NDP’s bitter Solidarity with betrayal Honduras PAGES 4-5 PAGE 3

$2 | No 600 | January 2018 | socialist.ca IN 2018… JOIN THE RESISTANCE

Photo: Kenneth Leu Flickr CC BY 2.0

anuary 2017 saw the inaugura- the government seemed unassailable. The Nazi rally in Charlottesville greedy landlords and won. Strikes by have a serious fightback against the tion of Donald Trump in the US, But then the resistance exploded. exposed the real nature of the bigots Ontario college faculty, workers at bosses and bigots. But they are on and the situation seemed bleak to The women’s march on Washington organizing in the US and around the Ippolito at the Ontario food terminal the move, and the situation remains Janyone fighting for a more just and in other cities was one of the world. The response was immediate and Aramark workers at York Univer- fraught with dangers. They will world. Racists were on the march, largest mobilizations in US history. and massive. Planned demonstrations sity all resulted in victories. threaten every gain made and try to there were plans for legislation which The Islamophobic ban on Muslims by the far-right in Vancouver and These strikes show that workers are push their agenda of racism and aus- would be devastating to working entering the US was opposed with Boston were shut down by thousands fed up and when properly organized terity. We need to be ready. people in the US and a real fear that mass rallies at airports across the of anti-racists. Wherever they showed can push back against the bosses. It is becoming clearer to masses of Trump may be leading us to World US. The heroic resistance, primar- up they were opposed and pushed And in Ontario, the Fight for $15 people each day that a better world is War III. ily of people with disabilities, de- back. and Fairness secured a huge victory possible, but it won’t come easy. It In Canada, the Trudeau Liberals stroyed Trump’s attempt to repeal Closer to home, the fight against for all minimum wage workers, rais- will require organization and political were proving themselves just as Obamacare. the pipeline politics of the federal ing the wage to $14 an hour on Jan- clarity. right-wing as the Conservatives on It seemed that, as scary as the situ- Liberals forced the cancellation of uary 1st 2018, with more increases Make this the year that you resolve everything from pipelines to war to in- ation was, the prospect off real oppo- the Energy East pipeline. Tenants in planned for the future. to join the socialists and build the digenous rights. Yet the popularity of sition and real victories was possible. Parkdale went on a rent strike against The last year proved that we can fight for a world of peace and justice. Tories double down QS convention and radical independence on double talk by Chantal Sundaram immediately contradict the inter- ests of Canadian federalism. n December 600 delegates The vote to merge passed by by John Bell of Quebec solidaire (QS) a large majority and shortly after gathered to vote on a merger passed at a convention of ON. sincerely regret to report that Jason Iwith Option nationale, another Obviously there is a desire for Kenney has won a seat in the electoral party formed out of unity of the left, but there was I Alberta legislature. disillusionment with the PQ, and also much careful discussion Kenney, former Igor to Stephen to approve the electoral platform about the details of the merger Harper’s Frankenstein, is the for the Quebec election of Octo- deal and the different emphasis newly minted leader of the United ber 1, 2018. placed by the parties on the Conservative Party. The UCP is a Expectations are high with the independence question. fusion of the Tories and the Wild exponential growth in members As one QS member said: “Un- Rose Party, an attempt to recreate since student strike leader Ga- til last night I wasn’t sure why I the Conservative dynasty that ruled briel Nadeau-Dubois threw his lot felt like a supporter of Quebec Alberta from the time the dinosaurs in with QS last spring and won a independence. I don’t support roamed. With Kenney at the helm, seat in the National Assembly. any kind of Quebec identity. But Calgary’s petrocracy hope to see QS started polling first or second then I heard from our speakers dinosaurs come charging out of the in the 18-35-year-old demograph- from Catalonia: it’s about what tar sands yet again. ic. kind of society we want, and the But, Tories nationwide have a one we are in is broken.” problem. When people discover what Ballot and street they really think, the majority tend to QS was always intended to be a say “Thanks, but no thanks.” This is party that gives voice to social posing something of a challenge for movements in the Assembly. It Jason Kenney, Patrick Brown and has succeeded in doing so, but Andrew Scheer. the goal in the upcoming elec- For instance, more than seven out tion is to prove that QS is going of 10 Canadians support the right to forward at the ballot. same sex marriage. Four out of five The campaign will try to con- support legal abortion rights. And a nect with people whose anger similar number say immigration is Kenney, former Igor to Harper’s Frankenstein Daily Xtra (CC BY-NC 2.0) will also be courted by the other good for the country and economy. non-traditional party compet- Since most Tory supporters and country. blow this chance–and Brown might ing with QS: the Coalition pour candidates are anti-queer, oppose The answer? Reconceptualising! just be the kid to do it l’avenir du Quebec (CAQ).The abortion and portray immigration as It’s sort of like lying. According the Jason Kenney faces the same CAQ also sees the crumbling QS in Solidarity with Catalonia a drain on our resources and threat Manning tank-thinkers: “Socially challenge if he is to regain the throne allegiances with the Quebec to our “values”, this puts them at a conservative positions are less of a in Alberta. Will his years as Harper’s Liberals and PQ. They are an The speakers were from disadvantage. ‘deal breaker’: hitman give him an aura or an odour? alt-right party that supports aus- the CUP, Candidatura d’Uni- So they lie to us. They have to • When they are reconceptualised Can he pretend to be middle of the terity and opposes movements tat Popular. They represent convince us that they are nice middle to be less polarizing (i.e. rather than road, when his party is bullying queer like the student strike and seeks a group within the Catalan of the road folks and slowly, stealthily, asking people if they’re for or against school kids in gay-straight alliances? to channel anger towards racist independence movement that, make us see the error of our neighbour- immigration – shift the debate to the To do so he’ll have to keep his scapegoating. And they have a like QS, is radically anti-capital- loving, rights-respecting ways. appropriate level of immigration). creepy UCP followers out of the much larger electoral machine. ist. One said: “we are in a fight Thanks to Preston Manning, patron • When they are framed within headlines, no easy task. But QS has an activist base against the Spanish state, not saint of reactionary rhetoric, and his the context of conservative support Take