Did you know this month marks the 5th anniversary of the Broadbent Institute? It seems just like yesterday that we were getting started. So much has happened since then.
Remember five years ago, when Stephen Harper was Canada's Prime Minister? Public services under siege, unions and charities being threatened, terrible decisions being made on a daily basis.
At the Broadbent Institute we took decisive action to fight the Harper agenda. We came together with civil society groups and succeeded in mobilizing against the Harper government.
So, please let me say “thank you.” Thank you for joining us on the first part of our journey. It’s meant a lot to me personally and to the many thousands of others who have shared in our success.
As I reflect on the past five years, I’m brought back to the original conversations I had with Jack Layton when we first discussed a non-partisan, social democratic organization to rival the Manning Centre and Fraser Institute. I’m sure he’d be proud of what we have accomplished together in promoting good ideas, discrediting conservative ones, and training new progressive leaders.
However, with the election of Donald Trump in the United States, who ran a campaign based on divisiveness, bigotry, and fear, it reminds me that we must push back harder against these forces taking root in Canada.
Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch's praise of Trump is one example of just how dangerous right-wing politicians eager for power can be in our society.
There's much work to do.
I’d like to share the Broadbent Institute’s big picture strategy for the next five years and to ask for your continued support.
Over the last five years we’ve successfully built a strong foundation with the donations we’ve received from you and other supporters. Through our focused research work, our young Institute has become one of the leading forces in Canada advancing policies to reduce inequality, promote a shared and greener prosperity, and a renewed democracy.
Our news and analysis website PressProgress.ca challenges conservatism in a way that hadn’t been done before in Canada - with humour and facts. This hard-hitting news helps shape positive perspectives and discredits bad ideas. PressProgress has, to my personal delight, taken the Fraser Institute to task for factual errors or misleading statements over 30 times in the last year alone! We should all feel good about this.
Our training and leadership program incorporates the best of the cutting-edge organizing and campaign strategies and tactics used in electing President Barack Obama. We are laying the groundwork for the next generation of progressive leaders in their communities.
Our goal has always been to move the national political conscience to a more progressive social democratic position. Towards a unified Canadian perspective where personal prosperity and wellbeing are always connected to the prosperity and wellbeing of our neighbours and community.
There will be major opportunities for progressives in the next five years to build on our success and address issues that will affect each and every one of us
And with your help, our plan can help lay the groundwork to advance progressive change. This includes real progress on:
- Retirement / Pensions
- Good jobs / Green Economy
- Indigenous rights / Reconciliation
- Healthcare / Pharmacare
- Equity / Inclusion
- Democratic Renewal
- Childcare / Education
- Anti-racism and anti-discrimination
- Transportation / Transit
First, we have to put more resources into training emerging community leaders. The Broadbent Institute is well positioned to lead the way where political parties and other organizations simply can’t - through advanced digital techniques, webinars, and convening special training events, like Camp Progress Plus.
Second, we need to grow non-partisan progressive ideas in the minds of the electorate today. Persuasive facts and arguments are needed to ensure politicians aren’t afraid to campaign on a progressive agenda tomorrow.
Third, we must keep pressure on conservative leaders, thinkers, and advocates by challenging their policies at every opportunity. We’ll do this with strong, research-based arguments.
Once again, each of these initiatives requires support from Canada’s most politically active progressives. We are ready to put our plan into action. We need your help to make it all happen. Together, we can do it.
In celebration of our 5th Anniversary, I’m asking you to consider a special one-time gift. Help us kick off next year with a bang. Large or small, your gift will make a difference.
Click here to make your 5th Anniversary donation
NEW THIS YEAR: Every Broadbent Institute donor will receive a special Donor Support Card. The card will have your Broadbent Institute supporter ID number printed on it and includes important details to assist you should you ever need to contact our office staff directly.
I hope we can count on your 5th Anniversary gift. I promise it will be put to good use.
Enjoy the holiday season.
With warmest regards,
