Upcoming courses and events

February 22, 2026

Toronto, ON

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 February 22 – April 12
Where: Downtown Toronto – Venue to be shared with registrants
Who: Anyone and everyone curious about socialism or wanting to dive into a deeper discussion!

Not able to attend every session in person? No problem! Recordings will be made available to those who might have to miss a session or two throughout the course.

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

March 25, 2026

Eyesore Cinema

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is very pleased to present Norma Rae (1979) as the next film in the FilmSocial series of socialist film screenings. 

Set in a small-town Southern textile mill, the film follows Norma Rae (Sally Field), a courageous worker and single mother, who becomes politically active in her workplace after meeting Reuben Warshowsky (Ron Liebman), a charismatic New York labor organizer who arrives in town to confront crushing employment conditions at the factory and help workers form their own union. After her father dies suddenly on the mill floor, Norma is thrown deeper into the struggle, risking her job, relationships, and community standing to confront the bosses and organise her often-reluctant coworkers.

Directed by Martin Ritt, who was blacklisted himself during the Red Scare, this Oscar-winning film is based on the real story of Crystal Lee Sutton, who was one of three generations of her family to work at J.P. Stevens & Company mills in Burlington, North Carolina, and went on to become a celebrated ACTWU organizer. Often emotionally raw and unvarnished, Norma Rae’s struggle to build solidarity at the plant is both personal and political as she navigates the intersections of race, class, and gender, and bravely stands up for what she believes is right. The film culminates with the union election, delivering one of the most iconic and electrifying scenes of 1970s American working-class cinema. 

The film will be presented in English with English subtitles.

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 making a cash donation at the event or becoming a monthly donor via leopanitchschool.ca/donate.

Poster credit (for this and many of the previous wonderful FilmSocial posters): Benjamin Davis.

Accessibility Information
Eyesore Cinema’s screening room is on the main floor of a storefront. While there is stair-free access, the floor is uneven and may not be suitable for mobility devices. Washrooms are located in the basement of the store and are not wheelchair accessible.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@leopanitchschool.ca with any questions or concerns regarding accessibility at this event.

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

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. 

April 9, 2026

502 Bathurst Street, Toronto

Our friends at the Higher Education Working Group of the Socialist Project invite you to join us for their fourth organizing meeting! 

This month’s meeting will be focussed on aligning bargaining in the higher education sector, one of the key objectives that emerged from our solidarity pact exercise. We will have a couple of presentations, one from a local in our sector who has had success in aligning bargaining and one from further afield, speaking on both the process and challenges of aligning bargaining.

If you work at a college, university, or related workplace, we want to see you there! We’re once again asking everyone in attendance to send this invitation along to colleagues and make sure to bring at least one along with you to the meeting!


In solidarity, 

Socialist Project Higher Education Working Group