Alberta MLA Ron Orr, whose that can reach people who feel against the Spanish people.” Manning Centre “think tank,” they for ‘individual rights and freedom fear of legalized marijuana takes him excluded by the political estab- They thanked the MacKenzie-Pa- have a plan. of choice’ accompanied by an to previously uncharted territory. lishment by campaigning on the pineau battalion, francophone Not long ago someone leaked acceptance of responsibility for the After asserting that the Communism ground, as in the Corbyn and and anglophone volunteers who details to the Press Progress news consequences of those choices.” was a result of opium smoking, he Sanders campaigns – on issues went to Spain to stop Franco in site. Starting with their own research So in Ontario Patrick Brown has to reasoned that opium “was just a like climate change, the mini- the 1930s, despite opposition findings, that two thirds of young “reconceptualise” his voting record flower, and it was smoked, just like mum wage, cuts to health and from the Canadian government Albertans reject Tory “values,” as a Harper MP – he voted against marijuana was smoked.” education, and oppression. The at the time. Manning asks his corporate friends access to abortion, against equal How about UCP house leader Jason question will be how successfully They finished by saying: “we to pony up at least $500,000 to pay for women, against childhood Nixon, who opposed workplace anti- QS will position itself against the are not more important than “increase support among Millennials pharmacare and against a liveable harassment legislation. It happens politics of hate. Palestinians or Kurds; but if for conservative values, policies and minimum wage. As Ontario Tory that in his previous life as a corporate there can be such a denial of candidates.” leader he has used every dirty trick dude he fired a single mother shortly Merger with Option fundamental democratic rights in The news is good (for us) or bad (for in his playbook to take over the after she lodged a sexual harassment nationale Western Europe, then where can Manning, Scheer, Kenney, Brown, et grassroots where right-wing ideas complaint. The story that reached the me- democracy survive?” al): “… Only 16% of Millennials self- are strongest, and parachute in Get reconceptualising, Kenney. dia outside Quebec was the vote Helping people believe in the identify with the current conservative hand-picked candidates based on Scheer, Brown, Kenney and to merge with Option nationale QS slogan “a better life is not brand as compared with 66% who their cosmetic media appeal. Can many more double-speakers will (ON), a party that shares many just a dream” is something the self-identify as liberal, moderate or he rebrand himself from right-wing be gathering at the 2018 edition of of the same values of QS but newly merged party will aim to progressive. The term ‘conservative’ storm trooper to slick, urban metro- the Manning Centre Tory love-in to puts more emphasis on inde- do in 2018. But the path forward elicits more negative perceptions than tory? Can he hold on to seats when network and exchange “ideas to make pendence from the Canadian will continue to be full of struggle positive …” The people who came of whole riding associations are quitting Canada a better governed country.” state as a goal in itself. For QS and debate, like all movements age under Stephen Harper consider in disgust and taking him to court? The To sell that as anything other than a independence is a tool for a that challenge the priorities of Conservative politicians among Wynne Liberals are mired in scandal right-wing shit show will take a lot radically progressive government capitalism from within the politi- the least trustworthy people in the and it would take a major doofus to more than reconceptualising. to implement policies that will cal structures created by it. No deportation to torture – let Harkat stay ty-cleared lawyers are allowed to see quently detained without charge for security risk, despite all evidence that and Monia Mazigh—human rights by Chantal Sundaram some of the secret case, but neither 3.5 years, often in solitary confine- he is not. CSIS did not even bother author and wife of torture survivor the detainee nor their public counsel ment. He has struggled under a brutal providing a risk assessment at his Maher Arar. They all drew attention n December 8, protesters is allowed to be present. series of house arrest bail conditions latest bail review: the last one they to the fact that Canada, and now the outside Parliament Hill and And mere weeks after Prime and now continues to fight efforts to produced was back in 2009 and Moe Trudeau government, has obligations speakers inside the Hill media Minister Trudeau solemnly declared have him deported. was labelled a very low risk even under the UN Convention Against Oroom marked 15 years since that “No one, ever, deserves to be Though Harkat was arrested under then. Also, Canadian Border Security Torture that it must live up to by let- the unjust arrest of UN Convention tortured,” the protest and press con- the Harper security regime, the ef- has never even bothered reading any ting Harkat stay. refugee Mohamed Harkat under a ference drew attention to the fact that forts of his supporters to appeal to the of Moe’s risk assessments. I think it The protest outside included stu- Canadian Security Certificate. this is exactly what Harkat now faces Liberal government to let him stay in speaks volumes,” said Harkat’s wife dent and labour activists, community Declared unconstitutional in 2007 after living in Canada since 1995: Canada have so far gone unheeded— Sophie Lamarche Harkat. groups, Canadian Unitarians for So- then reinstated with a minor alter- the federal government’s continued despite any ability to show that he Speakers at the press conference cial Justice, Solidarity Ottawa, the ation, Security Certificates allow for intention to deport him to torture in presents any kind of threat. represented the Campaign to Stop Raging Grannies, and others who secret hearings where the accused Algeria. “My husband has not only been un- Secret Trials in Canada, Amnesty demonstrate that Harkat’s persistence and their lawyers are not allowed to Yet more irony, Harkat was arrest- justly detained or under surveillance International, the International Civil is matched by a community of sup- see the heart of the allegations and ed on International Human Rights for fifteen years, but has been repeat- Liberties Monitoring Group, the Na- porters who refuse to allow his depor- evidence used against them. Securi- Day, December 10, 2002, and subse- edly forced to justify that he is not a tional Council of Canadian Muslims, tation to torture.

2 Socialist Worker January 2018 Catalonia’s ongoing struggle by Kevin Taghabon

Despite severe repression against Catalonia’s October referendum in favour of independence, pro-inde- pendence parties won a majority of seats in regional elections on December 21. Socialist.ca spoke with David Karvala, an activist in Barcelona and a member of Marx21. net, about Catalonia’s ongoing strug- gle for self-determination against the repression of the Spanish state.

