The Broadbent Institute’s Stand up for Progress National Tour featuring Harry Leslie Smith kicked off in Victoria.
Smith is the author of the acclaimed book, Harry’s Last Stand: How the World My Generation Built is Falling Down, and What We Can Do to Save it, and at 92, he’s Canada’s oldest rebel inspiring the next generation of activists.
Smith survived the Great Depression and fought in the Second World War for the United Kingdom. After the war, he immigrated to Canada, and contributed to the expansion of the welfare state.
On the eve of the federal election, the veteran was in Victoria to talk about what’s at stake.
Following Smith's speech, young progressive activists ready to make an impact in the lead up to the federal election joined him on stage for a panel discussion moderated by political scientist Janni Aragon, Director of Technology Integrated Learning at the University of Victoria. They were:
- Laurel Collins, anti-C-51 campaigner and University of Victoria instructor, Social Justice Studies program
- Sharon Gregson, spokesperson for the $10-a-Day Child Care Campaign in BC
- Zoe MacMillan, legal advocate, Together Against Poverty Society
Thank you to national tour sponsor IAFF Canada – Canada’s Professional Fire Fighters.
Thank you to National Tour Partner Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Thank you to local event sponsors the BC and Yukon Territory Building and Construction Trades Council of Victoria, IBEW Local 288, Camosun College Faculty Association, and the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC.
