"We propose to provide work and purchasing power for those now unemployed by a far-reaching programme of public expenditure on housing, slum clearance, hospitals, libraries, schools, community halls, parks, recreational projects, reforestation, rural electrification, the elimination of grade crossings, and other similar projects in both town and country."
So states the Regina Manifesto, the 1933 founding program of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, precursor to the NDP.
The founders of the CCF-NDP understood that the market and capitalism could not provide for the needs of working people and the poor. They understood that far-reaching measures would be necessary to alleviate and ultimately eliminate those conditions.
They also held a profound confidence that their ideas and their plan would draw widespread support to them.
Indeed they were correct. Within two years the CCF had seven seats in parliament. By the end of World War Two the CCF had 28 seats and was the government of Saskatchewan.
What was understood was that to be relevant the left had to take up the pressing concerns faced by working people today. And it had to do so not only in words but in deeds.
The CCF played an important role in the Oshawa General Motors strike in 1937. The CCF spoke out in Parliament in support of the On To Ottawa Trek which was key to winning Unemployment Insurance in Canada.
But beyond just immediate issues, the left has to has to tie this struggle to a vision for the future. The Regina Manifesto concludes with these words:
"Emergency measures, however, are of only temporary value, for the present depression is a sign of the mortal sickness of the whole capitalist system, and this sickness cannot be cured by the application of salves. These leave untouched the cancer which is eating at the heart of our society, namely, the economic system in which our natural resources and our principal means of production and distribution are owned, controlled and operated for the private profit of a small proportion of our population.
"No C.C.F. Government will rest content until it has eradicated capitalism and put into operation the full programme of socialized planning which will lead to the establishment in Canada of the Co-operative Commonwealth."
If we want to rebuild the left in this country today we need to connect a broader vision with the struggles of today.
Below is an action programme which seeks to contribute to that process of rebuilding. It has already been endorsed by several organizations and individuals within the labour, student and anti-poverty movement.
It will be by taking up the demands and needs of working people - not through pollsters and spin doctors - that workers see the relevance of a socialist left in Canada.
IT'S TIME FOR ACTION TO DEFEND JOBS AND SERVICES
Federal cash transfers to the provinces have been cut 33% since the Canada Health and Social Transfer was implemented in 1996. Across the country, everything from food inspection to hospital food services is being privatized, while emergency rooms are packed and patients wait months for life-saving medical treatment. Save our healthcare and education. Tax the corporations.
In 1989, 74 per cent of unemployed Canadian workers were eligible to receive Employment Insurance benefits. Today, that figure has dropped to 36 per cent, and in some areas even less. Both the amount of EI payments and the length of time the unemployed get them have been sharply reduced, so the feds can pay interest to greedy bankers. Last year, $6.1 billion of the federal surplus came from EI. The Canadian Labour Congress estimates that this is almost enough to reverse all the cuts made by Tories and Liberals over the past eight years. We want EI restored -- that money doesn't belong to Chrétien and Martin, it belongs to working people.
Corporations are lining up to make huge profits as governments downsize services -- in education, healthcare and other programs. This means two-tiered services: one for the rich, and one for the poor. Working people fought for social programs for need, not profit. Public sector workers are fighting to maintain those programs. Workers everywhere have an interest in supporting their fight. Keep our hospitals and schools open, keep profits out.
Thousands are sleeping rough in the streets in what is supposed to be the best country in the world in which to live. In Toronto, at least one person every week dies from homeless related causes. If governments in Canada devoted just one per cent of their budgets to providing shelter and affordable housing for the homeless and the poor, the housing crisis would be solved.
The right to strike to defend jobs and conditions is under attack by employers and governments. Working people have fought hard for what we have -- bosses want to pit the unemployed against the employed, to divide and conquer. Enforce and extend anti-scab laws, provincially and federally.
When a court finds gross wage discrimination in the federal public sector, the feds say they won't pay. We demand the Liberals pay up. That money belongs to women workers, not to Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin. Pay employment equity now!
Downsizing means fewer workers working longer hours, destroying livelihoods and driving those left working to the limit of their physical abilities. By cutting the average work week, with no loss of pay, unemployment could be reduced dramatically. Make the bosses pay. We create the profits for them -- we need more jobs, fewer hours, and a chance at a life outside of work.
Governments have doled out millions in tax breaks and grants to companies for years. Yet when workers face the loss of their livelihoods, the Liberals say nothing can be done. Something must be done. When companies threaten to close, workers should occupy and demand that they be nationalized.
The Action Programme has been endorsed so far by the following groups and individuals:
Ontario Public Interest Research Group - Toronto € York University Public Interest Research Group € York University Women's Centre € Victoria Labour Council € Toronto Health Coalition € Canadian Federation of Students € Canadian Federation of Students - Quebec € Ryerson Students Administrative Council € Student Union of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design € Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Nova Local € Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 3902 € Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1281 € United Families of Cape Breton € United Steelworkers of America Local 8300 € Women Working with Immigrant Women € Toronto Action for Social Change € March 8th Coalition, Toronto € Development Education Centre (Toronto) € Windsor House Alternative School (Vancouver) € Seaton House Shop Stewards Defence Committee (Toronto) € We're No Angels Coalition € Y Out of Workfare Coalition € Dave Bleakney, National Union Representative, Canadian Union of Postal Workers € Lori MacLean, shop steward, Toronto Station E € Mike Skinner, shop steward, Toronto Station E € Debbie Caillier, CUPW member € Dan Gressel, striking BC projectionist (IATSE) € Prof. Reuben Hasson, Osgoode Hall Law School € Joel Harden, Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students--Ontario € Marki Sellers, Simon Fraser Student Society Executive € Ryan Mijker, Simon Fraser Student Society Executive € Frances Brown, Staff Representative, North Vancouver Teachers' Association € Nathan Allen, Coordinator for Extermal Affairs, UBC Alma Mater Society € Taliesen Smith, Chief Steward, CUPE Local 3338 € John Henry Harter, Coordinator, Teaching Support Staff Union, Simon Fraser University € Michelle Bogdan, Steward, CUPE Local 2396
If you agree with the following statement, send in your name to be added to the list of endorsers. Have your union or community organization pass a motion endorsing this statement, and we will add their name as well.
Whereas the number of job losses is rising at an alarming rate;
Whereas there has been a steep decline in social services such as healthcare, education, unemployment insurance and welfare;
Whereas the Chrétien Liberals have robbed the unemployed of their insurance fund while laying off tens of thousands of public sector workers;
Whereas we believe that once again working people will pay the price for market madness through increased unemployment, factory closures and reduced welfare services.
We therefore support an Action Programme to defend jobs and services.
We support the following demands:
We call on union leaders to organise national and local demonstrations against job losses. We further undertake to distribute this Action Programme among our members.
Mail in endorsations and, if possible donations (payable to "Action Programme") to Action Programme, 427 Bloor St. West, #10, Toronto M5S 1X7.