What are the faultlines devel- oping in capital? Has there been significant credible threats of capital flight? There is a myth that the Catalan bourgeoisie is behind the inde- pendence movement. This myth is defended by many on the Spanish and European left, but the facts don’t sustain it. In reality Catalan big business, like Spanish big business, is strongly against not only indepen- dence but also the right to decide. That’s why thousands of businesses moved their official headquarters from Barcelona to other parts of the Spanish state at the height of the struggles in September and Octo- ber. This was something that the Solidarity mobilization in Toronto before the December 21st election in Catalonia Photo: John Bonnar right-wing PP government explicitly promoted. fundamentally any better. protest against the paramilitary against house evictions, against ener- to negotiate, with the help of the police being billeted in their towns gy poverty, against bullfighting… all European Union — will not work. Do you see the repression El País journalist John Carlin are guilty of hate crimes, as if they of these laws were overturned by the The EU has already shown that it of the current independence says he was fired for ideologi- were racists or fascists. We should courts in Madrid. supports the Spanish government. So movement as […] perhaps a cal reasons for writing an arti- remember that they hardly ever Some people do exaggerate the the formation of a pro-independence nostalgia for Francoism during cle critical of the Spanish state. prosecute fascists under these laws. changes that independence could government in itself can’t solve the the dire economic situation in Is there fear of repression for So the repression is serious, but by bring but I think it’s clear that the problem. Spain today? political speech, and how does and large it is counterproductive; it opportunities for change will be The left will need to look for It’s typical to say that what’s hap- this affect the climate in civil leads more people to conclude that there. There is a broad consensus ways of strengthening the movement pened here with the police violence society? the only answer is independence. that independence should be associ- from below; and this has to be on a and the repression is because the PP This repression has been going on ated with a Constituent Process; this mass basis, it’s not enough just to are the inheritors of Francoism, but for years. Before it affected the What are the goals of the inde- would be an opportunity for raising mobilize the radical left. In this, one I think this is wrong. Those links Basque struggle, with newspa- pendence movement should questions about what type of society key element will be the CDRs, the are there, of course, but every ruling pers closed down and journalists they succeed? What does a we want and it would be different in Committees to Defend the Republic. class has specific characteristics, imprisoned and even tortured. More Catalan Republic look like? many ways from the society we’re These are neighbourhood assemblies whether it’s the Jacobinism of the recently, like in most of Europe, The independence movement is very living under now. that emerged around the referendum French ruling class, the elements of there’s been a clampdown on diverse. There is a right-wing sector and were a key organizing force in the aristocracy in the British ruling Muslim people. Now it’s the turn that basically wants to change the If Madrid refuses to engage protecting the electoral colleges on class, or whatever. But what makes of the Catalan struggle. So there are frontiers, the flag and the official lan- in good faith, do you antic- October 1. They continue to exist, them behave as they do is the fact the cases of the journalists like you guage and not much else. However, ipate more elections? More some of them involving hundreds of that they are the bourgeoisie; the mention. a large part of the movement sees mobilization? people in a given area. ruling class of a capitalist state. The latest aspect is the use of the the fight for independence as part of It’s difficult to predict what will So our best option for change What we’ve seen in Catalonia laws against hate crimes to repress a fight for more social justice and happen. One thing is clear: Madrid are the CDRs, broadening them to over the last few months is the protests against the police. Two democracy. We’ve already seen hints has no interest in negotiating on involve the organised working class. bourgeoisie in action when its councillors in a town near Tarragona of this. the fundamental question, which is Only with this counter power do we interests are at stake. Nobody in a are being tried for hate crimes for The pro-independence govern- Catalonia’s right to decide its future. have any chance of breaking from country without this specific historic having signed a manifesto criticiz- ment that was in office for the last This means that the main strategy the Spanish state. The idea of change element of Francoism should think ing the police violence on October few years introduced laws against until now of the moderate pro-inde- from above agreed with Madrid is their ruling class would behave 1. They’re saying the people who sexual harassment, against fracking, pendence parties — forcing Spain impossible. Hondurans won’t give up their democracy

by Gustavo Monteiro dian governments, companies and tional “green energy” markets; over they keep the status quo with their within Hernández’s activities, a investors. 150 small farmers in the Aguan re- approved leaders in power. special forces police unit decided to Hondurans are suffering another Russell explained that the Hon- gion have been killed by the military, This year, Salvador Nasralla and no longer obey Government’s orders attack on their democracy. Juan duran ruling class cares about two police and Honduras’ land-owning current president Juan Orlando to repress people. Orlando Hernández, who support- things: maintaining economic re- oligarchy Hernández were the two candidates The situation in Honduras is un- ed the 2009 US-backed coup, has lations with the international com- • textile companies like Nike have leading the polls. Hernández sup- stable. Grahame says ”… if Nasralla been named the new president after munity, primarily the US and also expanded production in low-wage, ported the US-backed coup in 2009. is permitted to become the rightful the November 26 vote, which was Canada, and maintaining support unregulated sweatshops Nasralla was a candidate from an President… it would mark the be- marked by electoral interference. from the U.S. military. • international investors developed alliance between a center-left party ginning of a complicated but desper- During the US-backed coup in Since the 2009 US-backed coup: the Agua Zarca hydro-electric dam, called LIBRE (Liberty and Refoun- ately needed transition away from 2009, left-leaning president Man- • North American tourism operators widely opposed by the indigenous dation) and the Anti-Corruption the 2009 coup… towards – slowly – uel Zelaya was forced to leave the have used government corruption Lenca communities. This resulted Party (PAC). He had a lead with 45 what should and can become a decent country. Canada supports the U.S. and repression to evict Indigenous in the plot to assassinate Berta Cace- per cent of votes against 40 per cent and fair society and country.” government in pushing Central and Garifuna communities from their Ca- res, the widely respected Indigenous for Hernandez. But results were put New elections could be called with Latin America governments to move ribbean coastal lands to build cruise leader. on hold until the electoral commis- an independent agent. Otherwise, forward with resource extraction. ship ports, resorts and condos for For the Honduran elites and their sion announced a larger percentage protests will continue and Hernández Socialist.ca spoke with Grahame “snow birds” international partners, the 2017 elec- of votes for Hernández. will respond with more violence. On Russell of Rights Action in Canada, • mining companies, like Goldcorp tions were supposed to rubber-stamp December 6, a cacerolazo/rally was a non-profit organization that funds and Aura Minerals, have expand- four more years of “Honduras is open Resistance and solidarity organized in Toronto by LACSN human rights, environmental and ed their widely opposed mining for business”. Whenever an anti-es- This made Hondurans take over the (Latin America and Caribbean Sol- development organizations in Gua- operations tablishment candidate seems to be streets to show the government they idarity Network) in solidarity with temala and Honduras. Its mission is • investors have financed the produc- winning, Washington quickly moves won’t accept any manipulation. But Hondurans. to hold accountable US and Cana- tion of bio-diesel fuels for interna- its people and tools to make sure seeing all the corruption involved • More info: www.hondurassolidarity.org

