What does it take to lead the Ontario Liberal Party back to power, and can a nearly year-long endurance test actually build the muscle the party needs to defeat Doug Ford?Following the official launch of the 2026 OLP Leadership race, our Ontario Wrap-Up panel is back to break down the newly released rules, the shift to online voting, and the long road to November 21.Featuring Darrell Dean (former Digital Director for PM Trudeau), Theresa Lubowitz (former advisor to the Premier of Ontario and former OLP Communications Coordinator), Alex Mather (former advisor to the Premier of Ontario), and Jordan Ray (former OLP Organization Lead), the panel explores whether a year-long campaign is a necessary party building exercise or a risky recipe for organizational drift.The team dives into the logistics of the contest, the implications of a $1M spending cap, and how a new era of online voting might expand the party's tent. They also debate the authenticity required to offer a hopeful alternative to the current government.Topics include:OLP Leadership 2026 • Ontario Politics • Digital Campaigning • Online Voting • Political Strategy • Doug Ford • Progressive Messaging • Campaign Fundraising • Candidate Recruitment • Political Branding • Strategic Communications • Ontario Liberal PartyWhere to Find Us:Substack: https://progresscanada.substack.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscanadapodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/progresscanada.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/progress-canada/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progress_canada_podcast Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressCanadaPodcast/

What does rebuilding the Liberal brand require today, and how should Liberals defend their values in an era of cynicism and polarization?As provincial Liberal parties struggle for relevance across Canada, former Ontario Premier David Peterson joins the Progress Canada Podcast to reflect on how he once led the Ontario Liberal Party out of the political wilderness—and what today’s Liberals can learn from that moment.Peterson explains how rejecting nostalgia, campaigning against cronyism, and drawing sharp contrasts with a long-entrenched Conservative government helped renew trust with voters. From restoring a sense of possibility to building a broad coalition of voters, he breaks down what it takes to create a credible Liberal alternative.With provincial Liberalism now at one of its weakest points nationally, Peterson defends liberalism itself—arguing that freedom, social justice, and economic prosperity are not competing ideas but mutually reinforcing ones. Topics include:Ontario politics • Provincial Liberalism • David Peterson • Ontario Liberal Party • Canadian Liberalism • Political branding • Coalition-building • Social justice • Economic prosperity • Campaign strategy • Progressive politics • Canadian democracyWhere to Find Us:Substack: https://progresscanada.substack.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscanadapodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/progresscanada.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/progress-canada/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progress_canada_podcast Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressCanadaPodcast/

As Donald Trump asserts a more aggressive vision for U.S. power in the Western Hemisphere, our panel digs into where Canada fits in those plans—and where it doesn’t.

We explore how Trump’s approach to trade, security, and hemispheric dominance challenges long-standing assumptions about Canada–U.S. relations, and what this moment means for Canadian sovereignty.

How should Canadian leaders talk about independence, economic security, and democratic resilience when our closest ally is increasingly unpredictable? And what does defending sovereignty look like in what Prime Minister Mark Carney has dubbed the "new world order?"

The #OnMessage Panel brings together experienced political communicators to break down Canada’s political headlines and examine how each party is framing the debate, what’s resonating with voters, and where our country’s political narrative will head next. Panelists include Michelle Johnston, Theresa Lubowitz, and Alex Mather.

Where to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscanadapodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/progresscanada.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/progress-canada/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progress_canada_podcast Podcast Platforms:RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/1027adaac/podcast/rss Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Etut7tXvL8yN4PjQ96pHH?si=7d80390f146a4f07Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8dfa624c-13a8-4268-a977-b3bc509b6cd7/progress-canadaApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/progress-canada/id1802911774 YouTube Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanada/podcasts

In this episode, we’re joined by John Fraser — five-term MPP for Ottawa South and the Ontario Liberal Party’s Leader in the Legislature — for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of Ontario politics heading into 2026, what constructive opposition looks like, and the work required to rebuild public trust after seven years of Doug Ford.Fraser reflects on how this year’s campaign compares to past races and what lessons the Ontario Liberal Party should take from it. We talk about the return to official party status, how a larger caucus is changing what Liberals can accomplish at Queen’s Park, and the priorities the party has focused on this fall, from holding the Ford government accountable to putting forward legislation designed to help families hit hardest by the affordability crisis.We dig into the Ford Government’s mismanagement of the Skills Development Fund, the growing youth unemployment crisis, and the PCs’ pattern of siding with well-connected insiders over everyday Ontarians. Fraser also outlines the Ontario Liberals’ approach to tackling the province’s worsening health care and education crises, drawing on his experience as former Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and his current role as Education Critic.Finally, we explore Fraser’s unique tenure as Leader in the Legislature, the upcoming Liberal leadership race, and his advice for the next Liberal leader.Topics include:Ontario politics • John Fraser • Ontario Liberal Party • 2025 Ontario election • Queen’s Park • Doug Ford government • Skills Development Fund scandal • affordability crisis • youth unemployment • Youth Career Fund • health care crisis • education funding • student outcomes • official party status • legislative leadership • political accountability • provincial policy • Canadian politics 2025 • Progress Canada

