Boots Riley takes on Solidarity wins for salt racism and capitalism miners in Goderich page 7 page 2

$2 | No 607 | August 2018 | socialist.ca Cuts fuel climate crisis Wildfires are raging in populated areas from to Greece.

he Liberal government in Ot- schools and public housing. These in the UK, Finland, France, Sweden rehired more than 4000 frefghters cess of addressing climate change. It tawa, one touted as a “climate program cuts are likely to cost the and Denmark. Japan and the Koreas who were cut in 2011 due to austerity was the aggressive work of capital- leader” has once again taken a province tens of millions of dollars have hit new records resulting in more programs imposed by the troika. ists, politicians and the media who Tstep backward when it comes but Ford doesn’t care as long as he than 100 deaths. The National Ocean- The New York Times Magazine has pushed the narrative that the needs to reducing carbon dioxide - gets to ‘put environmentalists in their ic and Atmospheric survey in the US devoted an entire issue this month to of business should trump all other sions. The already inadequate carbon place’. says that 41 heat records have been set the subject of climate change. The considerations. pricing scheme has been changed to All this while the world is fac- this last month. thrust of the article titled “Losing These aren’t natural disasters. They lower carbon pricing requirements ing unprecedented heat waves and Deaths from wildfres have also Earth: the decade we almost stopped are the product of a system that val- from industry. This, after meetings wildfres. Hundreds have died from spiked, with record dry and heat climate change” is that we had a ues profts above all else, even if that with big oil and related businesses Canada to Japan to the Middle East starting fres in populated areas from chance to tackle climate change in means we will watch the planet burn who always have a veto on any en- while temperature records have been Ontario to Greece. the late 80s, when there seemed to while politicians spend their time vironmental programs under pipeline smashed. Lets look at some numbers. The neoliberal economic model be a broad consensus that the climate worrying about oil company profts. builder Trudeau. Ouargla, Algeria set the record for makes things even worse. In Greece, was warming and humans were to But there is hope. Indigenous-led Meanwhile, ’s new Tory the highest temperature with a mark wildfres have burned before – but the blame. The article then argues that it protests against the Trans Mountain government in Ontario is cutting all of 51.3 C this summer, Montreal hit scale of the disaster this year is differ- was our individual greed that stopped pipeline in BC show that a real mil- the green programs it can fnd. They a record high of 36.6 C in July and ent precisely because of the neoliber- the process from going forward. This itant movement can oppose our po- have cut green energy programs 70 people have died from the heat. al austerity imposed on the country. is absurd. It wasn’t the actions of the litical leaders and point a way to the which provided retrofts for homes, Across Europe records have been set The Greek government has still not masses of people that slowed the pro- fossil-free future we urgently need. SALT OF THE EARTH Transport capitalism: Victory in Goderich by John Bell

After nearly 3 months on strike, workers at profits over safety the Compass Minerals salt mine in Goderich, Ontario, had reached their limit. by Kevin Taghabon spending exorbitant amounts of money to fy or (STC) was a crown corporation which provided The members of Unifor Local 16-O were drive is adds to the danger. transportation services (buses as well as freight) sick of seeing scab workers–many recruited On July 9, Greyhound Canada announced that Justin Trudeau ran on a platform of for 70 years. In 2017 the right-wing Saskatchewan and flown in from as far away as New Bruns- it would end all bus services running for all reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, yet there Party under Premier Scott Moe announced it wick–bused across their picket lines. Compass prairie provinces. There will be no service does not seem to be political will for it when push would sell the public asset for parts. Dismantling wanted to institute forced overtime and 12 hour in Northern Ontario beyond Sudbury. This comes to shove. The Liberals seem to be hoping this service has similarly left many communities shifts. Union organizers pointed to Compass’s is in addition to canceling all internal routes that private providers fll the void. isolated in Saskatchewan. The STC serviced Louisiana operation, where 60 and even 72-hour in BC. This will cost over 400 drivers and 700 communities across the province, dozens work weeks were the norm. Compass bosses maintenance workers their jobs, and could The NDP’s half-hearted response of times more service than the private providers were refusing to return to the bargaining table. cost more Indigenous women their lives. What is disappointing is the NDP’s response: which now operate in Saskatchewan. It became clear that the goal was to break the For Greyhound vice-president Stuart more money for the proft-driven company. This idea is not relegated only to Saskatchewan. power of the union. Kendrick he issue is simple: “the routes in Federal leader Jagmeet Singh penned a letter In 2012 BC’s Missing Women Commission The salt mine, on the shore of Lake Huron, rural parts of Canada — specifcally Western to Trudeau advocating that Greyhound should recommended that new services should be set up is the biggest in the world. After 3 months on Canada — are just not sustainable anymore.” simply be bailed out with public funds. The to transport people between communities. One strike the entire, close-knit community was The obvious question that most are not asking NDP’s transportation minister Robert Aubin is of these now operates at $5 for a three hour trip suffering. So when workers decided to barri- is: why is this so? Why does the proft margin of cade the mine entrance with wooden pallets, a private charter bus company dictate the ability a big contingent came out in solidarity. Miners’ of 2 million people to travel affordably between families, Unifor leaders, and members of the communities in Canada? Why does a country this community rallied and successfully stopped the wealthy leave the well-being of its people to the bus carrying scabs. Scabs that were at work whims of capitalists? And why is “sustainability” inside had to march out through a gauntlet of defned by corporate proft margins, not people’s shame, past the jeers and insults of the people lives? whose jobs they tried to steal. Compass went to Ontario Superior Court and Missing and Murdered got an injunction that the barricades had to be Indigenous Women removed. The workers complied, but called for Greyhound pulled out the rug from these people a community party and barbeque outside the in the middle of the night. No government was gates to the mine. The turnout was huge. As the consulted. The alarming decision was denounced Unifor members dismantled their barricades, by the Native Women’s Association of Canada, local people casually parked heavy farm equip- which said, “lack of safe transportation in and Nationalize Greyhound: put people before profit ment in the way. out of communities creates more vulnerability The final straw must have been when workers for Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse toeing the same line, as well as Alberta NDP through BC’s infamously dangerous Highway on lake freighters refused to handle the scab- people by encouraging travelers to resort to less Premier Rachel Notley. This betrays the NDP’s of Tears. Ontario also once operated a public mined salt. safe means of transportation such as hitchhiking lack of political consistency and principle as well. transportation company, TTC’s Gray Coach Compass returned to the bargaining table and or walking unsafe highways...it will