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In Defence of Affordability, Dignity, and Democracy | Broadbent Bulletin – November 2026

Avi Lewis in conversation with Isabella Weber on ‘Anti-Fascist Economics’ in Ottawa on October 20.

In her new book, Anti-Fascist Economics: In Defence of Affordability, Dignity, and Democracy, economist Isabella Weber sees the necessity in changing our economic paradigm:

The neoliberal economics of the past decades has failed to protect democracy. The extreme right and fascist forces cannot be fended off by insisting on the procedural merits of democracy, when these procedures have not delivered for the majority of people. To achieve democracy, we need an economics of “never again.”

Where the right-wing and far-right have made electoral gains and inroads in Canada and around the world in recent months, affordability has not been at the forefront of the policy debate. Economic war and armed conflict have pushed up prices and profits, yet many policymakers have not acted on the economic pain felt by working people, or have inflicted more pain, because they cannot think of an economic alternative. Economic growth becomes a priority over affordability. This is the prevailing contradiction behind Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Major Projects agenda. While promoting jobs, it attacks labour rights. While committing capital spending to commodity export infrastructure, operational spending on social infrastructure can’t keep up. At every Summit that has drawn international attention and acclaim, the words “democracy” and “affordability” are absent.

According to Weber, this is where the far-right finds the opportunity to amid distrust. 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 orthodoxy. The defence of democracy depends on a different kind of economics.

Anti-Fascist Economics

On October 20, the Broadbent Institute hosted NDP Leader Avi Lewis in conversation with economist Isabella Weber on a democratic socialist vision for Canada’s economy at live event in Ottawa.

Isabella Weber is a German economist and Associate Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst whose research focuses on inflation, price stabilization, international trade, and the history and development of economic thought. In Anti-Fascist Economics, she argues that stopping the rise of the far-right will require putting affordability, dignity, essential needs, and democratic control over corporate power at the centre of economic policy. In a fireside chat, Lewis engaged with Weber on her ideas, policy proposals, their application to the Canadian economy, and how we can build the collective economic future that brings power back to working people across the world.

Listen to the Full Conversation

Isabella Weber is the recipient of the Broadbent Institute’s 2024 Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize and delivered her lecture on Profits, Inflation and Survival in an Age of Emergencies at Toronto Metropolitan University on May 30, 2024. Since then, Weber’s research on price caps, buffer stocks, and windfall profits has helped to inform Canadian campaign policy platforms and public debate on how to fight inflation. Her work on anti-fascist economics has been used by the federal governments of Germany and Mexico, as well as Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for Mayor of New York City.

Defending Affordability, Dignity, and Democracy

Ahead of the Alberta Referendum that saw a decisive rejection of separatism, the Broadbent Institute co-hosted an online rally on October 10 with Public Interest Alberta to defend democracy in the province and help citizens understand the stakes. Featuring former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, Public Interest Alberta’s Brad Lafortune and Broadbent Leadership Fellow Trevor McKenzie-Smith broke down why the “No” vote mattered, and connected Albertans to their campaign to defend the rights of all citizens.

In the run up to BC’s election, Broadbent Research Fellow Dr. Danyaal Raza asks for Perspectives Journal: if taxes fund public healthcare, why is this a problem for some election campaigns? Ultimately, taxing the rich will not lead to doctors leaving the province. Canadian medicare has been central to Canada’s identity ever since its establishment by “Greatest Canadian” Tommy Douglas. Broadbent Research Fellow Dave McGrane recounts his legacy and life’s work in the latest episode of Social Democrats of the North.

Decent work is also integral in defending dignity and democracy for the working class. Broadbent Institute Executive Director Jen Hassum led discussions at UFCW’s Decent Work Forum in Toronto on October 14 hosted by UFCW and the international IUF, discussing safe work and the future of work in the agrifood sector with labour, industry leaders, and policy experts.

Lastly, as Brazil’s presidential election faced attacks from anti-Democratic forces, Jen Hassum, along with progressive Canadian MPs stood with other delegates of the Panamerican Congress calling out foreign interference in Brazilian sovereignty. While we celebrate the victory of President Lula da Silva over the far-right, the Panamerican Congress calls on democratic forces to remain vigilant to defend Brazilian democracy against further attacks.

The Major Projects Agenda

After the “flood the zone” moment Prime Minister Mark Carney used earlier this fall to push ahead with the Major Projects agenda, Canadian progressives took stock of what’s at stake and offered an alternative vision for economic democracy. On iPolitics ‘No Talking Points’ podcast, Jen Hassum joined a panel discussing ‘Bill C-39: Project Approvals, Labour, and Consultation.’

For The Hill Times infrastructure issue, analyzing the Major Projects agenda, Hassum argued ‘There is no nation-building without workers, no sovereignty without democracy.’ Broadbent Research Fellow Frances Abele, with elder statesman Lloyd Axworthy, argued in the Toronto Star, “A nation-building strategy that pours concrete while leaving First Nations sidelined or rushed into consent is building on a faulty foundation.”

Lastly, Broadbent Research Fellow Brendan Haley spoke to the CBC’s Cost of Living podcast to warn about the ‘Staple Trap’: Canada’s continued and deepening economic reliance on extractive commodities. Canada wants to build big. But are we building the right things?

Celebrating Progress in Toronto

Before her election as Toronto City Councillor of Ward 5 York South-Weston, Chiara Padovani and the York South-Weston Tenant Union (now Toronto Tenant Union) was awarded the 2025 Jack Layton Progress Prize by Mayor Olivia Chow. Watch their remarks from the 2025 Progress Summit.

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