January 2018 Socialist Worker 3 BC NDP APPROVES SITE C DAM Toronto talks climate reform, A BITTER walks austerity BETRAYAL

by Valerie Lannon be delivering a so-called “balanced” budget, saying that Immediate action is needed to there is $9 million leftover. The BC NDP was elected last spring to bring in a new era of reconciliation, build climate make sure the City of Toronto The trouble is, about $40 implements its climate action million is needed to fund not jobs, and prioritize social spending over tax cuts. In December, they approved continuing plan to reduce greenhouse gas only Transform TO but other emissions (GGE). critical initiatives such as the construction on the Site C dam and betrayed all of those hopes. Fair Fare Pass for low-income Transform TO transit riders, two-hour transfers by Michael T. Fenn and Bradley Hughes What we stand to lose. Photo: Emma Gilchrist CC BY 2.0 The plan, called Transform TO, for the transit system, “Tenants was passed by city council in First” – improvements to uring the recent provincial region, explained back in 2014 how to protect our way of life.” As someone who strongly believes in the project. promised to vote against the budget in pulling the strings.” sion to continue construction. July 2017, and aims to reduce Toronto Community Housing, election in British Columbia, destructive this project will be, “The public sector institutions and Crown Whatever the “green” credentials February and trigger an election that Sadly, this fits a rather all too GGE by 30% by 2020, 65% by and the very important Poverty the NDP pledged their support joint review panel clearly stated, ‘You Liberal shenanigans all corporations, to have our electricity of hydro, scientists have long warned would then be mainly about Site C. Bulldoze Indigenous rights familiar pattern occurring through- 2030 and 80% by 2050. Reduction Strategy. Toronto Dfor the principles of “free, haven’t done a cumulative impact as- over again utility lying to us, making up numbers of the ecological destruction of dams This would have added to the pres- to save social programs? out recent history, from Obama Like similar plans such as also has the highest fees in prior and informed consent” as out- sessment. You don’t know if there’s After the election, the new NDP and doing all sorts of spurious com- of this kind. Site C will destroy large sure on the NDP and might only give The Premier returned to one justifica- in the US after the financial crisis the Toronto and York Region the country for child care. But lined in the United Nations Decla- enough usable land left for the First government commissioned an inde- parisons between its preferred option areas of carbon-sequestering boreal faint hope of cancelling the project, tion for building the dam again and and recession in 2009, to Syriza Labour Council’s “Greenhouse rather than help low and middle- ration on the Rights of Indigenous Nations,’ Well there isn’t. Two-thirds pendent review by the BC utilities and the alternative is shameful.” forest, replacing it by stagnant lakes but it would give hope. Instead the again. He said, “It’s clear that Site C in Greece, and Trudeau in 2016. for Greater Toronto”, Transform income people, the city wants Peoples (UNDRIP). of the territory has been taken up. We commission (BCUC) on the Site C The BCUC report found that BC and swamps producing methane, high Greens will allow the government should never have been started. But And the list can go on and on. But TO looks to reduce GGE through a “balanced” budget that still And in the first few minutes of an- have a third left and Site C is a big part project. Its findings, released No- Hydro had greatly inflated the de- and create widespread mercury con- to stand and then oppose the NDP in to cancel it would add billions to the its features are the perplexing not extensive building retrofits manages to find funds for a nouncing approval of continued con- of that…At what point do they cross a vember 1, confirmed what Site C mand forecasts while seeming to tamination in the land, water, and fish. the next election when any chance of Province’s debt – putting at risk our to mention profoundly frustrat- and near zero GGE emissions one-stop subway in Scarborough struction on the Site C dam, Premier threshold of too much land taken up? opponents have been saying since wilfully underestimate the cost effi- This “green” energy is to expand stopping the dam is long gone. ability to deliver housing, child care, ing, backstabbing by the parties of on new building, more mass and rebuilding the Gardiner Horgan described the decision as in I think they’ve crossed it already.” 2014: that it was more expensive ciencies of alternatives (wind, solar, BC’s natural gas industry, proven to schools and hospitals for the left against their own base. Thus transit, increased use of expressway. keeping with NDP values, “that true Site C has been challenged than alternatives, would destroy 100 geothermal and demand management be more CO2 emitting over its entire families across B.C.” alienating -and dividing- them, sustainable energy sources and And this is the same Council reconciliation with Indigenous peo- in both BC and Federal courts by the square kilometres of pristine habitat techniques such as industrial curtail- production cycle, than even coal. Later he expanded, only to pave the way for their own diverting waste from landfills. that refuses to open additional, ples is part and parcel of our quest West Moberly and Prophet River na- and farmland, and would continue ment). In one example Carol Linnitt As climate science is quite clear: to this debt would result defeat at the hands of the political The plan also includes guiding much-needed shelter beds as to create jobs in an environmentally tions, who have refused to sign Impact Canada’s colonial tradition of dis- described how “BC Hydro submitted avoid ecological tipping points with in “foregoing very im- right come next election. British principles like social equity, winter begins in earnest. sustainable way.” Benefit Agreements (IBAs). But even placement of First Nation peoples in to the BCUC that it had screened out catastrophic consequences, we need portant capital projects Columbians know this trend all to affordability, poverty reduction, Yet during the reporters’ questions nations who felt compelled to sign violation of their Treaty Rights. solar energy on the basis of a cost an 80 per cent reduction in fossil fuel like schools, hospitals, well from the NDP administrations local jobs, public health and Community fighting back he admitted, “I am not the first person these agreements with BC Hydro, The previous Liberal government estimate of $97/MWh in 2025. In re- use over the next few decades, having bridges and transit, and in the 90’s, and lukewarm platforms resilient communities. Groups like the Toronto to stand before you and disappoint have filed a litany of lawsuits over touted Site C as a “green” energy sponse to a follow-up question from to reach zero soon afterwards. other initiatives right since, that led to Liberal domination While the 80% reduction in Environmental Alliance and the Indigenous people.” related industrial and LNG devel- alternative that would provide clean the commission, BC Hydro admitted The BCUC report also made clear across British Colum- of the legislature for 16 years. GGE by 2050 is much too late, Toronto Climate Action Network Responding to the announcement, opment on their lands. For example, energy, bringing with it good jobs, the cost of solar is now only half that that alternatives to Site C, geother- bia.” He claimed this Just days before the announce- the main themes of Transform have been monitoring Transform Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Blueberry River nation, who signed economic growth, and prosperity at $48/MWh.” mal, solar, wind and conservation would mean “massive ment, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip TO are worth supporting. TO since