In this episode, we sit down with Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank, for a wide-ranging conversation about poverty, hunger, and the alarming rise in food bank use across Toronto and beyond.We discuss the findings from Daily Bread’s 2025 "Who’s Hungry?" report, which shows food bank visits hitting a record 4.1 million this year — a staggering 340% increase since 2019. Hetherington explains why food insecurity has shifted from a temporary emergency to a long-term structural crisis, and what the data reveal about the pressures forcing people deeper into poverty. He breaks down the main drivers of hunger — including unaffordable housing, stagnant wages, and the growth of precarious work — and why so many people with jobs and post-secondary education are still unable to afford the basics.We also explore how the housing crisis is fueling food insecurity, the growing number of single adults falling into poverty, and the rise in food bank use among people with disabilities. Finally, we talk about what listeners can do right now to support their communities — from advocating for stronger social policies to taking simple, practical actions that make a meaningful difference.If you care about poverty reduction, housing affordability, disability justice, or the growing crisis of hunger in Canada, this is an essential conversation.Support the Daily Bread Food Bank this holiday season:https://www.dailybread.ca/give-now/ways-to-give/Topics include:Food insecurity • Daily Bread Food Bank • Who’s Hungry report • poverty in Canada • housing crisis • precarious work • single adults in poverty • Canada Disability Benefit • National School Food Program • fresh food tax credit • social policy • income supports • Toronto affordability • economic inequality • anti-poverty advocacyWhere to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscanadapodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/progresscanada.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/progress-canada/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progress_canada_podcast Podcast Platforms:RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/1027adaac/podcast/rss Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Etut7tXvL8yN4PjQ96pHH?si=7d80390f146a4f07Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8dfa624c-13a8-4268-a977-b3bc509b6cd7/progress-canadaApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/progress-canada/id1802911774 YouTube Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanada/podcasts

In this episode, we sit down with Rob Ashton — National President of ILWU Canada and candidate for federal NDP Leader — for a wide-ranging conversation about class politics, worker power, and what it would mean to elect a leader who comes from working class.We explore Ashton’s 30-year career as a longshoreman, how his background shapes his understanding of Canada’s working class, and why he believes the NDP must speak plainly, fight harder, and return to its roots. He discusses his vision for tackling economic inequality, ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share, and building a country where everyone has security and dignity. We also dig into the central pillars of his platform, including the Good Jobs Promise and Worker Power Plan.Finally, we talk about the state of the leadership race, what supporters can do to get involved, and — in a lighter moment — the eclectic soundtrack powering his cross-country tour.If you follow the NDP, labour politics, economic inequality, or the future direction of the Canadian left, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Topics include:NDP leadership race • Rob Ashton • working class politics • class war • economic inequality • tax fairness • labour movement • Good Jobs Promise • Worker Power Plan • union rights • housing affordability • corporate landlords • co-op and non-profit housing • rent control • economic sovereignty • affordability crisis • political elites • Canadian politics 2025 • progressive politics • federal NDPWhere to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscanadapodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/progresscanada.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/progress-canada/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progress_canada_podcast Podcast Platforms:RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/1027adaac/podcast/rss Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Etut7tXvL8yN4PjQ96pHH?si=7d80390f146a4f07Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8dfa624c-13a8-4268-a977-b3bc509b6cd7/progress-canadaApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/progress-canada/id1802911774 YouTube Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanada/podcasts

In this episode, we sit down with Marit Stiles, Leader of the Ontario NDP and Leader of the Official Opposition, for a wide-ranging conversation about the 2025 election, the party’s fall agenda, and what it will take to build a government ready to deliver for working people.We discuss Stiles’ reflections on her first general election as leader, what she learned from voters across the province, and why she believes the NDP must build a true “culture of winning” to earn the confidence of Ontarians. She talks about the changes she’s made inside her office, why she brought in experienced strategists from NDP governments across the country, and how the party plans to show it’s ready to govern.We also dig into the party’s work in the Legislature this fall — from cataloguing the Ford government’s ongoing scandals to proposing legislation aimed at helping families struggling with the cost of living. Stiles reflects on the NDP’s visibility in a crowded media environment, including the 61 news releases issued in the first month of the fall session and the headlines that followed her removal from the Chamber.We explore the province’s worsening job market, Stiles’ criticism of Doug Ford as a “jobs disaster,” and what she sees as the untold story of the Premier’s economic record. She outlines the accountability reforms an NDP government would bring forward and the party’s approach to fixing the province’s housing crisis after years of Conservative dysfunction.Finally, we look ahead to the new year and Stiles shares how she’ll be spending the holidays with her family.Topics include:Ontario NDP • Marit Stiles • Doug Ford • 2025 Ontario election • Official Opposition • jobs crisis • Skills Development Fund • government ethics • accountability reforms • housing affordability • RCMP Greenbelt investigation • provincial politics 2025 • Ontario Legislature • cost of living • political strategyWhere to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscanadapodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/progresscanada.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/progress-canada/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progress_canada_podcast Podcast Platforms:RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/1027adaac/podcast/rss Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Etut7tXvL8yN4PjQ96pHH?si=7d80390f146a4f07Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8dfa624c-13a8-4268-a977-b3bc509b6cd7/progress-canadaApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/progress-canada/id1802911774 YouTube Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanada/podcasts

In this episode, we’re joined by Amandeep Sodhi, Member of Parliament for Brampton Centre. Elected to office for the first time in the 2025 federal election, Sodhi is a member of the so-called “21st Century Club”, a group of four Gen-Z Liberal MPs born in this century.Where to Find Us:Social Accounts:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanadaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/progress_canada_podcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/progresscanadapodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/progresscanada.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/progress-canada/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progress_canada_podcast Podcast Platforms:RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/1027adaac/podcast/rss Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Etut7tXvL8yN4PjQ96pHH?si=7d80390f146a4f07Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8dfa624c-13a8-4268-a977-b3bc509b6cd7/progress-canadaApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/progress-canada/id1802911774 YouTube Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressCanada/podcasts