Ed Broadbent, a social democrat who helped foster Canada’s leftist New Democratic Party, has died. He died at the age of 87.
His death was announced by Broadbent Institute, the Ottawa-based think tank he established in 2011 to advance social and economic justice. The institute did not reveal the cause of his death.
The institute described Broadbent as “a fierce champion for ordinary Canadians.”
A lot of Canadians remember him as a relentless federal debate figure in the 1970s and 1980s, challenging four different prime ministers, including Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney.
The institute said: “Ed devoted decades of his life to fighting for justice and equality in Canada and around the world. He was a rare intellectual who could connect the challenges faced by ordinary citizens with the movements and institutions striving for economic democracy.”
In a statement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “Canada is better off” thanks to Broadbent’s “selfless service.”
Trudeau said: “An advocate for equality and champion for justice, his commitment to helping others never wavered.”
Broadbent represented Oshawa, Ontario, in the House of Commons for 21 years, including 14 as national leader of the New Democratic Party, between 1975 and 1989. He served briefly as the member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre between 2004 and 2006.
Under his leadership, the New Democratic Party grew its seat count in the House of Commons — from 17 in 1974 to 43 in 1988, a growth that stood until the late Jack Layton led the party into official opposition status in 2011 with 103 seats.
Also, Broadbent left his mark on Canada’s version of the bill of rights after the then-Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, contacted him for help in buoying up the text of the document.
