(The following article is from the January 1-31, 2009, 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

Among the most irresponsible actions of PM Stephen Harper has been his use of big-nation chauvinism to undermine the Liberal-NDP coalition in Parliament. According to Harper, the coalition's agreement with the Bloc Quebecois, in which the latter would not defeat a new government for 18 months, is a "conspiracy with separatists" to destroy Canada. This dirty slander ignores the reality that Mr. Harper himself has often escaped non-confidence motions through the votes of BQ Members of Parliament. When it suited his tactical purposes, Mr. Harper knew how to play upon nationalist sentiments, such as his largely symbolic resolution to "recognize" Quebec as a nation. Not least, for all his bluster, Mr. Harper has made a career out of policies to destroy Canadian sovereignty by aligning this country more closely with US imperialism.

     Just as important, it is necessary to stress that Harper's attack continues a historic Conservative policy: denial of the right of self-determination. In the name of "national unity," The Harper Tories are deliberately inflaming anti-Quebec sentiments among English-speaking Canadians, a campaign which can only divide working people and exacerbate conflicts. The Conservative offensive is in fact a menace to Canadian unity, since it serves to strengthen the nationalist forces within Quebec.

     Fortunately, many progressive voices in English-speaking Canada have condemned Harper's chauvinist rants. We urge the labour and democratic movements to go further, by defending the rights of the Aboriginal peoples and Quebec, including reaffirming recognition of the national right to self-determination.