The Breach Show

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. 

Mark Carney has defeated Pierre Poilievre, but Conservatives did a lot better than expected.Martin Lukacs and Desmond Cole reflect on the gains and setbacks for the various parties, and explore how progressive forces can rally amidst a rightward-moving political consensus.

For three decades, Pierre Poilievre's analysis and vision has been shaped by one thinker: Milton Friedman, the godfather of neoliberalism.Political scholar Ryan Kelpin sits down with Martin Lukacs to discuss the radical economist's influence on Poilievre. 

Nearing the end of the 2025 federal election, the party leaders locked horns in back to back debates.Desmond Cole, El Jones, and Martin Lukacs debrief who came out well—and if it will have an impact on the polls.

With the federal election just a couple of weeks away, what will become of Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples?Lawyer and professor Pam Palmater of the Eel River Bar First Nation joins Desmond Cole and Martin Lukacs on The Breach Show to discuss campaign promises and the future of reconciliation.

Almost two weeks into the Canadian federal election, Mark Carney's Liberals have consolidated their lead—but a Conservative victory shouldn't be ruled out just yet.Desmond Cole and Martin Lukacs discuss Carneymania and the quiet strength of the Conservatives, and get up to speed with campaign promises on housing, energy, and taxes.

A recent Housing Justice Convergence in Montreal brought together organizers, policy experts, funders, and housing advocacy groups from across Canada. For this episode, we're rebroadcasting the keynote panel, facilitated by The Breach's Dru Oja Jay. Featuring housing activists Chiara Padovani and John Clarke, and economist Ricardo Tranjan, the panel explores what it takes to build a winning housing justice movement—and why removing profit from housing is a necessary red line.

A recent court ruling found the RCMP breached land defender Molly Wickham's Charter rights—but still upheld her criminal conviction for blocking the CGL pipeline.Wickham sits down with Desmond Cole to discuss Canada's colonial courts, police violence, and what she's learned from a decade of land defense.

Mark Carney is selling himself as a pragmatic outsider who can rescue the Liberals—and maybe even beat the Conservatives. But behind the polished image and steady-hand rhetoric is the same old agenda: cuts, pipelines, and corporate giveaways.Journalist David Moscrop joins host Donya Ziaee to break down how Carney is rebranding failed ideas as fresh solutions—and who stands to benefit.Read Moscrop's article on Mark Carney here: https://breachmedia.ca/mark-carney-says-hes-a-pragmatic-outsider-but-hes-a-banker-selling-yesterdays-failed-ideas/

With Ontario facing a snap election, we take a deep dive into more than six years of austerity and free market fundamentalism under Doug Ford.  Desmond Cole is joined by Bryan Evans, co-editor of Against the People: How Ford Nation is Dismantling Ontario, to break down the Ford playbook and unpack the damage done.

As Trump's tariff threats loom, trade expert Stuart Trew talks to host Donya Ziaee about what Canadian workers should be prepared for, how the corporate elite are exploiting the crisis, and how the Left can seize on the moment to push for more progressive change.

El Jones speaks to Martin Lukacs about her recent trip to the occupied West Bank, where her delegation visited with scholars, journalists, artists, and communities engaged in non-violent resistance to Israeli apartheid. Writing by Budour Hassan here.

Desmond Cole and Martin Lukacs reflect on Justin Trudeau's almost decade in power, from the initial psychic relief of Conservative Stephen Harper's ousting to the grim accumulation of symbolic Liberal postures and assists to Canada's corporate elite. Plus, what Justin deserves real credit for.

In the wake of Chrystia Freeland's explosive departure from the Liberal cabinet, Martin Lukacs and El Jones discuss the establishment media's infatuation with Ottawa's palace intrigue and what the future for a hobbled Trudeau government might look like. Plus, we answer listener questions just in time for the holidays.

Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish recently generated headlines when she stepped down from her local police services board, calling the city's escalating police budget “out of control.” Desmond Cole visits her office to discuss her resignation and the alternatives to policing.

It was a big week for the military-industrial complex in Canada, with the west's war-making establishment convening in Halifax for the annual International Security Forum (then hopping over to Montreal for a NATO summit).  El Jones fills Martin Lukacs in on her attempts to report on the Security Forum, where the hand towels were plush, the security uptight, and the drumbeat for increased Canadian military spending strong.

