Parl to the People

Some are calling for New Democrats to leave the Liberals alone, to fall in line, to put aside our politics. But if I wanted to run without a platform, without a vision for the working class, I would have joined the Liberal Party in the first place. That is not who I am, and that is not what democracy demands of us. Our Westminster system requires strong opposition, not deference to those in power. In a time when our institutions are under attack, we do not need less democracy. We need more.

Democracy is not a coronation, and no party is entitled to power. The Liberals expect New Democrats to surrender the fight for working people, to step aside as they claim the right to govern without earning it. But we have already seen what happens when democracy is treated as a two-party system. In the United States, that entitlement and complacency allowed the rise of fascism, culminating in a coup attempt that nearly toppled their democratic institutions. We will not let Canada go down the same path. New Democrats will not step aside, nor will we hand over votes freely. We will fight to earn every single one, just as Liberals must do if they truly want to defeat Conservatives. Every seat, every riding, every vote must be won through conviction, not entitlement. Fear leads people to retreat from democracy, but leaders must rise to meet the moment, not shrink from it.

CONTINUE READING: Canada's democracy must be built in our workplaces, in our communities, and in our economy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA – Amid growing economic uncertainty created by Trump’s tariffs and rising threats to workers, NDP labour critic MP Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre) says the Liberal government’s decision to eliminate the role of labour minister is an affront to working people across Canada.

Green says at a time when corporations like Rogers Communications are locking out their workers, this government has signaled that it would rather cater to the interests of CEOs than stand up for the rights of the people who keep this country running.

“The Liberals’ choice to abolish the labour minister portfolio is a slap in the face to workers who are fighting for fair wages, good jobs, and the right to collective bargaining,” said Green. “We are facing an affordability crisis, skyrocketing corporate profits, and companies like Rogers refusing to negotiate in good faith with their employees. Now, more than ever, workers need a government that will stand up for them, not abandon them.”

CONTINUE READING: It's time for a government that fights for workers, not corporate boardrooms.

Last month, Justin Trudeau made a flashy announcement about high-speed rail between Toronto and Quebec City. Predictably, the details were thin, and the commitment felt more like election-season bait than a serious infrastructure plan. Meanwhile, communities across Canada, especially in the Prairies, are still stranded, waiting for real investments in public transit that serve working-class people, not just corporate developers.

Public Transit Should Be Public

The government’s approach to transit follows a familiar pattern: announce big projects, invite private-sector bidders, and leave the public on the hook for cost overruns and failures. We saw it with the privatization of Highway 407, with the debacle of SNC-Lavalin’s light rail in Ottawa, and with the push for private operators on major transit projects. The NDP has been clear: intercity transit should be public, affordable, and built for people, not profit.

I’ve fought this fight before. When I was on Hamilton City Council, I stood with transit workers and community advocates to demand that the city’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) system be publicly operated, not handed off to a private consortium. Our campaign made it clear: if public dollars build it, public hands should run it. The same principle must apply to Canada’s high-speed rail, intercity transit, and local transit networks.

CONTINUE READING: A Bold Plan for Public Transit Investment

When I traveled to the West Bank and Jenin Camp early last year, I met families who had endured unimaginable suffering. I sat with children who had lost their homes, their schools, and in too many cases, their loved ones. I spoke with parents who, despite everything, held on to hope for their children’s futures. I met kind, generous people who welcomed us into their communities with warmth, even in the face of daily brutality.

But what I also witnessed was something the world cannot ignore. The systematic and unrelenting oppression of an entire people continues to unfold. The daily indignities, the ever-present fear, and the exhaustion of living under military occupation define life for millions of Palestinians.

A recent address by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to the 58th session of the Human Rights Council reaffirmed what I had seen with my own eyes. Turk laid out in clear terms the “unprecedented disregard for the principles of international humanitarian law” exhibited by Israeli authorities in Gaza and the West Bank. His words were not only an indictment of Israeli military operations but also a damning assessment of the international community’s failure to hold power to account.

CONTINUE READING: History will judge our silence

In Saint John, New Brunswick, hundreds of unionized workers at Irving Paper face an uncertain future. The company is at risk of shutting down, threatening not just jobs but the economic stability of an entire region. Irving Paper has been a pillar of the local economy for decades, providing good-paying union jobs and supporting countless families. Now, those livelihoods are on the line, and the ripple effects could devastate the community.

The mill's closure would not only displace workers but also hurt local businesses that rely on its operations. Small suppliers, trucking companies, and service providers in the region would suffer. Homeowners and renters would struggle as job losses reduce spending power in the area. The potential fallout is enormous, and workers are demanding action to prevent economic collapse.

Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union, is leading the fight to prevent mass layoffs. However, without serious policy intervention, workers may once again find themselves at the mercy of corporate decision-makers who prioritize profits over people.

This situation isn’t unique to Saint John. Across Canada, profitable corporations continue to abandon workers and communities, prioritizing shareholders over long-term economic sustainability. Whether it’s Irving Paper in the Atlantic Region today or, more locally, Hamilton Specialty Bar, the pattern remains the same: executives make the decisions, and workers pay the price. In what was one of the more locally devastating closures, I can vividly recall the shock and harm that the Bain Capital (Mit Romney's company) take over of Hamilton Specialty Bar, which had been operating here for over 100 years, supporting the automotive industry with three generations of workers dating back to 1910.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Instead of allowing a profitable company to close while workers lose everything, Canada must adopt policies that give workers the right to take control of their workplaces before they are shut down or sold off to outside investors.

CONTINUE READING: The Case for Worker Ownership and Cooperative Economy

The federal government's decision to remove Canada Post’s exclusive rights to letter delivery is yet another step in the long-running campaign to dismantle public services in favour of corporate profits. By quietly gutting these protections under the guise of reducing internal trade barriers, Ottawa is doing the bidding of private courier companies that have long sought to carve out profitable pieces of the postal system, leaving the rest of us to deal with higher costs and reduced service.

The move is being packaged as a technical change to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), but make no mistake, this is a deliberate attack on one of Canada’s most crucial public institutions. It is a textbook example of how trade agreements are used to advance corporate interests at the expense of public goods. We have seen this before. The same logic was used when trade deals like NAFTA and the Canada U.S. Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) opened the door to privatization, wage suppression, and the offshoring of good Canadian jobs.

The argument for removing these protections is wrapped in vague appeals to efficiency and economic growth. Business lobbyists claim that ending Canada Post’s exclusive right to letter delivery will increase competition and lower costs, but history tells us otherwise. Wherever postal services have been privatized or deregulated, the result has been higher prices, reduced service, especially in rural and remote areas, and precarious, low-wage jobs replacing stable, unionized positions.

CONTINUE READING: This decision comes at a time when we should be strengthening Canada Post.

The battle over Amazon’s illegal union-busting in Quebec is shaping up to be a defining moment for labour rights in Canada. As Jon Milton outlines in his recent article for CCPA’s Policy Alternatives, Amazon’s abrupt closure of its Quebec warehouses following unionization is a direct assault on the rights of workers. This is not just about one corporation’s anti-union tactics; it is a test of whether our governments will enforce the laws meant to protect workers from corporate intimidation.

This fight also intersects with a broader discussion about the future of public logistics in Canada, particularly as the Canada Post Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) examines the long-term sustainability of our postal service. As noted in my submission in support of Canadian Union of Postal Workers to the IIC, Canada Post must not be seen as a profit-driven enterprise competing in an exploitative delivery market, but rather as an essential public service that meets the diverse needs of Canadians. The challenges posed by non-unionized competitors like Amazon highlight the urgent need to strengthen and expand public logistics infrastructure, ensuring that workers are protected and that postal services remain accessible and sustainable.

CONTINUE READING: We can build a system that works for workers.

Once again, Hamilton’s steelworkers are being used as bargaining chips in a political game they did not sign up to play. On February 10, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, including from Canada. This reckless move is not about fair trade. It is about a desperate administration using workers as pawns to score political points. Just like before, it is Hamilton’s steelworkers who are caught in the crossfire.

The Stakes for Hamilton’s Steel Industry

We have been here before. The steel and aluminum tariffs Trump imposed on Canada in 2018 caused massive uncertainty in our industry. Workers at Stelco and ArcelorMittal Dofasco were left wondering whether their jobs would be next. Thousands of good-paying, union jobs in Hamilton depend on steel exports to the United States. Any disruption to that supply chain is an immediate threat not just to steelworkers but to the entire economy of this city.

We are already seeing the fallout. U.S. steel corporations such as Cleveland-Cliffs and Nucor have seen their stock prices surge, while European steelmakers such as Thyssenkrupp and Salzgitter have taken a hit. Markets are shifting, and if Canada does not respond with a strong and immediate plan, Hamilton workers will be left paying the price for American shareholders.

CONTINUE READING: Trump's Steel Tariffs Are an Attack on Hamilton Workers. Ottawa Must Act Now.

