Inflation, food insecurity and homelessness is on the rise in Canada – as is a toxic drug epidemic. In this clip, Jones explains how Conservative leaders like Pierre Poilievre are using these issues as political propaganda rather than offering meaningful and compassionate solutions. As a result, these policies are creating harmful division across the country.

“We see this cynical exploitation of these very real human conditions by people using human beings as a backdrop to pursue this false populist narrative that, of course, has nothing to do with serving the working classes or those people who are in need.”

El Jones is a poet, author, journalist, professor and activist living in Halifax. In November, she published “Abolitionist Intimacies” – a book which examines the lives of those incarcerated and exposes injustices in the criminal justice system.

This is a clip from rabble’s most recent live politics panel: ‘Off the Hill: A look back to leap forward.’ From the Freedom Convoy, to major action in Canada’s labour movement, to the ongoing war in Ukraine, to political leadership races on the provincial and federal levels… Our panel reflected on 2022, a year that had no shortage of newsworthy events. Then asked: what does this mean we can expect for the year ahead?

The panel featured guests MP Leah Gazan, Chuka Ejeckam, El Jones and Karl Nerenberg. With co-hosts Robin Browne and Libby Davies.

Off the Hill is a fast-paced live panel on current issues of national significance. To support our mission of mobilizing individuals to create progressive change  — on and off Parliament Hill — visit rabble.ca/donate.