FEATURE

If the polls tell it right the ‘majority’ Mulroney
government is supported by the minority of Cana-
dian people.

The government has forfeited its mandate by
persisting in policies that run counter to the
wishes of a majority of Canadians — particularly
in its free trade negotiations and its trend toward
military and foreign policy integration with the
U.S. which increases the danger of nuclear war.

The Tory record reveals a gulf between word
and deed — especially “jobs, jobs, jobs” and the
“sacred trust” of universality. This gulf is illus-
trated once again by the recent Wilson budget.

The Tory record of privatization, deregulation
and reliance on the market place has favored the
corporations and the rich but has done nothing to
create jobs and higher standards for working
people. Poverty has increased, homelessness and
hunger now menace a great many Canadians.

The Tory record has strained federal-provincial
relations rather than foster a spirit of recon-
ciliation. A whiff of scandal has grown into a
stench of corruption. Seven cabinet ministers — to
date — have resigned or quit; reports of pork barrel
patronage multiply.

Indeed, the Tory government must go! But what
should replace it?

There is a need for a new type of government
with new policies that move decisively towards
economic and political independence from U.S.
domination; to developing a genuinely indepen-
dent foreign policy of peace and disarmament;
putting Canada back to work and, by restructuring
the economy, putting Canada on the path of pros-
perity.

Such a new government will not come into
being on its own but will require a radical re-
alignment of forces in the form of a progressive
coalition — a Peoples Coalition.

The other parties in parliament sense the loom-
ing crisis facing the Tories and are reportedly dis-
cussing alternatives. No one of the three parties
may be able to form a majority government. There
are discussions about different coalition options.
This raises some very important questions for the
people of Canada. Should they be passive on-
lookers while deals about political power are
being made behind closed doors or should they
find the means to intervene in the process and
assert their will? ;

Can a new government based on a radical
realignment of forces be achieved?

We Communists think so — provided the
People of Canada are able to develop the forms to
exert sufficient pressure. We think that a People s
Coalition could be the form to move politics in
such a direction. ‘

How could a People’s Coalition come into be-
ing?
Canadians are in motion in a myriad of ways for
New policy directions in different fields.

The trade union movement, the most important
of these, is gaining in strength and is united
around an advanced policy. It could provide the
core around which the other popular and democ-
Tatic movements could rally. Rae |

The farmers’ movement is becoming ae
ingly active in the face of widespread ruination 0
Small and medium farmers. : : d

The peace movement has grown in unity an f
breadth and now reaches out to a majority ©
Canadians.

The women’s movement similarly has become 2
force to be reckoned with and has adopte
Progressive policies not only for women but fora
Sections of society. :

Native Peoples’ movements are mounting
8n increasingly united and effective struggle for
eir just demands.
seniors’ movement proved its effectiveness
hee

: &
a
vats

at the time of the first Wilson budget in rallying its
own members and a broad front of public opinion
to force a retreat from an attack on pensions.

There are also growing movements among
youth and students, in the cultural field and in
defense of the environment.

Large sections of the church, reflecting the so-
cial needs of many believers have brought forward
proposals. for a better Canada.

These movements are not new to coalition poli-
tics but to date have confined the concept to their
own particular fields of endeavor. Together they
could hold the secret for a major shift in political
alignment in Canada.

Motion among the Canada people shows up in
improved support for the NDP and in a trend in the
Liberal Party that developed some forward looking
policy at the last convention — policy that was
repudiated by leader John Turner before the ink
was yet dry.

It is time for dialogue among these movements

THE TORY GOVERNMENT MUST GO

and with the NDP, reform-minded Liberals, the
Communist Party and all progressive forces in
Canada. It is time for dialogue on how to end neo-
conservatism in Canada; time for dialogue on re-
forms for securing real change in Canada.

We Communists think the time is maturing fora
People’s Coalition around People’s Policies —
time for what we have been doing individually in
our various fields to mature into common political
action for a new course for Canada.

Naturally, common action, dialogue, a new
level of coalition politics in Canada would require
agreement on a number of policy questions. Politi-
cal reality today in Canada suggests that the fol-
lowing topics would have to be included in a
common program.

e Putting Canada Back to Work.

e Ending U.S. Trade Domination. |

6 pier ayers Canadian Economic Indepen-
ence.

e Adopting a Made-in-Canada Foreign Policy for

Peace.

e Ending Regional Disparity.

e Canadianizing our Cultural Life.
e Democratizing Canadian Life.

e Saving the Environment.

A sound program around these topics could
provide the basis for restructuring our economic
life and. provide the basis for great social
improvement.

As Communists we believe in fundamental
change as the means for lasting solutions to the
problems of Canada. At this stage, in the face of the
danger of nuclear war and of an accelerated sell
out of Canada it is decisive that the Tories along
with their neo-conservative policies be defeated.
We see a People’s Coalition as the means to
achieve this.

Already, as a whole the movements and organ-
izations of the people constitute a people’s major-
ity outside parliament. By their actions they
counter the conservative majority in the House.
The role of the people has become decisive in
determining the course for Canada.

If you agree that it is time to consult on how to
move things ahead in Canada, pass this around to
your friends, fellow workers and political col-
leagues — talk it up in your organizations — be in
touch with us. There are some two years before the
next federal election has to be called. History is
made by people in motion around a common idea.
Together we can make these two years ones that
future generations can say changed Canada’s
course.

Central Executive Committee,
Communist Party of Canada.

March 1987.

PACIFIC TRIBUNE, MARCH 11, 1987 e 5