Independent journalist Duncan Kinney of Progress Report was charged with mischief for allegedly spraypainting two monuments dedicated to Nazis and their collaborators—a charge he says the Edmonton Police have used to surveil and silence him. Kinney sits down with Desmond Cole to discuss his case.  To donate to Kinney's legal fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/duncan-kinney-legal-defense-fund

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, sits down with Desmond Cole to discuss Canada's ‘crystal clear' complicity in the Israeli destruction of Gaza and the ‘hope that remains in this darkness.'

As Americans hit the polls next Tuesday, El Jones and Martin Lukacs hash out the U.S. election campaign, the folly of pandering to the right, neoliberal identity politics, the implications for Palestine, the threat of Trump, and their respective halloween costumes.

With a potential Pierre Poilievre Conservative government on the horizon, Martin Lukacs, Anjali Appadurai, Syed Hussan, Judy Rebick, and Laura Walton discuss how to organize in the face of a surging right.

El Jones and Martin Lukacs discuss the worst and weirdest examples of the crackdown on the Palestine solidarity movement in Canada over the past year—and how to understand why it has been so severe and widespread. Plus: why the elite are worried about Canadians identifying as “settlers.”

El Jones and Martin Lukacs dissect a viral confrontation NDP leader Jagmeet Singh had with far-right wing protesters on Parliament Hill—and unlike everyone else, they're not cheering. Plus: the crisis management firm that defends the “rich and guilty.”

Tenant rights organizer Chiara Padovani joins The Breach Show to discuss how a Canadian mega landlord is using algorithmic software as it massively hikes rents. The software maker is being sued by the U.S. government for allegedly enabling landlords to collude to artificially inflate rental prices.

Organizer Syed Hussan of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change joins The Breach Show to talk about the uptick in immigrant bashing, the bipartisan project to exploit migrant labour, a Liberal backtrack on a historic plan to give status to undocumented people—and why anti-racism is the only way to stop all workers from getting divided and ruled.

Canadian doctors Yipeng Ge and Ben Thomson join The Breach's Brishti Basu to discuss what they witnessed during humanitarian trips to Gaza. Soon after returning, they got surprise emails: international lawyers wanted their testimony to build a war crimes case against Israel. Meet the Canadian doctors testifying against Israel

Professor Jemima Pierre dissects Canada's participation in a 20-year debacle of military occupations and failed elections in Haiti.

The pharmacare bill is a breakthrough—and while it doesn't cover enough medications, it gets the universal public framework right. Dr. Nav Persaud joins Donya Ziaee to discuss how corporate interests fought it bitterly—and will try to derail its expansion.

This week, Emma Paling sits down with Alex Cosh of The Maple to discuss his exclusive story on Canada's weapons exports to Israel.  As Cosh explains, it's not just Liberal doublespeak that makes it hard to nail down the details of Canada's weapons exports. Canada's system has structural features that make it impossible to know exactly how many goods made here end up in the hands of the Israeli military.  Read more:  Trudeau Government Authorized $28.5 Million Of New Military Exports To Israel Since October Trudeau Government Accused Of Sowing Confusion Over Israel Military Exports Canada funneled arms to Saudis during Yemen war via opaque U.S. program

Trans activist Celeste Trianon sits down with Katia Lo Innes to discuss Alberta's new anti-trans policies. Danielle Smith's new gender identity bill is the most extreme anti-trans law that has been proposed in Canada. It bans puberty blockers for children under the age of 15 and outright bars trans girls and women from sports. Trianon breaks down how we got here, why these policies are becoming more common in Canada, and what could happen next. Anti-Trans Legislative and Policy Risk Map: https://celeste.lgbt/en/anti-trans-risk-map/

The Canadian government's response to the ICJ ruling on Israel's genocide in Gaza exposes its "egregious double standards" towards the Palestinians. International law expert Mark Kersten joins Martin Lukacs to dissect the historic decision from the UN's top court.

This week, Martin Lukacs interviews Eriel Deranger, a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the executive director of Indigenous Climate Action. She gives us the 4-1-1 on this year's UN climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, including the influx of fossil fuel lobbyists, Canada's paltry commitment to financing Global South countries dealing with the brunt of the climate crisis, what real Indigenous-led solutions look like, and speaking at a rare demonstration for Palestine in the highly repressive UAE. 

Israel's assault on Gaza has become a flashpoint in Canadian media.  This week, Martin Lukacs and Emma Paling dive deep into the current state of reporting, from CTV's anti-Palestian bias to the arrest of Palestine solidarity activists in Toronto.

