From the Winnipeg convention centre, Nikki and Tom dig into details about the Federal NDP convention and Avi Lewis' win to become party leader.

Then, Nikki and Tom are joined by our NDP comm pro panel to talk about the challenges that lay ahead for Avi as he works to rebuild the federal NDP. Our comms pro panel is:

- Melanie RIcher, former communications director for Jagmeet Singh
- Farouk Karim, former communications director for Tom Mulcair and the Guy Caron leadership campaign, and
- Leah Ward, former communications director of Rachel Notley

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Heather McPherson, candidate for leader of Canada's NDP and Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona, takes a break from her campaign to join Left East to West from Edmonton, Alberta:

- how the NDP can escape polarization and the strategic voting trap
- being a partner for provincial NDP leaders trying to defeat conservatives
- deepening the relationship with labour
- organizing stronger riding associations
- a communications focus the movement can get behind and push on

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Rob Ashton, candidate for the leader of Canada's NDP and President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union of Canada takes a break from his campaign to join Left East to West from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan:

- how the NDP can escape polarization and the strategic voting trap
- being a partner for provincial NDP leaders trying to defeat conservatives
- deepening the relationship with labour
- organizing stronger riding associations
- a communications focus the movement can get behind and push on

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Sussanne Skidmore, President of the BC Federation of Labour, shares her thoughts about growth and austerity, labour law reform including sectoral bargaining, and trying to bring that magic alignment to the social democratic labour movement both in BC and federally.

Nikki and Tom discuss Canada's most popular premier Wab Kinew supporting working women by requiring workplace menstrual product access and the Ontario Doug Ford government quietly setting up a $1.3 billion bail-out for some condo developers and support higher housing prices.

This week Nikki is loving "Inside the Manosphere" on Netflix and Tom is heaving the big price jump at the pump.

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• Mon Mar 16 - Guio Jacinto, economic and trade analyst, United Steelworkers
• Mon Mar 23 - Sussanne Skidmore, President, BC Federation of Labour
• Mon Mar 30 - Special federal NDP convention episode
• Mon Apr 6 - taking a one-week break -- maybe?
• Mon Apr 13 - Claudia Chender, Leader, Nova Scotia NDP
• Mon Apr 20 - Jen Pederson, foreign policy analyst
• Mon Apr 27 - Bea Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Congress
• Mon May 4 - Dave McGrane, UofS professor, historian of the CCF/NDP

If there's a guest you'd like to hear, email us at lefteasttowest@gmail.com

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Steelworkers union economic and trade analyst Guio Jacinto talks about the impact of Trump's "economic force" against Canada and how adding industrial policy to existing strategies can create jobs and industries.

Nikki and Tom talk about MP Lori Idlout's floor-crossing and the wild -- and wildly false -- accusations of drug dealing by Vancouver's mayor.

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NDP interim leader Don Davies talks about the NDP's opposition to Mark Carney backing Trump's Iran War, the need to be clear-eyed about Modi, and how social democratic approaches can build housing where other's won't.

Nikki and Tom also talk about BC including hormone replacement therapy for menopause in national pharmacare and John Tory quitting the Toronto mayor race and what that means for incumbent Olivia Chow.

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Former Alberta NDP minister Shannon Phillips joins to discuss dark money and foreign interference in Alberta referendum and where the Alberta NDP needs make gains to defeat Danielle Smith. Plus, she has some advice on how the next federal NDP leader can help Albertans get rid of the UCP.

Also, Nikki and Tom touch on the corruption scandal roiling Toronto Police Services and a parliamentary report that's raising concerns radical anti-feminist ideology is a growing national security threat.

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