Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy
The Perspectives Journal Podcast complements the journal and opinions content of Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy, to bring out left-wing ideas and strategy in a new and ever-evolving format. The podcast features interviews with policy experts, to dig deeper into the progressive angles of the issues affecting working-class, ordinary Canadians.
Hosted by editor-in-chief, Clement Nocos, the Perspectives Journal Podcast aims to bring forward timely analysis on issues from the multiple crises of the economy, cost-of-living and the environment, to the labour movement, as well as the state of Canadian democracy. The wide reaching breadth of this show aims to help inform policymakers and the public about approaches to today’s pressing problems that are rooted in Ed Broadbent’s Principles for Canadian Social Democracy.
Perspectives Journal also produces and features shows hosted by the Broadbent Institute’s friends and affiliates, providing a progressive platform for limited and irregular conversations that are still necessary to enliven Canada’s political discourse. The Perspectives Journal Podcast is a proud members of the Harbinger Media Network, Canada’s progressive podcast community.
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Activists Make History
Activists Make History with Peggy Nash is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal that finds the political underdogs and asks how they got started, against the odds, to fight for progressive change. Policymakers, activists and experts from underrepresented communities and backgrounds, that are typically pushed to the margins of Canadian political life, are front and centre in conversation with Peggy Nash, who has been a union activist, a feminist advocate, and a Member of Parliament in Canada’s House of Commons for nearly a decade.
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Social Democrats of the North
In Social Democrats of the North: Canadian Visions for Justice & Equality from Confederation to the Quiet Revolution, Dave McGrane, Professor of Political Science at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan, explores the life, times, and ideas of Canada’s most influential social democrats. From Confederation at 1867, to the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, discover the people who shaped social democracy in Canada, the movements that fought for the working-class, and the legacies they’ve left for the wellbeing of all Canadians. There are lessons for activists, and forgotten struggles that apply to today’s wins. After all, the best teacher for a better world tomorrow, is the past.
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Class & Climate
Class & Climate: Perspectives on a Green Economy is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal and the Green Economy Network that explores how climate action can create good jobs, make life more affordable, and debunk the myth that workers and the environment are at odds. The Broadbent Institute is a member of the Green Economy Network. GEN brings together labour, environmental, faith, and social justice organizations. If you’re interested in getting involved, please get in touch.
Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy
How a Progressive Government Builds Digital Sovereignty
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Chile’s former Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation explains how her progressive government built capacity for digital sovereignty in anticipation of the age of AI.
The global economy is overly dependent on U.S. tech giants for digital infrastructure, data, and artificial intelligence. U.S. laws and corporate dominance threaten external control over digital systems, putting sovereignty, privacy, and democracy at risk.
Meanwhile, AI as a tool for the profit of Big Tech companies is threatening jobs, undermining public education, healthcare, and public services, and eroding public trust.
But Canada can’t simply avoid technological development and be left behind, dominated by these powers. How should a progressive government approach building digital sovereignty and democratic AI?
Aisén Amelia Etcheverry Escudero, recently Chile’s Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation under the Broad Front Party government of President Gabriel Boric, spoke to editor Clement Nocos on the Perspectives Journal Podcast to share her perspective on progressive digital governance and what nation-building for digital sovereignty can look like.
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This conversation was recorded on July 8, 2026 as a part of a 2026 Panamerican Congress workshop held in Toronto on AI, Digital Sovereignty and Democracy.
In case you missed it: you can now watch the full panel discussion we held on July 9th with former Chilean Innovation Minister Aisén Etcheverry, NDP Leader Avi Lewis, Costa Rican Deputy Sigrid Segura, and Centre for International Policy (US) President Nancy Okail on taking on Big Tech across borders, controlling AI, and defending digital sovereignty.