This week, Martin Lukacs interviews Dan Freeman-Maloy, a leading scholar of Canadian foreign policy toward Palestine and director of strategic operations for Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East. From the U.K. to the U.S., Canada has long served as the right-hand man to imperial interests in the Middle East. As an American-backed Israeli army devastates Palestinians in Gaza, Freeman-Maloy breaks down the historical roots of Canada's long denial of Palestinian rights.

Dania Majid, president of the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association, joins The Breach Show to talk about the legal dimensions of Israel's escalating assault on Gaza.  As UN experts warn of a “risk of genocide,” is Canada meeting its obligations? And as an occupying state, does Israel actually have a “right to defend itself?” Majid also breaks down the effect of Anti-Palestinian racism and the surge in mobilizing for solidarity with Palestine.

The Breach's managing editor Martin Lukacs brings a dispatch from the NDP convention in Hamilton, Ont., where Israel's siege of Gaza and Pierre Poilievre's popularity dominated the show.  Plus, how Canadian governments across the political spectrum—and the mainstream media—have allowed Israel to act with impunity toward the Palestinians.

The Breach's Martin Lukacs speaks with Naomi Klein about her new book “Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World.” It dissects an uncanny post-pandemic moment in which a surging right—whether in the United States, Canada, or globally—has absorbed left-wing ideas and regurgitated them as something dark and dangerous.

The Breach Show returned for a special Alberta election night special, and here are some highlights! Hosts Martin Lukacs and Aditya Rao are joined by a great lineup of guests from all over Alberta. Ricardo Acuña, Romy Garrido, Emma Jackson, Angele Alook, Brad Lafortune and Des Bissonnette unpack what Danielle Smith's win means for Albertans and what Rachel Notley's uninspiring campaign and ultimate loss mean for the left.

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

This week on the show we talk about Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter—is it time to log off, or can social movements and the progressive left use social media effectively? We also get into the motorcycle convoy headed to Ottawa this weekend with our resident biker Pam Palmater. Finally, we talk to DT Cochrane, an economist and a researcher with Canadians for Tax Fairness, about his new report on how corporate profiteering is fueling inflation and driving up the cost of living. Featuring our host, Donya Ziaee, and Pam Palmater, El Jones, and Martin Lukacs. 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 we discuss how the government tried to undermine the Defund the Police movement with manipulative polling, and examine whether the new Liberal budget will do anything to address Canada's rigged housing market, with former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing Leilani Farha. Plus, our new segment, “The Preach”, where our analysts call out the CBSA for putting children in prison, the RCMP's toxic culture, and how Canada continues to support the Saudi war on Yemen. Featuring our host, Donya Ziaee, and as always, Pam Palmater, El Jones, and Martin Lukacs. 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 we discuss Canada's role in NATO and the pressure to increase military spending, which has led to a $8 billion hike in the new Liberal budget. Then we take a critical look at the Liberals' climate plan that claims to sideline “big oil lobbyists.” Featuring a new hot take segment from our analysts: Pam Palmater breaks down Trudeau's taxpayer-dollar sinkhole that is the Trans Mountain pipeline, and El Jones celebrates the historic unionization of Amazon and the Black radical tradition. 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 this special bonus podcast episode of The Breach Show, we take a look at two movements, Land Back and Defund the Police, and take stock of where they are at, what they have achieved and what might be next. Featuring our analysts El Jones, Pam Palmater, Martin Lukacs, and our host Donya Ziaee. Catch The Breach Show weekly and don't forget to like, comment and subscribe - https://youtube.com/TheBreach ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sign up for alerts - https://breachmedia.ca/theshow/ ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Support our work - https://breachmedia.ca/support-us/

In this week's episode, our host Donya Ziaee and our analysts, Pam Palmater, El Jones and Martin Lukacs, take a critical look at the NDP-Liberal deal: how and why did it happen, and what does it mean for the future of the NDP? We also take stock of last month's trucker convoy, its effect on the political landscape and how progressive movements can respond moving forward. Like & 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/thebreachmedia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebreachmedia

Starting March 24, we're launching a weekly YouTube show and podcast with incisive and irreverent analysis on politics and social movements in Canada. Featuring Pam Palmater, El Jones, Martin Lukacs and guests, hosted by Donya Ziaee. Follow us to hear new episodes every week.