Building Canada's movements for democracy and equality.
Bhaskar Sunkara Delivers 2026 Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture
The 2026 Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture was delivered by Bhaskar Sunkara at Toronto Metropolitan University, sponsored by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung – New York Office.
Our Work
The Broadbent Institute is Canada’s preeminent social democratic think-tank. Founded in 2011 by Ed Broadbent, and guided by the Broadbent Principles for Canadian Social Democracy, the Institute produces original research, convenes progressive dialogues and trains leaders to equip social movements working to advance justice and equality.
Progress Summit
Canada’s largest convening of progressive activists, leaders and thinkers
Perspectives Journal
Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy is a publication, podcast and video series by the Broadbent Institute for ideas and strategy to build a world that is just and equitable.
September 29, 2026
Enough Division: An Alberta Referendum Explainer
It is not just Alberta separatism that is on the table: there are 10 questions on the ballot this fall that target immigrants and the province’s legal authority over the federal government.
September 22, 2026
Neoliberalism’s Capture in the Carney Era
Renewed patriotism is being used to justify neoliberalism’s life support, rather than political and economic transformation. There is another way forward as progressive pockets are demonstrating around the world.
September 18, 2026
Terminal Profits: Carney’s Push to Privatize Canada’s Airports
Defenders of this privatization have already pushed back against concern, arguing that Canadian airports aren’t publicly owned. Then why the need to privatize, and who’s airport is it anyway?
PressProgress
PressProgress is the independent news division of the Broadbent Institute. An award-winning non-profit news organization, PressProgress focuses on uncovering and unpacking the news through original investigative and explanatory journalism.
Seeking Social Democracy
Part memoir, part history, part political manifesto, Seeking Social Democracy offers the first full-length treatment of Ed Broadbent’s ideas and remarkable seven decade engagement in public life.
“Seeking Social Democracy is an excellent read and a major contribution to social democratic theory and practice.”
— Andrew Jackson
Our Updates
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There is No Nation-building Without Workers, No Sovereignty Without Democracy
Approval is not the same as confidence. When asked if the government’s Major Projects agenda will make their lives better, most Canadians do not believe so.
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In Defence of Affordability, Dignity, and Democracy | Broadbent Bulletin – November 2026
Where progressives have been winning, however, fighting inflation is the priority. This was the important difference between Roosevelt’s New Deal during the Great Depression, and Weimar Germany’s commitment to economic…
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Canada wants to build big. But are we building the right things?
Broadbent Research Fellow Brendan Haley was interviewed on CBC Radio’s Cost of Living with Paul Haavardsrud to warn against the ‘Staple Trap’: Canada’s continued and deepening economic reliance on extractive…