Yukon NDP mourns Ed Broadbent

January 11, 2024

WHITEHORSE, YT — The Yukon NDP joined Canadian New Democrats Thursday, Jan. 11, in mourning former federal Party Leader Ed Broadbent.

Broadbent, who led the federal NDP through four elections starting in the mid-1970s, will be remembered for his fierce intelligence and generosity of spirit.

The Party surged under his leadership, winning 32 seats in the 1980 election that ended Conservative Joe Clark’s short time as prime minister. Broadbent was invited to form a coalition government with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, but Broadbent declined.

“Ed was a champion for equality, human rights, and social justice,” Yukon NDP leader Kate White said Thursday.

“I’ll never forget that he made time to call me during my first election campaign as Party leader. He was so kind and warm in his encouragement.

“I was so excited, I played one of his voicemails to anyone who would listen,” White continued, adding, “Ed will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.”

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