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Blueprints of Disruption

Blueprints of Disruption

By: Rabble Rousers' Cooperative
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Summary

 Blueprints of Disruption is dedicated to amplifying the work of activists, organizers and rabble rousers. This weekly podcast, hosted by Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou Quintero, features in-depth discussions that explore different ways to challenge capitalism, decolonize spaces and create movements on the ground. Together we will disrupt the status quo one episode at a time.Copyright 2026 Rabble Rousers' Cooperative Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Scaling Up: Toronto Tenant Union

    Scaling Up: Toronto Tenant Union
    May 6 2026
    On April 18th, hundreds of tenants gathered inside a school cafeteria to help shape Toronto’s first city-wide tenant’s union – the TTU. There were elections, robust policy discussions and plenty of stories from tenants. Blueprints of Disruption was there to capture it all, and provide analysis afterwards.On-scene interviews from inside the Toronto Tenant Union’s founding Convention start off with Ricardo Tranjan, housing policy expert and author of The Tenant Class. Tranjan talks about his expectations for the day, and his excitement at the prospect of “taking another step” towards building the tenant class consciousness he wrote about in his book.There are also interviews with tenant organizers from different buildings across the city – including Jerry and Steve from 240 Markland. They talk about their saga with an REIT buying their building, applying for five consecutive above-guideline rent increases (AGIs) and trying to push legacy tenants out of the building.We also interview Bridgette, a resident of the Caseway building – outside of which convention participants rallied after the day’s more official proceedings. She talks about why its been such a battle with their landlord, and how she felt about being a part of something bigger.Organizers of the event, and leaders within the ‘parent’ organizations of the TTU also took time to speak with Santiago and Jessa as things wrapped up.Aniket Kali, formerly of Climate Justice Toronto, and Bruno Dobrusin of YSW Tenants Union talk about their new roles (both elected during the Convention), the scaling up of their models, and their vision for the TTU in the years to come.Hosted and Produced by: Jessa McLean and Santiago Helou QuinteroCall to Action: Sign up for TTU Orientation on May 9th, 2026Related Episodes: Blueprints of a Rent Strike (July 2023) Shifting Gears: Climate Justice Toronto (Sept 2024) CJTO on their decision to transition towards tenant organizing as a means to fight climate change.We also have a TENANT POWER PLAYLIST with more stories of neighbours organizing.More Resources: Can the new Toronto Tenant Union change the tired housing debate? – Ricardo Tranjan for Canadian DimensionWho Controls Toronto? The People or Developers? - ACORN ReportHamilton moves to strengthen renoviction bylaw - via CBCRent Strikes! - The Grind MagazineCanada: How Tenants Fought Back- via Progressive InternationalAll of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky
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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • Not in Our Name: Divesting Pensions and Rejecting Carney's War Bank

    Not in Our Name: Divesting Pensions and Rejecting Carney's War Bank
    Apr 22 2026
    How is Carney's War Bank and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP) connected? Through investments in weapons and genocide, as well as the activists and organizations fighting for a Free Palestine.Teacher and organizer with OTPP Divest, James Campbell gives an overview of the movement to get the OTPP to divest from weapons manufacturers.With a collection of success stories, it is clear the campaign resonates with teachers in the Province - with two of the largest unions overwhelmingly voting YES to divestment when given the chance.So where does the resistance come from? Where it usually does - Capital. But also from the CEO of the $300 billion OTPP, Joe Taylor, who has refused calls from the ranks to stop using their name to line the pockets of war profiteers.As it turns out, OTTP CEO Taylor is also a big supporter of the Defence, Security and Resilience Initiative (DSRB), or as second guest Tyler and his fellow activists with Stop the DSRB call it - the War Bank.What is it? Its a project of Carney's to get the G7 nations to sign on to this slush fund for the weapons industry. Its clearly stated purpose is to bypass popular (democratic) demands for social service spending and basic rights, in order to secure an endless supply of 'defence' funding. Its all being sold alongside Carney's Canadian militarism narratives, which has made it easier for him to line up supportive politicians from across the spectrum.This makes the job of activists harder, but not impossible. James and Tyler talk about the tactics they've deployed, and the alliances they are building along the way. There are accessible pressure points to be pushed, tarnishing the reputation of unethical investments being one of them. Another is opposing the pitch for Toronto to serve as the headquarters for the DSRB.Be sure to stay until the end to hear what else these activists have up their sleeve and learn more about the impacts divestment campaigns are having on the economic and political landscapes.Hosted by: Jessa McLeanCall to Action: SIGN ON TO STOP THE WARBANKRelated Episodes:UNIFOR's Hot Cargo: Labour Internationalism (Aug 2025) Labour for Palestine on their campaign to have any goods or services coming from, or going to Israel, declared 'hot cargo'.Nationalism and the Working Class (Mar 2023) Chris Fairweather, academic, activist and labour organizer, talks about the pervasiveness of nationalism and the impact is has on the working class No Arms in the Arts (Aug 2024) Hear how the successful campaign to pressure Scotiabank and the Giller Prize to do the right thing.More Resources: Pension Divestment FAQ - Google DrivePACBI: Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel | BDS MovementReferenced Report: Special Rapporteur Report on GazaVIDEO: World Beyond War Action Reel (IG)Ontario Government's Statement on Bid for DSRB HQTop 100 arms-producing and military services companies in the world, 2024 | SIPRIOur Call to Workers Everywhere – Stop the Genocide — Workers in PalestineFor more content from these creators, be sure to subscribe to the Blueprints SUBSTACK.All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: PatreonFollow us on Instagram or on Bluesky
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Organizing in a Fascist Canada with the Atlantic Regional Communists

    Organizing in a Fascist Canada with the Atlantic Regional Communists
    Apr 16 2026

    The Atlantic Regional Communists return to Blueprints to talk about their growth as political organization, and share some of the methodology that unpins their work. They obviously take some of their cues from Marx, but also from the Black Panthers.

    "We're here to learn from people. We're here to serve people. And we're here to help people organize towards a revolution." - Comrade M

    One of the things they think sets them apart from other political groups, is the work they do in their communities, and how that work continuously shapes their own organization.

    A large part of what they do is also centred around building knowledge. To that end, Comrades M and E give us a quick study on how fascism presents itself here in Canada.

    They cover class collaboration, the labour aristocracy and the different phases of fascism that co-exist with our so-called democratic state.

    Seeing our typical relationship with the state as being one of "fascist minutemen" - helping to legitimize its domination - their take on 'reforming' the federal NDP, and electoral politics in general, is to be expected.

    It also builds on our first discussion with ARC, where they went into more about how they've structured themselves, and why.

    Hosted by: Jessa McLean. Produced by: Santiago Helou Quintero

    Related Episodes:

    • Reimagining Politics and Demystifying Communism (Jan 2025) Our first discussion with the Atlantic Regional Communists;
    • Canada's Colonialist Imagination (Oct 2023) Professor Tyler Shipley talks about the mindset that aided genocide in Canada and continues to shape politics here.

    More Resources:

    • Fascism: A Scientific Definition - Atlantic Regional Communists
    • Guest Suggested Reading: “A Rethinking of Everything Altogether” – The Red Clarion

    Head to our SUBSTACK for more content, including articles and other resources for activists and organizers.

    All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: Patreon

    Follow us on Instagram or on Bluesky
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 9 mins
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