Freedom Socialist • Vol. 20, No. 3 • October-December 1999

Socialist Caucus Manifesto calls New Democrats to action

by Harry Paine

Generations of working people have claimed the New Democratic Party as their own. Well they should. As the only political voice of organized labour, the NDP has been responsible for winning vast gains including socialized healthcare, social security, welfare and, in some provinces, public ownership of insurance, transportation and energy.

This decade has seen a global offensive by multinational corporations to privatize every level of publicly held services, industries and resources. Business seeks to reap huge profits by making individuals pay for basic needs previously ensured by governments. At the same time, big companies want to end the right of labour unions to defend the aspirations of their members.

Within the NDP, a majority of its leadership has succumbed to this trend, known as globalization, neo-liberalism or the Third Way. But NDP rank and file have rebuffed them.

At the federal NDP convention held in Ottawa in late August, 95 percent of 700 delegates voted in support of a resolution denouncing the Third Way. Up to one-third of delegates voted to reject leadership policy papers that failed to define a workingclass orientation for the party.

The revolt in the party was led by the newly formed NDP Socialist Caucus and supported by delegates in the union, women, visible minority, and youth caucuses.

The “Manifesto for a Socialist Canada” is the programme of the NDP Socialist Caucus, whose aim is to return the party to its founding principle — the need for a Canada in which the wealth is shared equally by all.

What follows are excerpts from the Manifesto, which was eagerly picked up and taken home by 400 delegates.

Replacement of capitalism with socialism

Socialists around the world believe in the establishment of a society where the exploitation of one class by another will no longer exist.

By socialism we mean the replacement of the private ownership of the major means of production, distribution, banking and exchange with social ownership under workers’ self-management and democratic government. A socialist NDP government would institute a system of economic planning [to satisfy] human needs rather than private profit.

The road to socialism requires a clear vision. Party policies must be consistent with this objective [and] include the fight to eliminate unemployment, poverty, homelessness and racism; the protection and expansion of social programmes such as health care, education, child care and housing; the strengthening of labour laws, including employment and pay equity laws; the legislation of a shorter work day with no loss in pay or benefits; and regulations protecting our environment.

The international dimension

Massive anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist and democratic struggles have become the major feature of today’s world. Socialists identify with the insurgents, and extend the hand of solidarity. We strive to transform the NDP into an active supporter of these workers’ and farmers’ struggles.

The War on the Poor

The creation of mass poverty within the ranks of the working class is a matter of deep concern for all working people. A socialist NDP would be at the forefront of the War of the Poor against those who profit from their misery.

The National Question

The NDP must champion self-determination for Quebec, as well as for the Acadian and Aboriginal peoples of Canada. This is a matter of democratic principle. Self-determination is a right of oppressed nations.

Against racism, sexism, ableism and homophobia

NDP must champion struggles against racism, sexism, ableism and homophobia.

The NDP should actively participate in the direct, mass action wing of the movements for the liberation of women, lesbians, gays, transgendered persons, the physically and psychologically challenged, and victims of racist discrimination. Legislation only codifies what is won in struggle.

For a clean, safe, sustainable environment

Since the advent of the industrial revolution, the Earth’s biosphere has been under steadily increasing assault. In their blind pursuit of profit, owners of Capital have poisoned the waters, fouled the air and exhausted the soil.

The fight for the survival of all life on Earth is the order of the day, and this fight calls for the most radical and immediate action. Capital will not relent.

On to victory

Probably the most basic democratic right ever conceived is that those who create the wealth of society should own and control it. It is to the realization of this right that the NDP Socialist Caucus commits itself.

Millions of people throughout Canada can be moved by the vision of a new society in which democracy, equality and cooperation — the essential values of socialism — will one day be the prevailing principles of social organization. It is in the growth of that vision, in the resurgence of its organized expression, and in the success of workers’ struggles where the best hope for humankind resides.

The full text of the Manifesto for a Socialist Canada is available at www.ndp.org/socialist, or write to: Socialist Caucus NDP, 98 Chatham Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4H 1K7.

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