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Nov 26, 2025 - FilmSocial: The Time that Remains

When: Wednesday November 26th, 6:45pm
Where: Eyesore Cinema, 1176 Bloor St W.
Free/PWYC

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is very pleased to present The Time that Remains (2009) as the next film in the FilmSocial series of socialist film screenings.

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Nov 12, 2025 - Booklaunch: Lessons from the Zapatistas

When: Wednesday Nov 12th, 7pm

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is proud to host Lia Pinheiro Barbosa and Peter Rosset for the online launch of their new book Lessons from the Zapatistas: From Armed Insurgency to People's Autonomy.

Lessons from the Zapatistas is essential reading for anyone interested in liberation, democracy and radical social transformation. It tells the story of the Zapatista insurgency, including the contemporary breadth and depth of their territorial autonomy, tracing how an Indigenous uprising burst forth from southern Mexico's Lacandon Jungle to stage the 21st century's first and most electrifying example of autonomy in action.

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Oct 29, 2025 - FilmSocial: Wall Street

When: Wednesday October 29th, 6:45pm
Where: Eyesore Cinema, 1176 Bloor St W.
Free/PWYC

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is excited to present Wall Street (1987) as the final installment in our special series of film screenings on the topic of money.

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Oct 27, 2025 - Booklaunch: We’re Coming for You and Your Rotten System

When: Monday, October 27th, 7pm
Where: Octopus Books, Ottawa

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is honoured to welcome longtime organizer Jonathan Rosenblum to Hamilton for the launch of his brand new book We're Coming for You and Your Rotten System!

From inside Kshama Sawant's historic tenure in Seattle City Hall comes a blueprint for twenty-first-century socialists, a counterpoint to the common strategies of mainstream progressives today.

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Oct 25, 2025 - Booklaunch: We’re Coming for You and Your Rotten System

When: Saturday, October 25th, 7pm
Where: Friends House, 60 Lowther Ave

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is honoured to welcome longtime organizer Jonathan Rosenblum to Hamilton for the launch of his brand new book We're Coming for You and Your Rotten System!

From inside Kshama Sawant's historic tenure in Seattle City Hall comes a blueprint for twenty-first-century socialists, a counterpoint to the common strategies of mainstream progressives today.

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Oct 25, 2025 - [Hamilton] We’re Coming for You and Your Rotten System

When: Saturday, October 25th, 1pm
Where: Solidarity Place, Hamilton

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is honoured to welcome longtime organizer Jonathan Rosenblum to Hamilton for the launch of his brand new book We're Coming for You and Your Rotten System!

From inside Kshama Sawant's historic tenure in Seattle City Hall comes a blueprint for twenty-first-century socialists, a counterpoint to the common strategies of mainstream progressives today.

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Oct 19, 2025 - Leo Panitch School Fundraising Party

When: Sunday, October 19th, 4pm
Where: College Street United Church, 452 College St
Tickets: PWYC $0-30. No one turned away for lack of funds.

The Leo Panitch School warmly invites you to our very first annual fundraising party. Gather together with us as we celebrate three years of providing community-based socialist education!

All are welcome at this family-friendly event featuring live music, delicious food, raffles, prizes, activities for the kids, and much more! Make sure to bring along cash as there will also be beverages, merchandise, and plenty of books on offer. All proceeds of the afternoon will go directly to providing working-class educational opportunities here in Toronto and beyond.

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Sep 24, 2025 - FilmSocial: Force of Evil

When: Wednesday September 24th, 6:45pm
Where: Eyesore Cinema, 1176 Bloor St W.
Free/PWYC

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is very pleased to present Force of Evil (1948) as the second installment in our special series of film screenings on the topic of money.

Featuring powerhouse performances from Beatrice Pearson and John Garfield, Force of Evil is a masterpiece of American film and is often considered the high point of the film-noir genre. The film was the last contribution from director Abraham Polonsky before he was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee and subsequently blacklisted by the industry for his refusal to divulge the names of fellow Communist Party members.

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Sep 8, 2025 - Fighting To Win

When: Monday September 8th, 6pm

A Ten-Week Course for Union and Community Activists Facilitated by John Clarke, former organizer with the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP).

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. 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.

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. The course will move towards a discussion of how our movements can overcome the factors that hold them back and to fight to win!

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Aug 27, 2025 - FilmSocial: L'Argent

When: Wednesday August 27th, 6:45pm
Where: Eyesore Cinema, 1176 Bloor St W.
Free/PWYC

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is very pleased to present L'Argent (1983) as the first installment in our special series of film screenings on the topic of money.

A forged 500-franc note is cynically passed from person to person and shop to shop, until it falls into the hands of a genuine innocent who doesn't see it for what it is - which will have devastating consequences on his life, causing him to turn to crime and murder...

