Today, Noam sits down with Yves Engler—author, activist, and now candidate in the 2026 NDP leadership race—for one of the most important conversations the show has hosted.

Yves is our first return guest, and for good reason: In recent months, he has publicly accused the NDP of using opaque vetting, backroom committees, and bureaucratic delays to keep insurgent, left-wing candidates off the ballot—even when they have met every formal requirement.

This episode dives into:

• how Yves submitted his full nomination package
• why the party still hasn’t given him any decision
• why he waited to submit his vetting materials
• the internal pressure campaigns urging the party to block him
• the broader crisis of democracy inside a party that calls itself New Democratic
• how EDAs (local riding associations) have lost autonomy
• what a truly member-driven NDP would look like under his leadership

Yves also breaks down the influence of central office, the financial barriers placed in front of candidates, and how his platform—developed by 45 activists and researchers—has already pushed the race leftward.

If you believe that leadership elections should be decided by members, not gatekeepers, this is a must-watch.

We unpack Zohran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral win and its strategic implications, dissect Canada’s 2025 budget (programs intact, public-sector cuts, and a measurable center-right fiscal turn), review the U.S. shutdown endgame (why caving erases your case), and challenge the legitimacy of floor crossing in a system where party labels appear on the ballot. Plus: Miss Rachel’s Gaza tribute as a model for holding hope without anesthetizing action.

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Chapters 00:00 Intro — the “hope” discourse 02:02 Mamdani’s victory & movement leverage 04:20 Virginia: anti-fascist majority? 05:55 New Jersey: the margins and the message 08:37 NYC mandate: >50% matters 12:13 Cheney’s death & accountability 13:12 Canada’s budget: social vs. cuts; the Carney frame 18:26 Floor crossing: voters, labels, legitimacy 28:36 U.S. shutdown: why outcomes > vibes 34:10 Read the results soberly 37:55 Miss Rachel’s Gaza dress: hope + grief 41:01 Personal update & community support 42:59 Wrap

In this episode of No Power Panel, we feature an in-depth conversation with Tony McQuail, a federal NDP leadership candidate. Tony outlines his comprehensive framework for transforming Canadian politics and society, focusing on representation, environmental regeneration, economic redistribution, and societal redesign. He shares his experiences as a long-time activist and farmer, advocating for a system that prioritizes people and the planet over corporate interests.We explore his thoughts on the "first past the post" electoral system, the need for a fair tax system, and the importance of local community-led initiatives. Tony also discusses the urgency of addressing climate change through regenerative practices and moving towards a more cooperative and less consumption-driven society.Tune in to hear Tony's compelling arguments for a green progressive future and how his campaign aims to unite diverse voices for meaningful change.

• Tony McQuail's Campaign: tonymgreenprogressive.ca
• Meeting Place Organic Farm: meetingplaceorganicfarm.ca
• Instagram: Check the launch video on Tony's campaign website for the Instagram link.