With former NDP leader Ed Broadbent's death, a local MP says the country's lost a great Canadian.
Today, the Ottawa-based Broadbent Institute shared the news that 87-year-old Broadbent has died. He led the federal NDP from 1975 to 1989, and returned to the House of Commons as a Member of Parliament from 2004-06.
Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus shared memories of Broadbent on social media shortly after the news broke.
"Ed Broadbent believed in Canada. He believed in social democracy. He believed that government could play a role to make life better. He believed in the rights of workers and spent his career trying to raise those who were on the economic margins," wrote Angus on Facebook.
"He never lost his passion and determination to build a better nation."
Angus has been the local MP since 2004. When the NDP were looking for a new leader in 2017, he ran for the top spot but lost to Jagmeet Singh.
Angus says he first met Broadbent as "an 18-year-old punk rock dishwasher at a high-end steakhouse."
"Ed came in and I ran out to shake his hand. Years later I had the honour to sit beside him in parliament. Over the years he often called me to discuss what going on in parliament or in the party. His insights were always thoughtful and insightful.
"I was honoured to call him friend. Canada has lost a great Canadian," wrote Angus.
He also shared thoughts on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter.
Ed Broadbent believed in Canada. He believed in social democracy. He believed in the goodness of people.
— Charlie Angus (@CharlieAngusNDP) January 11, 2024
He believed that government could play a role to make life better.
He never lost his passion and determination to build a better nation.
I was honoured to call him friend. pic.twitter.com/QhZcxw1DD2