Partially inspired by the writings of Leo Tolstoy, L'Argent represents the last film made by acclaimed French director Robert Bresson. Often considered a masterpiece, the film is a sweeping exploration of the destructive power of money.

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Aug 25, 2025 - Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution

When: August 25th, 7pm
Where: Friends House, 60 Lowther St.

It has been 26 years since Hugo Chavez first assumed the presidency of Venezuela in 1999. Since then, Venezuela has gone through enormous ups and downs, and mostly downs since Nicolas Maduro took over from Chavez following his death in 2013.

Given Venezuela's current challenging situation, what lessons can be drawn from the Bolivarian Revolution for future revolutionary projects? And what is the meaning of the Bolivarian project in the larger context of Latin American politics in the 21st century more generally? What do these lessons mean for socialist organizing and activism today?

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is honoured to be hosting Gregory Wilpert, author and longtime journalist covering Venezuela, for a special talk and discussion to explore these questions and more.

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Jul 18, 2025 - 100 Years of Working Class Life

When: Friday July 18th, 7pm
Where: 31 Wellesley St E

Between 1917 and 1936 the Governments of Ontario and Canada produced hundreds of films on various subjects like farming techniques, industrial technology, vacations for the wealthy and "appropriate" workplace behaviour, among others. The Ontario Motion Picture Bureau, (OMPB) made educational films for "farmers, school children, factory workers and other classes". The Canadian Government Motion Picture Bureau, (CGMPB) advertised "Canada's scenic attractions, agricultural resources and industrial development."

Today these films provide a rare glimpse at how work, industry, gender, and class was understood and promoted by the state over 100 years ago. The narratives in the films avoided overt discussions of politics. Unions are invisible in these films, though they feature industries where unions were militant and active. Similarly, protests of any kind do not appear, yet in their absence, they have much to say about workplace struggle.

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Jul 14, 2025 - Witnessing and Resisting

When: July 14th, 7pm

Amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza and continued Israeli attacks across the region, much of the world's attention has been diverted away from the worsening situation in the West Bank. Palestinians across the West Bank have experienced increased violence, demolitions, and displacement from settlers and Israeli Occupation Forces.

Toronto-based activist Anna Lippman has recently returned from spending three months on the front lines of settler and State violence in Masafer Yatta, or the South Hebron Hills, in the occupied West Bank. Made famous by the Academy Award winning film, No Other Land, Anna witnessed the steadfastness of these communities firsthand. Hear about the experience of living with a small farming community, engaging in daily life, and coming face to face with soldiers, police, border security, and extremist settlers. In her three months, Anna was arrested once, detained over ten times, witness to three arsons, and was a victim of six violent attacks by settler youth.

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Jun 27, 2025 - Booklaunch: Health and Health Care Inequities

When: Friday June 27th, 7pm
Where: Friends House, 60 Lowther Ave

Hosted by Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education - The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education hosts the Toronto book launch of Health and Healthcare Inequities by author and healthcare worker Arnel Borras, covering the interplay between power dynamics, policy advocacy, evidence-based research, and political economy in health care. Discussion panel will feature health care organizers and labour experts.

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May 28, 2025 - FilmSocial: La Tierra Prometida

When: Wednesday May 28th, 7pm
Where: Eyesore Cinema, 1176 Bloor St W.
Free/PWYC

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is very pleased to present La Tierra Prometida (The Promised Land) as the latest installment in the ongoing FilmSocial series.

During the Great Depression, Chile was one of the countries that was hit the hardest. It was a turbulent period marked by political instability, social unrest, and internal political tensions. The Promised Land follows a group of dispossessed peasants who want a better future so they band together to form a commune in the Chilean countryside. One day the commune gets the news that there has been a socialist revolution in the capital and they decide to join in the fight.

With La Tierra Prometida, famed South American director, screenwriter, film producer and novelist Miguel Littin made one of the most revolutionary films to tackle the socialist struggle in Chile. Mirroring the events of the film, production was interrupted due to the military coup in 1973. Filming was finished in Cuba and Littin was exiled to Mexico.

Content Warning: The film features depictions of violence, including sexual violence. While FilmSocial is always open to all, potential attendees are encouraged to consider the content of the film before registering themselves or family members.

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Apr 24, 2025 - Trump’s Tariffs: Building a Working-Class Response

When: Thursday April 24th, 7pm
Where: College Street United Church, 502 Bathurst St

US President Trump's tariffs and trade policies represent a fundamental attack on Canadian working people. In our workplaces and communities,we are faced with layoffs, intensified attacks on social programs and rights, job security and potentially deep economic recession.

