Welcome to the April edition of the Broadbent Bulletin.
Donald Trump made new announcements that continue to threaten Canada’s economic security. Broadbent Institute Executive Director Jen Hassum has made it clear: Canada must stand firm. “You can’t unscramble an egg — that’s what Trump is trying to do.”
Last month, Hassum made several media appearances on Al Jazeera and British media, explaining what Trump’s trade war means for Canadians to the world. Watch her appearances on Al Jazeera’s Inside Story and other programs.
The challenges we face today demand a strong progressive movement. That’s why we’ve launched Friends of Progress, our new membership program to bring supporters closer to our work. By becoming a Friend of Progress, you will have access to exclusive content and events, and help build power to take on inequality, climate change, and the rising far-right.
2025 Progress Summit: Next Week in Ottawa!
We’re just days away from the 2025 Progress Summit!By daring to take on today’s crises, this year’s Summit will bring together thought leaders and activists to help us understand our current landscape—including economic inflation, tariffs, and the rise of the far-right. Amid so much uncertainty, the stakes have never been higher.
We welcome your support again to make Canada’s largest annual progressive policy conference for building a better society based on justice and equality. If you aren’t able to join us in person, be sure to follow the Summit livestream on our YouTube Channel.
Tune in for the Broadbent Institute’s 2025 Awards Announcements
At the Summit, we recognize outstanding contributions to progressive change. Announcements will be made on Thursday, April 10 for the Jack Layton Progress Prize, and Friday April 11 for the Charles Taylor Prize for Excellence in Policy Research. Read more about the shortlisted nominees here.
We will also announce the 2025 Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize recipient, who will deliver the Ellen Meiksins Wood lecture at Toronto Metropolitan University on May 20th. 2024 lecturer Isabella Weber, has made an impact on Canadian politics since her visit to Canada with campaigns and policy platforms bringing her ideas forward on fighting inflation in this time of crisis.
What’s New in Perspectives Journal?
In March 2025 Perspectives Journal launched Class & Climate: Perspectives on a Green Economy, a new podcast mini-series hosted by Green Economy Network National Convenor Nick Pearce. Class & Climate explains how climate action can create good jobs, make life more affordable, and debunk the myth that workers and the environment are at odds.
In the first episode, Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood and Jim Stanford define green industrial policy and debate its renaissance in the middle of Trump’s trade war.
Activists Make History with Peggy Nash continues to feature grassroots organizing, with activists like Josel Gerardo and new Parkdale-Highpark MPP Alexa Gilmour, who share their experiences in movement-building and electoral politics. Perspectives Journal editor Clement Nocos also spoke with Liliana Camacho from Better Way Alliance on why Canada’s businesses should push for better wages and lower rents.
Lastly, Professor Honor Brabazon writes on how recent cuts to York University are a warning for what’s to come for higher education in Ontario.
Catch up on all this and more at Perspectives Journal.
PressProgress Spotlight
PressProgress welcomes Emma Arkell as their new Labour Reporter this month! She will play a key role in covering issues impacting unions, gig work, and the influence of big business in Canada. Read her first piece on Poilievre’s political endorsement by an anti-union lobby group.
Here’s the latest PressProgress original reporting from the last month:
- CTV Cancelled a Fact-Checking Segment in Response to Political Pressure From Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives
- Pierre Poilievre is Trying to Distance Himself From Donald Trump. American Right-Wing Media Keeps Praising Poilievre.
- Anti-Union Lobby Groups are Endorsing Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives
- How Danielle Smith is Derailing Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Campaign
- Candidates for Vancouver Municipal Party Say They Attended Multiple Events with Conspiratorial Far-Right Groups By Accident
- Canada Proud Launches Attack Ads Linking Mark Carney to ‘Notorious Pedophile’ Jeffrey Epstein
- Why Kingston, Ontario’s Rising Costs-of-Living are at the Centre of a New Strike at Queen’s University
- Canada’s Longest Strike Ends With Victory for Vancouver Hotel Workers
- This Photo of Mark Carney and Tom Hanks on “Epstein Island” is Going Viral. The Photo is Completely Fake.
- People’s Party of Canada Leader goes on Christian Nationalist web show, echoes Trump policies
- No New Funding: BC Budget Leaves Victim Support Services Struggling To Address Intimate Partner Violence
- LBGTQ+ Activists Issue Mass Call to Organize This Weekend Ahead of Possible Federal Election
- Despite Trade War Talk, A Canadian TV Network is Broadcasting Ads for American Apples
- Alberta Education Budget Falls Nearly $1 Billion Short to Meet Basic Needs, Teachers Say
That’s all for this April edition 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.
In solidarity,
Jack McClelland
Digital Communications Assistant
Broadbent Institute
