities. Tipping the performers is encouraged. Tickets are available via ​​Eventbrite. Join us for Off the Hill this month! Black History Month is our lens for a dive into critical issues facing us in Canada this month. Our panel will also dig into some of the initiatives happening across the country to address systemic racism and inequality. This month we're joined by: Matthew Green, MP Hamilton-Centre; Richard Sharpe, director of the Black Equity Branch, Treasury Board Secretariat in the Ontario Public Service; Stephen Brown, CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, and rabble's own senior parliamentary reporter, Karl Nerenberg. You don't want to miss this panel. Join us this February 15, 2023, 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT. If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca.

This week on rabble radio, rabble labour reporter Gabriela Calugay-Casuga sits down with CUPE Ontario secretary-treasurer Yolanda McClean. The two discuss ways of achieving gender and racial equity inside and outside of Canada's labour movement. The two also discuss CUPE Ontario's recently launched initiative, Women in Leadership Development (WILD) program for Indigenous, Black and racialized women. You can learn even more about CUPE Ontario's WILD program here. If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca.

This week on rabble radio, we feature a segment from our most recent Off the Hill political panel. This month, our theme was 'Off the Hill: Will 2023 be a year of competing crises? On climate and the economy.' Off the Hill takes a deep dive into the politics of cooling the economy - and the planet - as Parliament returns. The Canadian parliament returns on January 30. The spotlight is on the economy and the impact on Canadians. Our panel will unpack the critical issues related to the economic outlook and the climate emergency. Our January panel included MP Leah Gazan, Jim Stanford, Clayton Thomas-Müller and Karl Nerenberg. Hosted by Robin Browne and Nick Seebruch. If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca. Or, if you have feedback for the show, get in touch anytime at editor@rabble.ca.

This week on rabble radio, rabble parliamentary reporter Karl Nerenberg and Réal Lavergne, president of Fair Vote Canada, join editor Nick Seebruch to debate what electoral reform might look like in Canada. At the top of the month, Nerenberg shared a piece calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh to revive the idea of electoral reform for Canada. In the piece, he explained that Canada's current 'winner-takes-all' system often puts an unpopular leader in power. He wondered: might a ranked system be a more equitable way of deciding the leader of the country? Might we aim for that way of voting by the next election? Lavergne thinks it's not that simple. Together, the three dissect Canada's current voting system and discuss how a fairer way to vote might be accomplished in the future. Join us for Off the Hill this month! Mark your calendar! In our first political panel of 2023, join guests MP Leah Gazan, economist Jim Stanford, Indigenous campaigner and climate activist Clayton Thomas-Müller and parliamentary reporter Karl Nerenberg as they speculate what's to come in the year ahead. Register for this free event here! If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca.

Well folks, another year has come and gone! As we reflect on the year that's passed, we here at rabble radio are remembering some of our favourite interview moments on the show this year. We had so many wonderful guests — ranging from activists, to professors, to filmmakers, economists, healthcare workers, poets and writers — the list goes on. In today's episode, we'll be sharing a few of our personal favourite interview clips of this year. (Which was no easy task for a 28 minute show, I'll tell you that!) Here are some of our top rabble radio episodes of the year… In February of this year, Paul Taylor, executive director of FoodShare Toronto and a lifelong anti-poverty activist joined rabble radio to speak with Libby Davies about the impact the pandemic had on FoodShare. And how activists should allow for room for fatigue and frustration during difficult times. No one felt the COVID-19 pandemic harder than our health care workers in Canada. In early 2022, rabble partnered with the Canadian Federation of Nurses' Unions. Together, we developed the Nurses' Voices: Stories of courage and determination in the face of COVID-19 book. It highlights over 20 interviews from health care professionals across Canada. The book illustrates how the pandemic upended nurses' lives – and how, despite it all, their commitment to their patients remained unwavering. On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. This piece of legislation made abortion access a federal right in the United States. The decision sent a shockwave through the States which was felt in Canada. That week, Stephen Wentzell interviewed writer and registered nurse Martha Paynter for rabble radio. They spoke about the misconceptions people have about access to abortion in Canada and the other threats facing reproductive justice in the country. As part of rabble's Boiling Point series, Stephen Wentzell spoke to Dr. Melissa Lem, to talk about how recent extreme weather events are affecting the physical and mental health of Canadians. Also a part of our Boiling Point series, Jillian Piper spoke to Breanne Lavallee-Heckert, the research manager at Indigenous Climate Action. Breanne explained the work she does at the organization, and the importance of Indigenous stewardship in regard to the climate crisis. The labour movement in Canada grabbed the attention of the nation in late autumn this year, when CUPE Ontario went to war with Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government over fair wages and for education support workers. In November, CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn joined rabble radio to speak with Nick Seebruch about what was at stake in this labour dispute. Another huge story of 2022, was, of course, rising inflation. In November, economist Jim Stanford sat down with editor Nick Seebruch to discuss the state of Canada's economy. The two also talked about how progressive organizations, activists, and groups must band together as we move forward into what's sure to be a tough year economically and politically. Did we miss a favourite interview of yours from 2022? Let us know in the comments below! Thank you for listening to rabble radio Our show would not be possible without listeners like you. So thank you! From all of us here at rabble, we want to wish you and your communities a safe and happy new year! If you're in the giving mood and would like to support our show today, please visit rabble.ca/donate. If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca. Or, if you have feedback for the show, get in touch anytime at editor@rabble.ca.

