Today marks one year since the passing of our friend, mentor and founder Ed Broadbent. Ed was a champion for justice, equality, and democracy whose remarkable legacy continues to inspire us all.
Ed dedicated his whole life to improving the lives of ordinary Canadians. From his early working-class days in Oshawa, Ontario, where his passion for equality was sparked, to his groundbreaking career as leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, he was steadfast in his fight for fairness and democracy. His leadership helped advance the rights of Indigenous peoples and women, and led the fight against oppression of all kinds. His advocacy for economic democracy, human rights, and our collective well-being left an enduring mark on Canada.
From the footprints he leaves behind, in his speeches, writings, conversations and debates, we can see Ed’s impact and legacy from over several decades of tireless initiative and intellectual thinking resonate throughout history and in Canada today.
Today, I am setting aside some time to revisit the words of my friend, and I hope that you can reflect on them too. The Institute’s new periodical Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy has published a number of archival pieces of Ed’s intellectual work. This research builds on the archival work undertaken by Ed and his co-authors in writing his book, Seeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in the Fight for Equality, released in 2023, months before his passing.
Perspectives Journal will be publishing a number of interesting and prescient pieces uncovered from this archival research. From his leadership pitch in 1975 that spoke of “the socialist challenge” of the time, Ed’s rhetorical flourish and vision is something to be emulated by Canadian political leaders today. His work towards “The Good Society” extended beyond Canada in his writings and recollections, recognizing the importance of building solidarity among ordinary citizens around the world.
In his debates that can be found in Canadian Dimension across the 1960s and 70s, Ed wrote about the need to address growing American encroachment of the time not with abdication, but with a reinforcement of social democracy in Canada to reinforce our country’s sovereignty.
Continuing Ed’s legacy allows Canadians to envision a better future for society. According to Seeking Social Democracy co-author, Luke Savage: “Ed Broadbent’s rich vision of democratic equality can and should continue to be our compass in this era of uncertainty and crisis.”
As we reflect on his legacy today, we are also working on bringing Ed’s values and ideas forward into the future so that all Canadians can share in his rich vision for a better future.
Ed’s vision continues to guide the work of the Broadbent Institute, and we are honoured to carry his torch forward.
In solidarity,
Jen Hassum
Executive Director
Broadbent Institute