exacerbate Kinder Morgan is an easy villain, and an easy Lines, but deregulation killed it. an agreement was soon reached. the epidemic of missing and murdered bailout to oppose. There are solutions to this because buses In the end the workers ratified a 3-year Indigenous women and girls.” We have seen already – repeatedly with and roads are nothing new. The limitations are contract that turned back attempts to impose Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly Bombardier, and the big auto-makers – that imposed only by the narrow imagination of our concessions on pensions and benefits, and won of Manitoba Chiefs lamented, “it is already looting public funds to give companies a boost is governments. The project could be an actual step pay raises of 2.5%, 2.5% and 3%. The company well documented that our citizens have to ride nothing but welfare for corporations. Remember, towards a just transition to an environmentally won some rights to change work schedules the bus for hours, some longer than 14 hours, in GM and Chrysler were bailed out, at a cost of sustainable economy. The creation of a federal and assignments, but the mandatory overtime order to see a doctor. How will they get access to $3.5 billion dollars of public funds. or provincial project to put people to work and demand was scrapped. adequate health care now?” Universal healthcare refurbish or replace the existing vehicles would Although a majority voted to accept the deal is a joke if the society around it makes healthcare The road to just transition be a boon for employment. It would, however, not everyone was satisfied with it, and there inaccessible. Another response would be to nationalize require a concerted effort to alienate capitalists remains a lot of anger towards a ruthless com- The cuts are highly racialized and gendered. Greyhound or at least set up an alternative in the name of public service—something pany that clearly wants to bust the union. The Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the most crown corporation. This would ensure that all that the current government, and even the victory and tremendous solidarity, from other dangerous provinces in the country for communities are not isolated by the next favour- NDP, is unwilling to do. Pressure must come Unifor workers, from other unions and especially Indigenous women. Forcing them to choose of-the-month capitalist transport service. from below if our society is to make a real, from the community, shows that corporations between being stranded, riding with strangers, or The Saskatchewan Transportation Company sustainable choice. like Compass can be beaten. Quebec: a 2018 election primer by Chantal Sundaram scious generation and a new bar for ter, and fnally a leader who was the a historic low. The poll showed a With 3 seats in the National As- resistance, from public schools and most notorious anti-union boss in the stark split between the francophone sembly, QS is polling at 9-11%, and On October 1, the people of Quebec affordable daycare to successful province. They continue to sink in the vote, dominated by the CAQ with slightly higher in the 18-34 year-old will face the same dismal choice at fghts against fracking and the Energy polls in the lead-up to this election. 48% (23% for the Liberals) and the range. The party does not have a lead- the polls as across the global North. East pipeline, a mass movement for a non-francophone vote, dominated by er, but rather two co-spokespeople, A liberal centre not worth saving, $15 minimum wage, and a rebellion Enter the CAQ the Liberals at 68% - the CAQ only Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois and Manon except out of desperation and fear of by doctors and nurses against cuts. The CAQ, founded in 2011 by scored 8% among non-francophones. Massé – a well-known social justice the right. A right that is capturing the The competing political reality in business mogul Charles Sirois and The CAQ has also shown its true activist who will represent QS in the discontent and channeling it towards Quebec is the attempt to divert this former Air Transat CEO François colours on class issues, including ed- leaders’ debate on September 13. scapegoating and more austerity. And anger towards Islamophobia and rac- Legault, the party’s leader, currently ucation – calling for a two-tiered uni- QS has pledged to “do politics dif- a left that hasn’t been able to capture ist scapegoating of asylum seekers. holds 22 seats to the Liberals’ 70 versity system to allow universities ferently,” with a grassroots campaign that anger enough to keep the right While this is hardly unique, it took a and the PQ’s 30. A mix of Quebec with international infuence to charge based on a radical program. This is a out of government. turn with the Parti Québécois’ Charter nationalists and Canadian federalists, higher tuition fees. great strength. But without the history In Quebec, the relatively new Coa- of Values: a cynical appeal to an ex- what unites them is that whatever It was within living memory that and roots of parties like the UK La- lition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) is play- plicitly racist notion of Quebec identi- Quebec’s status, it will belong to the Québécois were deemed unwor- bour Party it can be diffcult to com- ing a fake populist card but actually ty. The CAQ followed suit, but so did Quebec’s 1% and will embrace an thy of quality public education in their pete with mainstream party machines aims to gain power by stoking bigotry. the Liberals with a law denying public ethnocentric identity. They opposed own language and accessible to work- for actual votes. A decaying economic and political services to Muslim women who wear the student strike and support the ing class people. It will be a travesty There is another weak link: the system is causing extreme reactions to the niqab. Charter of Values. to see a party that stands for further lack of clear, mass resistance to Is- the traditional centre. But while they This has benefted both mainstream The ruling Liberals represent a 15- dismantling of post-secondary edu- lamophobia and anti-immigrant sen- are playing out in Quebec in familiar racism and the far right. Quebec’s year history of neoliberal devastation cation and other public institutions timent. This is not unique to Quebec: ways, there are some differences. virulently anti-Muslim and anti-im- and austerity. While they paid lip-ser- elected by appealing to any kind of in Europe this has allowed racist and Two events dominate Quebec’s migrant movement, La Meute, (“the vice to opposing the Charter, they not Québécois pride, let alone one that openly fascist forces to make elector- political landscape: the 2012 student Pack”), has expanded beyond street only introduced the anti-niqab law but equates it with a racist identity. al gains and mobilize masses in the strike that inspired the left, and the thuggery to a manifesto aimed at at- failed to implement a promised inqui- streets. For the left to make break- introduction of racist legislation that tracting that mainstream racism. They ry into systemic racism in Quebec and What is the alternative? throughs it must specifcally tackle fed the right. almost ran candidates in this election. introduced an “anti-terror” hotline. Québec solidaire (QS) has sought for the hold of racism. Quebec saw the single most sus- After momentarily benefting The CAQ is benefting from this. A 12 years to capture the imagination of Building an alternative to the CAQ tained movement against austerity from the Maple Spring, the PQ paid CROP poll in June gave them 39%, the Québécois people for progressive also means the broad left building re- in the global North in the ‘Maple the price for an austerity budget, oil their highest polling ever, against the social change both at the ballot box sistance to the rising tide of racism, Spring’. It created a politically-con- exploitation, the failure of the Char- Liberals’ 33% and 14% for the PQ, and in the street. during and beyond the election.

