Toward a new internationalism
My remarks at the 2026 Progress Summit
Good afternoon.
When you read Ed Broadbent’s old speeches, there are certain trademarks that quickly become familiar. And one of these was that — whatever the place, theme, or the context happened to be — there was usually some more general statement of principles on which Ed rested his words. That may partly have been the teacher in him. Maybe a bit of the political theorist as well. But, whatever the reason, Ed Broadbent always tried to impart on his audience more than just the bare facts or prosaic details about which he may otherwise have been speaking.
The upshot was that those who came to hear him talk about inflation, the government’s jobs record, or the NDP’s latest proposals for Medicare, would also be treated to flourishes like this one — a definition of socialism which Ed chose to include in one 1975 speech at a small community hall in Edmonton.
“Socialism,” Ed told his audience,
“...is an optimistic creed, based on a fundamental assumption of the equal worth of all people, and the greatness of the human society that they can create through their collective endeavours. It is a philosophy of compassion, believing that each is responsible for the welfare of all. It is a doctrine of courage, prepared to challenge those who would maintain privileged positions through the exploitation and oppression of others.”
This was Ed Broadbent’s creed as a national politician. But you’ll also notice that his language there doesn’t limit itself to Canadians or to Canada. Above all else, that’s why these words felt like a fitting way to begin this talk.
