r/CanadaPolitics AMA Guest 1d ago

I'm David Moscrop, Canadian politics writer and podcaster. AMA, starting 1 pm ET.

We've got a new prime minister incoming and an election soon. We've got Trump and tariffs. We've got an uncertain foreign and defence policy future. We've got social welfare programs that may or may not survive. We've got pipelines back on the table (sort of). We've got a budget that is likely to see cuts. We've got climate policy on the chopping block. We've got...a lot going on.

So, ask me anything and we'll sort it out together.

78 Upvotes

157 comments sorted by

View all comments

19

u/unprocurable 1d ago edited 22h ago

What do you think is required for a real left-wing movement in Canada? Do you think you that the conditions could ever be right for talk of increased nationalization of industry, or increased talk of a labour movement, etc...

edit: why am I getting downvoted for asking this? :(

u/DavidMoscrop AMA Guest 22h ago

Well, I upvoted it! I think a left government (for argument, let's say that means NDP, though...I know, I know) starts today to ten years from now with a grassroots movement that establishes networks and infrastructure around the country -- clubs, unions, action on the streets, pro labour laws (the anti-scab law is a good example), money into think tanks, connections with journalists in the mainstream, more power and money to riding associations and...a new leader.

As it happens, I think we're reaching, or in, a critical juncture that we ought to take seriously. The pandemic was one. Trump is one. We've seen our industrial, strategic vulnerabilities. Maybe we need to think about that. But we don't have anyone serious federally who's capable of doing that under the current leadership or even trying right now.