(The following article is from the September 16-30, 2008, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

The Canadian Peace Alliance and the Québec-based Collectif Echec a la guerre have announced a pan-Canadian day of action on October 18, to end the war in Afghanistan, and to bring the troops home now.

     In an early September call to action, the groups note that "Stephen Harper's government is set to call a federal election for October 14. This is an important moment for the peace movement in Canada.

     "Harper has made it clear what his priorities are. On March 13, 2008, his government extended Canada's mission in Afghanistan to 2011, despite opposition from a majority of Canadians. And over the next 20 years, Harper plans to spend $490 billion on the military budget, including the war in Afghanistan. In 2003, Harper was the only political leader in Canada to support the war in Iraq. Today, he is showing his support for Bush's war by deporting Iraq war resisters to the US.     

     "Most Canadians oppose this agenda. That's why this election is so important. Elections provide us with many opportunities to talk to people who are concerned about the future of the country, and who want the war to end. All-candidates' meetings, fund-raisers, rallies and other campaign events are occasions to meet and engage with people beyond our existing networks, and to build the day of action on October 18.

     "Canadian soldiers will still be in Afghanistan the day after the election. NATO bombs will continue to kill Afghan civilians. Billions in aid money will continue to disappear into the pockets of corrupt officials. Warlords and drug lords will still dominate the Afghan parliament. US/NATO strategy will still be guided by the needs of pipeline construction.

     "No matter what the outcome of the election, Canada still needs a strong and united peace movement. And it needs to send a clear message to whoever forms the government that a majority of Canadians still want the troops to come home."

     The Canadian Peace Alliance is developing special election materials to promote the Oct. 18 day of action, and to broaden the anti-war movement during the campaign. To order materials, phone 416-588-5555 or e-mail cpa@web.ca.

     For more information, check the CPA website at http://www.acp-cpa.ca, or visit http://www.echecalaguerre.org.