Upcoming courses and events

April 12, 2026

Vancouver, BC

Curious about socialism? Interested about if it is really possible and taking a sober look at the problems it will face? Want to discuss how to begin affecting change right now? 
In these uncertain and dangerous times, The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is a space to listen, discuss and challenge the contemporary relevancy of socialism.  

The School’s flagship course, Introduction to Socialism, is designed for both those experienced activists always looking to learn more, and those newer to socialist ideas and full of questions. It will not only provide a unique venue for collectively tackling important topics, but also a welcoming space where any question relevant to socialist organizing, no matter how basic or advanced, can be raised and discussed.

Instead of providing precise definitions and historical readings, the course will focus on understanding the structures of capitalism in order to challenge it and begin building a better world. We will rely on the ideas and lived experience of participants to enhance the presentations, examples, and collective discussions that make up each session.

Over 8 weeks we’ll explore topics such as what and who is the working class, what makes socialism different, how we can overcome political barriers, how socialists can approach elections and winning reforms in the existing state, what role trade unions and political parties have played for working class struggles, and much more! 

When: Sunday afternoons at 2pm April 12-June 7 (skipping Victoria Day weekend)
Cost: Free/by optional donation
Where: A transit accessible location in East Vancouver – Venue to be shared with registrants
Who: Anyone and everyone curious about socialism or wanting to dive into a deeper discussion!

The Leo Panitch School has been running this and a number of other political education courses in Toronto and online since 2023. Now we’re very pleased to be bringing the course to Vancouver! The format of the course will feature in person discussions and lessons from a variety of experienced instructors streamed live from Toronto. 

Feel free to reach us with any questions at info@leopanitchschool.ca. 

March 16, 2026

Fredericton, NB

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is thrilled to be supporting a brand new course: Socialism and Capitalism organized by the Fredericton Committee of the Socialist Project. The course represents the very first Leo Panitch School program on the east coast! 
Our 8-week course examines the historical development of socialism as a response to the continual evolution of capitalism. We ask: “What is socialism now and how did we get here?” And we ask: “What is capitalism now and how has it changed?” All the while we trace the evolution of socialism as an analytical and political paradigm responding to the harmful and often violent effects of capitalism. Throughout our journey we will stress that the essence of socialism involves the desire to get beyond the horrors, misery, and trauma caused by capitalism.

Click here for course outline
Click here to register

When: Monday evenings at 7pm beginning March 16. 
Where: In person in Fredericton, NB – Venue to be shared with registrants
How: Register via the link above. 

Pre-registration is required, as space is limited to 15 participants. The course will be offered again in September 2026.

This course is being offered free of charge or by optional donation. All proceeds will go towards the Leo Panitch School’s educational programming. 

About the Leo Panitch School
The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education was founded in 2023 by members of the Socialist Project, an eco-socialist organization in Toronto.  The school emerged at a moment when popular frustrations abound over inequality, the narrowing of democracy, the squandering of human potential, and the ever-clearer reality of impending environmental catastrophe. We strive to provide radical, accessible, and practical educational programming for those seeking to better understand and address the crisis of our current times.

The school is excited to begin supporting programming on the east and west coasts of the country, in addition to our regular events in our home city of Toronto. 

Feel free to reach us with any questions at info@leopanitchschool.ca or info@spfredericton.org. 

May 28, 2026

Tranzac Club, Toronto

The LPSSE iss honoured to be co-presenting this book launch along with Another Story Bookshop, University of Manitoba Press, and Toronto Workers History Project as a part of the 2026 Mayworks Festival.



Join us for the launch of Confronting the Resurgent Right. Scholars and activists take Canada’s 2022 “Freedom Convoy” as a recent manifestation of deep-rooted extremism and provide intersectional commentary on the resurgence of the political right, demonstrating how its ideology permeates and shapes the structures of our society.

With evidence-based research, and careful analysis of the genesis and methods of the right, contributors to this volume model pathways of resistance and charge us with our most urgent collective tasks: finding ways to work together, building coalitions in civil society, and exposing and countering the regressive forces that spew hate.

The evening features a panel discussion about the book’s themes with the editor, Miriam Edelson, and contributors Peter Smith, Tim McCaskell, Judy Rebick and John Cartwright followed by Q&A.  

April 25, 2026

College Street United Church, Toronto

Cuba is facing deepening hardship with blackouts, and critical shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. As the crisis intensifies, communities worldwide are coming together in solidarity.
Join us for an evening of dialogue, learning, and collective action as we unpack what is happening in Cuba today beyond the headlines.
All proceeds from the evening to go towards sending vital equipment, food, and supplies to Cuba.

Panelists:
Keith Bolender is the author of several books and a freelance journalist living in Toronto who has written extensively on Cuban matters for a variety of North American publications. He is also a lecturer on American foreign policy and the Cuban Revolution.

Sharmini Peries is a journalist and the Co-Founder of The Analysis News as well as former Senior Editor and Co-Founder of The Real News Network. Peries was International Economic Development and Trade Adviser to the President of Venezuela, and has served as the executive director of The Commission on Systemic Racism in the Criminal Justice System; International Freedom of Expression Exchange, and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression.

Nicolas Avendaño Ruiz is a member of the Canadian Cuban Friendship Association Toronto executive committee (CCFA Toronto). Member of the steering committee of the Venezuela Solidarity Coalition (VSC). Member of the Young Communist League – Ligue de la jeunesse communists (YCL-LJC Canada).


This event is being organized by:
Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association Toronto
Casa Salvador Allende Toronto
Grupo Guillermo Gonzalez
Socialist Project

Accessibility
College Street United Church is accessible to mobility devices via the Bathurst side entrance. The church features accessible gender-neutral  washrooms and level access throughout. We kindly ask all participants to refrain from wearing scents or perfumes.

May 1, 2026

College Street United Church

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is very pleased to present Bread and Roses (2000) as the next film in the FilmSocial series of socialist film screenings. This edition of FilmSocial is extra special as we celebrate with a May Day party following the film!

In Los Angeles, Mexican immigrant Maya (Pilar Padilla) finds work as a janitor through her sister, Rosa (Elpidia Carrillo). However, conditions at their non-union cleaning company are grim. After experiencing management abuse directed at herself and her fellow workers, Maya is convinced by union organizer Sam Shapiro (Adrien Brody), to get involved in the campaign for safe working conditions, higher wages, and dignity at her workplace. What follows leads to tension and confrontation, not only between workers and the company, but between Maya and her own family.

Directed by well-know socialist filmmaker, Ken Loach, Bread and Roses is based on the real-life Justice for Janitors campaign, organized by the Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU). The campaign was a pivotal moment in the fight for improved working conditions for some of the most precarious workers in the United States and Canada. As portrayed in the film, the campaign went beyond traditional business union methods, utilizing militant direct actions and deep community-based organizing in order to win workers’ demands.

The film will be presented in English and Spanish with English subtitles.
Following our spring theme of films that feature organizing, the Leo Panitch School, along with the Socialist Project, is pleased to be co-hosting this screening with our friends in the Greater Toronto Area Industrial Workers of the World
.
We’re excited at the opportunity to host a member of the IWW who will be leading the discussion after the film.
Make sure to bring cash as there will be beverages to purchase, merch, literature, as well as a raffle!
Leo Panitch School events are always presented free-of-charge. This is only made possible through contributions from our participants and supporters. We encourage those who are able to consider electing a paid registration option, making a cash donation at the event, or becoming a monthly donor via leopanitchschool.ca/donate.
Accessibility Information
College Street United Church is accessible to mobility devices via the Bathurst side entrance. The church features accessible gender-neutral washrooms and level access throughout. We kindly ask all participants to refrain from wearing scents or perfumes.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@leopanitchschool.ca with any questions or concerns regarding accessibility at this event.

April 27, 2026

College Street United Church, Toronto

The Leo Panitch School is pleased to present Confronting the Far-Right: Lessons from Italy and Spain. We are honoured to welcome Clara Serra and Salvatore Prinzi to Toronto to lead us in a discussion of this vital topic. Clara and Salvatore are both activists, authors, and philosophers, experienced in movements confronting the rise of the far-right in Spain and Italy, respectively.  

How did the rise of the contemporary far-right come about in Southern Europe? How are left and anti-fascist movements responding to this? What lessons can the socialist left in Canada take from the experiences of Italy and Spain? 

The Spanish and Italian movements against the right have taken a number of expected as well as more experimental forms. Clara and Salvatore will lead us in a discussion of what they’ve witnessed and participated in. This will range from the effects of the decline of the traditional social democratic parties, to the role of mutual aid, to new and creative forms of community activation. They will also discuss the role of feminism in fighting the growth of the far-right, and how socialist feminism becoming a hegemonic political ideal may be the key to turning young men away from fascism. 

This event is being organized by the Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education, with support from the Socialist Project and the Global Labour Research Centre. 
 
Those in attendance are warmly invited to gather afterwards to socialize and continue the discussion. Complementary refreshments will be on offer. Beverages, merch, and literature will be available with all proceeds going to the LPSSE’s educational programming!


About the speakers

Clara Serra is a philosopher and feminist from Madrid. In 2013, she was a representative of Podemos in the Madrid Assembly until 2019. She is a member of the feminist network Alianzas Rebeldes. Clara has written on a number topics, including  feminist strategy,  politics, and most recently, consent.  

Salvatore Prinzi was one of the founders of Ex OPG in 2015 and later Potere al Popolo. He has published works on numerous topics, including social class, Italian politics, and fascism. He is currently conducting new work around the issue of the minimum wage in Italy. 



Accessibility
College Street United Church is located at College and Bathurst in Toronto. The building is wheelchair accessible and features multiple accessible, gender neutral washrooms. We kindly ask all attendees to refrain from wearing scented products at Leo Panitch School events. 

Any questions or requests regarding accessibility, participation, or programming can be directed to  info@leopanitchschool.c.