OTTAWA—During this key election year and on the eve of the tabling of the federal budget, the Broadbent Institute is convening the largest annual progressive politics event for leading thinkers, policy experts and organizers.
“This is a crucial time for Canada and the right moment to bring the progressive movement together as we head into a federal election,” said Institute Chair Ed Broadbent. “From income inequality to innovation, we’ll be debating the big issues of the day and advancing solutions to build a better Canada.”
Progress Summit 2015, from March 26 to 28 at the Delta Ottawa City Centre, will also include a one-day Leadership and Training program offered by cutting-edge organizers. Wellesley College political scientist Hahrie Han, co-author of Groundbreakers: How Obama's 2.1 Million Activists Transformed Field Campaigns in America, will lead the grassroots organizing track. The New Organizing Institute, based in Washington, DC, will lead the digital organizing track.
The dynamic and diverse lineup of keynotes and speakers on panels spanning two stages also includes:
- Jennifer M. Granholm, former Governor and attorney general of Michigan; co-chair of the progressive Priorities USA Action, a super PAC that is supporting Hillary Clinton for President in 2016
- Charles Taylor, winner of the prestigious Kyoto and Templeton Prizes and co-chair of the Bouchard-Taylor Commission on reasonable accommodation
- Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO
- Anita Sarkeesian, founder of Feminist Frequency
- Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations
- Roy Romanow, former Saskatchewan Premier and head of the federal Commission on the Future of Health Care
- Anna Greenberg, 2014 Democratic pollster of the year
- Hon. Monte Solberg, New West Public Affairs
- Michael Harris, author of The Power of One: Stephen Harper and Canada’s Radical Makeover
- Ausma Malik, Toronto District School Board Trustee
- Craig Alexander, Chief Economist, TD Bank
- Susan Eng, Vice President, Advocacy, Canadian Association of Retired Persons
- Eme Onuoha, Chief Innovation Officer in the Industrial, Retail and Hospitality division of Xerox Services
- Shad, Juno Award-winning rapper
- Mike Layton, Toronto City Councillor
- Harry Leslie Smith, 92-year old veteran and author of Harry’s Last Stand
- Eugene Lang, BMO Visiting Fellow at York University’s Glendon School of Public and International Affairs
- Edelgard Bulmahn, Vice President of the German Parliament
- Kevin Chan, Head of Public Policy, Canada at Facebook
“We’re delighted to have such a dynamic and diverse lineup this year -- testament to the Broadbent Institute’s wide reach across the country and leadership role in advancing a progressive agenda in Canada,” said Executive Director Rick Smith.
The complete #prgrs15 schedule with a full list of speakers and presenters is available online at http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/en/summit2015.
There will be a dedicated media filing room for all press needs and the conference will be equipped with media risers and feed boxes. Media are encouraged to accredit in advance at https://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/en/summit/media.
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For more information, please contact Caitlin Kealey, Progress Summit 2015 Media Coordinator:
ckealey[at]broadbentinstitute[dot]ca or 613-818-7956
