Ed Broadbent, the affable advocate of social democracy whose principled leadership helped build the modern New Democratic Party and made him a titan of 20th century Canadian politics, has died. He was 87.
Broadbent was 91Ƶa fierce champion for ordinary Canadians,91Ƶ said a statement Thursday from the eponymous, Ottawa-based think tank he founded in 2011 to propagate his belief in social and economic justice.
But observers of a certain age will remember him as a tireless, well-educated fixture of federal debate in the 1970s and 1980s, going toe-to-toe with four different prime ministers, including Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney.
91ƵEd devoted decades of his life to fighting for justice and equality in Canada and around the world,91Ƶ the Broadbent Institute said.
91ƵHe was a rare intellectual who could connect the challenges faced by ordinary citizens with the movements and institutions striving for economic democracy.91Ƶ
Jagmeet Singh, the NDP91Ƶs current leader, called Broadbent 91Ƶa lifelong champion of our movement and our party.91Ƶ
91ƵHe dedicated his considerable gifts to the project of social democracy, never wavering in his belief that we must build a Canada that serves everyone 91Ƶ not just the rich and powerful.91Ƶ
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that 91ƵCanada is better off91Ƶ due to Broadbent91Ƶs 91Ƶselfless service.91Ƶ
91ƵAn advocate for equality and champion for justice, his commitment to helping others never wavered. He leaves behind an incredible legacy 91Ƶ one that will, no doubt, continue to inspire people across the country.91Ƶ
Broadbent represented his blue-collar hometown of Oshawa, Ont., in the House of Commons for 21 years, including 14 as leader of the federal NDP, from 1975 to 1989. He briefly served as the MP for Ottawa Centre from 2004 to 2006.
Under his leadership, the NDP steadily expanded its seat count in the House 91Ƶ from 17 in 1974 to 43 in 1988, a record that would stand until the Jack Layton era began in 2011 and vaulted the party into official Opposition status.
It91Ƶs impossible to travel across Canada and 91Ƶnot meet people who were touched by Ed91Ƶs compassion, commitment, and fierce intelligence,91Ƶ Singh said.
91ƵHe never lost sight of who we fight for. He was connected in a deep way to the values of working-class Canadians and their struggles.91Ƶ
Singh also praised Broadbent for his generosity, saying his advice and encouragement helped him 91Ƶtremendously91Ƶ when he was first elected to lead the NDP.
91ƵI have often said that Ed was who I wanted to be when I grew up. He taught me about leadership and how to turn political principle into actions that helped improve the lives of Canadians.91Ƶ
The institute that bears his name cited Broadbent91Ƶs 2023 book, 91ƵSeeking Social Democracy,91Ƶ as leaving 91Ƶan enduring vision and his hopes for what is to be done to build the good society for today and the future.91Ƶ
In that book, Broadbent made clear he believed the only path forward would have to be paved with the interlocking principles of democracy, social justice and economic fairness.
91ƵTo be humane, societies must be democratic,91Ƶ he wrote, 91Ƶand, to be democratic, every person must be afforded the economic and social rights necessary for their individual flourishing.91Ƶ
READ ALSO: