We’re proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Jack Layton Progress Prize, Charles Taylor Prize for Excellence in Policy Research, and the Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize, celebrated at the Progress Summit in Ottawa!
Each of this year’s honourees exemplifies what it means to dare to take on today’s crises — through bold ideas, grassroots leadership, and a deep commitment to justice.
The 2025 Jack Layton Progress Prize
Chiara Padovani is recognized with the Jack Layton Progress Prize for her fearless leadership in defending tenants and fighting for affordable housing in the face of a growing crisis, and celebrated her award alongside the York South-Weston Tenant Union.
The 2025 Charles Taylor Prize for Excellence in Policy Research
Construction economist Richard Gilbert is awarded the 2025 Charles Taylor Prize for Excellence in Policy Research for his impactful labour research and international solidarity, empowering workers to stand up against systemic injustice. Read his policy papers on labour’s response to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, published by LiUNA Western Canada. His work has helped inform the Broadbent Institute’s research project on shifting Canadian attitudes towards immigration policy. Read the new report, also released at the Progress Summit.
The 2025 Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize & Lecture
WATCH: Grace Blakeley’s Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize Acceptance Remarks
The 2025 Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize is awarded to economics and politics commentator Grace Blakeley for critical analysis of economic systems and neoliberalism capitalism that helps movements take back democratic power for the working-class.
Each year’s prize recipient also delivers the Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture.
We invite you to join us on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 for the Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture at Toronto Metropolitan University, at the Sears Atrium (3rd Floor, George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre), starting at 6pm EDT, followed by a reception with light refreshments.