Canadians, Members of NDP pay tribute to Ed Broadbent upon word of his passing

An icon for the Federal NDP and a Canadian statesman has passed away today, with the Broadbent Institute sharing word this afternoon of the passing of Ed Broadbent at the age of 87.

The announcement which you can review here is one which highlights how the former NDP leader had been a long standing advocate for justice and equality in Canada and around the world.

The Institute which he formed to promote social democracy and equality is collecting remembrance and condolences from those who may wish to share.

They plan to relay selective ones through their social media stream.

Mr. Broadbent, an MP for the Oshawa region, succeeded the legendary David Lewis in 1975 holding the post of NDP Leader through four election cycles, building party support to its highest reaches of the late seventies and  eighties gaining 43 seats in the House of Commons by 1988. 

That would be the benchmark for NDP success until the Jack Layton years when the party won 103 seats and gained official opposition status for the first time.

Broadbent's time in Parliament was of a less rancorous period for the Chamber, though he was able to move the NDP positions forward quite well with an oratory flourish that still respected the need for decency in politics, a theme that at times seems to have slipped the minds of those in the House today. 

In total, the NDP MP and leader served the nation in the House of Commons from 1968 to 1980.

As word began to spread of his passing the tributes have also begun to arrive, with the current leader of the Party Jagmeet Singh offering his tribute to the former leader/

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau provided his.tribute through social media this afternoon.

Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre also noted of the days news.

Provincially Premier David Eby also noted of the passing of Mr. Braodbent

As did Stikine-Bulkley Valley MLA Nathan Cullen who valued the former leader's friendship from his time as the Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP.

Also sharing memories today was current Skeena-Bulkley Valley  MP Taylor Bachrach

More remembrances are likely to come forward into the weekend, you can get more notes on the passing of the former NDP leader through our political blog D'Arcy McGee. 

We will be updating our Ottawa Observations archive on Friday evening,  the review for tomorrow will included a section that recounts the current stories and those ahed on his passing.

For local themes related to the Federal political scene see our House of Commons Archive page.