09) SOCIAL FORUM MARKS NEW STAGE FOR MOVEMENTS

 

By Darrell Rankin, Manitoba leader of the Communist Party

 

            Canada's first Peoples' Social Forum marked a new stage in the renewal of Canada's labour and democratic movements. The forum was a challenge to our time of few victories, where strikes are few even for economic demands, where most people are not on the streets or organized.

 

            It was a blow against the oppressive dread produced by inactivity. Close to 5,000 people attended the four‑day forum which ended on August 24 in Ottawa.

 

            Hundreds of people at the closing assembly approved a Call to Action with the aim of freeing society from "neoliberal capitalism, imperialism, patriarchy, colonialism, racism, heterosexism, and ... the domination of large companies on Peoples."

 

            The forum was a movement of movements, a showcase of 500 workshops and assemblies for activists, and a snapshot of the state of the peoples' movements in Canada at a time of growing crises. Crucially important was the prominent participation and respect for the Aboriginal rights movements.

 

            "Capitalism still continues to wreak havoc," said Hassan Husseini at the Take back Labour assembly. Husseini's bid for CLC president last spring helped consolidate the growing involvement of unions in the political struggle.

 

            From rank and file activists to newly‑elected CLC president Hassan Yussuff and leaders of CUPW, CSN and UNIFOR, labour's presence was prominent. The financial support of several CLC affiliates made the forum possible.

 

            From the standpoint of resistance and renewal in heavy defensive struggles, dangers and setbacks, the forum represents an advance in some important areas, such as recognizing the need for movements of all nations in Canada to work together, to develop a peoples' agenda, and for organizing and action.

 

            The closing assembly opened with the comment that "2015" was in the background of the entire forum ‑ the need to defeat the Harper Conservatives and their agenda, "even for those who do not believe in electoral politics."

 

            The Take Back Labour assembly report disclosed vast challenges: to democratize the labour movement, organize the unorganized and marginalized, develop a militant left agenda, become action‑oriented, work with a broad range of groups and to de‑colonize the labour movement.

 

           Also in the background was socialism with tables and newspapers promoting a range of left and Marxist views. The Young Communist League was well‑represented, hosting two workshops against austerity and war.

 

            It was a forum where you could ask labour economists like Jim Stanford or anyone else: "Is capitalism getting better or worse?" The answers ‑ or absence thereof ‑ showed that socialists are on the right track and it's time to brush up on Marxism.

 

            As reflected in the Call to Action, the forum was not socialist in content. However, the Call contains demands that fundamentally challenge capitalism.

 

            For people entering political life, the forum was an enriching experience, especially for those with instincts to attend the more crucial workshops. The best workshops were those where people had a chance to participate in the discussion, such as the democratic convergence assembly with small group discussions on topics such as developing a peoples' agenda.

 

            The months ahead will see the development of various peoples' agendas. This can only be welcomed as the start of a more serious discussion about theory and tactics to realize these programs with the support of millions.

 

            For those of us who believe in fundamental social change, this is a great opportunity to raise the discussion "how would such a new society differ from socialism?"

 

            The next peoples' forum will be held in Montreal in 2016. By then, the discussion may allow one of the assemblies to be devoted to socialism, or socialism and the peoples' agenda.

 

(The above article is from the September 16-30, 2014, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist 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, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)