When people in Hamilton tell me they are struggling, whether it is affording rent, finding secure work, or putting food on the table, it is not just anecdotal. It is systemic. In Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts, authors Dennis Raphael, Toba Bryant, Juha Mikkonen, and Alexander Raphael lay out in stark detail how inequality in this country is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It is about life expectancy, mental health, and whether people get the dignity they deserve. Their research makes it clear that health outcomes in Canada are not shaped solely by individual choices but by economic and social policies that determine who has access to secure jobs, affordable housing, and a strong social safety net, and who is left behind.

The Role of Government: A Contract with the People, Not Corporations

The NDP has always understood that government is not a business but a collective contract between people. A just society is one where no one is left behind, not by design, not by indifference, and certainly not by policy. The Canadian Facts shows that countries with strong public services, equitable income distribution, and fair labour laws have better health outcomes. Yet in Canada, we have moved in the opposite direction.

Income inequality is worsening, and Canada has among the highest rates of poverty among wealthy nations. Housing is unaffordable, with more people spending over 30 percent of their income on rent while social housing stagnates. Job insecurity is skyrocketing, with more workers stuck in precarious, non-unionized jobs with no benefits. Food insecurity is rampant, and nearly three million Canadians, including children, rely on food banks.

This is not inevitable. These are policy choices. The Liberals and Conservatives have prioritized tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and subsidies for profitable corporations while leaving working people to fend for themselves.

CONTINUE READING: Economic Uncertainty and the Trump Tariffs: Hamilton on the Front Lines

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to sit in on a presentation by economist Jim Stanford, where he laid out a reality check on trade between Canada and the U.S. His latest report, Who’s Subsidizing Whom?, dismantles Trump’s misleading rhetoric and makes it clear: Canada isn’t getting a free ride in this relationship; if anything, we’re the ones propping up key sectors of the U.S. economy.

As the NDP’s Critic for Labour, Employment, and Workplace Development and as an MP proudly representing Hamilton Centre, a city built on steel and industrial work, I know firsthand how these trade wars play out. Trump’s past tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum hammered workers in Hamilton, from Stelco to Dofasco, even as they were framed as a win for American jobs. The reality? U.S. manufacturers and auto companies suffered right alongside us, proving just how integrated and mutually dependent our economies are.

CONTINUE READING: A Balanced Trade Relationship

As a committed advocate for international human rights and an ardent advocate for justice and peace, I unequivocally condemn U.S. President Donald Trump’s genocidal call for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. This is not just abhorrent rhetoric; it is an open endorsement of war crimes.

President Trump’s words reflect more than his personal depravity, and they expose the deep complicity of the U.S. government in supporting Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. The Israeli apartheid regime, emboldened by U.S. military aid and diplomatic cover, continues to escalate its brutal campaign of racial subjugation and violence in Gaza and the West Bank.

I saw this horror firsthand during my visit to the West Bank and Jenin refugee camp in January 2024. I witnessed the devastating impacts of extremist settler violence and the relentless, violent oppression inflicted by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). Since then, the situation has only worsened; settler militias, backed by the IOF, are intensifying their attacks, displacing entire communities, and enforcing brutal Israeli Apartheid with lethal force.

CONTINUE READING: The Canadian government's silence in the face of these atrocities makes it complicit.

Michael A. McCarthy’s “Economic Democracy Is the Only Practical Cure for Our Crises”, published in Jacobin, delivers a sharp critique of capitalism’s grip on investment decisions. According to McCarthy, this control is not just an economic issue. It is a fundamental barrier to democracy, human well-being, and climate action. His solution? A radical shift toward democratic finance, where public deliberation, not private profit, guides investment.

His argument is especially relevant as Canada faces another round of U.S. protectionism. Donald Trump’s new tariff threat on Canadian imports serve as a stark reminder of our economy’s dependence on private capital and foreign markets. Whether it is steel, aluminum, or manufactured goods, Canadian workers are the ones who suffer when trade policy is dictated by corporate interests rather than democratic control.

Trump’s Tariffs and Capitalist Investment: The Same Old Story

McCarthy highlights a fundamental flaw in capitalism. Investment decisions remain beyond democratic reach. This is not a glitch in the system. It is by design. From early land enclosures that forced peasants into wage labour to today’s financial markets that dictate the fate of entire industries, the story remains the same. A small elite controls capital, while everyone else bears the consequences.

This reality plays out in Canada every time the U.S. government shifts its trade policies. Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports are just the latest example of how our economy remains at the mercy of U.S. financial and political interests. Instead of using Canada’s wealth to build a self-sufficient economy, our government relies on foreign investment and corporate-driven trade deals, leaving entire industries vulnerable to political swings.

