Program

We need to bet big on an independent economic path for Canada, based on a clean environment and protecting and creating thousands of well-paid union jobs. Alliances between worker and environmental movements can push us to seize that opportunity. A pro-worker, public-led green industrial strategy protects jobs without backsliding on emissions. This workshop is sponsored jointly by the Green Economy Network and Blue Green Canada.

Ending the carbon price system in Canada with nothing to replace it risks backsliding on climate commitments.The failure by successive governments to plan for a diversified decarbonized economy, has also left millions of jobs hanging in the balance as US tariff threats engulf our political agenda and threaten our economic security. Ravaged by climate disasters and economic precarity, Canada faces multiple crises that our current policy tools and economic institutions are ill-equipped to handle.

Canada needs a rethink of its economy that has been too dependent on market mechanisms when it has come to emissions reductions and wound up in international trade agreements that favour business interests over the wellbeing of workers. Does an economic reorientation through a new green industrial policy for Canada hold the answer to this trade war and climate emergency? Can a green industrial policy for Canada help secure our economy, create jobs, and reduce emissions?

Read op-ed’s from the Green Economy Network in the National Observer:

• 28 Nov 2024 – ‘Political headwinds means to some climate policies. Others may survive.’
• 21 Feb 2025 – ‘The world’s dumbest trade war makes going green a matter of survival.’

Hosted by Saman Tabesinejad, Executive Director of Progress Toronto, activists, newsmakers, and organizers share stories of what the view looks like from the front line of their movements. Speakers will share their compelling stories as a response to the conference theme, Daring to take on Today’s Crises.

As US politics become increasingly unpredictable, Canada finds itself as a crossroads, rethinking economic and political strategy. Can we build a trade policy that protects Canadian jobs while reducing reliance on the US? Should we match American protectionism, or take a different path? And with the US openly flouting trade agreements—and even entertaining annexation rhetoric—how seriously should Canada take these threats?

This panel will explore what’s at stake for Canada and the US in an era of shifting power dynamics and what comes next for our economy, workers, and sovereignty.

As the United States imposes new tariffs and trade measures, Canadian workers across sectors are feeling the consequences. This panel brings together labour leaders from across the country to examine how recent U.S. tariffs are affecting jobs, industries, and communities — from manufacturing and resource sectors to public services that are strained by economic uncertainty.

We’ll explore how these trade actions disrupt supply chains, drive up costs, and create instability in private sector industries like auto, steel, and forestry — and how those ripple effects extend to the public sector, where workers face increased pressure on services and shifting economic priorities.

Join Canadian Labour leaders for an in-depth conversation on the real impacts of cross-border trade decisions, and how Canadian unions are responding to defend jobs, protect public services, and push for fairer economic policies.

You want to get a message out about the things that are important to you and your organization. You’ve thought about podcasting, but where do you even begin?

Join award-winning podcasters Stephen Magusiak (PressProgress: Sources, Alberta Advantage), Eric Wickham (PressProgress: Sources, Tech Won’t Save Us, Big Shiny Takes) and Megan Linton (Invisible Institutions) to learn what you need to do to take your podcast idea from the planning stages, to people’s playlists.

Throughout work on Seeking Social Democracy, Frances Abele and Luke Savage spent the better part of two years talking to Ed Broadbent about his life and political ideas. In this session, they will speak about the evolution of Broadbent’s thought and its continuing relevance to socialists and social democrats today. Whether engaging complex questions of nationalism, confronting the power of corporations, or considering important questions like public ownership and Indigenous rights, his expansive vision has much to offer the left in the current moment.

Presented by Entertainment Sponsor:

Coming to the Summit fresh off this year’s Juno Awards, Snotty Nose Rez Kids has torn into the music scene with unmistakeable talent and an unforgettable name. Showing off their lyrical prowess and natural storytelling ability, Yung Trybez and Young D jumpstarted the band with two back-to-back albums in 2017. Their follow up album, 2019’s TRAPLINE, really launched their career with hit “Boujee Natives,” and multiple awards including their first Juno nomination. The band took their high voltage live show on the road and clocked 100 shows in 6 different countries.

Their pandemic album, LIFE AFTER, saw greater industry recognition with multiple music magazine cover stories, and strong streaming platform support including Billboard advertisements in Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square, playlist cover images, and an Amazon Twitch Channel Takeover.

Taking the album on the road, the band toured 80 shows in support of the album across North America. They received their second Juno nomination and performed during the live broadcast. They were invited by The Toronto Raptors to play a half time show, and to the Vancouver Canucks to play in-between periods. Their 2022 project, I’M GOOD, HBU? elevated their career to new heights, and saw them receive their fourth Polaris Prize Shortlist, a win for top music video of the year at the Prism Prize Awards for their Beatles-inspired, DAMN RIGHT, and landed them 3 Western Canadian Music Awards, bringing their tally to 13 wins so far.

SNRK have gone on to dominate in Hip-Hop music, most recently achieving their biggest milestone, signing to Sony Music. SNRK are blazing their own path, weaving together a musical fabric of hard-hitting lyricism, revealing stories about the struggles they and their people have encountered, empowering protest songs for the front lines, and a humor that keeps even the heaviest of topics something you can vibe to.

