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PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT BEGIN MOBILIZING FOR ELECTION!
by Darrell Rankin
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THE NOV. 27 ELECTION has major organizations scrambling to survey the positions of the major parties. Some are planning campaigns to raise vital concerns, since the millions of dollars spent on ads by the big parties will obscure issues such as the farm crisis, child poverty and First Nations' rights.
The election will see two mass protests to save Medicare. Rallies on Oct. 28 in Quebec and Ontario will send a message to block the profit-hungry corporations that are plundering and eroding the Medicare system. The Council of Canadians is organizing a cross?Canada protest to save Medicare on Wednesday, Nov. 15 (see below).
This election is marked by the rise of the anti-corporate-globalization movement. Reflecting the fears of millions of people about the direction of world politics, this movement is helping to expose the major parties of big business, the Liberals and the Canadian Alliance
None of the major parties, including the NDP, offers a fundamental challenge to the corporate agenda. The Canadian Labour Congress, the NDP's biggest supporter, faces a tough job to educate its members about the threat posed by the big business parties, and to mobilize in support of a tepid NDP platform and performance over the last three years. The CLC does carry into the election some momentum from its support for the World March of Women and anti-corporate globalization actions over the last year.
The big swings in opinion polls are evidence of a search for solutions by growing numbers of Canadians, but labour and other people's movements are up against well-financed parties that will dominate the media. Still, many groups are doing what they can, with few resources, to shift opinion away from the Liberals and Canadian Alliance, and to present democratic alternatives.
Here is a partial round up of preparations so far and how to get involved. In our next issue, we will cover efforts by other groups.
Council of Canadians
The Nov. 15 cross?Canada demonstrations in support of medicare will target corporations responsible for privatizing healthcare. While many people believe privatization is still at the discussion stage, the protests will expose the corporations that are already carving up the medicare system.
Leading up to the protests, the CoC will issue a joint report with the Canadian Centre on Policy Alternatives on the privatization of medicare. The Council is printing 100,000 copies of a voters guide on the positions of the major parties, and will intervene in the election as issues arise. You can reach the CoC at (613)233-2773 or www.canadians.org.
National Action Committee on the Status of Women
As a major organizer of the World March of Women events, NAC is
trying to set up a televised leaders' debate in Toronto for all parties. NAC
will once again publish its popular "Shocking Pink Paper" that highlights issues
affecting the status of women in Canada, and their solutions. Call (416)932?1718
to obtain copies of the paper, or see NAC's website,
Canadian Federation of Students
During the years before the 1997 election, the CFS organized large demonstrations against the federal government. Since then, youth and students have contributed their numbers and energy to the growing movement against corporate globalization
The CFS doesn't buy the argument that people must vote Liberal to oppose the Canadian Alliance. The Federation is making available the positions of all political parties without endorsing any, while highlighting the regressive policies of the CA.
The CFS campaign encourages its members to vote, to reverse the
traditionally low participation rate of youth. For information on the CFS campaign
call (613) 232?7394, or check
Canadian Peace Alliance
Canada's umbrella group of peace?supporting organizations will survey parties on peace issues and publish a questionnaire for candidates. The questions are based on the concerns raised in submissions to the recent People's Commission on Global Security: Canada's Role.
The CPA will publicize the survey results, including on its website. The questionnaire gives information on military spending, sanctions against Iraq, abolition of nuclear weapons, and NATO's illegal attack on Yugoslavia.
Call the CPA at (416)588-5555, or check the website, www.apc-cpa.ca.
National Farmers Union
The NFU will try to get political parties to discuss the farm crisis that has deepened under the Liberal government. All the major parties blame foreign farm subsidies for declining incomes, but an NFU study proves the source of the crisis is agribusiness monopoly pricing on farm inputs. The NFU concludes that the market is failing, causing the loss of tens of thousands of family farms. Call the NFU to obtain more information at (306) 652?9465 or see its fact?filled website at www.nfu.ca.
Public Service Alliance of Canada
With last year's multi?billion dollar pay equity award for PSAC members under its belt, the 150,000?member union pledged at its May convention to help stop the Canadian Alliance from taking power. The PSAC ran a campaign to defeat Stockwell Day in his B.C. by?election to the Commons in September. The union is identifying key public sector issues, and may support candidates through its regional committees. For information call (613)560?4200 or see www.psac.com.
| Editor: | Kimball
Cariou |