Buckle up, folks.
We have a lot to unpack in our first Off the Hill political panel of 2025.
This week, Justin Trudeau announced his decision to step down as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party once a new leader is selected, proroguing Parliament until March 23.
The move comes after months of mounting challenges for the Liberals, including a sharp decline in popularity, a series of defeats in by-elections and, of course, the dissolvement of the supply and confidence agreement with the New Democrats. In December, Chrystia Freeland’s unexpected resignation further rocked the Liberal camp.
With 2025 marking a pivotal election year in Canada, the political landscape is in flux.
The Conservatives view the upcoming federal election as their chance to seize power and “expand the opportunity, expand the promise of this country.”
Meanwhile, the New Democrats are positioning themselves as the force for “real change” in Canada, aiming to be the top progressive choice in the fall election.
All of this – plus Donald Trump’s re-election as president of the United States – sets the stage for an unmissable discussion on next week’s panel, Off the Hill: Election year in Canada.
Join MP Niki Ashton, writer and activist Judy Haiven, economists Jim Stanford and Stuart Trew and rabble’s own parliamentary reporter Karl Nerenberg in conversation on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET. Hosted by Robin Browne.
About our guests
Niki Ashton is NDP Member of Parliament for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski in Manitoba.
Stuart Trew is a senior researcher at the CCPA National Office and the past editor of the CCPA Monitor. He is director of the CCPA’s Trade and Investment Research Project.
Jim Stanford is an economist and the director of the Centre for Future Work, a labour economics research institute with operations in Canada and Australia.
Karl Nerenberg is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and filmmaker, working in both English and French languages. He is rabble’s senior parliamentary reporter.
Judy Haiven is a former professor of Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She retired to become a volunteer human rights activist and writer. She is a founder of Equity Watch, a nonprofit organization that fights bullying, discrimination and harassment in the workplace. A founding member of Independent Jewish Voices Canada, Judy supports the struggle to end Israel’s genocide against Palestinians. Her social justice newsletter, Another Ruined Dinner Party, is available for free on Substack.
About Off the Hill
Since 2019, Off the Hill has been rabble.ca’s live monthly panel. Through this series, we break down important national and international news stories through a progressive lens.
This webinar series invites a rotating roster of guest activists, politicians, researchers and more to discuss how to mobilize and bring about progressive change in national politics — on and off Parliament Hill. Co-hosted by Robin Browne and Libby Davies.
Join us the third Wednesday of every month at 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET. The live, digital show is one hour long – 45 minutes of moderated discussion followed by 15 minutes of audience participation.
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Nick Seebruch, editor