2 Socialist Worker August 2018 INTERNATIONAL The Brexit debate two years on

by David Bush sign here that the EU referendum campaign served to make Britain t has been just over two years less tolerant towards migrants; since Great Britain voted to rather they have apparently come to leave the European Union (EU). be valued to a degree that was not IWith the fnal leave date set for in evidence before the referendum March 29, 2019 Brexit negotiations campaign,” the survey said.” between the UK and the EU have It is not that the Brexit vote was revealed deep divisions within the destined to automatically lead to a Tory party and the broader ruling decrease in anti-immigrant senti- class. ment, rather that the Brexit vote In the run-up to and shortly after opened up a political space in which the Brexit vote in the summer of those ideas could be shifted via 2016 many on the left sounded the political struggle. alarm about the dangerous potential Two years on it is clear that if of Brexit for the UK, Europe, and Remain won there would more even global politics. barriers than openings for the Left. Brexit was going to usher in a David Cameron would still be revanchist carnival of reaction. the Prime Minister in a Majority For the last two years people have government, the Tories would not linked Brexit and the rise of Trump, be racked by political crisis, UKIP using them as a sort of shorthand would be much more popular and to describe the dangerous rise of able to harness frustration with the rightwing populism across Europe wing of the Labour Party and the clearly for Remain, with only a a left exit or ‘Lexit’ position. While establishment more easily, British and North America. Is this linkage Tories all acted upon this prem- minority section of the rightwing this position was marginal in the and EU capitalists would not be warranted? Two years on what has ise, Corbyn effectively made the supporting Brexit. For many voters, lead up to the Brexit vote, it drew on staring down a political crisis, Cor- been has been the actual effect of election about public services and living in forgotten communities, a long tradition on the Left, from the byn would not have had an election Brexit? inequality. Brexit, it turned out, was where jobs and hope have long dis- Bennite wing of the Labour Party to that would have put his internal not the ballot question. appeared Brexit was seen as a way revolutionary socialists, of oppos- critics on their back foot and shifted Brexit predictions The result of the election was a to reject the establishment. Diane ing the EU. The Lexit position was the political debate in the country. Many predicted Brexit would see stunning near victory for Labour. Abbott, a Labour Shadow Cabinet clear, there were no prospects for the far-right’s electoral fortune Corbyn’s Labour Party won 40 and Remain voter, summed up the the working class inside the EU. It Politics means political improve. UKIP’s Nigel Farage was percent of the vote, drastically referendum results like this: was argued that a Brexit vote would struggle one of the most prominent Brexiters increased their seat count and took “For decades now, there has been cause a crisis in the ruling class in But none of that happened. Instead and it was assumed UKIP’s stunning away the Tory majority. The Lib disquiet among most Britons that the UK and in Europe and create the ruling class is facing a major growth in the lead up to 2016 Dems, Greens and the SNP, which our economic system is designed for better conditions in which to battle crisis. The Tories top Brexit referendum would balloon as result all backed Remain, lost votes. This the beneft of the few over the many. both the bosses and the far-right. negotiator, David Davis resigned of the vote. The result has been was not because the election was And in the referendum on Britain’s and was followed by other leading quite the opposite, UKIP’s support about Brexit, rather because Corbyn membership with the European After the Brexit vote Tories like Boris Johnson. The has withered away. Farage has had made the election about health- Union, the many – and some of the The fear that Brexit would Tories are divided over how to stepped down as leader and UKIP’s care, education, housing and public few – voted in favour of Brexit to automatically lead to a major rise carry out Brexit – either a ‘soft vote went from 12 percent in 2015 services. try to change that.” in racism and xenophobia was not brexit’ formally leaving the EU election to 1.8 percent in the 2017 unfounded. There was a rise in but remain closely aligned as to election. The contradictions of The bosses club xenophobia and racism in the years effectively be subjected to EU rules It was also feared that Boris Brexit The EU has always been a project of leading up to and immediately and regulations or ‘hard brexit’ Johnson or Michael Gove, the hard The Brexit vote was far from the ruling class. It was rooted in the after the Brexit vote. Just this which would mean a divisive rightwing of the Tory party, would straightforward. Large segments of post World War Two European Coal past month there was a large pro exit. The Tories not aligned with be elevated to leadership in the the offcial Leave campaign were and Steel Community, which aimed Tommy Robinson march in London a hard Brexit and the rightwing of wake of the vote. Theresa May, a motivated by reactionary politics, to regulate industrial production and organized by a number of different the Labour Party want a second Remain supporter in fact won the intent on stoking anti-immigrant and markets in the interests of European elements on the far-right. However, referendum, to forestall this crisis leadership. Johnson became foreign racist fears. But for Leave voters capitalists. The EU was from the it is important to note these trends and weaken Jeremy Corbyn. When secretary and recently resigned it was more complicated than a very beginning a bosses club. It in the UK existed long before the faced with business fears about this post, while Gove was initially simple referendum on immigration. served only the interests of the Brexit vote and were the product Brexit, Tory MP Boris Johnson sacked from cabinet after May won Leave voters were motivated by ruling class in Europe and was never of years of austerity and pro-EU stated “fuck business.” Clearly all is and brought back later as environ- many different issues: economic a bulwark against reaction. Today policies. Recent polling in the UK not well in the ruling class. ment secretary. inequality, sovereignty, healthcare the EU is synonymous with Fortress on the issue of immigration has seen Brexit from the outset was full It was also assumed that the and public services and yes Europe, its militarized border has attitudes since the Brexit vote swing of contradictions. Political struggle Brexit vote would make it impossi- immigration. What was clear was sent thousands of migrants from sharply to the left. As reported in the is and will always determine which ble for Labour and Jeremy Corbyn that working class voters, especially North Africa to their death in the Financial Times July 9th: side of the contradiction emerges to win. The Liberal-Democrats, who those outside of London, were Mediterranean. The economic “The British Social Attitudes from a political event. Too many on vigorously supported Remain, were much more likely to vote for Leave. policies of the EU have served to survey, seen as the country’s most the Left forgot this basic outlook set to eat into Labour’s vote. Some Leave voters, were far more likely hamstring left alternative inside rigorous polling exercise, found that and retreated to moralism and fear. Remain supporters, especially those to see the economy as not working the Eurozone, instituting brutal just 17 per cent of Britons thought The Left should not dread shake- on the right-wing of the Labour Par- for them and heading in the wrong austerity in countries like Greece, that immigrants had a negative ups in ruling class institutions. It ty, saw Corbyn’s Brexit campaign direction. and imposing budgetary constraints impact on the economy. Just 23 per is messy, but that is the nature of for Remain as ineffectual, with 37 The Remain side was backed by and curbing the rules around cent thought immigrants under- political struggle – a shifting politi- percent of Labour Party members the vast majority of the ruling class. nationalization. EU countries have mined Britain’s cultural life. Both cal terrain creates openings, but it is voting for Leave. Some feared that Financial institutions in the City and been a breeding ground for the far- counts are markedly lower than also fraught with new dangers. The Corbyn’s subsequent acceptance large corporations were overwhelm- right: in Germany, Poland, Austria, when the questions were last asked role of the Left is not to shirk from of the Brexit result would cut him ingly pro-remain as was the then Italy, Greece, France and Hungary in 2015, before the Brexit referen- this struggle, to pine for institution- off from Remain voters and hurt Prime Minister David Cameron and the far-right has either entered in dum campaign. In 2011, when the al and political stability of capital- Labour’s election chances. most of the Tory cabinet. In fact a government or has seen its infuence questions were frst asked, about 40 ism, but to work to understand the The 2017 general election we majority Tory MPs joined nearly grow signifcantly. per cent of people thought immi- potential, and actively shape the were told was going to be all about all other politicians in supporting There was an attempt by some grants were bad for the economy or outcomes, of a political crisis. Two Brexit. While the media, the Blairite Remain. The establishment was forces on the far-left to advocate for British cultural life. “There is little years on that is the lesson Brexit.

