Did you know that some public sector pensions, like the Ontario Municipality Employees Retirement System (OMERS) invests in the very companies that contribute to the exploitation of retirees and the commodification of aging?

That is just one example of 'social investments gone awry' that author and researcher Tom Fraser brings to our discussion from his book, Invested in Crisis, Public Sector Pensions Against the Future. He explains how we got to the point where (mostly unionized) workers are heavily invested in real estate across the globe, pipelines, privatized healthcare and water infrastructure, and other industries we're mobilizing against.

Good news is Tom also talks about potential solutions and ways out of this cycle of trying to secure power over industries by investing in them.

Hosted by: Jessa McLean

Call to Action: Support the Campaign to Divest Ontario Teachers Pension Plan

Related Episode:

• The Tenant Class, with Ricardo Tranjan, where the subject of real estate investment trusts is raised and the barrier pensions present;

More Resources:

• The Maple: Major Canadian Union Calls for Divestment of Tesla
• Buy Tom's Book: Invested in Crisis – Between the Lines
• Huff Post: COVID-19 Has Killed 164 At Revera's Care Homes. Their Families Want Answers.

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Find out why and how the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) chose to intervene in the 2025 Federal Election.

VotePalestine.ca is more than a listing of candidates who have signed onto the Palestinian Platform. Yara Shoufani of the PYM explains the strategy behind the campaign, their expectations of politicians and, its long terms goals around mobilizing power.

The discussion also provides a great overview of the work the PYM has been doing since we last spoke to them, and specifics on how they're continuing to build capacity and bring people into the movement for a Free Palestine.

Hosted by: Jessa McLean

Call to Action: Take the Vote Palestine Pledge

Related Episodes:

• Our previous discussion with PYM, Return and Liberation;
• Canada's Colonial Imagination, with Tyler Shipley helps explain Canada's reaction to the occupation; and,
• Our entire Free Palestine Playlist

More Resources:

• PYM on Instagram
• Guelph News: Which federal candidates support the Palestine Platform? - An example of a local news outlet covering candidates' positions on the Palestine Platform.
• Trends in International Arms Transfers (2021) - On Canada's growing prominence in the arms industry.
• Vote Palestine FAQs

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📺YOU CAN CATCH US LIVE EVERY FRIDAY AT 12pm E.T. on our YouTube Channel.

All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: Patreon

Follow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

In January 2024, shortly after workers in their Laval location had unionized, Amazon announced the closure of its facilities in Quebec. In a most egregious union busting moves, Amazon left 2,000 people out of work and walked away from significant investments in infrastructure to make sure workers wouldn't get a say in their conditions.

Jon Milton, Senior Communications Specialist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, shares some of the ways Labour, the community and municipalities are fighting back against Amazon. Jon also has some tactics not yet deployed to 'bring down' this corporate giant AND its exploitive business model.

Hosted by: Jessa McLean

Call to Action: Boycott Amazon Canada

Related Episodes:

• CUPW Right to Strike was recorded immediately after Canada Post workers were ordered back to work. Its a candid discussion on the state of what's often touted as Canada's strongest union.
• Another guest from the CCPA, Richard Tranjan, with a discussion on The Tenant Class

More Resources:

• Supreme Court Rules Walmart Broke QC Law - Global News
• Union says Amazon closures in Quebec are an attack on unionization - rabble.ca
• Amazon’s Quebec closures are a wake-up call for Canada’s labour movement - CCPA
• How Quebec and Canada can make Amazon pay for union-busting - CCPA

All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: Patreon

Follow us on Instagram or on Bluesky