its inception. They National Chief Perry Bellegarde said the original Treaty 8 agreement in to all in British Columbia including The BCUC also found that the proj- would be cheaper even including the cuts to the services they of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs are calling for everyone to put “The B.C. NDP government pledged 1900 have ongoing lawsuit claims First Nations. But the BCUC report ect originally budgeted at $8.3 billion, money already spent on the dam. (people) count on.” promised, “With every court case, Do Mayor and Council pressure on the Mayor and to work towards reconciliation and that the cumulative impacts from exposed these lies. already in its third year of construc- The Greens are no alternative The fiscal impact of every delay, every budget lift, and actually care? Council to fully fund Transform this decision is completely contrary extensive industrial development, in- Construction on the dam began tion (costing the province roughly $2 After this betrayal by the NDP cancelling the dam is every rate hike, we will remind We all know how the Liberals TO. to that. We will ensure governments cluding site C, has violated. without any independent, in-depth million a day) is likely going exceed many will look to the BC Greens as an only unsustainable be- British Columbians that it may have like to talk a good line, thinking For the online petition, go to respect our peoples, our rights and The claim asserts that Blueberry examination of the costs of the proj- well over $10 billion. Construction alternative. But this would be a shift cause the NDP won’t been the BC Liberals that got us into people will be fooled when the torontoenvironment.org, “Take our lands. I commend the people of River members can no longer access ect or the demand for the project. The has already cost $2 billion in public to the right. rescind Liberal tax this mess, but it was the BC NDP government doesn’t actually Action”, “Action Alert: Climate Treaty 8 for their action and advocacy uncontaminated land and resources B.C. government skipped the regular expenses, and would cost another $2 Remember, after the election it cuts. For example, a who chose to abandon us there.” deliver and instead carries Action in the City Budget.” against Site C and we stand with them took the BC Greens’ caucus weeks to program to repeal the It is urgent that the anger over through massive austerity Please use or adapt the petition as they continue this fight.” decide if it had more in common with Liberal tax cuts to cor- this decision does not lead people measures. Toronto city wording to contact the Mayor After the announcement Robert “The B.C. NDP government pledged to work towards the Liberals and their corporate back- “Settler Monday” porations and on those earning more into the arms of the Liberals or the politicians are doing the same and members of Council. Phillips of the First Nations Sum- ers or the NDP. The Greens are not on The decision to continue site C has than $100,000 a year would give the Greens. There is no wedge between thing with Transform TO. These groups are also clear mit Political Executive said “the reconciliation and this decision is completely contrary to the side of workers. Andrew Weaver caused widespread and bitter disap- treasury an extra $5 billion annually. jobs and environment, nor between While they unanimously that Council will not get away previous provincial government made this clear in comments on his pointment among the NDPs more By choosing to pit supporters of workers and the public good, only approved the plan earlier this with trying to pit environmental chose to completely ignore their that.” – Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry website, “Ultimately, the BC NDP environmental and social conscious public services against Indigenous between the interests of big busi- year, now they refuse to fund its activists against anti-poverty constitutional duty to consult and made a choice. They chose to elim- supporters. Many have taken to refer rights and a just transition, the NDP is ness and the wealthy against the rest implementation, which means it advocates to fight for crumbs accommodate Treaty 8 First Na- Bellegarde inate the tolls on the Port Mann and to Dec 11th - the day of the announce- pulling its supporters to the right. Un- of us! won’t go ahead. from the budget. tions prior to making the original Gold Ears bridges instead of cancel- ment- as “Black Monday”. (One so- fortunately, until the NDP is willing Site C has proven once again In its November 2017 decision to move forward with the ling Site C”. The Greens would have cial justice critic calling it “Settler to consider reversing the Liberal tax that real change is not something deliberations on the city’s Linking issues Site C project. We are bitterly dis- maintained these tolls, which result in Monday”). And many vowed to never cuts, their supporters again and again that will be given from up on high. estimated 2018 budget of Meanwhile, the Canadian Union appointed that Premier Horgan and capable of sustaining traditional pat- review process and instead ploughed billion just to cancel the project, to penalizing working people with user vote NDP again. will be asked to pit one social need People must create it through soli- nearly $11 billion, Council of Postal Workers is urging its the NDP government has chosen to terns of economic activity and land ahead with a megaproject with no remediate the site. fees, rather than increase taxes on the Marc Eliesen, former BC Hydro against another. This is the politics of darity. A truly progressive platform allocated virtually no funds for members to demand Council stay on that same destructive path. use, as guaranteed by the treaty. These idea whether it was needed or the Despite $4 billion of sunken costs rich to pay for the cancellation of Site CEO, called the decision “sad and austerity, and we can expect that this will not be created by political the climate action plan! City open 1,000 additional shelter This approach is unacceptable and include hunting, eating moose, har- most cost-effective source of elec- the BCUC found that there would be C. stupid,” noting that “It looks like the is the strategy that the NDP will use brokers in the system, but by, and staff recommended that $6.7 beds needed for this winter. an affront to the cultivation of con- vesting berries and medicinal plants tricity. Marc Lee, a senior economist no fiscal benefit in continuing the proj- On top of that, the BC Greens are referral for the independent review again and again. through, the mass based Indige- million would be required in Other unions and organizations structive government to government and teaching children their language with the Canadian Centre for Policy ect, and it recommended cancellation. playing just as cynical a game as the was inauthentic,” “Since the NDP for Not everyone was disappointed nous, labour, and environmental 2018 to get this plan off the should follow this lead. relationship between the provincial while on the land.” Alternatives said, “I would like to see other parties. They could have threat- good economic and social reasons with the decision, the Greater Van- movements. These movements ground. We must stay united and government and BC First Nations.” “Our backs are against the wall,” a full inquiry to investigate how BC Climate crisis ened to bring down the government prior to the election argued against couver Board of Trade, the Inde- need to come together, and in this In a page from the senior link the struggles for climate Chief Roland Wilson of the West said Yahey. “We’ve tried all the time Hydro executives and the previous The report also found BC Hydro’s if Site C was approved. The decision Site C, the only conclusion one can pendent Contractors and Businesses process creating a political party of governments’ handbooks, action with social and economic Moberly Band, one of the original to come up with a solution. This was government essentially conspired to assessment process seriously under- on the dam doesn’t need to go to the reach is that the entrenched bureau- Association and the BC Liberal party its own that can then take on the 1%, Council appears thrilled to justice. Treaty 8 nations of the Peace River our only way to get them to the table manufacture the case for Site C… estimated the ecological impacts of legislature, but the Greens could have cracy, including that of BC Hydro, are all supported the governments deci- and win!