This week on rabble radio, we feature a segment from our most recent Off the Hill political panel. This month, our theme was 'Off the Hill: Looking back to leap ahead.' From the Freedom Convoy, to major action in Canada's labour movement, to the ongoing war in Ukraine, to political leadership races on the provincial and federal levels, our panel reflected on the major news events of 2022 and wondered aloud: What does this mean we can expect for the year ahead? Our December panel included MP Leah Gazan, Chuka Ejeckam, El Jones and Karl Nerenberg. Co-hosted by Robin Browne and Libby Davies. Also – don't miss next week's episode, when we'll be reviewing highlights from our top rabble radio episodes of the year! Will your favourite episode make it on our list? Tune in next week to find out. Do you know a rabble rouser to watch? We are now accepting submissions for our 'rabble rousers to watch' of 2023. Tell us about the activists in your community who have made a difference, and whose work you think rabble should be covering. Nominations are open until midnight, December 31, 2022. Everyone who participates in our survey will be entered into a draw to win a rabble tote bag. If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca. Or, if you have feedback for the show, get in touch anytime at editor@rabble.ca.

This week on rabble radio, Libby Davies interviews Harley Augustino, organizer and trainer, to talk about his experience volunteering for two separate congressional districts in the most recent U.S. midterm elections. Oregon 5 and Washington 3 had two very different projected outcomes when Augustino volunteered to organize with them. Oregon 5 was considered a 'class toss up,' with about a 50/50 chance of going with a Republican or Democratic candidate. Washington 3, however –a Republican district– was projected to have only a 2% chance of becoming a Democratic district. In this interview, Augustino walks Davies through the results of these campaigns and explains why good, old fashioned door-to-door organizing shouldn't be underestimated. Harley Augustino appeared on rabble radio earlier this year to talk about 'Base Building for Power' a collective he works with which trains future activists and organizers. Photo by: Maximillian Conacher on Unsplash Do you know a rabble rouser to watch? We are now accepting submissions for our 'rabble rousers to watch' of 2023. Tell us about the activists in your community who have made a difference, and whose work you think rabble should be covering. Nominations are open until midnight, December 31, 2022. Everyone who participates in our survey will be entered into a draw to win a rabble tote bag. Don't miss our final Off the Hill event of 2022! This December, our panel is taking a look back to look forward, as we close off 2022 and think ahead to 2023. From the Freedom Convoy, to major action in Canada's labour movement, to the ongoing war in Ukraine, to political leadership races on the provincial and federal levels; our esteemed panel will reflect on a year that had no shortage of newsworthy events, and then ask: what does this mean we can expect for the year ahead? Our panel includes MP Leah Gazan, El Jones, Chuka Ejeckam and Karl Nerenberg. Co-hosted by Robin Browne and Libby Davies. Join us this December 14, 2022. Register for this free event here! If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca. Or, if you have feedback for the show, get in touch anytime at editor@rabble.ca.

