(The following article is from the February 1-28, 2010 issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 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

A unique gathering will take place this month, bringing together members of the only political party openly dedicated to defending the interests of the working class of Canada. Delegates to the 36th Convention of the Communist Party of Canada will meet at the Steelworkers' Hall in Toronto, across the street from the historic building which was home to the CPC for decades.

     Elected at provincial nominating meetings, the delegates are a vivid reflection of activists from across the country, ranging from young students to senior citizens. They come from a wide range of national backgrounds, including Aboriginal, Quebecois, and English-Canadian, as well as from racialised minority communities, speaking a variety of languages. Many are trade union members, and most are involved in various progressive movements - peace coalitions, municipal reform groups, anti-poverty and social equality campaigns. Together with their sisters and brothers in the people's movements, they struggle every day against the impact of the corporate assault, helping to organize fightbacks large and small. A bigger, stronger Communist Party will make an enormous difference in strengthening this fightback.

     What's different about these delegates is a shared commitment to go beyond resistance against neoliberal attacks and imperialist war. Their goal is to build a new society, one in which capitalist exploitation and oppression in all its deadly forms are abolished forever. A society in which the wealth created by the working class is our common property, democratically controlled by all to meet our fundamental needs, not to enrich greedy bosses or destroy the natural environment. A socialist Canada, in other words.

     No other party has such a bold vision of the future. At a time of unparalleled danger to our planet, that's why growing numbers of people are joining the Communist Party. We send our best wishes to the delegates to the 36th Convention, and we urge all who share this vision to consider joining Canada's party of socialism.