4 Socialist Worker January 2018 January 2018 Socialist Worker 5 Where we stand Socialized medicine, 1917-2017 The dead-end of capitalism The capitalist system is based on violence, oppression and brutal by Jesse McLaren total enrollment. In contrast to that by the population. In other words, exploitation. It creates hunger beside plenty, it threatens our sustenance situation, the Soviet Revolution made nationalization is socialization only through unsafe and unsustainable farming, and kills the earth itself with n 2017 millions felt the Bern a commitment to open the university when it is part of a process toward the pollution and unsustainable extraction of oil, minerals, animals, trees, for single-payer healthcare in to both sexes and all classes and races democratization and self-government and water. Capitalism leads to imperialism and war. Saving ourselves the US, and have continued to and the planet depends on finding an alternative. Imobilize against Trumps’ attacks on healthcare and social security. With A system that is killing the planet increasing interest in both socialized Capitalist profits depend on extracting the world’s blood and bone. The medicine and socialism, it’s useful to devastating impact of capital’s assault on the planet affect the world’s review their rise and fall 100 years ago most vulnerable populations and threaten the long-term meaningful in revolutionary Russia. existence of humanity. Capitalism cannot regulate the catastrophic Most discussion of the Soviet effects of climate change. We stand for climate justice, including the Union falls into two camps who both concept of “just transition” for affected workers. see continuity between Lenin and Stalin: right-wing anti-Bolshevism Socialism and workers’ power condemns the 1917 revolution and Any alternative to capitalism must involve replacing the system from the sees it leading inevitably to the gulag, bottom up through radical collective action. Central to that struggle is the while Stalinist apologists defend the workplace, where capitalism reaps its profits off our backs. repressive state that emerged from Capitalist monopolies control the earth’s resources, but workers counter-revolution. In 1977, during everywhere actually create the wealth. A new socialist society can only the Cold War, public health researcher be constructed when workers collectively seize control of that wealth Vicente Navarro wrote Social Security and plan its production and distribution to satisfy human needs, not and Medicine in the USSR: A Marxist corporate profits—to respect the environment, not pollute and destroy it. Critique, which challenged the right- wing dismissal of the gains of 1917 Oppression while exposing the Stalinist reversal previously discriminated against, of the people. And the degree of Within capitalist society different groups suffer from specific forms of of these policies. and in medical and all other schools socialization in that activity can be oppression. Attacks on oppressed groups are used to divide workers preference was given to applicants measured by the degree of popular and weaken solidarity. We oppose racism and imperialism. We oppose Russian revolution and from the working class and peasantry, participation in the running of that all immigration controls. We support the right of people of colour and counter-revolution as well as to women.” activity.” other oppressed groups to organize in their own defence. We are for real, As Navarro explained, “It is Without successful revolutions This applies to current national social, economic and political equality for women. We are for an end symptomatic of its priorities that elsewhere, revolutionary Russia health systems, from the NHS in to all forms of discrimination and homophobia against lesbians, gays, the first decrees signed by the new was isolated by economic blockade, Britain to Medicare in Canada, which bisexuals and transgender people. [Bolshevik] government…were invaded by a dozen armies and forced have been vaguely define as socialized. We oppose environmental racism. We oppose discrimination on the the peace offer to Germany (not into focusing on production at all cost These were the result of popular basis of religion, ability and age. accepted until 1918), the legalization to survive—which the rising Stalinist demands and broadened access to of the peasantry’s and workers’ bureaucracy turned from a necessity healthcare, but did not revolutionize Canada, Quebec, Indigenous Peoples takeovers, and the establishment of a into a virtue. the control of health resources—which Canada is not a “colony” of the United States, but an imperialist country comprehensive social security system.” As Navarro explains, Stalin killed has made it easier for the gains to be in its own right that participates in the exploitation of much of the world. The Bolshevik slogan “all power most of the old Bolsheviks and gradually stripped away. The Canadian state was founded through the repression of Indigenous to the Soviets” meant power over reversed every gain of the revolution: As Navarro concludes, “a socialist peoples and the people of Quebec. the healthcare system as well, using social insurance as a weapon to process in medicine is not the change We support the struggles for self-determination of Quebec and including a deprofessionalization and force workers to produce, reducing of the control over medicine from one Indigenous peoples up to and including the right to independence. In democratization of the health sector maternity benefits, recriminalizing party to another or from one minority particular, we recognize Indigenous peoples’ original and primary right that would see all health workers abortion, reintroducing a hierarchy to another, but most importantly, to decide their fate and that of their lands, heritage, and traditions. within the same union at the same of labor and income differentials, the process whereby the concept Socialists in Quebec, and in all oppressed nations, work to give the pay and at the service of local soviets. and turning healthcare into a tool to and meaning of medicine change struggle against national oppression an internationalist and working Similar developments emerged in increase the efficiency of labour and as well, ie, from the bourgeois, class content. revolutionary Egypt in 2011, when the accumulation of capital. individualist understanding of hospital unions began organizing all medicine to the collective, political, Internationalism health workers together, undermining Nationalization vs and mass understanding of medicine, The struggle for socialism is part of a worldwide struggle. We campaign the traditional hierarchy in health care. socialization resultant from massive popular for solidarity with workers in other countries. We oppose everything that The massive expansion of social By exposing the Stalinist conception of participation in the decision-making turns workers from one country against those from other countries. We security was accompanied by a top-down management, Navarro draws and implementation of whatever support all genuine national liberation movements. quantitative and qualitative expansion a distinction between nationalization form of medicine may evolve in a The 1917 revolution in Russia was an inspiration for the oppressed of physicians, tripling the number and socialization (though he doesn’t socialist society… Second, another everywhere. But it was defeated when workers’ revolutions elsewhere of doctors and reversing historic apply this same distinction to the conclusion to be drawn from that were defeated. A Stalinist counter-revolution, which killed millions, inequalities. As Navarro explained, Cuban regime): “the nationalization initial experience of the October created a new form of capitalist exploitation based on state ownership “Prior to the Soviet Revolution, of a sector of economic or social Revolution period is that a socialist and control. In Eastern Europe, China and other countries, a similar women composed less than 10 activity (like the health sector) can process in medicine is not possible system was later established by Stalinist, not socialist, parties. We percent of all medical students… only be referred to as the socialization unless it is part and parcel of the support the struggle of workers in these countries against both private Similarly, Jews were allotted a special and state capitalism. of that activity when it improves larger process of democratization of quota of no more than 3 percent of the direct control over the activity the entire society.”

