Author of acclaimed book Harry’s Last Stand inspires Canada’s young progressive activists
OTTAWA—The Broadbent Institute is pleased to announce the launch of the Stand up for Progress National Tour featuring Harry Leslie Smith as the country gears up for a fall federal election.
Canada’s oldest rebel and author of Harry’s Last Stand: How the World My Generation Built is Falling Down, and What We Can Do To Save It will be travelling to six Canadian cities, beginning in Victoria on June 18 and ending in London, ON, on July 21.
Harry, 92, survived the Great Depression and fought in the Second World War. After the war, he left the United Kingdom for Canada, where he helped to build the social welfare state as an antidote to the crushing poverty of his youth.
“Harry Leslie Smith is a fighter, and he knows what’s at stake in the upcoming election. That’s why his inspirational call to action to the next generation of activists is so important and timely,” said Rick Smith, Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute. “When Harry Leslie Smith speaks, we should all listen.”
In addition to Victoria and London, Harry will be travelling to Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Halifax. A panel discussion will follow at each event, where he will be joined on stage by young progressive activists ready to make an impact in the lead up to the federal election.
“I’m delighted to travel this great country at this key moment in our history to inspire young people,” said Harry, who recently returned from a national tour in the United Kingdom to encourage youth to vote.
“I was born in a time of winter and famine 92 years ago in a grim mining town in the North of England, so I speak as man who has sailed through the rough oceans of history. My generation built a strong social safety network, but our greatest achievements are under threat by the politics of austerity. I know we can win this fight because we did it before.”
Additional information about the Stand up for Progress National Tour featuring Harry Leslie Smith is available at http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/stand_up_progress_national_tour_harry_leslie_smith.
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For more information, please contact Sarah Schmidt, Director of Communications, Broadbent Institute, 613-857-2814 or sschmidt[at]broadbentinstitute[dot]ca.
