Welcome to the May Day edition of the Broadbent Bulletin.
On International Workers’ Day, and everyday, we share in the struggle with the working class for dignity, equity, and rights on the job to build economic democracy in Canada.
Market Socialism Against Capitalism – 2026 Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture
On April 22, Jacobin magazine’s Bhaskar Sunkara delivered the 2026 Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture at Toronto Metropolitan University. His lecture demonstrated a new vision for building economic democracy, removed from market dependence or centralized planning.
Sunkara offered a vision for market socialism — a new path that learns from the failures of the past and offers real economic democracy. He argued that this change must involve transforming existing institutions while building new ones:
A socialism that combines redistribution with social ownership, democratically-guided investment and wage structures that reward efficiency, can translate a dynamic economy into shorter hours, longer lives, and greater freedom over how those lives are lived.
You can listen to and read the full lecture in Perspectives Journal, and view photos from the event.
Defending Democracy at the Global Progressive Mobilisation in Barcelona
From April 17 to 19, the Broadbent Institute joined progressive think tanks from around the world in Barcelona, Spain to discuss the defence of democracy at the inaugural Global Progressive Mobilisation, hosted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The GPM brought leaders, progressive political parties, unions, foundations, and think tanks from around the world to meet, exchange, and organize through panel discussions, networking events, and a one-day plenary of progressive world leaders.
Director of Policy Clement Nocos attended the conference with the support of partner think tank Rumbo Colectivo, which has spearheaded the International Coalition of Democratic Thought (CIPED) and organized a number of events at the GPM. 2024 Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecturer Isabella Weber spoke on a CIPED panel discussing the return of power politics in the global economy, alongside former US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
New in Perspectives Journal
Perspectives: A Canadian Journal of Political Economy and Social Democracy published new analysis on floor-crossings, an interview on engaging youth against the far-right in East Germany, and opinion on policy for better representation in the halls of power.
On the Class & Climate: Perspectives on a Green Economy podcast, the Broadbent Institute produces debate and conversations on reducing emissions, creating jobs, and affordability. Hear the newest episode on the bureaucratization of UN climate change convenings of industry and world leaders, hosted by the Green Economy Networks’s national convenor, Em Thompson.
And on the Social Democrats of the North podcast, Broadbent Research Fellow and labour historian Dave McGrane continues to explore the lives and ideas of Canada’s most influential social democrats, from Confederation to the Quiet Revolution. Recent episodes look at:
- George Hara Williams — The often-forgotten organizer, who pioneered support for Saskatchewan’s CCF Party, before the rise of well-known figures like Tommy Douglas.
- L’École Sociale Populaire — a socially-driven organization of Jesuit priests who laid the foundation for social democratic politics in Quebec. Decades before the Quiet Revolution, the ESP created a truly homegrown political movement, distinct from its left-wing counterparts in English Canada.
Keep up with us by subscribing to the Perspectives Journal Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all other major podcast platforms.
While PressProgress is being sued over its factual reporting on a former political candidate, their reporters continue to dig into the stories you won’t read about in major outlets. Support their ongoing lawsuit at journalismdefence.ca and catch up on the latest from their ongoing reporting below.
Here’s the latest PressProgress reporting from the month of March:
- Sikh Groups Were Frustrated by Politicians’ Responses to the Targeting of Canadian Sikhs. So They Threatened to Bar Them from Photo Ops.
- “Consolidation of Power” the Overarching Theme for Changes to Regional Governance in Ontario, Local Mayor Says
- The Mixed Signals That Canada Post Workers Are Getting from Their Union
- Tuberculosis Outbreaks Worsening in Nunavik While Quebec Government Ignores Calls to Declare Public Health Emergency
- Analysis – BC Health Experts Say the Province Has Solutions to the Toxic Drug Crisis. 10 Years In, Policies Still Ignore The Evidence.
- Analysis – The Culture-War Talking Points Popular with the BC Conservative Leadership Candidates
- Analysis – Ontario’s Recent Policy Changes Are Part of a Larger Pattern to Centralize Power and Silence Dissent, Critics Say
- Podcast – Here’s what changes to Freedom of Information laws mean for Ontario
- Doug Ford Got Rid of Toronto’s School Trustees. At One School, Things Blew Up.
- Jesse Brown Insists He’s Done Nothing Wrong
- Three Canadian Provinces are on Board with Minimum Nurse-to-Patient Ratios. Here’s How Implementation is Going.
That’s all for this edition of the Broadbent Bulletin. Thank you for following our work to advance a just and equitable world, and stay tuned for other updates and announcements from the Broadbent Institute. Consider supporting the Broadbent Institute, sharing this Bulletin with your friends and family, and subscribing if you haven’t done so already.