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 trade union 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 January 2018 Challenging REVIEW Islamophobia How the truckers won: by Carolyn Egan

n a dark night in December, trade unionists from the rapid response socialists in 1934 Minneapolis team of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council gathered at the Ontario by Peter Hogarth The vision of the CLA leaders was always OFederation of Labour building. They were to broaden and strengthen the support for the joining community members from the Coalition he word socialism is everywhere these truckers’ demands. Rather than relying on of- Against White Supremacy and Islamophobia days. Corbyn and Sanders have shown ficial union leadership to finesse the best deal, who had called a demonstration against the popularity of it in their campaigns the Trotskyists saw their strength coming bigotry. Tbut what is socialism? How do we from the members’ ability to stay strong, stop Just two blocks away on the same street, get there? What should socialists be doing goods from being moved throughout the city, the Canadian Christian College was hosting right now to help make it happen? On these and continue the strike. This perspective led Pamela Geller, a notorious Islamophobe. She questions, Bryan D. Palmer’s Revolutionary to the creation of Women’s Auxiliary Strike was speaking to a crowd of the far-right and was Teamsters is a great place to start. committees by spouses and family of truckers trying to inflame anti-Muslim sentiment in our Palmer tells the story of a small group and women CLA activists. These committees community. Not even a year has passed since of Trotskyist activists in Minneapolis who had the dual effect of strengthening the strike six men were gunned down while praying in their helped change the course of labour histo- and challenging sexist gender roles in the mosque in Quebec City. The number of hate ry in America. The group, organized as the Minneapolis working class. crimes has been steadily growing, and building Communist League of America (CLA), saw a strong response is critical. socialism as the remedy to the ills of capital- Organization Just south is Flemingdon Park, the home ism. They saw socialism as the product of the The fact that this rank-and-file perspective of thousands of Muslim Canadians, where a radical collective action of the working class could be implemented owes to the organi- woman wearing a hijab was viciously attacked to replace capitalism with a system based on zation and coordination that the CLA had by a racist. Members of that community spoke the collective ownership of the means of pro- created in Minneapolis. Trotskyist militants to those assembled before they marched duction, for human need not profit. The story like Ray Dunne and Carl Skoglund were or- the short distance to the college. Arriving, of Minneapolis in 1934, is the story of how ganized around a set of politics, revolution- they saw security for the meeting made up a small group of like-minded socialists took at the time to help organize into their local ary socialism, that saw the working class as of La Meute, the Northern Guard and other concrete steps to try and advance towards workers in non-union coal fields including the key to a better world. They spent years members of the alt-right. They appeared to their vision of a socialism. inside workers, shovelers and other workers patiently explaining their understanding of be itching for a confrontation, many of them involved in the coal business in Minneapolis. the world and what it would take to make it holding small clubs. The police presence was Rank-and-file The CLA members and their close political better for themselves and their coworkers. heavy in the surrounding area, including on Minneapolis was a city whose business class allies played a leading role in the project. Be- Through a climate of anti-unionism, com- horseback. was organized in the ruthless Citizens Alli- cause they had a vision of the revolutionary placent Teamster leadership and vicious The anti-racist march was committed to ance and bragged about being a non-union transformation of society, their idea of work- employers, they spread their message to in- a peaceful protest, making clear that this town. The struggle of 1934 took place over ing class organizing extended far beyond the dividual co-workers and tried to find political bigotry was not welcome in our community. union recognition in unorganized coal fields. one or two coal fields and few drivers that followers and allies who would help them to There were members, including local The prevailing climate of unions at the time were in 574. They wanted to raise the level make their vision of class struggle come to leadership, of the Ontario Public Service was a narrow craft-unionism that sought to of struggle and build working class power. life. Employees Union, CUPE Local 79, the United make peace with the boss and organize only Therefore, their trade unionism meant orga- Their patience paid off as they were able to Steelworkers, labour council and the Ontario “skilled” workers, mostly ignoring racialized nizing unorganized workers and, contrary to expand the influence and reach of their poli- Federation of Labour. They made up the and immigrant workers. Minneapolis truck the narrow unionism of the Teamster boss- tics many times over. Trotskyists soon com- majority of the protesters. drivers local Teamsters 574 had 75 mem- es, raising expectations and helping those manded an earned influence over thousands Chants rang out, “No hate, no fear, Mus- bers (including a few members of the CLA) workers see that only through their collective of 574 members, tens of thousands of work- lims are welcome here”, “All of us or none of and broke with the prevailing craft-unionism strength would it be possible to win. ers, the unemployed and other supporters. us”, “Immigrants in, racists out”, “Black lives matter here”. This continued in front of the building, stating clearly to the media pres- ent and passers by that our community as Net neutrality: call for public broadband a whole will stand shoulder to shoulder with those subjected to Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, antisemitism and bigotry of any sort. by Kevin Taghabon We have seen the demonstration of 60,000 neo-Nazis in Poland, Marine Le Pen leader of ince its inception the internet has been the National Front in the run-off in the French touted as a tool with radical democratic elections, Golden Dawn in Greece and the potential. Despite some broken prom- far right marching in Charlottesville. In these Sises, it has been used widely to orga- times of economic uncertainty and political nize towards justice. Net neutrality has been volatility where the neoliberal agenda is run- integral for this, and it has just been struck ning roughshod over the poor and the working down. class, scapegoating is rampant. Divide and Net neutrality dictates that access to the rule is the recipe of the day for the capitalists internet should be neutral and non-discrimi- and governments all over the world. natory. Once someone is on the internet, they We can not allow the politics of division to can freely connect to any website they wish weaken our struggles against the one percent. without throttling or censorship from Internet The most vulnerable amongst us, racialized Service Providers (ISPs). communities, women, LGBTQ are particularly The Republican-majority Federal Com- under attack. It is very important that the munications Commission (FCC) voted on trade union movement be front and centre December 14th 3-2 to repeal net neutrality. in the fightbacks that are taking place. The ISPs now have the right to set up tiered in- Seattle councilwoman Kshama Sawant calls for municipal public broadband. working class has a central role as we build ternet packages. ISPs have every incentive the movement for change. Labour councils all to prioritize customers with more money and like Occupy and Standing Rock would never imum profits. over Ontario have been mobilizing against this turn the internet into the nightmare of cable have gotten off the ground without coverage For now there are legislative options as threat and this must continue. all over again. provided by independent outlets, viable only well to block the repeal. Democrat Chuck We must remember that we are also As this is uncharted territory, it remains to under net neutrality. Schumer has promised to force a vote in the having victories such as the fight for the $15 be seen how each company will react. ISPs Net neutrality is not a domestic American Senate. Many states attorneys are banding minimum wage in Ontario through a strong have little reason not to price gouge people issue. The American public funded the cre- together to sue the FCC. grass roots movement. Pipelines have been accustomed to universal access. There is ation of the internet through projects in the These uphill battles should be framed as stopped and women are speaking out strongly every reason for say, Disney, to push “premi- 1970s. It was a mistake for web service to end what they are – a desire to return to the status against the misogyny, harassment and assault um” placement and streaming