Upcoming courses and events

January 22, 2025

To be announced

Stay tuned for the announcement of the latest edition of our flagship “Introduction to Socialism” course!

January 6, 2025

Toronto – Venue TBA

Unions and social movements today are operating in a very challenging situation. There is great economic uncertainty, the worsening impact of climate change and a global situation marked by the growing threat of conflict and war. Right-wing forces are increasing in strength, with Trump taking power in the US and Poilievre poised to do so in Canada. When workers strike or communities under attack take to the streets, it seems that victories are much much harder to win and past gains more difficult to defend.

It’s in light of these developments that the Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is thrilled to announce the Winter 2025 edition of the Fighting to Win course!

This course will grapple with these questions by looking at the forms of exploitation and oppression that exist in society and the means by which the power structure acts to limit and contain our struggles. It will consider the political perspectives, strategies and forms of organization we need to fight to win in the present context. This is not a ‘how to organize’ course, as important as these are. It is intended for activists who realize that the methods of struggle that were developed at an earlier time need to give way to more powerful and effective forms of social resistance.

Instead of lengthy lectures, each session will involve in-depth and participatory group discussions of the issues under consideration. The knowledge and lived experiences of those participating will be a vital part of the course. This will be true both for longtime organizers and for those just now dipping their toes in the world of activism.
 
The sessions will run on Monday evenings from 6.00-8.00 PM, between January 6 and March 31, in the Chester-Danforth area of Toronto. The course will be in person, though other participation options may be available for those who have to miss sessions or are otherwise unable to make it. Light snacks will be provided. The facility has a scent-free policy and is accessible via stairlift.

To allow for broader participation, the course is being offered free of charge for all participants. However, donations from those who can afford to contribute will be gratefully accepted.

January 22, 2025

Eyesore Cinema, Toronto ON

Set in the sparsely populated outback of Australia’s Northern Territory, Sweet Country explores the tension between European settlers and indigenous people in the period between the two world wars. Based on true events, the film follows the story of Sam Kelly, an aboriginal farm worker who is accused of murdering a white settler and WW1 veteran. Sam is forced to go on the run from a legal and judicial system almost certainly stacked against him. 

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is very pleased to be presenting Sweet Country as the first installment in 2025 of the ongoing FilmSocial series of film screenings. 

Starring Hamilton Morris and Sam Neill, Sweet Country represents a remarkable achievement on the part of award winning director Warwick Thornton. While both starkly harsh and keenly sensitive, the film portrays the kind of “frontier” society divided along strict racial and class lines found all over the former British Empire. 

The film will be followed by a short presentation and general discussion on the politics and implications of the film’s subject today. 


Accessibility Information

Eyesore Cinema’s screening room is on the main floor of a video store on Bloor St. While there is stair-free access, the floor is uneven in places and may not be suitable for mobility devices. Washrooms are located in the basement of the store and are not wheelchair accessible. 

Wearing a face mask is encouraged at Leo Panitch School events.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@leopanitchschool.ca with any questions or concerns regarding accessibility at this event. We will always try our best to accommodate the needs of anyone in attendance. 

February 18, 2025

Centre for Social Innovation – Annex, Toronto ON

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is thrilled to announce the official launch of the new book Against the People: How Ford Nation is Dismantling Ontario!


The election of the Doug Ford–led Progressive Conservatives unleashed an aggressive and undisguised market fundamentalism. Ford’s government has taken the assault against the social welfare state, labour and environmental protections to new and unprecedented heights. Maintaining a permanent era of austerity has not only steadily reduced the public sector as a proportion of the provincial economy but has also reduced the social protections available to Ontarians.

Against the People is the first book of its kind to provide an in-depth look into the devastating policies of the Ford government across a wide range of public policy issues: from health care, municipal, education and judicial restructuring, to economics, arts, labour, environmental, housing and Indigenous lands. Written by on-the-ground experts and focused on the Progressive Conservatives since coming to power in 2018, this book showcases the politics of dismantling a province.
The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is pleased to be hosting this launch event with the support of the book’s publisher, Fernwood Publishing, and the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University. 


When – 18 February – 7pm 
Where – Centre for Social Innovation – Annex, 720 Bathurst St. Toronto 
How – Register for free via tickettailor 


Featuring the book’s editors:

Bryan Evans is a professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, Toronto Metropolitan University, and is a member of the Steering Committee for the Ontario office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. His research focuses on political economy and public policy.

Carlo Fanelli is an associate professor of Work and Labour Studies, York University. He is the author of Megacity Malaise: Neoliberalism, Labour and Public Services in Toronto, co-author of From Consent to Coercion: The Continuing Assault Against Labour, and editor of Alternate Routes: A Journal of Critical Social Research.

Also featuring the following authors to speak to the issues raised in their respective chapters: 
Chris Chandler – Schools for Sale
Katherine Nastovski – Unequal Ontario
 William Paul – Riding the Gravy Train
Venai Raniga – Manufacturing a Fiscal Crisis
Maria Rio – Why Are People in Ontario Hungry?
Mark Winfield – Locking in Unsustainable Development


As an upcoming provincial election grows nearer, we hope you’ll join us to discuss this remarkably timely and important book!



Accessibility
The event space at the Centre for Social Innovation – Annex is on the first floor of the building, down a short flight of stairs at the south entrance. Wheelchair/level access can be found via a small lift directly inside the main doors. Further accessibility information can be found here. If you have any concerns regarding accessibility at this event, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

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