Dear rabble readers, 

This is a historic moment for progressive movements in Canada, full of both dangers and opportunities. Donald Trump’s attacks on our sovereignty have sparked a rejuvenated awareness that we must fight to defend the idea of Canada as a distinct country—not just the northern appendage of a continental behemoth. So far, however, corporate interests have seized the upper hand in debates over how to defend Canada: they say building pipelines and cutting taxes will do the trick, but obviously we need a different vision. And the way politics has unfolded, progressive voices in Parliament are presently few and far between. 

At this vital moment, rabble plays an essential, unique role. We need this independent, radical, but constructive platform to share information that is absent from both the mainstream media and the flood of social media misinformation. And we need a place for progressives to share ideas about how to build stronger pressure for a progressive vision for Canada’s future: one where we build, yes, but we build the right things, and we build them the right way! 

I am especially grateful for rabble’s in-depth coverage of the labour movement in Canada. rabble’s labour beat program, developed in cooperation with Unifor, has supported several up-and-coming journalists to dive deeply into the campaigns, challenges, and strategies of Canadian unions, and cut their teeth as labour specialists. Most mainstream platforms have abandoned labour journalism, making it all the more remarkable that a small outfit like rabble can maintain consistent coverage of this vital movement. 

I have been a rabble contributor, donor, and volunteer member of its Members Council for many years. rabble provides a unique combination of perspectives. It is credible, always well-connected to on-the-ground activism, and rigorously non-sectarian—an attribute all too often in short supply on the left. We will need rabble’s vision, values, and reach more than ever in the exciting but dangerous times ahead.

I encourage anyone concerned with fighting for a more balanced and democratic media, and equipping social justice and union activists with information and strategies to strengthen their struggles, to subscribe to rabble, sign up as a monthly donor, and to share and repost from its pages often.

I am so grateful to the staff and volunteers at rabble for the amazing work they do, with such minimal resources. This Canada Day, let’s give them more to work with. I know they’ll do wonders with it, to strengthen our fight for a better Canada.

In solidarity,
Jim Stanford

Give today and enter our giveaway 

As a thank-you, all new monthly donors will be entered into a draw to win a $50 gift card from Wildcraft, an Indigenous-owned and operated natural skincare brand.

If you value the work we do, we invite you to be part of our story. Join us in building a media landscape that reflects our communities and holds space for the stories that matter.

Click here to donate today. Every contribution helps keep rabble strong and independent.

Jim Stanford

Jim Stanford is economist and director of the Centre for Future Work, a progressive labour economics institute based in Vancouver. He has a PhD in economics from the New School for Social Research in New...