The Broadbent Institute is thrilled to announce the shortlists for the 2026 Jack Layton Progress Prize and Charles Taylor Prize for Excellence in Policy Research. The winners will be announced at the 2026 Progress Summit, taking place March 4 – 6 in Ottawa.
The 2026 Charles Taylor Prize for Excellence in Policy Research:
- Dr. Amy Janzwood is the author of Mega Pipelines, Mega Resistance, the definitive study of cross-coalition movements opposing the Northern Gateway and Trans Mountain pipelines. Grounded in extensive interviews and lived experience, her work offers vital insight into Indigenous resistance, resource politics, and the future of major infrastructure, rights, and Canadian climate policy.
- Kent Roach, Professor of Law at the University of Toronto, and one of Canada’s leading experts on wrongful convictions, criminal justice, and human rights. His extensive research and advocacy have shaped national policy, from his role in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to his leadership in establishing the Canadian Registry of Wrongful Convictions and directing research for the Miscarriages of Justice Commission, which led to the passage of “David and Joyce Milgaard’s Law.” Through his scholarship, pro bono legal work, and policy contributions, Roach has had a profound and lasting impact on justice reform in Canada.
- Andrew Jackson, a towering figure in Canadian political economy who has shaped decades of labour movement strategy and social democratic thought as Chief Economist of the Canadian Labour Congress. A prolific writer, mentor, and institution-builder, he helped influence generations of researchers and policymakers, advancing a powerful critique of neoliberalism and a lasting vision for fair labour markets, social protection, and full employment.
The 2026 Jack Layton Progress Prize:
- Amira Elghawaby, a visionary leader advancing inclusive, intersectional social justice in Canada. As the first Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia and through roles with the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, and the Canadian Labour Congress, she has elevated marginalized voices, fostered intercommunity understanding, and championed equity in policy and practice. Her work prioritizes Muslim women, racialized communities, and youth, combining advocacy, mentorship, and public education to strengthen civic engagement and human rights. Through media, public speaking, and grassroots initiatives, Amira consistently inspires collective action, leaving institutions stronger and communities more empowered.
- OPSEU/SEFPO, whose research has played a critical role in exposing corruption and undemocratic practices within Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Skills Development Fund. Through rigorous research, documented in Dismantling Public Futures, and strategic media engagement, the union revealed how public funds were diverted away from Ontario’s public colleges toward private interests. Their work has driven major political consequences, including a scathing Auditor General’s report, sustained scrutiny at Queen’s Park, and an investigation by Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner, helping shift public opinion and defend the future of accessible, public post-secondary education in Ontario.
- Jeremy Kalicum and Eris Nyx, the courageous researchers and organizers whose work with the Drug User Liberation Front’s compassion club in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside demonstrated the life-saving potential of a community-led, non-medicalized safer supply model. Their on-the-ground research showed dramatic reductions in overdoses among participants, reshaping debates on drug policy and public health. Arrested and later convicted for this work, they continue to challenge the closure of the compassion club, putting their own freedom at risk to advance evidence-based, humane drug policy in Canada.
Register today for the 2026 Progress Summit: Defending Democracy Across Borders, and join us in celebrating champions of the progressive movement!