ee a CP urges action to ensure economic reform, peace policy Vote ‘setback’ for big business The Corporations and the mass media suffered a Severe setback on Feb. 18 as their as their ‘‘preferred party under Joe Clark was rejected, by the majority of Canadians,’” said the Communist Party’s central e€xecullve committee in a statment last week, ; The Statement, issued after the CP’s leading committee had weighed the federal vote, was an elaboration of the statement made to the Tribune by CP leader William Kashtan and emphasized that the Tory defeat was also “a defeat for U.S. cold war policies in Canada,”’ : It underscored Kashtan’s earlier comment that, unlike the May 22 campaign which had shown the Liberal Tory policies to be much the same, ‘‘in this election, Trudeau and the Liberals checked the drive to the right. : “Although couched in general terms, the proposals advanced by _ Trudeau tended towards expansion of the economy... towards greater Canadianization starting with energy resources and not least the advocacy of a policy of detente,”’ it said. The statement continued: These two distinct policies, that ‘of the Tories and that of the Liberals on foreign policy, mirror the marked differences between the policies of the reactionary forces of monopoly which fan international tensions, and the policies of those imperialist and monopoly circles which see the necessity of peaceful coexistence, detente and disarma- ment. However as past experience has demonstrated, the adoption by a capitalist government of a line towards peaceful coexistence does not lead to the cessation of either the class and democratic struggle or the need for the Communist party to pursue an independent clas: policy at all times. ° a There is no assurance that the Liberal majority government will carry out its election pledges or will not shift to the right under the pressures of monopoly. Nor is it likely that the Carter administra- tion and the cold warriors in Canada will cease their efforts to draft Canada into the cold war. -Mass pressure is therefore essen- tigl, indeed critical, both with regard to the defence of the vital economic interests of the working class and_ working people, in the fight for peace, and in the ongoing battle around the proposed referendum for a truly united “Canada based on recognition of the right to self-determination and equality of the French Canadian people. That pressure is likewise needed to compel withdrawal of the threat of boycott of the Moscow Olym- pics and the renewal of normal trade, scientific and cultural ex- changes between Canada and the Soviet Union. The Communist Party, the entire labor and democratic movement is called upon to ensure this mass pressure is forthcoming. The increased votes and seats for the New Democratic Party, par- ticularly in the west and more par- ticularly in B.C., although the NDP lost some seats in the Maritimes and Ontario, show that a growing number of workers are contiuing to seek ways of ex- Introducing the 1980 NORMAN BETHUNE MARXIST FORUM a series of 4 public forums in Vancouver and Surrey featuring: _ IN VANCOUVER “Law: A Socialist Perspective” with Vancouver alderman and lawyer Harry Rankin SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 8 p.m. Britannia Centre Rms. L1, L2 & L3 above the library 1661 Napier St., Vancouver “Quebec Referendum” with labor journalist and historian Ben Swankey SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2 p.m. Britannia Centre Rms. L2 & L3 above the library “On Events in with Pacific Tribune editor Sean Griffin SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 8 p.m. Afghanistan” tricating themselves from the crisis policies of monopoly and are mov- ing toward independent labor - political action. This process however is being stymied by right- wing NDP policies which are directed to contain the movement of the working class within the con- fines of capitalism. In this election the NDP veered further to the right. This was made most evident by right-wing NDP policies of support for the cold war, anti-Sovietism and continued sup- port to NATO and NORAD (all of which goes contrary to the policies of NDP convention) and in Broad- bent’s declaration that an NDP government would be prepared to adopt back-to-work legislation. These policies stood in the way of a better outcome of the elec- tions. At the same time they seriously undermined the potential inherent in the NDP as a broadly based democratic reform move- ment. Right-wing capitulation to the pressure of U.S. imperialism is leading to a sharpening struggle in- side the NDP on the issue of foreign policy, attitude to NATO and NORAD, the arms race, in- cluding attitudes to the Soviet Union. This struggle over policy will continue and deepen in the days ahead. The results of the election shows that the process of polarization and political realignment is continuing, areflection of the growing crises of capitalism and the specific forms of the crisis in Canada. The Tories won but one seat in Quebec, while’ the Liberals won but two seats in the whole of western Canada. So- cial Credit was completely wiped out in Quebec. These’ processes mirror the contradictions between those parts of Canada where man- ufacturing is highly concentrated and the western provinces which arerich in resources. They reflect as well the failure of the Tories to re- spond to the national question as it is reflected in French Canada, and the constantly increasing dependence of Canada on the U.S. economy. Monopoly power has shown a complete inability to sur- mount these contradictions which - will become more acute. Our party needs to give close at- tention to these questions, linking them up with the battle for a democratic solution