August 2018 Socialist Worker 3 LEFT JAB by John Bell Dog-whistle Doug Ford

On a sunny July day Mississauga resident Muhammed the federal government should foot 100 per cent of the Abu Marzouk, his wife and two children went for a picnic. bills.” Of course, neither the proft driven housing bubble DEFEATING FORD: Afterward, trying to leave the community centre parking nor privatization of services were mentioned. lot, he was attacked by two men who beat and kicked him so badly part of his skull had to be removed; he remains The real violence: poverty, discrimination in serious condition in hospital. His assailants also kicked and austerity his wife who tried to shield him. As they beat him they Not content to marginalize First Nations and scapegoat called him a “fucking Arab”, a “terrorist” and told him refugees, Ford’s government moved to demonize to “go back where he came from”. Initial media reports ’s Black communities over gun violence and referred to the crime as “road rage” rather than what it crime. Asked in the legislature about Ford’s unabashed was, a racist hate crime. support for carding (aka racial profling), the new Minister On the same day, a London Ontario man tried to prevent of Community Safety and Correctional Services (there’s another–a person of colour with a beard–from leaving a a nice pairing) Michael Tibollo bragged about his recent LESSONS FROM grocery store. Video shows the large white man assaulting ride-along with police: “I went out to Jane and Finch, put the younger man, accusing him of being an illegal immi- on a bulletproof vest and spent 7 o’clock to 1 o’clock in grant, and demanding to see his Canadian documentation. the morning visiting sites that had previously had bullet- London police are investigating as a “possible” hate crime. ridden [sic] [and also sick] people killed in the middle of Scrap Ford, not sex ed Where do these people get the idea they are empowered the night.” to assault other citizens, especially Muslims, whether ver- He also spoke of how he and Ford had visited a crack bally or with brutal force? house and “walked over broken crack pipes.” He said this by Carolyn Egan numbers who have been scarred These are the attack dogs. They are being encouraged by without a hint of irony. Tibollo is the Minister responsible by this are way larger than many dog-whistle racism and Islamophobia coming from every for the anti-racism portfolio. hen Rehtaeh would imagine, and that is why level of government. But since these attacks took place in Jane Finch Action Against Poverty responded with a Parsons’ father the outcry has been so strong. Ontario, forgive me if I focus on the new Tory regime, and brilliant statement: “Thousands of residents of Jane-Finch, Glen Canning spoke Our society is riddled with THE FIGHT AGAINST its already impressive record of racism. from over one hundred cultural backgrounds, proudly live Wout after reading systemic violence and disre- in the neighbourhood, without (a) bulletproof vest or fear the revised sex ed curriculum spect. You need only look at the Doug Ford’s true colour of each other, knowing that the most brutal violence im- in Ontario, he said: “I really anti-Black racism and Islam- The incoming Ontario government of Doug Ford wasted posed on them has been caused by poverty and racial dis- wish there was something like ophobia which communities are no time showing its true colours. Make that colour crimination reproduced by all levels of government, and that in Nova Scotia 10 years fighting. Keeping young people singular: thoroughly white. Choosing his 20 cabinet years of austerity and rich-loving/poor-bashing policies. ago. Because if there was— sexually safe with the ability and members, only one (former Toronto City Councilor and Instead of scapegoating and stereotyping our communi- and if consent and empathy confidence to control their own Ford Nation loyalist ) is non-white. ty, stop cutting community programs and services, stop and respect were being taught lives must be a priority of the Gone is any respect for First Nations or acknowledging providing more tax breaks to the rich and corporations so in schools in Nova Scotia—I educational system. The fact a history of colonial racism. Alongside the cancelation of they can become even richer, stop destroying our public honestly believe that I would that scrapping the new sex ed the updated sex and health education curriculum, Tory Ed- still have my daughter with me was one of the first steps taken HUDAK ucation Minister Lisa Thompson has removed lessons on today.” Rehtaeh was 17 years by the new government makes First Nations history and reconciliation. The former minis- old when she committed suicide very clear its ideological stance try of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation is shut down. after being sexually assaulted against the women’s, LGBTQ Responsibility for First Nations has been subsumed by the “The incoming Ontario by four teenage boys at a party. and other progressive move- Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines. Pictures were then spread on the ments which have been fighting During his campaign Ford promised to open the resource government of Doug Ford online, which led to continued for meaningful reforms. rich “Ring of Fire” region, even if he had to drive a bull- harassment and bullying. dozer himself. But he uttered not a word about consent from wasted no time showing Teachers fight back the First Nations’ on whose territories the minerals reside. Pandering to bigots The Elementary Teachers On the campaign trail Ford blew the whistle during a its true colours. Make that Doug Ford’s Progressive Conser- Federation of Ontario, which has a debate in Northern Ontario. When the issue of immigra- vative government is pandering majority of women members, has tion and refugees was raised he declared that we should colour singular: thoroughly to the most regressive elements spoken out strongly against the “take care of our own” before taking in newcomers. After, in our society that are intent on Tory government’s move to bring he pretended to be shocked that anyone would accuse him white. rolling back all the gains that back the previous curriculum. It is of racism, and bragged about his support in immigrant we have made through decades 20 years old and is sadly lacking communities. Sadly, there’s more than a grain of truth in schools and creating more precarious employment and of struggle. It was homophobic, in many of the elements that stu- his claim. stop justifying more policing in our neighbourhoods; misogynist, anti-choice forces dents need most to deal with their long-time labour strongholds such as Rank and fle committees were start bringing real long-term decent jobs and sustainable that helped win him the leader- lives. The fact that teachers are by Michelle Robidoux Michigan. The threat of right to work set up and as the weeks went by, the ‘We know what you’re sayin’ Dougie’ investments in the community as opposed to short term ship of the party, and they are taking a stand in support of their and Carolyn Egan eventually pushed union leaders to set results were becoming clear. The But racists hear the tune. One neo-Nazi blogger posted: PR announcements.” demanding their payback. students and most parents is about developing campaigns within working class in all its diversity will “I think when people reach a certain level, they’ll dog Ford and his government have moved beyond dog-whis- Campaign Life, and other very important. They are the ones he election of Doug Ford workplaces across Ontario. fght in its own interest. Socialists and whistle to us. Like, recently Doug Ford said ‘we gotta take tles that only their racist Dobermans can hear. To ignore groups that have fought consis- required to teach the curriculum as has other activists knew what was at stake care of our own before we take care of anybody else’, and or deny a consistent thread of racism in word and deed tently to turn back the clock on and are in day to day contact with generated much discussion Rank-and-file mobilization and went all out to ensure that ordinary just that sentence alone, you know, every nationalist out from these Tories would be diffcult—yet Ford remains those seeking to make their own students who in many cases turn Tabout the Harris government Signifcant resources were allocated, workers had a voice in determining there are like ‘we know what you’re sayin’ Dougie.’ And stubbornly popular among the communities he regularly determination on whether to con- to them with problems that they in the 1990s – in particular, the and rank and fle members were their future. The role of these rank he can’t say certain things and have a chance of winning insults because of his reputation as champion of the under- tinue a pregnancy, were elated are confronting. response by trade unions and booked off to work on the campaign. and fle organizers was critical to the in a Liberal f–king playground like Ontario.” dog. This reputation is a lie, of course, but one carefully when Ford became the Premier The teachers’ unions have community organizations to vicious Labour councils, which unite union success of the campaign. As Premier, Ford wasted no time blowing that whistle constructed through years of repetition. with a majority government. often been in the vanguard of attacks by a neo-liberal government delegates across all sectors, took on There is a long history of rank and again. He blamed Toronto’s unaffordable housing on a And so more Muslims will be attacked and insulted. They have a strategy of step- fightbacks against regressive on social services, health care, a major responsibility for training fle networks and stewards’ councils food of “illegal” refugees. According to a statement from More young Black men will be humiliated by police ha- by-step overturning sexual and forces, as we have seen in education and workers’ rights. This activists and mobilizing members to in many countries. One example is his offce: “This has resulted in a housing crisis and threats rassment. More First Nations people will be vilifed for reproductive rights, as has been and most recently in is very instructive as people grapple fght this existential threat to all of the Clydeside stewards in Scotland, to the services that Ontario families depend on. This mess standing their ground. It will continue until we smash the done by their counterparts in West Virginia and Arkansas, with the best way forward today. our unions. It was a campaign that whose motto was “We will support was 100 per cent the result of the federal government, and lie, and stuff that dog-whistle down Doug Ford’s throat. the United States. Ford said that where they took strike action Inspiring stories of the city by won the hearts and minds of many the offcials just as long as they he will take away the right to to demand more resources for city general strikes that shut down workers, and the Tories who were rightly represent the workers, but we be free from abuse entering an their students. The teachers workplaces across the province and initially expected to win the election, will act independently immediately abortion facility, impose parental played a very important role in involved millions of people, have went down to defeat. Windsor stewards assembly says no to Hudak they misrepresent them.” consent for teens and no longer the struggle against funding cuts given many a sense of confdence It was very important that union who didn’t think unions were actively the activists, and then speak to each The recent US Supreme Court require physicians to refer those under the previous Progressive that we can take on the assaults that after union stepped up to the plate and protecting their interests. of those in the middle, convincing Janus decision is a body blow to seeking an abortion. Conservative government of we know are coming. We may not put their funds into this huge effort. A plan was put together that gave them of what was at stake for every public sector unions. We know that So many have fought against Mike Harris. organize in exactly the same way as But it was the rank and fle activists a road map on how to arm union working class person in the province Doug Ford has promised to stop the the systemic violence against Community groups are also we did in the 1990s, but the lessons who responded to the attacks that members with information about the if Hudak and his Tories were to win. implementation of the $15 minimum women, trans and LGBTQ gathering to plan a strong learned can be very helpful as we made the difference. There was a threat posed by Hudak’s policies. We developed a data base of wage on January 1, 2019 and other people, very often of colour, campaign against this regres- campaign on issues such as the Fight mass mobilization of stewards and Training sessions and stewards’ sympathetic members and held lunch aspects of Bill 148, such as equal and although a sex education sive move. People from many for $15 and Fairness with community ordinary members to take on this assemblies were organized. time meetings at workplaces where pay, paid emergency leave, and union curriculum is not going to be a backgrounds have spoken partners. assault on unions. In our own union, the Steelworkers, we were able. Members organized successor rights will undoubtedly panacea for all that we face, it out against it, and there’s A more recent example of a Hudak had hoped to tap into anger a “war room” was set up in the to talk to their fellow workers on the be under attack. As the fght against was a progressive step forward. been some indication that the coordinated union mobilization is and insecurity caused by the loss of Toronto Area Council hall, with every shop foor, at plant-gate leafetings, ‘right to work’ showed, our ability to Teaching consent, respect and government is feeling the heat. the response to Conservative Tim thousands of manufacturing jobs and work site posted on a board. Step by listening to their issues and what resist depends on retooling our unions an end to bigotry and harass- Let’s keep up the pressure and Hudak’s threat to bring in “right the lack of decent jobs, to convince step, contacts were developed in they needed from their union, and of for the fghts ahead. We have to take ment speaks to a gaping wound fight alongside those in other to work” legislation in the 2014 workers they would be better off if each one. In every workplace, there course talking about the importance up the same strategy which we used in our society that everyone who movements like the Fight for provincial election. At that time, these they weren’t required to pay union are the activists – but on the other of this campaign. Questions and to defeat Hudak and defend these has ever been subjected to this $15 and Fairness, to make the measures – which had previously only dues. The prospect of not paying side, there are those who are with the answers were developed to prepare hard-won gains for all workers in this type of violence and harass- Tories back off all their attacks. been enacted in the southern states union dues under ‘right to work’ was bosses. There is a large majority in activists and anticipate the issues that province by organizing the strength of ment knows only too well. The In unity there is strength. of the US – were implemented in sadly attractive to many members, the middle. The goal was to solidify would come forward. the rank and fle.

4 Socialist Worker August 2018 August 2018 Socialist Worker 5 Where we stand Challenging mayor Tory: The dead-end of capitalism The capitalist system is based on violence, oppression and brutal exploitation. It creates hunger beside plenty, it threatens our sustenance through unsafe and unsustainable farming, and kills the earth itself with Saron Gebresellassi pollution and unsustainable extraction of oil, minerals, animals, trees, and water. Capitalism leads to imperialism and war. Saving ourselves by Gustavo Monteiro and the planet depends on finding an alternative. Saron Gebresellassi is a community A system that is killing the planet organizer, activist, and human rights Capitalist profits depend on extracting the world’s blood and bone. The lawyer. She has been practising law devastating impact of capital’s assault on the planet affect the world’s as a tool for social justice since 2014. most vulnerable populations and threaten the long-term meaningful Among her clients are precarious existence of humanity. Capitalism cannot regulate the catastrophic injured workers and Black Lives effects of climate change. We stand for climate justice, including the Matter Toronto. Socialist Worker concept of “just transition” for affected workers. caught up with the Mayoral hopeful during her campaign launch on and workers’ power Weston Road. Any alternative to capitalism must involve replacing the system from the bottom up through radical collective action. Central to that struggle is the SW: How did you end up here, run- workplace, where capitalism reaps its profits off our backs. ning for the mayor in the city of Toronto? Capitalist monopolies control the earth’s resources, but workers SG: I am a lawyer, and I am known everywhere actually create the wealth. A new socialist society can only for running for a lot of cases such as be constructed when workers collectively seize control of that wealth police brutality and a variety of human and plan its production and distribution to satisfy human needs, not right issues. I have a long history in corporate profits—to respect the environment, not pollute and destroy it. Weston road and across the city in terms of fghting for social justice, and against Oppression poverty and systemic racism. I am on a Saron Gebresellassi (second from