Social democratic politician, political scientist and Broadbent Institute founder Ed Broadbent, has died at the age of 87.
“Our country has lost a fierce champion for ordinary Canadians, an intellectual who strongly believed in building a good society,” reads a statement from the progressive think tank he founded, the Broadbent Institute.
Broadbent was the leader of the federal New Democratic Party from 1975 to 1989. He returned to Parliament in 2004 for an additional term as the MP for Ottawa Centre.
“Ed devoted decades of his life to fighting for justice and equality in Canada and around the world. As a Member of Parliament, leader of the New Democratic Party, president of Rights & Democracy and beyond, he tirelessly advocated for all people, especially those on the margins of society,” continued the statement.
Broadbent brought the NDP party to new heights of success in the 1980’s, at one point being the most popular party leader in the country and the first NDP leader to bring the party into first place in public opinion polling,
“Ed combined a life-long passion for justice and equality, with a passion for life itself, and all the joys and happiness it has to offer. He was an extraordinary Parliamentarian and political leader. He was a deeply thoughtful intellectual. And he was wonderful company and a most wonderful friend to have. All of us who knew him will miss him, celebrate him and, hopefully, do what he would most want of us. Which is to carry on his work,” said Broadbent Institute Chair of the Board of Directors, Brian Topp.
B.C. NDP Premier David Eby was among those to pay their respects to Broadbent online Thursday afternoon, saying the federal politician was “always ready to fight the fight.”
“Ed was a giant. He will be deeply missed,” Eby wrote.
