It is with the heaviest of hearts that the Broadbent Institute announces the passing of our founder, Ed Broadbent. 

Our country has lost a fierce champion for ordinary Canadians, an intellectual who strongly believed in building a good society.

Ed devoted decades of his life to fighting for justice and equality in Canada and around the world. As a Member of Parliament, leader of the New Democratic Party, president of Rights & Democracy and beyond, he tirelessly advocated for all people, especially those on the margins of society. 

A steadfast advocate for equal rights, Ed played a pivotal role in enshrining rights and liberties for all peoples in our country's laws and constitution. He was a rare intellectual who could connect the challenges faced by ordinary citizens with the movements and institutions striving for economic democracy.

The Broadbent Institute celebrates Ed’s life and his immense contributions to our nation. We mourn the loss of a great Canadian.

“Ed combined a life-long passion for justice and equality, with a passion for life itself, and all the joys and happiness it has to offer. He was an extraordinary Parliamentarian and political leader. He was a deeply thoughtful intellectual. And he was wonderful company and a most wonderful friend to have. All of us who knew him will miss him, celebrate him and, hopefully, do what he would most want of us. Which is to carry on his work.” — Brian Topp, Broadbent Institute Chair of the Board of Directors

“Ed Broadbent's legacy is immeasurable and he has left an enduring mark on Canada. He stood tall in his commitment to democracy, equality, and a more inclusive society–always striving to better the lives of ordinary Canadians through his work. His visionary-style of leadership and unwavering courage inspired generations. Ed’s absence leaves a void in our hearts. At the Broadbent Institute, we remain steadfast in our dedication to advancing his mission and working to build the good society he envisioned.” — Jen Hassum, Broadbent Institute Executive Director

In the postscript to Seeking Social Democracy, Ed leaves us with an enduring vision and his hopes for what is to be done to build the good society for today and the future:

“To be humane, societies must be democratic – and, to be democratic, every person must be afforded the economic and social rights necessary for their individual flourishing. On their own, political and civil freedoms are insufficient in the realization of that goal. I believed in 1968, and I believe today, that political democracy is not enough. In the twenty-first century, the rebuilding of social democracy must be our task. Social democracy alone offers the foundation upon which the lives of people everywhere can be made dignified, just, and exciting.”

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Greetings Friends,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits.

As we usher in the holiday season and look forward to a new year, it's good to reflect upon our guiding principles and the pressing challenges that urgently beckon our collective action.

The Broadbent Institute’s story began over a decade ago, rooted in a singular vision of building a more just and equitable Canada. A vision where democracy, equality, and sustainability aren’t just words, but lived realities.

Today, as we stand at the cusp of 2024, Canada faces significant challenges. A worsening affordability crisis, right-wing extremism, and historic levels of cynicism, created an environment where leaders like Doug Ford, Danielle Smith, Pierre Poilievre, and Donald Trump are emboldened. Thankfully, we at the Broadbent Institute are purpose built to meet these challenges head-on.

But without support from Canadians like you, we couldn’t continue our fight for a better future for you and your family. That’s why I’m reaching out to you today to ask for your support bolstering our Solidarity Fund with a generous donation before December 31.

Why now?

Moments like these test our commitment to the cause. The very fabric of Canada’s society is being challenged and it’s in these times that your support and our mission become even more critical. We’re reaching out now, as the new year beckons, because this moment matters. Thanks to support from people like you, we’ve been able to deliver wins like:

• Training and nurturing new voices through our Emerging Leaders program. With your support, we can expand this program and equip even more progressive leaders with the skills, tools, and network they need to guide Canada towards a brighter, more inclusive future.
  
  
• Delivering tangible, data-driven solutions to address issues ranging from grocery prices, housing crisis to climate change, through our foundational policy work. With your support, we can continue to deliver the thought-provoking and pragmatic analysis that you’ve come to expect from the Broadbent Institute.
  
  
• Shine a light on the dark corners of right-wing extremism in Canada through PressProgress, our beacon in investigative journalism. As misinformation continues to plague our discourse, the role of PressProgress delivering news and information to millions of Canadians becomes ever vital and your support can help us expand PressProgress to cover even more stories that matter to your community.

Fighting right-wing extremists, training the next generation of progressive leaders and solutions based policy is critically important work—now more than ever. Please consider supporting our mission before the end of the year. Until December 31st, every dollar you donate to our Solidarity Fund will be matched by our dedicated partners, amplifying your impact.

