(The following article is from the December 1-31, 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.)

People's Voice Editorial, Dec. 1-31, 2008

The days before this issue of People's Voice went to the printer were filled with intense political action, starting on Nov. 27 when news broke about Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's economic update. The first response came at the BC Federation of Labour's annual convention, where delegates immediately demanded action to bring down the Harper minority government. Earlier in the week, BC Fed delegates had expressed similar anger at the excesses and brutality of international capitalism.

     Both cases are examples of a new, militant mood emerging within the Canadian working class. Millions of workers are tired of hearing that they must quietly accept job cuts, the slashing of social programs, attacks on pensions and pay equity, the erosion of Canadian sovereignty, all because there is supposedly "no alternative" to the bosses' program.

     Well, here's a memo to big capital. There is an alternative, and working people are starting to give it a good, hard look. Step one in this alternative is crucial: drive the far-right Harper Tory gang out of office.

     Step two: if a Liberal-NDP coalition does take power, put the pressure on for sweeping, progressive policies. The two parties have signed an agreement for limited reforms, but that's no reason to just sit back and watch. Over 60% of Canadians voted against Harper on Oct. 14, and we must demand that any new coalition go beyond tinkering with Tory policies. See the proposals from the Communist Party on this page for some immediate and longer-term reforms.

     Step three: fundamental change is needed. The events in Ottawa were sparked by Tory arrogance, but the real problem is a capitalist system which creates crises by its very nature. There will be no lasting guarantees of full employment, social justice, equality and peace until we replace private appropriation with a socialist society based on democratic people's ownership of productive wealth. Yes, that's a big task, but the times demand such a change, and we are confident that support for socialism will continue to grow.