Ed Broadbent, a former leader of the federal New Democrats, has died at age 87, says a statement from the institute he founded.
In sharing the news of his passing on Thursday, the Ottawa think tank he founded and which bears his name, called him a "fierce champion for ordinary Canadians."
"Ed devoted decades of his life to fighting for justice and equality in Canada and around the world," reads the written statement from the Broadbent Institute.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that the Broadbent Institute announces the passing of our founder, Ed Broadbent.
— Broadbent Institute (@broadbent) January 11, 2024
Read our full statement at https://t.co/6nVStvuWya pic.twitter.com/nvXIG9783C
Current NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Broadbent "was 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."
He was a mentor and a friend - a titan of social democracy - who was connected in a deep way to the struggles of working-class Canadians.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) January 11, 2024
He never lost sight of who we fight for and taught me to turn political principle into action.
It hurts to lose him.
Rest In Power Ed. pic.twitter.com/UF6NkRogSk
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his heartfelt condolances to the Broadbent family.
To the Broadbent family, to his friends, and to all of the Canadians who are mourning the passing of this visionary leader: I’m keeping you in my thoughts, and I’m sending you my deepest condolences.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 11, 2024
Broadbent served as a member of Parliament for a riding in his hometown of Oshawa, Ont., 21 years, and was the leader of the federal NDP for 14 years, from 1975 to 1989. He briefly returned to the House of Commons as the MP for Ottawa Centre from 2004 to 2006.
His leadership era saw him debate four different prime ministers: Pierre Trudeau, Joe Clark, John Turner and Brian Mulroney.
The party had 16 MPs in the 1974 election. Under his leadership, the NDP increased that number to 26 in 1979 and 32 in 1980.
Singh said in his statement it’s impossible to travel across Canada and "not meet people who were touched by Ed’s compassion, commitment, and fierce intelligence."
"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," Singh said.
BC Premier David Eby expressed his grief over Broadbent's passing away.
Very sad to hear of Ed Broadbent’s passing today. This past year, I was lucky to spend some time with Ed and he was engaged and passionate all the way through. Always ready to fight the good fight. Ed was a giant. He will be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/YuPMlCyDlJ
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) January 11, 2024
The Broadbent Institute’s statement quoted from his 2023 book, "Seeking Social Democracy," which the institute said leaves "an enduring vision and his hopes for what is to be done to build the good society for today and the future."
"To be humane, societies must be democratic — and, to be democratic, every person must be afforded the economic and social rights necessary for their individual flourishing," Broadbent wrote.
