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