Ed Broadbent

[kathleen_dailey]

Ed Broadbent has died.

"Our country has lost a fierce champion for ordinary Canadians, an intellectual who strongly believed in building a good society," the statement said. "Ed devoted decades of his life to fighting for justice and equality in Canada and around the world."

John Edward Broadbent, a companion of the Order of Canada, was known to New Democrats as "Honest Ed," "Mr. Decent" or simply "Ed." Broadbent led the NDP for 14 years and through four elections — and even returned to the House of Commons later in life.

In my personal pantheon, Broadbent is right up there with Flora MacDonald, Stephen Lewis, and Robert Stanfield--people of conscience who were also politicians.

If only I had a similar list circa 2024.

Comments

[the_siobhan]

For some reason I was under the impression that Broadbent had died a few years back.

He was one of the good ones, for sure.

[kathleen_dailey]

He was one of the good ones, for sure.

He was that. I remember his leadership, back in the days when I was pretty deeply engaged with politics. I'm wary of "end of an era" clichés, but this loss feels like one.

[flemmings]

Very much a dying breed.

[kathleen_dailey]

Sadly, yes. Changing times, changing values, I guess. That may be unavoidable, but we don't have to like it.

I hope there's a new generation out there, strong and energetic and idealistic, who'll be able to take up the progressive cause in Canada (and especially in Ontario).

[flemmings]

I hope there'll be a backlash against the likes of Ford, Trump, and the entire English Tory party, but politics is such a plutocracy these days I'm not sanguine. The rich do not give up power easily.