Broadbent Institute Executive Director Jen Hassum spoke with grassroots organizers from New York City, Toronto and Manitoba about progressive victories won through grassroots organizing. This panel took place at the ONDP Convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Saturday, September 20th, 2025.
How do we lay the path for more progressive wins in Canada? How do grassroots organizers win when the rich and powerful are stacked against you?
Lizzy Oh and Arielle Swernoff are organizers with the Democratic Socialists of America – New York City Chapter, and share their insights on the organizing built for Zohran Mamdani’s historic campaign for Mayor. Progress Toronto’s Saman Tabasinejad shares stories of her organizing struggles in electing social democratic Mayor Olivia Chow and growing a progressive City Council. Manitoba Organizer Will O’Connor shows what it took to win beach heads into suburban and rural constituencies that helped to elect MLAs that formed Premier Wab Kinew’s government.
With closing remarks from Chair of the Broadbent Institute’s Board of Directors, Brian Topp.