Breaking the Bank: A national conversation about defunding the police

The NDP leadership race could turn the party into a vehicle for bold left politics—or cement its decline.Martin Lukacs and Desmond Cole analyze the various campaigns and some of the emerging themes, from “purity tests,” proclamations of class war, and candidates who are flouting race rules. 

The New Democratic Party needs a bold, democratic renewal—but insiders appear to want a short, rigged race to lock in the status quo.Desmond Cole and Martin Lukacs discuss the consultant class’s grip on the party, and what a different kind of NDP might look like. 

On a special production, The Breach’s El Jones hosts a national conversation about defunding the police with Desmond Cole in Toronto, Meenakshi Mannoe in Vancouver, Leon Laidlaw in Winnipeg, Ted Rutland and Tari Ajadi in Montreal, and Hafsah Mohammad in New Brunswick. Their conversation covers the police backlash to the defund movement, and strategies for organizing against continuing hikes to police budgets.

On The Breach Show this week, guest host Aditya Rao joins panelists Pam Palmater and El Jones.  First up - according to Justin Trudeau, it’s “Electric Vehicle Week” in Canada. We’re joined by author and tech critic Paris Marx, to look at some of the potential environmental and social costs of positioning Canada as a leader in the EV industry.    And what would it take to remake the Ontario NDP as a vehicle for change? Martin Lukacs offers a frank look at the party amidst the search to replace leader Andrea Horwath.

This week, on the heels of the repeal of Roe v Wade in the U.S., we interview reproductive justice activist Darrah Teitel about abortion access in Canada. The Trudeau Liberals' policy record, it turns out, isn't as good as their photo-ops in front of abortion clinics. And El Jones, Martin Lukacs and Pam Palmater discuss Canada Day, which in many cities will be about more than fireworks and beer this year. Has our warm and fuzzy nationalist mythology taken a well-deserved hit? Polls suggest so.

More Canadians are having trouble putting food on their plates while corporate profits soar—why are some turning to conspiracy theories, rather than holding the real culprits accountable? Host Donya Ziaee talks with economist Jim Stanford about runaway corporate profits, and Pam, El and Martin discuss a new poll showing the mainstreaming of racist conspiracy theories. But first, we've got some celebrating to do: it's the one year anniversary of The Breach! Watch and SHARE our Year One highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-IErg819y4

This week we went live on Ontario election night. We critique the media coverage, examine the NDP’s failure to galvanize opposition to Conservatives, and remind ourselves of the impact and importance of social movements. With a second term for Doug Ford, progressive movements are in for a major fight.  Featuring interviews with organizers, writers and scholars from across the province: Linda McQuaig, Pam Palmater, Erica Ifill, Riley Yesno, Syed Hussan, Judy Rebick, Dave Bush, Miles Krauter, and Jon Thompson. Sign up for alerts and don’t miss an episode: https://breachmedia.ca/theshow/Watch the show on Youtube.com/TheBreach and spread the word by sharing and retweeting: on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

This week, Martin and Pam break down the Ontario election: who we hate, who isn't great, and who can't communicate. El Jones joins Pam for an in-depth look at a new Senate report that calls for the exoneration of 12 imprisoned Indigenous women that provides insights in the systemic violence and discrimination of Canada's prison system. Plus, should police dogs have unions? And why are our elites so quick to unsee racism in Canada? Featuring Martin Lukacs, Pam Palmater and El Jones. Donya Ziaee is off this week. Sign up for alerts and don’t miss an episode: https://breachmedia.ca/theshow/ Watch the show on Youtube.com/TheBreach and spread the word by sharing and retweeting: on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

On Wednesday, The Breach Show broadcast live analysis of the Conservative Party of Canada’s official English-language leadership debate. In this episode, El Jones, Pam Palmater and Martin Lukacs break down who is running, how they’re positioning themselves, and what that means for the rest of us. And since watching Conservatives outdo each other isn’t always pleasant, each of our analysts shares about what kind of candy is appropriate to eat during the leadership debate. Featuring our host Martin Lucacs and analysts Pam Palmater and El Jones. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, or sign up for alerts at: https://breachmedia.ca/theshow _________________________________________________________________________ Want to see more content like this? Become a sustaining member at https://breachmedia.ca/support-us/ An hour of your wages each month will fuel independent and progressive journalism, free of corporate agendas – and never behind a paywall. _________________________________________________________________________ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBreachMedia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebreachme... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebreachmedia

This week on the show we are joined by a guest, Ritika Goel, a family doctor, professor and an advocate for healthcare justice. Our panel takes a critical look at the government’s pandemic response and also discusses a new article Dr. Goel co-authored on the unfinished business of medicare in Canada. We also discuss Roe v. Wade being repealed in the U.S. and why Canadian abortion access still has a long way to go, and finally, Pam Palmater unpacks a damning new report on racism and sexism in Canada’s military. Featuring our host Donya Ziaee and analysts Pam Palmater and El Jones. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, or sign up for alerts at: https://breachmedia.ca/theshow _________________________________________________________________________ Want to see more content like this? Become a sustaining member at https://breachmedia.ca/support-us/ An hour of your wages each month will fuel independent and progressive journalism, free of corporate agendas – and never behind a paywall. _________________________________________________________________________ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBreachMedia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebreachme... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebreachmedia