Spring Radio

Trade Wars and Class War feat. Dave Bush & Deena Newaz

Donald Trump’s tariffs have set the whole global economy in a frenzy. The trade war is escalating and countries, including Canada, are retaliating with heightened nationalism. In the upcoming federal election in Canada, tariffs and Trump are the most central issue. But what does it mean for workers and the working class? Who benefits from the current economic instability in the world? And who pays the price?
In this episode, Spring members David Bush and Deena Newaz sit down to understand what tariffs mean for the international working class, how it is playing out in Canada, and how we can build a workers-first response. We also grapple with emerging debates on the left about nationalism, free trade, and the centrality of the labour movement. 
To read and learn more about this topic, check out a series of articles published on Spring Magazine:
Trade Wars and Class Wars by David Bush: https://springmag.ca/trade-wars-and-class-wars  
Trump, Tariffs, and Return of the National Question: https://springmag.ca/trump-tariffs-and-the-return-of-the-national-question 
The banker or the bully: Carney is no alternative to Poilievre by Jesse McLaren:  https://springmag.ca/the-banker-or-the-bully-carney-is-no-alternative-to-poilievre 
International solidarity is the answer to Trump’s tariffs by Santiago Moran-Izquierado: https://springmag.ca/international-solidarity-is-the-answer-to-trumps-tariffs 
To learn more about the ‘‘No One Left Behind’ campaign visit  https://www.justice4workers.org/tariffemergency 
This episode was produced in Tkaronto on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
It was produced by Carlie Macfie and Sarah Shahid. With original music by Benjamin Bilgen.
To read and listen to more from Spring, and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca.
 

A Socialist Response to Poilievre Part 3: Immigration feat. Harshill and Vedanth

In this episode, we analyze Pierre Poilievre’s anti-immigration rhetoric and the broader political landscape, including policies and messaging from the federal Liberals, Doug Ford, and Donald Trump. 
Spring member Samuel Tetelepta sat down with migrant student organizers Harshill and Vedanth to discuss why we need solidarity, not scapegoating, in this critical moment.
Episode links:  
Migrant Students United: https://www.instagram.com/migrantstudentsunited/ 
Migrant Workers for Change: https://www.instagram.com/migrantworkersalliance/  https://x.com/MWACCanada 
Naujawan Support Network: https://www.instagram.com/naujawansupportnetwork/ 
Vedanth's social: https://www.instagram.com/septum_ring/ 
‘No One Left Behind’ campaign: https://www.justice4workers.org/tariffemergency 
This episode was produced in Tkaronto on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
It was produced by Samuel Tetelpta, Spencer Bridgman, and Ayan Tani. With original music by Benjamin Bilgen.
To read and listen to more from Spring, and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca.

2025 Ontario Elections feat. Sarah Jama

In this episode we speak with Independent Ontario MPP Sarah Jama about her removal from the Ontario NDP caucus after calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and her ongoing re-election campaign in Hamilton Centre as an independent.
We explore the importance of elections, their limitations under capitalism, and why organizing a strong working-class movement remains crucial regardless of who is in power.
To read and listen to more from Spring, and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca.
This episode was produced in Tkaronto on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
It was produced by Sarah Jessica, Carlie Macfie, and Sarah Nafisa Shahid, with original music by Benjamin Bilgen.

BONUS: Red October Talks Now on Youtube!

A few months ago, Spring held our Red October conference in downtown Toronto. The three-day conference featured dozens of talks exploring how we can put socialist ideas into action to fight the capitalist ruling class. 
These talks have now been uploaded to the Spring Magazine YouTube page. You can find them by searching ‘spring magazine red october 2024 playlist’ on Youtube or through the following link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRILLBhWRpdgMvVi8Ty9a8WWtva4_9Q_U&si=JHs33XTmDwrk549t 
We will again be holding Red October in 2025, so remember to get your tickets once they’re announced! 
This episode was produced on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
It was produced by Ayan Tani, Carlie Macfie, and Spencer Bridgman with original music by Benjamin Bilgen. To read and listen to more from Spring and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca.

A Socialist Response to Pierre Poilievre Part 2: Housing feat. Ricardo Tranjan

This is the second installment in an ongoing series on the rhetoric of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, and his bid to become the next Prime Minister of Canada. With the polling as it stands, it's clear we must be prepared for the very real possibility of a Poilievre led Conservative government in the near future. This series asks, what can socialists do to counter his message?
 
In this episode, we sat down with writer, policy expert, and friend of Spring, Ricardo Tranjan to discuss the conservative’s slogan ‘build the homes’ and why we may want to look more closely at what the evidence tells us if we want to understand housing in Canada. You can order Ricardo's excellent book 'The Tenant Class' from btlbooks.com or pick up a copy at your local indie bookstore. 
 
To stay updated on how you can support the tenant struggle at Win’s Flowers, follow 'Friends of Chinatown Toronto' on Instagram at @friendsofchinatownto.
 
This episode was produced on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. It was produced by Josh Frame, Ayan Tani, and Spencer Bridgman with original music by Benjamin Bilgen. To read and listen to more from Spring and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca.

Fighting to Save Safe Consumption Sites in Ontario

Today we are looking at the movement to save supervised consumption sites in Ontario, after an unexpected announcement in August that 10 out of 17 sites in the province have been slated for closure by the Ford government following new zoning regulations regarding proximity to schools and daycares. Without mass mobilization and support these sites will be forced to stop providing life saving harm reduction services by April 01, 2025.
 
 There is abundant evidence that supervised consumption sites provide significant cost savings to the healthcare system, reduce public drug use and discarded paraphernalia, facilitate access to essential wrap-around services, and most importantly, keep people alive amidst a toxic drug crisis. Despite this evidence the Ford government is scapegoating people who use substances as an excuse to further cut life saving public health services. Spring member and community health worker, Stephanie Myers, spoke to SCS workers and community members, to share the important work that happens in these sites and what's at stake if they close. These interviews were recorded early September 2024. Since recording this episode, the Conservatives have pushed legislation through provincial parliament in an undemocratic process, including skipping the community consultation, into the 3rd reading.
We also want to acknowledge that some of the stigmatizing language used in the interviews is not endorsed by Spring, however we want to give space for people to use whatever language they identify with - including how one may relate to their substance use. 
 
You can find petitions and letters to sign in support of safe consumption sites at the Save Our Sites linktree — https://linktr.ee/SWK4102
 
Follow the Harm Reduction Advocacy Collective on Instagram to stay informed on upcoming actions and other ways to support safe consumption and harm reduction efforts — instagram.com/hracollective 
 
Other Instagram accounts we recommend following for more info & to support harm reduction in Ontario:
@candrugpolicy@drugchecking@hac_toronto@torontoodpreventionsociety@torontoindigenousharmreduction@kmops_@mossparkctstoronto@streethealthops@bevelupops@kitchenercts
This episode was produced in Tkaronto on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.It was produced by Stephanie Myers, Carlie Macfie, and Ayan Tani. With original music by Benjamin Bilgen.To read and listen to more from Spring, and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca. 

One Front: The Struggle for a Free Palestine and Labour Organizing feat. Moe Alqasem

This month marks one year since Israel escalated its genocidal actions in Palestine. We sat down with Palestinian community organizer, Spring member, and trade unionist Moe Alqasem to reflect on the past year and what comes next. We also spoke with Taher Dahleh (a member of the Communication Workers of America and the Palestinian Youth Movement) and Frank Hammer (a former president of the United Auto Workers local 909) on the importance of unions in the fight for Palestinian liberation.
Join Spring for the Red October conference from October 18 to 20 in Toronto, Canada. There will be talks and discussion on Palestine, the role of unions in social justice, and much much more. Purchase tickets here (PWYC options available): https://www.tickettailor.com/events/springmagazine1/1357089 
You can follow Labour for Palestine on Instagram at @labourforpalestine and on Twitter @PalestineLabour. You can follow Frank Hammer on Twitter @detroitunionist and check out https://aflcio-int.education/ - a Labor Education Project on AFL-CIO International Operations. Lastly, you can follow the Palestinian Youth Movement on Instagram @palestinianyouthmovement and Twitter @palyouthmvmt.
This episode was produced in Tkaronto on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
It was produced by Ayan Tani, Spencer Bridgman, and Sarah Shahid. With original music by Benjamin Bilgen.
To read and listen to more from Spring, and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca. 

Political Prisoners are a Labour Issue feat. Dennise Velasco

Today’s episode is about Philippine labour organizing and political prisoners. We spoke with Migrante BC Secretary General, labour organizer, and former political prisoner Dennise Velasco about the ongoing union organizing in the Philippines as well as the situation for political prisoners such as Maoj Maga, and how these struggles connect to the labour movement, Indigenous self-determination, and other movements in so-called Canada.
Join Spring for a weekend of socialist ideas and strategy from October 18 to 20 in Toronto, Canada. Purchase Red October tickets here (PWYC options available): https://www.tickettailor.com/events/springmagazine1/1357089 
This episode was produced on the traditional territory of many nations including the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Coast Salish Nations.
It was produced by Kai Koski, Carlie Macfie, and Lina El Garawany, with original music by Benjamin Bilgen.
To read and listen to more from Spring, and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca.
You can find the transcript for this episode here.

Mass Uprising in Bangladesh feat. Anu Muhammad

In this episode, Bangladeshi economist and public intellectual, Anu Mohammad, discusses the working class nature of the mass uprising in Bangladesh and where the country is headed after ousting an authoritarian government. 
In Spring’s annual Red October conference, we will be going deeper into the discussion around mass uprisings and revolution, along with other talks on state and elections, fighting the right-wing and fascism, and building workers’ power. Join Spring for a weekend of socialist ideas and strategy from October 18 to 20 in Toronto, Canada. Purchase Red October tickets here (PWYC options available): https://www.tickettailor.com/events/springmagazine1/1357089
This episode was produced on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. It was produced by Spencer Bridgman and Sarah Shahid, with original music by Benjamin Bilgen. The song at the end of the interview is called Awaaz Utha by Bangladeshi rapper Hannan, who was arrested during the uprising but is now free. The song is available wherever you get your music.
To support more episodes like this, please consider contributing to Spring Magazine’s 2024 Fund Drive: https://www.gofundme.com/f/spring-magazines-2024-fund-drive.

A Socialist Response to Pierre Poilievre Part 1: Justinflation feat. Pam Frache

This episode is the first installment in an ongoing series on the rhetoric of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, and his bid to become the next Prime Minister of Canada. Poilievre's catchy one liners and strong online presence have been working over drive to promote a broadly regressive, neo-liberal and populist agenda as an option for Canada. With the polling as it stands, it is clear we must be prepared for the very real possibility of a Pierre Poilievre led Conservative government in thenear future. But what can we as socialists do to counter his harmful messaging?
In this series, we will unpack Poilievre's many slogans and how to challenge them in conversations with those who may be swayed by messaging. Consider this your toolkit for the inevitably difficult conversations with loved ones, acquaintances and strangers as we approach the upcoming federal election. 
According to a poll released earlier this month, two of the top issues for voters in turning off support for the Liberal Party were cost of living increases and a lack of progress on inflation. Co-host Josh Frame sits down with Spring Member & Justice for Workers coordinator Pam Frache to talk about what is wrong with Poilievre's views on inflation and his solutions for making life more affordable for the working class. 
 
This episode was produced on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. It was produced by Carlie Macfie and Josh Frame, with original music by Benjamin Bilgen. To read and listen to more from Spring and to find out how to join the Spring Socialist Network, please go to SpringMag.ca. To support more episodes like this, please consider contributing to Spring Magazine's 2024 Fund Drive: https://www.gofundme.com/f/spring-magazines-2024-fund-drive.