Given Canada's integration and trade dependence with the US, working class, left, and environmental organizations have to find ways to debate collective strategies, share our analyses, defend working people, and build a challenge to business and business-oriented governments.

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Apr 11, 2025 - Book launch: Against the Crisis

When: April 11th, 7pm
Where: CSI, 720 Bathurst St.

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is honoured to welcome Ståle Holgersen for the Toronto launch of his new book Against the Crisis: Economy and Ecology in a Burning World!

If crisis defines our era, we need a coherent socialist policy in response. Today's economic and ecological crises are not exceptions to an otherwise functioning system but integral to its operation. It is naive to see these upheavals as opportunities for reform or revolution. They are the bedrock of the status quo. Fortunately, the vicious circle sustaining capitalism is not founded on an iron law. Our historical mission in the face of the climate crisis is to create a historical exception to the rule. It is time for ecosocialism against crisis.

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Apr 6, 2025 - Introduction to Socialism

When: April 6 to June 1

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.

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Apr 5, 2025 - Online edition: Fighting to Win

Fighting to Win: Social Struggles, Containment, and Effective Resistance (online edition)

Fighting to Win is a 12-week course with former OCAP organizer John Clarke, hosted by the Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education.

This edition of the course will be taking place exclusively online via Zoom. Those based in Toronto, Canada, are invited to join us for the next in-person edition of the course later in 2025.

The course will begin in April 2025 and will take place over 12 weeks on Saturdays at Noon (EST/EDT).

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Apr 3, 2025 - Book launch: Interrupting Innovation

When: April 3rd, 5:30pm
Where: 288 Church St, 7th floor

Join the co-editors Melanie Panitch, Samantha Webhi and Jessica Machado for the launch of Interrupting Innovation: Centring the Social. This launch will be facilitated by the executive director of the Centre for Social Innovation, Dr. Eliza Chandler. It will feature remarks from the dean of community services Kiaras Gharabaghi.

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Mar 19, 2025 - FilmSocial: Kneecap

When: Wednesday, March 19th, 6:45pm
Where: Eyesore Cinema, 1176 Bloor St W.

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is very pleased to present the award-winning movie KNEECAP as the latest installment in the ongoing FilmSocial series.

In keeping with the work of the Leo Panitch School, this film is a riveting political story of the fight for Indigenous language rights, for justice and against occupation. It is also a hilarious, satirical commentary on life today in the North of Ireland, which the movie captures quite brilliantly.

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Mar 1, 2025 - CONTROL AT WORK in the Age of AI

When: Saturday, March 1st, 7:15pm
Where: Trinity St. Paul's United Church, 427 Bloor St W

You are warmly invited to join us for the 2025 edition of the Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education's annual winter lecture! We are overjoyed to be welcoming Nicole Aschoff to deliver this year's lecture. This event marks the third edition of the school's annual winter lecture, held in the memory of the late Leo Panitch.

Artificial intelligence will bring the final destruction of good jobs. Soon all jobs will be subject to elimination or degradation! Or so we are told. This technologically determinist vision, while pervasive, ignores the power of working people to shape the future.

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Feb 18, 2025 - Book launch: Against the People

When: Tuesday February 18th, 7pm
Where: CSI Annex, 720 Bathurst St

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is thrilled to host the official launch of the new book Against the People: How Ford Nation is Dismantling Ontario, with editors Bryan Evans and Carlo Fanelli.

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.

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Jan 22, 2025 - FilmSocial Presents: Sweet Country

When: Wednesday, January 22nd, 7pm
Where: Eyesore Cinema, 1176 Bloor St

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 instalment in 2025 of the ongoing FilmSocial series of film screenings.

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Jan 14, 2025 - Book launch: Climate Change is a Class Issue

When: January 14th, 6pm

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is honoured to host Sarah Glynn and John Clarke to launch their book Climate Change is a Class Issue as the first installment in the school's brand new webinar series!

This book is addressed, primarily, to a working-class audience because most books on climate change ignore working-class concerns; because the working class will be affected first and worst, despite being least responsible; and because the people most responsible for climate change are too vested in the current system to countenance significant disruption, while the combined power of the working class is the force that can bring the world to its senses.

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Sep 3, 2024 - Municipal Politics, Socialist Strategy

When: September 3rd, 7pm (doors open 6:30pm)
Where: CSI Annex, 720 Bathurst St

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is pleased to be presenting "Transforming the City," a discussion of municipal politics, socialist strategy, and organizing to win.

From unprecedented Palestine solidarity actions and struggles against police violence to massive climate strikes and marches against healthcare privatization, recent years have seen a growing number of people taking to the streets, causing Toronto to re-emerge as a site of popular struggle.

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