Canada's affable social democracy advocate, former NDP leader Ed Broadbent dies

OTTAWA — 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 "a fierce champion for ordinary Canadians," 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.

"Ed devoted decades of his life to fighting for justice and equality in Canada and around the world," the Broadbent Institute said.

"He was a rare intellectual who could connect the challenges faced by ordinary citizens with the movements and institutions striving for economic democracy."

Jagmeet Singh, the NDP's current leader, called Broadbent "a lifelong champion of our movement and our party."

"He dedicated his considerable gifts to the project of social democracy, never wavering in his belief that we must build a Canada that serves everyone — not just the rich and powerful."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that "Canada is better off" due to Broadbent's "selfless service."

"An advocate for equality and champion for justice, his commitment to helping others never wavered. He leaves behind an incredible legacy — one that will, no doubt, continue to inspire people across the country."

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 — 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.

It’s impossible to travel across Canada and "not meet people who were touched by Ed's compassion, commitment, and fierce intelligence," Singh said.

"He 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."

Singh also praised Broadbent for his generosity, saying his advice and encouragement helped him "tremendously" when he was first elected to lead the NDP.

"I 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."

The institute that bears his name cited Broadbent's 2023 book, "Seeking Social Democracy," as leaving "an enduring vision and his hopes for what is to be done to build the good society for today and the future."

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.

"To be humane, societies must be democratic," he wrote, "and, to be democratic, every person must be afforded the economic and social rights necessary for their individual flourishing."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2024.