left) meets supporters on Weston Rd. Within capitalist society different groups suffer from specific forms of mission to fght for working class, and oppression. Attacks on oppressed groups are used to divide workers for immigrants, asylum seekers, and Tory around “rounding up the thugs,” a class struggle we actually have in the and weaken solidarity. We oppose racism and imperialism. We oppose racialized communities, who now com- “gangsters,” “sewer rats” - using very city of Toronto and in the province. In all immigration controls. We support the right of people of colour and prise of the majority of the population pejorative language to describe young light of the growing level of poverty we other oppressed groups to organize in their own defence. We are for real, in Toronto at 51%. We are having a mo- people. One tenth of city’s budget goes are seeing in the city, it is interesting social, economic and political equality for women. We are for an end ment in Toronto. to policing - that’s approximately 1 bil- to see that we haven’t seen push-backs to all forms of discrimination and homophobia against lesbians, gays, SW: It also seems that the situation is lion dollars - 90% of that item goes to from small businesses. The push-back bisexuals and transgender people. just heating up in the province. How do salaries. What we are calling for is the has been from the Loblaws and the Tim We oppose environmental racism. We oppose discrimination on the we deal with various challenges coming redistribution of resources into priority Hortons - corporate giants, and yet [the basis of religion, ability and age. our way such as carding, TAVIS, regres- neighbourhoods. dominant narrative] has been under the sion of Sex-ed curriculum, cutting funds SW: We also need to talk about af- banner of for the sake of small busi- Canada, Quebec, Indigenous Peoples for renewable energy and environmental fordable housing and homelessness in nesses. The vast majority of the small Canada is not a “colony” of the United States, but an imperialist country issues, in terms of working with racial- the city of Toronto. businesses in [the Weston] area, and in its own right that participates in the exploitation of much of the world. ized communities? SG: Housing is a major crisis in the across the city, would say that they stand The Canadian state was founded through the repression of Indigenous SG: This is a prime example of why city of Toronto, and it’s not being treated behind 15&Fairness. I am one hundred peoples and the people of Quebec. we need to mobilize in the city of Toron- like a crisis. Housing is out of hand, and percent in solidarity with this campaign. We support the struggles for self-determination of Quebec and to and elect progressive leadership at the it really is a struggle for so many fami- SW: How can we support your Indigenous peoples up to and including the right to independence. In municipal level. My mission this year is lies, young people, and senior citizens. campaign? particular, we recognize Indigenous peoples’ original and primary right to really emphasize the voice of the peo- Under our platform, we consider housing SG: I will let everyone know that this to decide their fate and that of their lands, heritage, and traditions. ple, which is to say that we need more as a fundamental right that is enshrined isn’t just a campaign. It’s not just about Socialists in Quebec, and in all oppressed nations, work to give the jobs for young people and less police, under international law, and the city of the electoral process; we are building a struggle against national oppression an internationalist and working and that if we have more opportunities Toronto has an obligation to adhere to movement: one person at a time and one class content. for young people to work and succeed, those standards. This has to be priority family at a time, one day at a time. This we wouldn’t need to resort to criminal- number one. Under the HOT (Housing is really a lifelong movement that we Internationalism izing young people and incarcerating Opportunities Toronto) Plan, there was are building right out of here at Weston The struggle for socialism is part of a worldwide struggle. We campaign them. This is an opportunity to mobilize a target of a hundred thousand units that road, and it’s quickly growing. We want for solidarity with workers in other countries. We oppose everything that the masses in Toronto, and advance were supposed to be built - that never to educate the masses about the politics turns workers from one country against those from other countries. We working class agenda. happened. Under our website, you will of rebates: when you donate, you can support all genuine national liberation movements. SW: Recently, there was a letter sent be able to see all the details around what get up to 75% of your donation back. The 1917 revolution in Russia was an inspiration for the oppressed to mayor Tory and chief Saunders urg- our plan is in addressing [this crisis]. This is a city that belongs to immi- everywhere. But it was defeated when workers’ revolutions elsewhere ing that more police isn’t the solution SW: How will you as the mayor of grants, working class and all of us, the were defeated. A Stalinist counter-revolution, which killed millions, for the whole crime situation in the city, Toronto help support the momentum of way to support is really vote on October created a new form of capitalist exploitation based on state ownership and that education and health care are movements such as 15&Fairness? 22. I also encourage people to look at and control. In Eastern Europe, China and other countries, a similar necessary. Are you aware of this letter? SG: I stand 100% behind the 15&Fair- what happened in the U.S. with Bernie system was later established by Stalinist, not socialist, parties. We SG: Absolutely, and I wrote a letter ness campaign. Really, the push-back Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, support the struggle of workers in these countries against both private as well. I am really appalled at some from those corporate giants like Tim and get some inspiration to continue the and state capitalism. of the language coming out of John Hortons is an indication of how big of movement here at the city of Toronto.

Elections and democracy Elections can be an opportunity to give voice to the struggle for social Never miss Name: change. But under capitalism, they can’t change the system. The structures of the present parliament, army, police and judiciary protect an issue. Address: the ruling class against the workers. These structures cannot be simply Mail in this form with a cheque taken over and used by the working class. The working class needs Phone: real democracy, and that requires an entirely different kind of state—a or money order made payable to workers’ state based upon councils of workers’ delegates. “Socialist Worker”. E-mail: Prices per year (CAD dollars): Regular subscription: $30 Reform and revolution Mail to: Socialist Worker, PO Box 339 Every day, there are battles between exploiter and exploited, oppressor Institutions, First Class Station E, Toronto, ON Canada, M6H 4E3 and oppressed, to reform the system—to improve living conditions. delivery and U.S.: $50 Phone: 416.972.6391 / E-mail: [email protected] These struggles are crucial in the fight for a new world. To further these Other international: $60 struggles, we work within the trade unions and orient to building a rank and file movement that strengthens workers’ unity and solidarity. But the fight for reforms will not, in itself, bring about fundamental social change. The present system cannot be fixed or reformed as the Join the International Socialists NDP and many leaders say. Nor can the system regulate itself to prevent environmental destruction and climate injustice. It has to Name: City: be overthrown. That will require the mass action of workers themselves. Address: The revolutionary party E-mail: Phone: To achieve socialism the leading activists in the working class have to be organized into a revolutionary socialist party. The party must be a party Mail to: International Socialists, PO Box 339, Station E, Toronto, ON Canada, M6H 4E3 of action, and it must be democratic. We are an organization of activists Phone: 416.972.6391 / E-mail: [email protected] committed to helping in the construction of such a party through ongoing activity in the mass organizations of the working class and in the daily struggles of workers and the oppressed. If these ideas make sense to you, help us in this project, and join the International Socialists. Find us on: @socialist_ca \socialistca

6 Socialist Worker August 2018 The system is REVIEW the problem Continued from page 8 Call centre capitalism Lisa: What do you say to people who argue that you should beware of ‘splitting the left vote’ in the city? by Faline Bobier ers, when he moves upstairs there are fewer Derrick: Well, this year COPE is only running brown and black faces. There he meets three candidates for 10 council seats, so voters Boots Riley is an American rapper (The Steve Lift ( channeling who also like other candidates or parties will have Coup), producer, screenwriter and flm Elon Musk), king of all the wealth afforded plenty of spots left on their ballots. director. He’s also an avowed Communist him by the labour of others. But on the larger question I will answer in two who has stayed true to his working class Lift is the psychopathic, racist, pseu- parts. Oakland roots. do-hip founder of WorryFree, the “new” First, we think voters have been deprived of This is how he described his new movie workplace that will save American capi- a true left-wing alternative to the status quo for in a recent interview: “It’s an absurdist talism, which is nothing but bond slavery. so long that they will be really energized by dark comedy with magical realism and WorryFree provides desperate people the ideas we’re putting forward this year and science fction, inspired by the world of guaranteed food and shelter in exchange therefore motivated to vote. In Jean Swanson’s telemarketing, called .” for their “free” labour. They are housed in by-election campaign we really focused on barracks and at all times must wear garish speaking to the interests and also the emotions Racism and capitalism yellow uniforms. of people who are used to being ignored and Anyone who’s ever spent time in the There is a futuristic tone to the movie, excluded by electoral politics: renters, work- cubicle world of telemarketing will relate but a world based on WorryFree and Regal- ing-class people, poor people, homeless people, to Cassius Green (or Cash) the young View is all too plausible. people on social assistance, people living with Black protagonist, desperate to land a job There is a nightmarish scene in the flm addictions, people who live in non-proft hous- at RegalView. It’s a sketchy telemarketing where Cassius is invited to a party at Lift’s ing. You’re not supposed to spend time on ‘those frm where workers slave on commission, home. Here in his domain Lift can openly people’; you’re supposed to focus on home- scamming people just like themselves, express his racism and misogyny, covered owners and those who supposedly are the ones living hardscrabble lives. as it is by a thin veneer of hipness. At one who show up to vote. So we’re trying something The main rule is “Stick to the script” point, Cassius is more or less forced by different, which is to expand the electorate and or “stuss,” as Cash’s manager insists. The job wearing ridiculous costumes and hold- his host to perform rap in front of a mostly inspire all those who have been turned off by whole mantra pushed by management is ing up signs in front of various businesses; white audience. He turns the tables on them electoral politics. that if you work hard enough you can make and a young Asian telemarketer Squeeze somewhat unwittingly with what he thinks Secondly, all that having been said, there are it out of the sweatshop, and ascend to the () who will eventually spear- they really want to hear. It’s a brilliant legitimate concerns about splitting the majority of upper reaches of the “Power Callers.” head a union drive at RegalView. send-up of fake “wokeness,” which is real- the current Vancouver electorate that tends to vote And of course, if you’re one of the cho- But Riley doesn’t fall into the trap of ly just racism in disguise. for left and/or centrist/’centre-left’ parties. It’s sen few, you get to take the elevator to the portraying low-paying, super exploitative But it’s when the big reveal happens, important to understand that Vision Vancouver, Promised Land, If you’re one of the drones employment as for the young only. Cap- when Cassius mistakenly happens on a for all of my criticisms of their housing policies the stairs are good enough for you. italism is an equal opportunity exploiter room he wasn’t meant to go into, that Lift and their decision to accept so much corporate Cassius (Lakeith Stanfeld) is counselled and there are people of all ages and ethnic explains what the end game actually is. money over the years, has in the past depended by his cubicle neighbour Langston (the backgrounds in this workplace. It involves Lift using Cassius as a kind on the support of many progressive voters, on the inimitable Danny Glover) to use his “white of token Trojan horse to betray his own, support of many unions and their members, and voice” if he wants to make sales—the Worry Free the people who have as little power as he on the support of people who are concerned about voice that implies “all my bills are paid, I To his own surprise Cassius proves to be a does. This is when Riley’s flm veers into the environment and climate change. don’t have a care in the world, I am soooo brilliant seller. He gets the bigger picture what could be called science fction, but smooth.” When Cassius and Langston when he makes it to the upper echelons a science fction that seems very close to use their “white” voices they are actually of the “Power Callers.” He leaves his possibility in a sick system where human “You can vote with your dubbed by white actors. co-workers just at the point a fghtback is beings are only worth something if they The movie is partly about the situation beginning. At frst, he is dazzled by the can increase the bosses’ proft margins. head and your heart, as of millennials who are also people of money and the material goods this new Go and see Riley’s flm. It’s a biting and colour – Cash and his best friend Salvador job can afford him – but he also sees the funny satire, an indictment of racism and they say; there’s no need (Jermaine Fowler), who helps Cash get the pitfalls. capitalism, and a call to solidarity and for to hold your nose and job in the frst place; his girlfriend (Tessa Whereas his telemarketer co-workers all of us to decide fnally which side we’re vote for some ‘lesser Thompson), a struggling artist with a day were multi-ethnic, including white work- on. evil’ this time.” “I’m not your model citizen”: Dead Sara We are appealing to those people who have voted Vision in the past, but are now fed up or are now looking for a stronger alternative to by Kevin Taghabon and Mary Code sweat off/ chemicals in a bubble bath/ The that I can’t choose/ If I made it this far block the overtly right-wing parties like the NPA all-American girl, lesbo-gay maniac”. being who I am/ Maybe heaven’s got a from returning to power. We’re also appealing A flthy hot summer is the perfect time for Armstrong repeatedly laments in jest back door too/ When will I stop running/ to the supporters of other parties like OneCity. some old school hard rock. The sauna of that she falls short of every expectation From the things I know are true/...I’ve I know a lot of good people in OneCity, and Los Angeles still seems to churn out more never been on the same sidewalk as a although there are obviously some real political semi-unknown mega-talented rock bands steeple/ May we take notice in regard to differences, there is also signifcant political than anywhere else on the planet. To this the unknown”. Armstrong refuses to exist common ground and so I think it’s a good thing end, Dead Sara have emerged with their in a way that will please those who told that supporters of our two parties can vote for second EP (fourth release overall) in ten her they knew better for her. She is proud both because we’ve kept our slates relatively years. The six track EP has some of their of rejecting these values, but at the same small. best work, and the band has not lost any of time is insecure about her station in life. Of course I think we’ve got the strongest their fre after a decade of struggling along “Yeah maybe I should just call in dead and candidates. In terms of standing up to the right- and jumping between labels. Dead Sara quit my job/ And lose my 9 to 5 and throw wing, both of my fellow COPE city council continues to channel the style and sound my television out” she sings on “Times to candidates Jean Swanson and Anne Roberts have of the best 90s grunge while sounding Remember”. a lifetime of experience doing just that. We also fresh and relevant. Lead singer Emily This is no newly-polished-for-Top-40 have incredible and experienced women running Armstrong has more than a few shades of trash. This point should be stressed, as for school board like Barb Parrott and Diana Day Kurt Cobain within. this is a female-fronted act. Hard rock -- who is aiming to become the frst Indigenous “I guess I’m unamerican” is a genre that is still overwhelmingly woman to ever serve on the VSB. The frst song, “Times to Remember” is dominated by straight white men, as So if you’re worried about stopping the Right, celebratory, and the