to the crisis of confederation, and with the strug- gle for a new majority in parlia- ment based on a democratic coali- tion. The outcome of the elections raises again the question of propor- tional representation, a demand we Should press for as part of democratic electoral reform. Another area which calls for continuing examination is the marked disparity between the growing support for the NDP in Western Canada and the limited support given it is the industrial heartland of Ontario, Quebec and in the Maritimes. Factors here may well be the overwhelming desire of the working people to defeat the Tories and their more reactionary policies. In the east it found expres- sion at this time in support for the Liberal Party, while in the west it found expression in support for the NDP. In general however it must be said that the working class is still a victim of the theory of the lesser evil. As we noted in the election of May 22, the working class has not ‘yet broken away on a massive scale from support of the old line parties. The less than two per cent increase in the NDP vote indicates this. The Communist Party, by ad- vancing its democratic alternative in this election, by pin-pointing the Tory party as the U.S. cold war party in Canada, and by attacking Toryism, influenced the outcome of the election in a more positive direction. It thereby helped to create more favorable conditions for democratic advance and for the struggle for peace and social pro-. gress. Unfortunately this was not reflected at this time in the vote for the candidates of the Communist party. This remained low, due in large measure to the hysteria engendered by the cold warriors, by anti-Sovietism and anti- communism and by the divisive policies of the ultra-left. This however should not make us close our eyes to the major contibution of our party to the outcome of the election, the defeat of advocates of - cold war policies and of Toryism. This will stand us in good stead in the days ahead. — GLOBE TOURS The complete travel service United Way report raps GAIN rates Continued from page 1 “Most typically comes out of the food budget.’’ The report challenged the - benefits which the Socreds in- troduced in Apr. of 1979, three months after the last United Way report. The actual benefits were much smaller than stated, the report said, and inflation has out- paced them. ‘ The Apr. policy changes als created some hardships by abolishing shelter and utility Overage payments and setting max- imum limits for those expenses. Many families can’t find ac- comodation within the designated limits, it said. The United Way provoked the predictable response from Socred minister of human resources Grace McCarthy who attempted to discredit the report by contending that it overlooked additional fac- tors such as the federal govern- ment’s child tax credit.-Hightower defended the ommission stating, “It would not be appropriate to in- clude this as income without also taking into account the many extra costs children involve and which are not included in our basketful of basic essentials.’’ Members of Hightower’s com- mittee included aldermen Marguerite Ford and Darlene Mar- zari, Hugh Millar of the B.C. Association of Social Workers, housing expert Dr. Ann McAfee _ and Gus Long of the Federated Anti-Poverty Groups. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING COMING EVENTS MARCH 9 — Celebrate Interna-~ tional Women’s Day, Sunday eve- ning, 8 p.m., Britannia Centre the- atre, 1661 Napier St., Vancouver. A unique program of music and nar- ration of women’s struggles. Speaker, international bake sale. Enter parking lot from Venables St. and Cotton Dr. Theatre adjacent. MARCH 29 — Keep this date open for annual Mac-Pap celebration. COMMERCIAL Babysitter wanted. Active nanny for infant on full-time basis Mon. to Fri., 298-8672. Turn your old postcards and stamp- ed envelopes into cash. For further info phone 939-0020 or write to: S ‘& H> Postcards, 1023 Westmount Dr., Port Moody, B.C. V3H 1L1. Half of proceeds go to the Tribune. ‘ROOF REPAIRS — Reasonable. New roofs and alum. gutters, 277-1364 or 277-3352 Britannia Centre Rms. L5 & L16 above the library “Organized Labor After the Federal Election” . with secretary-treasurer of the UFAWU ‘George Hewison SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 8 p.m. Britannic Centre Rms. L5 & L6 above the library TO SHARE ACCOMMODATION Young woman to share small Kits apt. with same. $125/mth incl. heat/elec. Should like occasional loud music. Ruth 736-9942. HALLS FOR RENT We will professionally look after all your travel needs. We specialize in tickets, tours, passports, permits and reservations. Call us today — for prompt personalized service. 1 a IN SURREY RUSSIAN PEOPLE'S HOME — c : “On Events in Afghanistan” Available for rentals. For reserva- 7, | SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2 p.m. - tions phone 254-3430. ti “Organized Labor After the Federal Election” WEBSTERS CORN CORNERS HALL — , SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 7:30 p.m. Available for banquets, meetings, is “Quebec Referendum” etc. For rates: Ozzie, 325-4171 or h SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 7:30 p.m. 685-5836. ie n All classes in Surrey will be held at: UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CUL- Room 406 - Douglas College 9260 - 140th St., Surrey. Sponsored by the Greater Vancouver and South Fraser Region, Communist Party. ig For more information, phone 684-4321. = ALL WELCOME — FREE ADMISSION TURAL CENTRE — 805 East Pen- der St., Vancouver. Available for banquets, weddings, meetings. Ph. 254-3436. PACIFIC TRIBUNE—FEBRUARY 29, 1980—Page 11 A 2679 East Hastings St. Vancouver, B.C. V5K 1Z5 Phone 253-1221 -