Nowhere is this clearer than in Hamilton. Once home to a thriving steel industry with stable, unionized jobs, the city has been hollowed out by decades of financialization and trade dependence. With new tariffs looming, steelworkers once again face uncertainty while the federal government scrambles for a response. The recent buyout of STELCO by American company Cleveland-Cliffs has only added to these concerns. If the company decides to shift production to the United States to avoid tariffs, local job losses could follow, deepening the crisis for Hamilton’s steel sector. But rather than waiting for U.S. politicians and corporate executives to determine the fate of our industries, Canada needs a strategy that puts workers first.

CONTINUE READING: Democratic Finance: A Real Alternative to Trade Dependence

Donald Trump’s tariffs put Canadian jobs and industries at risk. If these measures take effect in February, thousands of jobs could disappear, the cost of living will rise, and the Canadian dollar will take a hit. As Canada’s only labour-focused party, the NDP has a plan to push back and keep jobs in Canada.

For decades, New Democrats have called on successive Liberal and Conservative federal governments to overhaul their procurement policies to ensure public projects benefit Canadian workers. Taxpayer dollars should support local industries—not line the pockets of U.S. corporations. If American companies refuse to engage in fair trade, they shouldn’t be eligible for federal contracts in Canada until those tariffs are removed.

The Liberals have failed to act, dismissing the risks instead of taking real steps to protect workers. Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre stands with billionaires like Elon Musk and Trump, prioritizing their profits over Canadian livelihoods. His policies would only widen the gap between the wealthy and working people, leaving everyday Canadians even more vulnerable.

CONTINUE READING: The NDP have a clear plan to fight back.

Doug Ford is hours away from calling a snap election and instead of focusing on defeating his anti-worker agenda, the leadership of the Ontario NDP has chosen the punitive targeting of a sitting MPP and excluded Sarah Jama from running under the party’s banner here in Hamilton Centre. This is deeply disappointing given the ONDP Provincial Council Executive's thorough review of the matter and democratic direction to include Sarah in the NDP nomination process. Unfortunately, this is not at all surprising, given how this has been handled by Marit Stiles and her leadership team from the outset.

Sarah Jama is a tireless advocate for disability justice, tenants’ rights, and working-class communities in Hamilton. She has stood up to Ford’s attacks on healthcare, education, and public services, fights that should unite all New Democrats, not divide us.

The Ontario NDP had an opportunity to mend relationships at the grassroots, strengthen the movement, and show that we stand behind principled fighters like Sarah. Instead, they’ve sent a message that internal politics come before solidarity. That’s a mistake.

Hamilton Centre deserves a strong, unapologetic voice at Queen’s Park. Sarah has repeatedly proven that she won’t back down in the face of injustice. In this election, Marit Stiles has forced Sarah to run as an independent; regardless, I know Sarah Jama will continue to be a force for Hamilton Centre, and those of us committed to real justice must stand with her.

In today’s economy, everyday people are grappling with the rising cost of living, stagnant wages, and the increasing power of corporate greed. In Hamilton Centre, like many communities across the country, families are facing impossible choices: between paying rent or putting food on the table, between medicine or school supplies for their children. Meanwhile, large corporations are posting record profits, their CEOs pocketing millions while workers barely scrape by. This is the reality of neoliberal capitalism—a system that rewards the wealthy at the expense of ordinary Canadians, hollowing out the middle class and leaving far too many behind.

In Fired Up About Capitalism, Tom Malleson tackles this economic injustice head-on. He challenges the hopelessness of the notion that there is "no alternative" to the current system and offers a bold vision of a democratic socialism that prioritizes people over profit. Drawing on a rich analysis of capitalism’s failures, Malleson’s book serves as both a critique of the status quo and a roadmap toward an economy that works for everyone. His arguments speak directly to the struggles of Canadians, particularly those in Hamilton Centre, where the impacts of wage stagnation, corporate power, and income inequality are keenly felt. Through his critique, Malleson reminds us that a different, more equitable future is not only possible—it is necessary.

CONTINUE READING: Fired Up About Capitalism

Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home, whether they live in Hamilton Centre or anywhere else across this country. Yet, under Conservative leadership in the past, and with the Liberals’ weak response in the present, housing has become increasingly unattainable.

Pierre Poilievre wants you to believe he has the solutions to the housing crisis, but his record when the Conservatives were in power tells a different story. Between 2008 and 2015, when Poilievre and the Conservatives were in charge, they didn’t just fail to build homes—they went out of their way to help the wealthy buy up affordable rentals, pushing 800,000 families out of their homes. And when it came to Indigenous housing, the numbers are even worse: fewer than 100 homes were built for First Nations communities. That’s not just a failure; it’s a betrayal.

