01) ALL OUT FOR ANTI-C51 RALLIES

            Even before Bill C-51 was tabled in Parliament, the Communist Party of Canada was preparing to oppose the Harper government’s latest attack on civil liberties. CPC members across the country have been in the streets in recent weeks, working to raise public awareness of this anti-democratic legislation.

            The Central Executive of the CPC has sent an urgent letter to all Party organizations and members, saying “As you are well aware, the struggle against the Harper government’s viciously anti-democratic `Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015' (Bill C-51) continues to grow across the country. Our Party was among the very first to condemn this legislation when it was introduced, but since then  numerous organizations – unions, Aboriginal organizations, civil liberties and environmental organizations, legal experts and even four former Prime Ministers, have raised their voices in opposition.

            “In Parliament, Elizabeth May and the Green Party have come out strongly against the Bill, and the NDP caucus – after a lengthy delay – have now also come out against the legislation. The Liberals and Bloc Québécois, on the other hand, have lent support to C-51, reflecting their parties’ crass electoral opportunism.

            “In any case, the Tories’ majority position in both the Commons and the Senate will likely ensure the bill’s swift passage through the Committee stage, Third Reading, and Royal Consent.

            “This however does not mean that C-51 is unstoppable. Harper and his minions are well aware that with each passing day, opposition is growing outside of Parliament. This is why the government is so intent in limiting Committee study and debate on the legislation. Indeed, the Conservatives may yet be forced to retreat on C-51 if sufficient mass opposition can be generated, and the resulting ‘political price’ for its passage becomes too high.

            “We should be clear that C-51 is not just a partisan electoral ploy of the Harper Conservatives; it is part of a larger agenda to strengthen the repressive apparatus of an authoritarian, “national security” state, to intimidate and stifle labour and democratic struggle, and to shift the political ballast of the country sharply to the Right. It is absolutely crucial therefore that we concentrate all of our political, ideological and organizational efforts at building popular opposition to this dangerous legislation now, and over the coming weeks.”

            The letter urges all Communist Party organizations and members to give full support to the March 14 Day of Action against Bill C-51. Initiated by Open Media, Leadnow, the BC Government and Service Employees Union and other groups, the Day of Action will include dozens of demonstrations large and small across the country on Saturday, March 14^th.

            As the letter says, “This National Day of Action is endorsed by a broad sweep of groups and organizations, and we should do everything possible to help build and participate in local actions on this day.”

            The Communist Party’s campaign to “Stop C-51!” includes mass distribution of a statement opposing the bill, and a special campaign page on the CPC website http://communist-party.ca/stopc51, An online petition launched by People’s Voice can be signed at http://stopc51#tumblr.com/ .

(The above article is from the March 16-31, 2015 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.)