Welcome to the July 2026 edition of the Broadbent Bulletin.
On June 26, Broadbent Institute Director of Policy and Engagement Clement Nocos and Research Fellow Dave McGrane presented their book One Hundred Years of Progressive Influence: Social Democracy in Canada, published as a part of the Foundation of European Progressive Studies’ Next Left Country Case Study series. Their talk illustrates the struggles to build Canada’s social democratic tradition, its transformative influence under provincial governments, and its outsized role in pushing minority governments to the left.
Reflecting on the lessons from this book, Javier Moreno Sánchez, Spanish Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Delegation for relations with Canada, issued the following statement:
The pressure of a world whose balance of power has changed, and the influence of increasingly extremist right, are putting our democracies in danger. This is why strengthening the relationship between Canada and the European Union becomes fundamental. And not only from an economic and commercial point of view, but also from a political and strategic one. With right-wing pressure from the US, and the Liberals moving centre-right under Mark Carney, the cooperation between Canada and Europe… may be more important than ever for keeping Canadian politics anchored in the social democratic model of the society. — Javier Moreno Sánchez, MEP
NEW SPEAKERS: July 9 – A Progressive Vision for AI & Digital Sovereignty
On Thursday, July 9 the Broadbent Institute will be livestreaming the discussion on a ‘Progressive Vision for AI and Digital Sovereignty’ at Toronto Metropolitan University starting at 6pm EDT/3pm PDT. Featuring progressive policymakers and thought leaders from across the Americas, this public session aims to inform policy deliberations at the forthcoming 2026 Panamerican Congress taking place August 21-23 in Montevideo, Uruguay.
What Canadians Can Learn from Progressive Governance in Mexico
Out of the ashes of decades of neoliberalism, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has focused on empowering the working class.
A new interview with Drop Site News Latin America Reporter José Luis Granados Ceja points out what Canadians can learn from Mexico’s experience in building a progressive movement that is transforming the country, lifting citizens out of poverty, and pushing back against US economic threats.
Recorded at the Broadbent Institute’s 2026 Progress Summit: Defending Democracy Across Borders, Granados Ceja argues that centering the working class, creating universal social programs, and presenting a progressive transformative vision for society are needed for a mass movement to defend sovereignty and democracy.
New in Perspectives Journal
On Monday, June 8th, over 300 ACORN members marched to the government offices of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada to demand rights for tenants. ACORN Canada president Alejandra Ruiz-Vargas points out the hypocrisy in Canada’s approach to housing: subsidizing provinces and municipalities without conditions to fund unaffordable private housing developments, while allowing them to destroy existing affordable housing.
James Adair interviewed Toronto Tenant Union (TTU) organizers Bruno Dobrusin and Sama Nanayakkara about building tenant power, the connection between housing and climate justice, and their vision for a movement capable of challenging landlords and reshaping housing politics.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Willy Blomme reflected on the meaning behind some soccer jerseys, backing the underdog, and solidarity with peoples in struggle.
The world feels bleak, the bullies are winning, and most of us feel helpless. So, I wear my Greenland jersey under a large black blazer and with as much rebellious spirit as I can muster.
New episodes of the Perspectives Journal Podcast published in June:
June 21, 2026
Social Democrats of the North: Frank Calder, Living in Two Worlds
As the first status Indigenous person to be elected at either the federal or provincial level in Canada, Frank Calder used his position to advocate for a modern, comprehensive land claims policy to facilitate the negotiation and claims process.
June 23, 2026
Class & Climate: Debunking Degrowth with Matt Huber
Author and professor Matt Huber argues that solving the climate crisis doesn’t require economic “degrowth.”
June 4, 2026
Social Democrats of the North: M.J. Coldwell, From the Prairies to Parliament
CCF Leader M.J. Coldwell fought in Parliament to establish unemployment insurance and old age pensions.
SUBSCRIBE to the Perspectives Journal Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all other major podcast platforms.
PressProgress Spotlight
PressProgress remains at the centre of what could be one of the biggest, longest and most expensive media trials in Canadian history, over its factual reporting on a former political candidate.
Learn more about what they’re up against and support their ongoing work by visiting journalismdefence.ca
Here’s the latest PressProgress reporting from the month of June:
- Oxfam Canada Workers Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ Workers and Domestic Violence Survivors in Collective Bargaining
- How the Government of Canada is (Or is Not) Monitoring Our Homegrown Hantavirus Strain
- Podcast – Why 5 Ontario Education Unions Served Notice to Bargain with Doug Ford’s Government At the Same Time
- Mark Carney’s Government is Rushing Through Major Changes to Canada’s Labour Laws. Unions Say Workers Should Be Alarmed.
- Uber Drivers in Victoria Successfully Bargained a Collective Agreement, and Here’s What They Got
- What Doug Ford Should Know About Encampment Residents
- Podcast – What encampment residents would say to Doug Ford
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.