rabble’s Off the Hill political panel returned earlier this month on September 16 to take a look at the return of Parliament and take a measure of Canada’s political landscape and what it means for the labour movement.
It’s been a whirlwind political year: Justin Trudeau stepped down in early 2025, prompting a federal election that reshaped the political landscape. Canadians have also been closely watching developments south of the border, reacting to U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies and renewed tariff threats.
Meanwhile, the NDP faces a period of transition, with Jagmeet Singh stepping down following a difficult election cycle. The search for a new federal leader is now underway, and the future of the party hangs in the balance.
Labour, too, has had a defining year. From Air Canada and Canada Post workers pushing for fairer wages and better working conditions, to teachers across the country mobilizing as the school year begins—workers are making their voices heard.
As we enter this new season in Canadian politics, there’s a lot to unpack—and a lot still unknown.
This panel featured Ontario Federation of Labour president Laura Walton, writer and policy researcher Chuka Ejeckam, former Ontario NDP MPP and former federal NDP candidate Joel Harden, and rabble’s parliamentary reporter Karl Nerenberg.
About our guests
Laura Walton is the president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, the largest provincial labour federation in Canada, which represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario.
Chuka Ejeckam is a writer and policy researcher. His work focuses on inequity and inequality, drug policy, structural racism, and labour. He is also a columnist for rabble.
Joel Harden is a lifelong community organizer who represented Ottawa Centre in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2018 to 2025 as a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party. During his time at Queen’s Park, Harden served as the party’s Critic for Transit and Active Transportation, where he championed accessible, affordable, and sustainable public transit solutions across the province.
Karl Nerenberg is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and filmmaker, working in both English and French languages. He is rabble’s senior parliamentary reporter.
About Off the Hill
Since 2019, Off the Hill has been rabble.ca’s live political 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.
Our Off the Hill series has seen some changes in recent months! Check out those changes here.