of their mov- up in private hands. But this current reality quo. Much like healthcare, it is possible to use they are being subjected to. Trump’s election ies on Netflix. Netflix could transfer this cost means that the country with the most physical a bad situation (Obamacare repeal efforts) to was met by one of the largest demonstrations onto consumers who will pay for Star Wars internet infrastructure is the US. American move the needle towards justice (universal we have ever seen and his Muslim ban was no matter what, or ask Disney to pay for this laws have global effects. healthcare). Socialist Alternative’s Kshama objected to at airports across the US with privilege. This would eventually bury content While the CRTC has repeatedly upheld net Sawant among many others has called for New York City cab drivers refusing to take created by teams without mountains of cash. neutrality provisions in Canada, this does not public broadband. Canadians can choose to fares from arriving flights. Continuing to Either way, consumers lose. mean we are safe. Bell is currently lobbying organize towards this, or rest under the shade build from below is the way we can defeat The net neutrality repeal poses larger polit- for the right to block websites directly. Ad- of our own telecom giants. the growth of the far right and develop an ical problems as well. In 2005 Telus blocked ditionally, investor-state dispute settlement inclusive movement that can not only protest access to a pro-union website during a dis- (ISDS) clauses in active and coming free l Sign the petition demanding that the attacks but bring an alternative vision of a pute, and blocked 766 other sites to achieve trade deals have been used to sue sovereign Bell’s ISP censorship powers proposal world without oppression and exploitation. this. This is now legal in the US. Movements states that have laws that interfere with max- be struck down: http://bit.ly/2CAO40G

January 2018 Socialist Worker 7 $2 | No 600 | January 2018 | socialist.ca Sexual harassment: a systemic problem We need collective action. by Faline Bobier That is why the announcement that the Wom- en’s March Alliance has called a demonstration This month is the one-year anniversary of two in New York City on January 20 to mark a year earthshaking events: the inauguration of US pres- since Trump’s inauguration is a welcome sign. ident Donald Trump, and the Women’s Marches There will also be a march in Toronto on the same in Washington and around the world the day after date. his inauguration. Trump’s recent tax bill will benefit only the This was the largest single-day protest in US wealthy, and will bring cuts to Medicare and history, and saw sizeable marches in many other other programs that poor and low-income people countries, including 60,000 in Toronto. depend on. An expected 13 million Americans Time magazine underlined the importance of will lose access to healthcare as a direct result of Trump’s election by choosing him as last year’s the tax cuts for the superwealthy. ‘Person of the Year’. This year, Time’s ‘person of Only an organized, collective response to the year’ is the #MeToo movement – and rightly Trump and the politics he represents can pose a so. real challenge. And that challenge cannot rely on Black feminist activist Tarana Burke founded the Democratic Party. Although Hillary Rodham #MeToo ten years ago as a grassroots movement Clinton is a woman, she represents the interests of to help sexual assault survivors in underprivi- the American ruling class just as much as Trump. leged communities, where rape crisis centres and In fact, it was the failure of the Democrats to offer sexual assault workers were not often available. anything better for the majority of Americans that No one could have foreseen how relevant this lead to Trump’s election in the first place. movement would become. Revelations about Black feminist Tarana Burke founded #MeToo movement Photo: Democracy Now We need to heed the words of this Appalachian Hollywood figures such as producer Harvey great-grandmother, on the day after the Republi- Weinstein started with one courageous actress, women voters in particular – that Republican out about their experiences of sexual harassment can tax bill was passed: Rose McGowan, speaking out about her rape and judge Roy Moore lost the recent election to the and violence, but that this is a systemic problem “Last night the Senate voted to rob the working victimisation at his hands. Senate in Alabama. Multiple women alleged that also faced by working class and poor women on middle class and the working poor, the elderly, Many more women (and some men) followed Moore had made unwanted advances when they a daily basis. Statistics on the Canadian Labour our children, students and veterans to further en- with their own stories of rape, harassment and were in their teens (the youngest was 14 at the Congress website highlight the following facts: rich the filthy rich and large corporations. These abuse. Several Hollywood and media icons have time). In spite of this, Trump endorsed Moore in •1 in 10 women aged 18 to 24 report having so-called Christians say they follow the teachings seen their careers ended. The difference this time the election – one sexual predator to another. experienced sexual harassment at work within of Jesus. They do not… Listen very carefully Mr. is that women were actually believed when they But the phenomenon of sexual harassment the previous 12 months Ryan, Mr. McConnell and your greed-filled ilk. spoke out. and violence is much broader than what happens •On any given day, over 3000 women (along We the people see your tax scam for what it is The success of the #MeToo movement at this in Hollywood. As American writer and activ- with their 2500 children) are staying in an emer- and we will overcome.” moment speaks in part to rage at the spectacle ist Barbara Ehrenreich tweeted recently, “Our gency shelter to escape domestic violence. Let’s work to make sure the Women’s marches of a president who has himself been accused of current sex harassment discussion is woefully •Indigenous women are 3 times more likely to in January are as big, as diverse and as militant as sexual harassment by 20 different women, but class-skewed. Too much about actresses and not report being the victim of a violent crime. they can be, as we organize for an end to sexism, who continues in power nonetheless. enough about hotel housekeepers.” Oppression is experienced by individuals, but racism and homophobia, and the rotten economic It was largely due to Black voters – and Black The point is not that actresses should not speak it cannot be systematically resolved on that level. system that underpins them all. In 2018 keep fighting for $15 and fairness by Peter Hogarth announcement. Voters are not so quick to trust the party that has suddenly become defenders This New Year’s workers across Ontario can of workers after campaigning last election on celebrate the passing of Bill 148, which will cutting 100,000 jobs. give 1.7 million workers a pay raise on January The Liberals, who have been plagued by 1st. The victory was not a Christmas present scandals have benefited from tying their future from the Liberals but a product of workers cam- to Bill 148. The NDP, who have the most to paigning, agitating, fighting and striking to win gain by being advocates for decent work, have $15 and Fairness. been reluctant to celebrate the bill’s victory or embrace the $15 and Fairness campaign; em- Business backlash phasizing instead the opportunism of the Lib- The business community has come out against erals. They do however officially endorse the improvements to labour laws. Metro grocery $15 minimum wage raise and have called for stores are saying that they are looking to improvements to the legislation. automation, price increases, job cuts and getting rid of 24 hour grocery service. Loblaws Fight for $15 and Fairness has warned that it will cut jobs. The Ontario We know the Tories are out to destroy our gains. Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian The way to counter that is not by putting our Federation of Independent Businesses claim hopes in the Liberals or leaving it to the NDP, that recent minimum wage increases have been but rather by demonstrating the power of the a disaster for small business. workers in Ontario. These are cynical attempts to sow fear The increase in the minimum wage was won through campaigning and striking The $15 and Fairness campaign needs to and confusion among the public. Metro and continue to show its power in the streets and in Loblaws had profits of $132.4 million and places like Seattle and New York. than cancel it. Nevertheless, the election of a the workplaces to defend what we’ve won and $201 million respectively, increases from the Tory government in Ontario would put the $15 demand more. previous year. The OCC and CFIB are ignoring June election and Fairness victory in jeopardy. the many studies showing that recent minimum Patrick Brown and the Conservative Party are Polling suggests that the Tories did not receive For more information visit wage hikes have brought positive benefits to promising to delay the $15 raise to 2022 rather the bump they had hoped for with their platform 15andfairness.org