With deepening crises shaking the world—political instability, Russian aggression, and economic insecurity—Matthias Ecke knows all too well how the far right exploits these fears and frustrations to divide society. Being in a constant struggle with the far right in his region, Ecke draws on the experience of East Germany, where extremists prey on disillusionment and disappointment. But instead of giving in to fear and division, he calls for a path forward—one rooted in solidarity. By strengthening workers’ rights, ensuring fair wages, and investing in people, social democrats can rebuild trust and create a future based on justice, unity, and democratic rights.

In an era of economic uncertainty, building is more than a strategy—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s energy, transportation, housing, or public infrastructure, bold investment in the foundations of our economy is the path to lower costs, good union jobs, and a stronger, fairer Canada. This panel brings together leading thinkers from Canada’s labour, infrastructure, and policy worlds to explore what it will take to build our way out of crisis—and do it right. How do we ensure workers are paid fairly, projects meet real public needs, and corporations aren’t cashing in at public expense? And how should progressives respond to rising protectionism and economic turbulence south of the border? Join us for a conversation grounded in Ed Broadbent’s vision: one where building up Canada means standing up for working people.

Panelists include Mike Gordon (UA Canada), Edgardo Sepulveda, and Richard Gilbert.

Canada stands at a critical juncture, facing multiple crises that challenge the very fabric of our democracy. Central to these challenges is the state of our public education systems, which is experiencing severe strains, including underfunding, privatization, increasing incidents of violence, and deteriorating working conditions, all of which have led to a teacher retention and recruitment crisis.

These issues not only threaten the quality and inclusivity of our public education but also undermine the foundation of our democratic society.
Aligned with the Progress Summit’s 2025 theme, “Daring to Take on Today’s Crises,” this panel brings together education leaders to address the urgent need for bold, collective action in defending public education. Panelists and attendees will explore the current crises and potential solutions to strengthen public education, ensure equitable access, and empower a more engaged and informed public.

Join us for this critical discussion on why investing in public education is a direct investment in the future of democracy in Canada—and what actions we must take now to tackle these pressing challenges.

Journalism is essential to a healthy, functioning democracy, yet Canada’s media and information landscape has been deteriorating for decades as local newsrooms shut down, news workers are laid off and media ownership is concentrated with handful of corporations. Now, news is disappearing from social media platforms while Canada’s public broadcaster is facing a campaign to defund it once and for all. Stepping into this vacuum to fill in the gaps are a new wave of media outlets that are rethinking both the business models and approaches to public interest journalism in Canada.

While economic insecurity remains top of mind for Canadians, the state of our public healthcare system is not too far behind. While public healthcare has shielded Canadians from much of the cost-of-living crisis, ongoing threats of privatization and for-profit services risk eroding this Canadian institution. What can be done to protect and strengthen public healthcare? What commitments should Canadians demand from federal leaders during this election? Join Canada’s healthcare leaders for a critical conversation on how to defend and improve our public healthcare system through times of economic and political uncertainty.

Hosted by the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation.

Join journalist Martin Lukamartin cs and PressProgress publisher Romy Garrido for a conversation about the 2025 federal election and Martin’s new book, The Poilievre Project: A radical blueprint for corporate rule.

The book reveals the playbook behind the Conservative leader’s rise and exposes his radical vision for reshaping Canada. It’s published by Breach Books, the new publishing arm of The Breach, the award-winning independent media outlet.

For more info about the book: breachbooks.ca

As Canada heads toward another federal election, immigration may become a defining issue—one that progressives cannot afford to cede to right-wing narratives. This two-part session will provide insights into how Canadians perceive immigration, whether the ‘Canadian consensus on immigration’ is breaking, and equip progressives with the tools to push back against xenophobia while making the case for a more just and inclusive system.

The first part of the session will present new Viewpoints polling data, jointly commissioned by the Broadbent Institute and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, revealing public attitudes toward immigration. These insights will help shape effective messaging to strengthen public support and counter-reactionary rhetoric.

The second part will bring together key voices in the fight for immigrant and refugee rights.

With the rise of reactionary forces exploiting fear and misinformation, progressives must be proactive in shaping the immigration debate. Join us to discuss bold strategies, powerful messaging, and the path forward for a more just and inclusive Canada.

In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, social media creators are playing an increasingly pivotal role in shaping public discourse around social and political issues. This panel will explore how these creators are driving engagement with important causes in a way that traditional media struggles to match. With a special focus on TikTok, panelists will dive into the strategies behind building a compelling digital presence and offer insights on how progressives can leverage the platform to amplify their message and drive meaningful change.

This session will provide practical advice for those looking to harness the power of digital media to foster progressive movements, as well as personal reflections from influential creators on the risks and benefits of “going viral.” Join us for an engaging conversation on how social media is reshaping advocacy in real-time, and how you can be a part of this transformative wave.

Fireside Chat moderated by Joanna Johnson.

For generations, progress in Canada—universal health care, pensions, labour rights—has come from the work of people who believed in something better, and from leaders who refused to back down in the face of powerful interests. As the world braces against the effects of a new Trump presidency and the escalation of destabilizing trade wars, Jagmeet Singh will join the 2025Progress Summit to speak about what’s at stake for Canada—and who will bear the burden if we get it wrong. In the tradition of those who fought to build this country’s most cherished institutions, Singh will lay out a vision for the next chapter: one where housing is a right, health care is protected, and workers lead the transition to a more resilient, fair, and inclusive future.