Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Former federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent dead at 87

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Jan, 2024 01:08 PM
  • Former federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent dead at 87

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.

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."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his heartfelt condolances to the Broadbent family.

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.

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.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada awaiting news of possible deal between Israel, Hamas to release hostages: Joly

Canada awaiting news of possible deal between Israel, Hamas to release hostages: Joly
The temporary ceasefire deal could bring the first pause in fighting in a devastating six-week war. The conflict started Oct. 7 when Hamas militants killed an estimated 1,200 people in Israel and captured roughly 240 hostages.

Canada awaiting news of possible deal between Israel, Hamas to release hostages: Joly

1 in hospital in Langley shooting

1 in hospital in Langley shooting
At approximately 7:30 this morning, Langley RCMP received reports of shots heard in the 20100 block of 84 Avenue. Police located an individual at the scene suffering from what is believed to be a gunshot wound.

1 in hospital in Langley shooting

Statistics Canada says annual inflation rate slowed to 3.1% in October

Statistics Canada says annual inflation rate slowed to 3.1% in October
Excluding gasoline, Statistics Canada says the consumer price index was up 3.6 per cent for October, following a 3.7 per cent increase for September. Prices for goods were up 1.6 per cent, while prices for services were up 4.6 per cent, largely due to higher prices for travel tours, rent and property taxes and other special charges.

Statistics Canada says annual inflation rate slowed to 3.1% in October

CRA claws back $458 million in pandemic-era wage subsidies after partial audit

CRA claws back $458 million in pandemic-era wage subsidies after partial audit
The Canada Revenue Agency has denied or adjusted $458 million in funds disbursed to employers through a pandemic-era wage subsidy program as a result of a partially completed auditing process. The agency is releasing a report Monday that offers detailed findings of its audits of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program.

CRA claws back $458 million in pandemic-era wage subsidies after partial audit

VPD release suspect photo in assault

VPD release suspect photo in assault
Vancouver police have released a photo of a man who they say assaulted a woman and then pointed a gun at a group of people at a SkyTrain station in late August.  Police say officers who responded to the incident the evening of August 24th were unable to locate the man or the victims.

VPD release suspect photo in assault

Runaway barge floats in English Bay

Runaway barge floats in English Bay
People in Vancouver may have experienced déjà vu this weekend as a runaway barge floated in waters of English Bay before it was brought under control. The empty barge had broken free of its mooring buoy and a video posted to YouTube shows it floating just a few metres away from shore yesterday.

Runaway barge floats in English Bay