Amira Elghawaby Honoured with 2026 Jack Layton Progress Prize
The Broadbent Institute highlighted Elghawaby's commitment to prioritizing Muslim women, racialized communities, and youth. Her work has focused on combining advocacy with mentorship and public education to strengthen human rights and civic engagement.
In a ceremony marking leadership in social justice and community building, Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Jack Layton Progress Prize.
The award was presented by the Broadbent Institute during its annual Progress Summit in Ottawa on March 9.
The prize is awarded to individuals or organizations who have created a significant impact through a campaign or project that strengthens the progressive movement in Canada.
The Broadbent Institute cited Elghawaby’s "visionary leadership" in advancing an inclusive, intersectional Canadian society.
In her role as the country’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia—alongside her previous contributions to the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, and the Canadian Labour Congress—Elghawaby has been a prominent voice for marginalized communities.
A Legacy of Hope and Courage
In her acceptance of the award, Elghawaby drew a direct line between her work and the legacy of the late Jack Layton, the former NDP leader whose message of optimism remains a touchstone for many in the progressive movement.
"I looked up to Jack Layton—someone whose message of hope, solidarity, and collective courage shaped my understanding of what leadership can and should be," Elghawaby said. "To be recognized in his name, a name that galvanized this country and reminded us of what becomes possible when people unite for positive change, is deeply meaningful."
The recognition comes at a time of heightened tension. Elghawaby used her platform to address the rising tide of hate, describing Islamophobia as a "form of hate that remains socially acceptable in some quarters" and noting how it is often "turbocharged in times of war."
Resilience Amidst Adversity
The Broadbent Institute highlighted Elghawaby's commitment to prioritizing Muslim women, racialized communities, and youth.
Her work has focused on combining advocacy with mentorship and public education to strengthen human rights and civic engagement.
Despite her successes, her tenure has not been without significant personal and professional challenges.
Recent headlines have detailed the numerous threats Elghawaby has faced while carrying out her mandate.
Reflecting on these difficulties, she expressed profound gratitude to the Canadians who stood by her.
"While recent headlines have focused on how I refused to be silenced by many threats during my role—it was the love, solidarity, and commitment to justice shown by so many Canadians that gave me the strength to keep going," she shared.
Strengthening Institutions
The Jack Layton Progress Prize is intended to celebrate those who leave institutions stronger and communities more empowered.
Jennifer Hassum, Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute, praised Elghawaby for her ability to foster intercommunity understanding and champion equity in both policy and practice.
Elghawaby extended her thanks to Hassum and the entire Broadbent team "for their critical work advancing justice and equality in our country."
The 2026 awards also recognized other major contributors to Canadian thought and policy.
Andrew Jackson, the former Chief Economist of the Canadian Labour Congress, was awarded the Charles Taylor Prize for Excellence in Policy Research for his decades of influence on the labour movement.
Additionally, Bhaskar Sunkara, the founding editor of Jacobin, was named the 2026 Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize recipient and will deliver a lecture on the socialist movement later this April in Toronto.
For many attendees at the Progress Summit, the evening was a reminder of the importance of persistent advocacy.
In honoring Elghawaby, the Broadbent Institute signaled that the fight against hate is not just a defensive struggle, but a proactive effort to build the "collective courage" that Jack Layton once championed.
As Elghawaby concluded, it is the unity of people for positive change that remains Canada's greatest strength in navigating a complex and often divided political landscape.