‘Making the Good Society’ is a video series from the Broadbent Institute and Perspectives Journal that asks progressive leaders and thinkers about their vision for a good society that is humane, just, and democratic.
Sharlene Henry is co-chair of the York South-Weston Tenant Union in Toronto and a longtime member of Unifor Local 1285. Speaking at the 2025 Progress Summit, she shares how her experiences as a union member and tenant organizer have gone hand-in-hand—and how the skills of the picket line carry over into the fight for housing justice. With half the tenants in her building belonging to unions, she shows that housing justice is a workers’ issue—and a winning one when movements come together.
The Broadbent Institute and Perspectives Journal present Making the Good Society: a new video series of bold ideas and strategies for a fairer, inclusive world. Grounded by the legacy and social democratic principles of Ed Broadbent, Making the Good Society presents the values at the heart of Canada’s progressive movement.
According to Ed Broadbent in his book Seeking Social Democracy:
There is no magic guidebook to consult, and there are no perfect solutions. Each generation must find answers to the challenges they face, although we may all learn from the past. In the wake of the Great Depression and two world wars, it became clear to people across the globe that the best instrument for countering the immense forces of global capitalism and achieving freedom was the social democratic state. In following their example, however, a new generation of Canadians will be able to achieve not the perfect society but the good society. Taking inspiration from the best of the social democratic tradition, I believe great things can still be done.
Through conversations with leading activists, strategists and leaders, this series addresses the structural challenges shaping our society—from systemic inequality and the climate crisis, to strengthening democracy and advancing justice. Making the Good Society brings forward transformative ideas and practices that prioritize people over profits, empower communities, to win a better future for all.