second track, “Any- levelled at her. This is a point of rage and Torontonian music journalist Laina Dawes the strategic vote is for COPE. You can vote with body” is largely about personal loneliness. pride. “I’m not your model citizen/ No, chronicled excellently in What Are You your head and your heart, as they say; there’s no The feeling of not belonging bleeds well I’m not your daughter/ And I’m not your Doing Here: A Black Woman’s Life and need to hold your nose and vote for some “lesser into the next song. “Unamerican” is easily bitch/ I guess I’m unamerican” is the Liberation in Heavy Metal. Armstrong and evil” this time. On Oct. 20, a vote for COPE is a the best song on the EP. The track was hook. There is no mistaking the intention lead guitarist Siouxie Medley have been vote for strong left-wing politics at Vancouver’s the frst played live from this new batch, of the song when the instruments abruptly the frontwomen of the band since they City Hall. And it’s also a vote for the political originally titled “Alien”, a likely refence cut out before a chorus and Armstrong became friends as teenagers 15 years ago. revolution that is gaining steam around the to the odious phrase, “illegal alien”. Arm- screams, “Well, fuck this playing around/ Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters world. Socialist politics needs to become the strong does sing, “I want to be an alien” Don’t give a fuck if it allowed/ Well, proclaimed in 2013, “Dead Sara should be common sense of the 21st Century, and our fght several times at the end of the song. It was fuck you Donald Trump!/ Fuck this, fuck the next biggest rock band in the world,” here in Vancouver is part of a wider movement clever to switch the name and get ahead everyone”. after their self-titled debut (2011) got for a better world. of accusations that the band is “unpatriot- The closing track “Heaven’s Got a Back them a fair share of attention. ic”. The entire track is a bludgeon on the Door” takes a similar line, rejecting the This interview has been edited for space. head of anti-women politics. “I’m a good puritanism that infects American society. The full review can be found at Read the entire interview on socialist.ca Samaritan/ Yeah, a psychopath/ I had to “I’m through feeling sorry/ For the things socialist.ca

August 2018 Socialist Worker 7 $2 | No 607 | August 2018 | socialist.ca “The system is the problem” Lisa Descary from the Vancouver ment because they will be fercely opposed by International Socialists interviewed those who currently have all the power. writer and activist, Derrick O’Keefe. Lisa: What do you think needs to happen af- Derrick is a founding member of ter October 20 to ensure we win the reforms we the Vancouver Tenants Union, and a need? And what role do you see the Vancouver candidate for Vancouver City Council Tenants Union and other movements/groups with the Coalition of Progressive playing in this? Electors (COPE). Derrick: We understand that as hard as it is to get elected on an unabashedly left-wing Lisa: How is your campaign different from program, the really hard work starts the day other ‘progressive’ campaigns? And why is the after you win. Having three elected city coun- City We Need platform important? cillors from COPE will give us a megaphone Derrick: We’re not claiming to have and the ability to move and second motions, reinvented the wheel, but we do think this but we won’t win the changes we need without COPE campaign, like last year’s by-election a movement pushing from outside City Hall campaign for Swanson, is part of a process every step of the way. where the left in Canada and internationally is Our concept is that too often social demo- rediscovering its radical roots and responding Socialist Derrick O’Keefe is running for city council in Vancouver cratic parties appeal to social movements for to the global crisis of inequality. That’s why we support at election time and then lose any real talk about the need for a “political revolution”; edges. We need a total shift in priorities, away stream media will frame this critique of global connection to that base once they get in offce. we’re consciously alluding to the kind of new from market solutions and towards public and capitalism as somehow “too radical,” but I People who have experienced this a few times politics taking place in other countries like non-market housing. If housing is a human would say it’s essential to understanding why can get understandably cynical about politics. with and Alexandria Oca- right, which we believe it is, then it needs to be a city like Vancouver has become so incredibly We want to foster a different kind of politician, sio-Cortez in the United States. Timid, centrist decommodifed. Even beginning to do that for expensive and to thinking about bold solutions and a different relationship between politicians politics is not just wrong but it’s also now housing, for example by aiming for a signif- that will actually solve the problem. The pol- and activists. We want to use elected offce not increasingly ineffective at holding back the cant percentage of new housing to be non-mar- icies we’re pushing like stronger rent control just to raise the issues that matter, but to build rising right-wing tide. ket, is an enormous political project. Especially and a Mansion Tax (a progressive property the social movements themselves. COPE’s message this election is that the after the federal government under the Liberals surtax on houses valued at over $5 million) are In my mind a politician should see them- system is the problem, and that for us to fnd in the 1990s almost entirely cut-off funding for actually quite modest reforms that we aim to selves almost like a delegate on behalf of the a real solution to the housing and affordabil- non-market housing. win. But we know that even these relatively causes they work on and care about. ity crisis it’s not enough to tinker around the Our critics in other parties and in the main- small practical steps require building a move- (continued on page 7) Stop the cuts – stop Ford!

hose with long memories of the Mike News Now” is completely written, reported Harris days knew what to expect: the and controlled by Doug Ford’s offce. It will Doug Ford Tories were going to hit present only happy news and Tory sanctioned Thard and hit fast. Sure enough, Dime lies, dressed up as objective news reports. Bag Doug and his lily-white cabinet wasted There will be more attacks–like the an- no time attacking the poor and vilifying ti-union legislation used against workers at immigrants, refugees and people of colour. York University–but the template has been The outgoing Liberals had slated a 3 % set. Attack the poor, cut services for working increase to welfare rates – long overdue and in- people, blame immigrants and refugees, and lie suffcient. But too rich for the Tories, who are like hell and hide behind fake news whenever looking to cut $6 billion and will do it on the challenged. backs of the poorest and most vulnerable. They It will be up to us to come together to fght have sliced the welfare raise in half, presenting these tactics. We have to defend reforms, like a cut like a generous increase. the increased minimum wage and workplace At the same time they axed the Guaranteed improvements, that are sure to be the targets in Annual Income pilot project with no notice. days to come. This left low-income Ontarians in the lurch, And the fght has already begun. There have wondering how they would pay the rent. been rallies and actions against the crapping During the campaign, Ford promised to leave of the sex-ed curriculum, the roll back of the that program intact. Social Services Minister minimum wage and the gutting of city council. Lisa MacLeod frst shrugged off the lie by Didn’t vote for that: Doug Ford has no mandate to cut Toronto city council We have to reject all attempts to wedge us saying they couldn’t afford to keep their word. apart, using racist lies and scare tactics about“- A day later she changed her tune, saying that planning to deal with tough questions and in- same staffers–people whose salaries come foods” of outsiders swamping our public verbatim pre-election quotes from Ford were convenient facts. At a Queen’s Park press con- from taxpayers–drowned out the questions services, when it is privatization and cuts that “fake news”. ference regarding the anti-democratic gutting with rhythmic clapping. are the real threat. But Ford reiterated his promise to provide of Toronto City Council, Tory staffers tried In place of a free press or investigative $1 beer for consolation. to stife diffcult follow-up questions. When journalism, Ford has revived his personal fake For more on the fight against Ford, see It also became clear how the Tories were reporters persisted in asking for answers, those news “channel” from the campaign. “Ontario centre pages.