Our vision for 2024:

• Media: Expand Press Progress’s reach by going from four full-time reporters to five, and continue our work diving deep into the issues that other media outlets won’t.
  
  
• Training: At the 2024 Progress Summit, train new organizers and establish an even more robust leaders network, cementing the foundation for our future.
  
  
• Policy: Our new journal, Perspectives, will bring together exceptional thinkers with fresh points of view, addressing the pressing and timely concerns affecting us all.

Our fight won’t be easy. We’re up against an environment where misinformation thrives, and extremism is finding a footing. However, your support is the bedrock on which we can build a resilient, informed, and united Canada.

Together, let’s make 2024 a year of solutions and solidarity.

Wishing you peace, prosperity, and warmth this holiday season.

Warmest regards,

Ed Broadbent

Founder	Jen Hassum, Executive Director

PS: The first 75 donors who either contribute $250 or join the Friends of Progress with a monthly gift of $20 or more will receive a special thank you letter and a signed copy of Ed Broadbent’s book. Donate today as quantities are limited!

The following are remarks delivered by Jen Hassum, Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute, welcoming guests to the 2023 Progress Gala held in Toronto, Ontario on November 16, 2023.

Hi everyone, welcome to the Broadbent Institute’s Progress Gala. My name is Jen Hassum and I’m the Broadbent Institute’s Executive Director. For those who are new to us, the Broadbent Institute is the space between the labour movement, academia, community organizing, and government. We are social democrats who do training, policy and media.

Bonjour à toutes et à tous, bienvenue au gala Progress de l'Institut Broadbent. Je m'appelle Jen Hassum et je suis la directrice exécutive de l'Institut Broadbent.

Nous avons prévu une grande soirée pour vous. Nous souhaitons débuter en reconnaissant que cet événement et l'Institut Broadbent lui-même sont situés sur le territoire traditionnel de nombreuses nations.

Yes, this event and the Broadbent Institute itself are on land that is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. And that Toronto, covered by Treaty 13, is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Territorial acknowledgements are about starting off the meeting “in the right way, in a good way,” and it would be phony of me, someone who got their start in the left in the peace movement, if I also did not make mention of the horrific war in the middle east and let a silence linger over us. This is a big, diverse room, with all of us coming from an array of business, political, union and NGO backgrounds--I ask you all to respect each other. There is real fear, pain, and grief that I know many in the room are feeling tonight, especially those with families in the region. In Canada, we are seeing vile antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian racism is on the rise. It’s unacceptable. Know that everyone here, in good faith, condemns Hamas’ heinous torture and killing of innocent civilians. Palestinian people, who have been living in very difficult conditions for decades, should not have to pay for the current escalation with their lives, or their children's lives. In addition to our government’s call for an immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, and for humanitarian aid to Gaza, we ought to support the UN, ITUC, World Health Organization, the hundreds of civic and faith groups in Canada–including my church, in calling for a ceasefire.

One of the many pleasures of working so closely with an internationalist like Ed Broadbent is being reminded constantly that yes there are periods of crisis and change in the world, but intrinsic to our humanity is our capacity to do good by finding common cause. Ed, thank you for making the time to join us at the Gala.

I’d like to also thank the many elected leaders and advocates of change in this room. Thank you for choosing to spend your evening here with us.

So tonight my gala friends, let’s please use this as a chance to catch our breath and to catch up with each other. Find common cause and plot the future that I have no doubt is bright.

We have an amazing evening lined up for you, and shortly I’ll introduce you to our host for the evening, comedian Dakota Ray Hebert. 

Later this evening you’ll also hear from the Mayor of Toronto Olivia Chow, who will be joining us late as she is also being celebrated tonight at a separate event hosted by Toronto Life magazine, who have declared her one of the most influential Torontonians of 2023. And introducing the Mayor is none other than Marc Arsenault from the Provincial Building Trades.

Our amazing program tonight was only made possible because of our generous sponsors. Thank you! Especially, the Provincial Building Trades, AMAPCEO, PIPSC, CLC, UFCW, META, USW, Labatt Breweries of Canada, Society of United Professionals & CUPE National.

Mais d'abord, j'ai le plaisir de passer le micro à Dakota Ray Hébert.

Yes my friends, I am thrilled to pass the mic over to Dakota Ray Hebert, she’s a Dene writer, actor, and comedian fresh off a summer of performances at Just For Laughs festivals across the country. I just love her comedy, talk about relatable. So Dakota, thank you so much for joining us tonight, take it away!

See photos from the 2023 Progress Gala.