Now, Pierre Poilievre and his inner circle seem more concerned with favouring real estate profiteers than addressing the real housing crisis facing Canadians.

CONTINUE READING: Housing is a right, not a privilege.

Hamilton Centre has always known where it stands. For decades, the working-class values of our community have held firm in the fight against the damaging impacts of both Liberal and Conservative governments. While the rest of Canada faces a choice, here in Hamilton Centre, we've long understood the dangers of governments that prioritize corporate greed over the needs of working people.

Canadians need to know that the Liberals and Conservatives have consistently failed to address the issues that matter most: housing, health care, fair wages, and the rising cost of living. It’s time for our country to take the lead from Hamilton Centre, where the NDP has been a constant force for good, relentlessly pushing back against these failures.

Hamilton Centre Knows the Consequences of Liberal Inaction

Liberal governments have long failed the people of Hamilton Centre and the rest of Canada. Trudeau has made grand promises but consistently caved to corporate interests, driving up the price of homes and groceries while ignoring the struggles of everyday Canadians. Under the Liberals, the cost of housing and rent has doubled, and corporate landlords have been allowed to rake in profits at the expense of families trying to make ends meet.

In Hamilton, we've seen this firsthand. Despite Trudeau's promises, his government allowed 370,000 affordable homes to be sold off to wealthy developers. Meanwhile, corporate landlords like CAPREIT saw revenues of over $1 billion in 2023 alone. These are not the actions of a government that cares about affordability or the well-being of Canadians. They are the actions of a government that serves the interests of the rich while leaving working people behind.

The Liberals have shown their priorities: they handed $26 million to grocery giants like Loblaws and Costco for new fridges, all while failing to hold these companies accountable for price gouging. Their inaction has allowed the grocery sector to make $6 billion in record profits in 2023, further squeezing families at the checkout counter. For years, they’ve turned a blind eye to corporate greed, making it clear that they are not the answer to the challenges Canadians face.

The Conservative Playbook: Cuts and More Cuts

While the Liberals have failed to act, the Conservatives have actively harmed working Canadians. Hamilton Centre has seen how Conservative policies target the very programs and services our community relies on. When Pierre Poilievre and his party talk about reducing government help, what they mean is cutting health care, pensions, and the social safety nets that so many Canadians depend on.

During their time in power, the Conservatives slashed $43.5 billion from health care and cut 800,000 affordable homes. They made life harder for seniors by raising the retirement age and gutted services by closing nine Veterans Affairs offices. Poilievre’s current plans suggest they haven’t changed their approach. They’re already promising cuts to health care, pensions, and employment insurance—programs that provide a lifeline for people in Hamilton and across the country.

Their top priority is to serve corporate interests. Poilievre’s chief advisor is a lobbyist for real estate firms and grocery giants. His party is bankrolled by real estate developers and executives from grocery corporations, many of whom have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Conservative Party. The Conservatives’ agenda is clear: they will cut from everyday Canadians to hand out more to the big bosses.

CONTINUE READING: Hamilton Centre New Democrats' Ongoing Fight for Everyday Canadians

In Hamilton Centre, like many communities across the country, people are already feeling the pressure of long wait times for health care services. Now, Pierre Poilievre and his Conservative allies want to make things worse. Their plan to privatize health care and slash services is a direct attack on our city’s working families, seniors, and vulnerable communities who rely on the public system.

Let’s be clear: Doug Ford in Ontario and Danielle Smith in Alberta are already showing us what the future holds if Poilievre gets his way—paying out of pocket for basic care. In Ontario, Ford has been busy cutting funding and privatizing health services, and the results are plain to see: longer wait times, fewer doctors, and increased reliance on expensive private care.

How Conservative Cuts Impact Hamilton Centre

It’s hard enough right now to find a family doctor in Hamilton. Cuts to health care under Conservative governments have led to a shortage of doctors and nurses, making access to care more difficult and driving up wait times. Just imagine what will happen if Poilievre follows through on the same failed approach at the federal level. It would mean even more cuts, fewer doctors and nurses, and likely higher costs to see a specialist, schedule surgery, or access routine care.

Conservatives cut $43.5 billion from health care—money that could have been used to reduce wait times for surgeries and expand emergency services in places like Hamilton General Hospital. Instead, they have been funneling public money into the pockets of private companies. Poilievre’s team, including his chief advisor Jenni Byrne, is tied to corporations like Loblaws, which is already profiting from privatized health care services. And while they profit, people in Hamilton are left choosing between paying out of pocket for care or sitting on endless waitlists.

CONTINUE READING: How New Democrats Are Fighting to Protect Your Health Care