Blog Post
Ottawa
The Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation Board of Directors and Staff along with friends and family mourn one of Canada’s prominent and influential social democratic thinkers. We offer our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to our country and everyone who loved our dear friend Ed Broadbent.
Ed was a titan of our movement who inspired us into action. A man of great service to our country and fellow citizens being an MP for 21 years, 14 of which were spent as the leader of the NDP, growing and strengthening the party. He took the time to share his insights and leadership skills with those closest to him - learning from Tommy Douglas, being his right hand in Parliament. Ed took all that he learned during those years in stride, taking the party to new heights, and guiding his understudy; Jack Layton, who admired him, learned from him, and built upon the foundation he set with electoral success.
“Ed Broadbent was more than a national icon, he was our beacon of compassion, kindness, and hope. He was our teacher, our mentor, our friend, our leader. His legacy will endure thanks to his unwavering commitment to make the lives of everyone better. A fierce social democrat who put love for others before himself. His intellectual tenacity, generosity, and humour will be dearly missed by all who loved him in return.” Josh Bizjak, Executive Director
“Ed Broadbent was a man of great passion, humanity, a strong leader, a dedicated social democrat and a visionary who understood the critical importance of equality for every citizen. In Ed Broadbent the world saw and respected a man of strength and humility who believed that power is a vehicle for positive change and not an end in itself. We will miss Ed Broadbent's strength, humility and humanity.” Irene Mathyssen, President
Ed had many incredible and enduring qualities. Among them his charisma, his thoughtfulness, his warmth, his honesty, his stunning wit and his ability to deeply analyze and find solutions to some of our most complex problems. But above all was his tireless devotion to combating inequality and injustice and building a society where nobody is left behind, enshrining human rights for many.
He was a champion of ordinary Canadians who will not be forgotten. The legacy he leaves behind will be felt by Canadians for years to come. We are eternally grateful for having learned from him, and for his contributions to the social democratic movement, and to Canada.
To read more about his legacy please see the Broadbent Institute’s statement: www.broadbentinstitute.ca/statement-passing-ed-broadbent
His loss is something that we and many others feel deeply. May we take time to be kind with ourselves and others, and to reflect on Ed’s legacy. To Ed’s family and loved ones, we share our deepest sympathies, love and support in this difficult time.
If you would like to make a gift in his honour, please donate to the Broadbent Institute: www.broadbentinstitute.ca/2021_mailing_principles_donate
We offer our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to our country and everyone who loved our dear friend Ed Broadbent.
With love and kindness,
Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation
The Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation mourns the passing of Stephen Lewis with profound sorrow and deep gratitude for a life of extraordinary service. In Stephen Lewis, we have lost not only a towering figure in Canadian public life, but a giant among progressives, an intellectual of rare brilliance, and a moral voice whose clarity and conviction helped shape generations of thought and action in pursuit of social justice.
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