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Table of Contents RE-INVENTING THE LEFT IN CANADA Introduction........................................................................................................ 31 A Party in Crisis?..................................................................................................33 The Informed Viewer ..........................................................................................34 Canadian Social Democratic Movement Overview ..............................................35 Fortune and Men’s Eyes ...................................................................................... 39 Discussion, Research, and Essay Questions ..........................................................43 RE-INVENTING THE LEFT IN CANADA Introduction After a disappointing showing in the Novem- deficits, there is increased public support for ber 2000 federal election, its third since a halt to further cuts to spending in educa- 1993, the federal New Democratic Party tion, health, and social programs, and a faces serious challenges as it contemplates its reinvestment of tax revenues into these vital political future. Under the leadership of areas. Alexa McDonough, the NDP’s campaign Such trends should offer a promising focused directly on what all the opinion polls environment for the NDP and its social indicated was the primary concern of Cana- reform message, yet in three successive dians: the preservation of the country’s federal elections the party has been relegated publicly funded health-care system. Despite to an increasingly marginal position in the NDP’s often-repeated claims that as the Canadian federal politics. In fact, during the party responsible for introducing medicare in last campaign most media coverage was Canada it could best be counted on to defend devoted to what were viewed as the only two the system from further cuts, only eight per parties that could realistically claim to be cent those who voted in the election gave it serious contenders for power—the Liberals their support. The NDP’s total representation and the Canadian Alliance. At the provincial in the House of Commons fell from 21 to 13 level, the situation appears somewhat more seats, barely enough to win it official party promising, at least on the surface, as the NDP status in the next Parliament, and only one currently holds office in Manitoba, seat more than Joe Clark’s Conservatives. It Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. But it lost ground to the resurgent Liberals in is solid only in Manitoba, where it won Atlantic Canada, and to the Canadian Alli- election under Gary Doer in 1999. In ance in the West, while managing to win Saskatchewan, it governs in a shaky coalition only a single riding in seat-rich Ontario. with the Liberals, which may end now that The results of the election were discourag- the province’s popular premier, Roy ing, frustrating, and puzzling to both party Romanow, has left politics. And in British insiders and those who care about the future Columbia, most observers predict that the of the NDP as an important political force in NDP will be obliterated at the polls when Canada. For the party’s poor electoral show- Premier Ujjal Dosanjh calls the next election ing occurred at a moment when there appears there. In Ontario, the NDP has yet to recover to be a growing movement for economic, from the widespread public disenchantment social, and political change in this country with the policies of Bob Rae’s government, and elsewhere. Huge demonstrations against in power from 1990 to 1995, and in Atlantic the negative consequences of globalization Canada the party shows some strength only have erupted in the streets of many cities in Nova Scotia. around the world. Young people in particular Some inside and outside the party suggest are mobilizing against what they view as the that a leadership review may be in order. serious threat transnational corporations and While Alexa McDonough is still widely international financial bodies pose to the respected, there is a growing sense that after environment, workers’ rights, and cultural two lackluster campaigns the NDP might diversity. Now that governments in Canada fare better with a new face at the top. There have largely succeeded in reducing their are even proposals that the party change its News in Review — 31 — April 2001 name and revamp its policies in order to globalization demonstrations in Quebec City attract the attention and support of more during the Summit of the Americas in April Canadians. Inside the party, there is consider- 2001 indicates that the party may indeed be able debate about the nature and direction of considering a radical change of direction and such changes, with some advocating a shift image. Whatever future leadership and to the pragmatic, centrist “Third Way” stance policy choices the party may make, it is clear exemplified by British Prime Minister Tony that the New Democratic Party is desperately Blair. Others in the NDP instead call for a in need of renewal if it is to maintain its hard left turn. The NDP’s controversial relevance on the Canadian political scene. decision to throw its support behind the anti- Additional Important Resources These principal issues in this News in Review The Council of Canadians story can be extended and supplemented (www.canadians.ca), is an organization that through the following: promotes greater Canadian control over the environment and social programs. The official Web site of the New Democratic Party of Canada can be found at The upcoming News in Review story (May www.ndp.ca. 2001) of the Summit of the Americas to be held in Quebec City will also be an important A Web site that links the activities of a parallel resource for the issue of the emer- number of groups in Canada and other gence of a new style of political left. countries opposed to what they view as the negative consequences of globalization can be accessed at www.tao.ca. April 2001 — 32 — News in Review RE-INVENTING THE LEFT IN CANADA A Party in Crisis? As the NDP struggles to redefine its role within Canadian politics and regain its traditional levels of voter support, it faces a new challenge from groups outside the mainstream political scene that question its continuing relevance. A new generation of left-wing activists has emerged, deeply committed to mounting a strong public protest against what it views as the negative consequences of globalization, including the deterioration of the environment, exploitation of workers in developing countries, and a corporate-led assault on the power of governments to defend social and cultural programs. This new social movement has attracted the attention and support of many young people in Canada and elsewhere who would once have gravitated to the NDP as the voice of socio- economic reform and political change. There is a new generation of activists like Naomi Klein, author of the influential anti-corporate-power book No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies. Many of them view the NDP as at best irrelevant to current struggles, or even unwill- ing or unable to mount a serious challenge to the corporate agenda that they believe influences most government policies, in Canada and elsewhere. Regeneration 1. As you watch this News in Review report, note the contrasts between the “old” left, represented by the NDP, and the “new” left, which includes the new social movements opposed to globalization. How are the young people involved in these movements making their views known? In what ways do their methods and beliefs differ from those of traditional left-wing parties like the NDP? What are your impressions of the people interviewed in the video (Alexa McDonough, Naomi Klein, Jesse Hirsch, Maude Barlow, and Jim Laxer)? 2. Some might say that the term re-inventing is an oxymoron (an apparent contradic- tion of terms) in that once something is “invented” or originated, it cannot, by definition, be re-invented. With reference to information or images in the video suggest what you think the process is that is going on in the left in Canada, or in the world. Are there terms or descriptive phrases that you think better describe the phenomenon? Is there any contradiction between the strategies and philosophies of the so-called old and new left? News in Review — 33 — April 2001 RE-INVENTING THE LEFT IN CANADA The Informed Viewer After a second viewing of the video, explain the significance, short- or long-term implica- tions, and the possible ramifications of the following. 1. The November 1999 Seattle demonstrations were held to protest the meeting of the World Trade Organization, an international body that protesters claim is pursuing trade and invest- ment policies that harm the environment and the rights of workers in poor countries. 2. During the early 1990s there was great public concern over government debts and deficits. This did not work to the NDP’s advantage, because it was widely perceived as a political party that supports greater government spending on health care, education, and social pro- grams. Currently, many Canadians are concerned about things like health care, safe drinking water, genetically manufactured foods, the homeless, free trade, and globalization. 3. Young Canadian political activists have participated in demonstrations in Toronto, demand- ing more assistance for the homeless, and at the 1998 APEC summit in Vancouver, where many were roughed up and pepper-sprayed by the RCMP. 4. The Internet is becoming an important tool for young activists in organizing demonstrations and other political actions. Using Web sites like www.tao.ca, they can link up with like- minded people around the world, and no longer use a political party as a vehicle for mobiliza- tion. The Internet also enables them to focus on any one or more of a number of issues of social concern, such as native rights, genetic engineering, and local democracy. 5. According to its Web site, the Council of Canadians is a 100 000-member organization with an operating budget of $4.5-million and 65 active chapters nationwide. According to Maude Barlow, president of the Council, it is Canada’s largest public advocacy group.