This week on rabble radio, national politics reporter Stephen Wentzell speaks to Dr. Jane McArthur. McArthur is the Toxics Program director of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). McArthur, other members of CAPE and advocates for environmental protection and public health are calling on Parliament to expedite passage of Bill C-226, Canada's first environmental racism law. Bill C-226 was first introduced by former MP Lenore Zann as Bill C-230 in the last session of Parliament. It was approved by the House of Commons in June last year, but died on the order paper when Parliament dissolved for elections. In February of this year, now co-leader of the federal Green Party Elizabeth May re-introduced the same legislation as Bill C-226. The time is now to develop and implement a national strategy on environmental racism and environmental justice, McArthur says. "Canada talks about itself as a country of kindness, but we need to see that reflected in our policies and we should not be tolerating vulnerablization of any community." - Dr. Jane McArthur Photo: Markus Spiske on Unsplash Don't miss our final Off the Hill event of 2022! This December, our panel is taking a look back to look forward, as we close off 2022 and think ahead to 2023. From the Freedom Convoy, to major action in Canada's labour movement, to the ongoing war in Ukraine, to political leadership races on the provincial and federal levels; our esteemed panel will reflect on a year that had no shortage of newsworthy events, and then ask: what does this mean we can expect for the year ahead? Our panel includes MP Leah Gazan, El Jones, Karl Nerenberg. Co-hosted by Robin Browne and Libby Davies. Join us this December 14, 2022. Register for this free event here! If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca. Or, if you have feedback for the show, get in touch anytime at editor@rabble.ca.

This week on the show, rabble editor Nick Seebruch is joined by the director of the Centre for Future Work, economist Jim Stanford. Together, they walk us through the state of Canada's economy – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Earlier this month, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem made headlines when he remarked that inflation was due to what he called an "overheated" labour market. Stanford says that's unfair; Canadian workers being able to easily find employment and the slightly higher wages they've been receiving are not to blame for inflation – and therefore shouldn't be punished. Seebruch and Stanford also discuss how progressive organizations, activists, and groups must ban together as we move forward into what's sure to be a tough year economically and politically. Photo: Charles Deluvio on Unsplash If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca. Or, if you have feedback for the show, get in touch anytime at editor@rabble.ca.

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. And across the country, communities gather to pay tribute to veterans and military members. But not all veterans are feeling cared for. Some are asking if the government cares about them or their wellbeing at all, or if Veterans' Affairs Canada is operating under the old "deny, delay, and die" adage. This impression is brought about in large part due to the $560-million plan to sub-contract veteran rehabilitative and vocational services away from the Veterans' Affairs case workers and into the hands of the for-profit company: Partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services. This company is composed of WGC International and Lifemark Health Group. The contract is set to come into effect this month. Veterans Affairs Canada says the contract will help overworked case managers while ensuring veterans have timely access to the care they need. However, the Union of Veterans' Affairs Employees (UVAE) believes this contract is going to have the opposite effect. UVAE argues this will add more paperwork to the workload of case managers, disrupt the relationships case managers have built with veterans, and add an extra level of bureaucracy veterans will be left to deal with. UVAE says the only group this contract will benefit will be the profit-making corporation. A statement from UVAE and the Public Service Alliance of Canada reads: "Veterans and their families deserve better. They have already paid for these services with their sacrifice. Let's not make them fight and pay again." This week on the show, rabble labour reporter Gabriela Calugay-Casuga speaks with Virginia Vaillancourt, the national president of UVAE. Vaillancourt argues Veterans Affairs Canada must stop using private sector companies to do public sector work. Join our Off the Hill discussion this week! When marijuana was legalized in 2018, it drastically reduced the number of cannabis-related drug convictions, while also creating a multibillion-dollar industry. But what does the cannabis industry look like today? Who wins? Who loses? Who calls the shots, and what's next? Our dynamic panel will give us an inside look into what's really going on with Canada's drug reform policy on marijuana and much more. Our panel includes "princess of pot" Jodie Giesz-Ramsay, rabble columnist and drug policy researcher Chuka Ejeckam and MP Don Davies. Co-hosted by Robin Browne and Libby Davies. Join us this November 17, 2022. Register for this free event here. Photo: Ellie Pourreza on Unsplash. If you like the show please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. And please, rate, review, share rabble radio with your friends — it takes two seconds to support independent media like rabble. Follow us on social media across channels @rabbleca. Or, if you have feedback for the show, get in touch anytime at editor@rabble.ca.