LEADING UNIONIST WRITES ON LABOR AND FRENCH CANADA JEAN PARE, Vice-President of the United Electrical Wolke Union i ur counrty’s leading trade unionists. Recently, it was an- Gein rola speak at Vancouver’s May Day Rally on the subject: “A New Pact of Confederation.” In view of this, and because the topic is of such crucial importance to the future of Canada, the PT wrote Pare and asked whether he would care to set down some of his views on French Canada’s just struggle for its national heritage. Special to the PT heavy responsibility rests on A the shoulders of the Canadian trade union movement—that of giving leadership to unionists and Canadians generally for the working out of aCanadianconsti- tution which would replace the outdated British North America Act. This leadership must explain clearly the fact that Canada is a two-nation state with each nation having the right of self-determin- ation, up to and including seces- sion from the federal state. The first step should be to un- derstand and explain the real issues involved in the French Canadian movement of today, which was really started many years ago. To explain to organ- ized labor and other peodple’s organizations that this movement for recognition and equality is fully in keeping with the changing world of the 60s. For this movement to succeed, a new Canadian constitution will have to be born. It will have to recognize and rectify the legiti- mate and real grievances of French Canada; it must grant equality to both nations by pro- viding equal rights. A e The Canadian trade union move- ment has the necessary ma- chinery to start an all out cam- paign at the local, area, provin- cial and national levels. By the use of the many news media at its disposal, such a campaign could explain to the Canadian people the importance of under- standing the issues andthe danger that will exist if the solution is left to the politicians who, in the main, represent the industrial elements that trade unionists have been fighting for so long. It must explain that the British North America Act did not recog- nize nor grant equal and full rights to the French Canadian people. It must explain the need for uniting the Canadian people and sions would create. The trade union movement is capable of becoming the avenue by which the Canadian people will be made fully aware ofthe legiti- mate aims of French Canada. But, to do this, it will have to go beyond such obvious things as wage equality, full recognition of language and culture, etc., and get at the basic need—recognition of French Canadaas a full fledged nation. There will be problems for the labor movement from the first day it sets out on such a path. American, English and French industrialists and their repre- sentatives in political parties, most of whom survive through divisions among the people, most of whom oppose rectification of the present inequalities and wish to maintain the status quo, will not hesitate to counter attack with the idea in mind of prevent- ing any concessions whatever, when confronted with such action by the Canadian labor movement. And certain American trade union leaders will also, in noun- certain terms, express their dis- satisfaction to Canadian union leaders taking part in such a struggle for equality for French Canada. For they will look upon such a move as a threat to the mainten- ance of American control on the whole of the Canadian labor movement. They will recognize that to grant equality to French Canada leads inevitably to granting equality to English Canada, which will mean granting full, complete indepen- dence and autonomy to the Cana- dian trade union movement. This is something most of them do not wish to grant, as witness U.S. labor leaders’ interference in Canadian affairs upon too many occasions. On the other hand, Canadian trade union leaders who are inthe leadership of the New Democratic Party cannot hope to see their party take power in Canadaunless it succeeds in getting the whole- hearted support of French Cana- the dangers that acontinued divi- ~ dians in future elections. The NDP can become a definite force in French Canada, when and if it takes a clear cut stand and recognizes the legitimate aspira- tions of French Canada. May Day Greetings to B.C. Labor from PENDER AUDITORIUM (MARINE WORKERS) 339 West Pender LARGE AND SMALL HALLS FOR RENTAL Phone MU 1-9481 The only alternative is one of greater antagonism, division and chaos. The role that a united Canada can play as an independent country, the progress that canbe achieved by all Canadians, will *be seriously hampered as long as there remains a mentality of “we conquered them,” The philosophy of the trade union movement has been to unite JEAN PARE regardless of nationality, race, color, creed, religious and politi- cal beliefs and regardless of language and culture. Because of that unity Canadian Like Them” ORPHEUM BARBERS 611 Smithe St. (Near Seymour) ee ee a a ve \May Day Greetings!| THE SHOE ~ CLINIC L. TORNBALD: 848 Park Royal PHONE 922-5919 I I | I I | | I l I | ed es a ara May Day Greetings to Labor Head for THE HUB for a complete selection of Union Made men's wear, work clothes, dress clothes... and furnishings. 45 East Hastings workers have been successful in winning from their employers— and for their unions—recognition, improved earnings and better working conditions. That policy of unity against the employers, the workers’ common enemy, is one which we all understand. The same unity between the two nations which comprise Canada can and will bring full equality to both Canadas, Let us apply, in our relations between the two nations, the same policy that has brought us such success at the bargaining tables. Let us present a united front . against the monopolies and their agents in political circles, who wish to keep us divided. The working class of Canada May Day Greetings fo PT readers from REGENT TAILORS LTD. 325 W. Hastings St. Ph. MU 1-8456 4441 E. Hastings St. Ph. CY 8-2030 is not be be counted amon at who gain from giscriminalloy any form, Equal rights and ie : tunity for the two Canada only result in greater for their peoples and of i tions and give the CX Eee groups a major setback. P It is necessary for the tre gll pros sive organizations i adopt a program for su cratic solution of the Ca crisis. It is the responsibility © trade union movement 1s4 progressive organizale Canada to commence % debate among the people. and prot age It must encourag nis OS all the facilities for debate. 3/4, Transfer & Furniture Stof | May Day Greetings ic all our friends (PHONE NICK) AL 3-0727 1424 Commercial Drive. May Day Greetings to all our friends and custom Polowy’s HOME FANCY SAUSAGES 264 E. Hastings St. MU 4-3613 Vancouver 4, B.C. Haney, B.C. May Day Greetings to all our j and customers from ELMER H. Concrete Work—Readymix Expert Finishing WALSKE Ph, INgersoll 3-31] 757 E. Hastings St. May Day Greetings USE PRATT AND LAMBERT PAINT The brand most frequently specified by architects: Acknowledged by painters to be superior TED HARRIS LTD. mu 4110 Wholesale and Retail 424 Main St. (at Hastings) May Day Greetings to All Our Friends and Customers from MAX GOLDBERG PLUMBING & HEATING SUPPLIES PLUMBING SPECIAL: 18 x 20 stainless steei sinks with basket strainers — $10.95 mu 1-862 : é May 1, 1964—PACIFIC TRIBUNE?