#Conservative Party of Canada

[allthecanadianpolitics]

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh brings up that 25% of Canadians are going hungry because they can’t afford groceries and that he would tax corporations to fix this inequality, and members of the Conservative Party of Canada start laughing.

These people are evil.

https://twitter.com/SocialistFT/status/1534622390809944066

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Reciprocity Benefits" cigar

"Uncle Sam - I'll smoke it, you may smell it."

From the Berlin (Kitchener) News Record, September 6 1911

[Context from my pal DN]: The 1911 federal election was the first "free trade" election. In office since 1896, Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier's Liberals sought their fifth consecutive sweeping majority. President Taft's proposal of lowering tariffs became the central political issue. Wrapped in the Union Jack, Robert Borden's Conservatives opposed free trade and argued that Canada would be taken over by the United States.

The election was close but the Conservatives came out ahead. The entrenched Liberal machine built around Laurier ensured the Liberals carried Quebec, but with a significant loss of seats to the Conservatives. The Liberals also carried Atlantic Canada, but just barely, signalling the crumbling of the old opposition to Confederation in the 1860s in which it was correctly predicted that losing free trade with New England would result in Atlantic Canadian industry being swallowed up by Montreal capital. The predictions came true, and Nova Scotia in particular suffered through a wave of deindustrializatoin in the 1880s and 1890s as Montreal capital bought up local concerns and shuttered them in favour of greater concentrations of industry in Montreal and the St. Lawrence Valley.

In the new prairie provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Liberals continued to dominate as colonization rapidly expanded the number of farmers who quickly found themselves locked into an east-west trade cartel controlled by the rail monopolies of CPR, Canadian Northern, and the Grand Trunk Pacific (the latter two would be nationalized and form Canadian National in 1919). The farmers were incensed that they were blocked from trading south to American markets at cheaper freight rates.

The Conservatives cut into Liberal support in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, but the bulk of its support came from Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia - the three Anglo provinces where industrial capitalism had taken hold during the "Second Industrial Revolution" that began in the 1890s. Not only that, but Ontario, Manitoba and BC were politically dominated by the most militant Anglo founders of Confederation. Through the Orange Terror of the 1870s against the Métis and their democratic allies, and a sustained political struggle against French language schooling rights, the bilingual and multicultural character of Manitoba had been legally and politically extinguished by the mid-1890s (and was a contributing factor to Laurier's Liberals winning the 1896 election, ending 18 years of Conservative rule).

Likewise, British Columbia was politically loyal to the project of Confederation. It had been aggressively established as a British colonial outpost in the 1850s for the Empire's project of a united British North America and establishing a British base in the northwestern Pacific. The 1860s was marked by a series of colonial wars and punitive expeditions by British gunboats, redcoats and settler terrorist groups. Colonial victory was achieved with the deliberate smallpox genocide of Indigenous peoples on Vancouver Island which spread to Haida Gwaii and the mainland. Estimates of 15,000 to 30,000 Indigenous peoples died in a year - half the Indigenous population of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii. White people in Victoria, population 5,000 in 1862, were busy getting vaccinated, the smallpox vaccine having been discovered decades before available in the Pacific Northwest by the 1850s. By 1911, British Columbia had become a major coal and lumber exporter and the terminus of three new transcontinental railroads (CPR at Port Moody and Granville; Canadian Northern at Port Mann and later Pacific Central Station; Grand Trunk Pacific at Prince Rupert).

It seemed like the Conservatives had re-established their once-powerful "National Policy" coalition of British imperialists, Canadian capitalists and the Anglo working class. However, the Second Industrial Revolution, the two new transcontinental railways, and colonization of the prairies had radically expanded and altered the character of the industrial working class and the role of the state in society. The brewing rebellion of farmers, the Vancouver Coal Wars of 1912-1914, the great IWW strike of the Grand Trunk Pacific in 1913, and the success of state capitalist development (Ontario Hydro Commission - 1906, Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway - 1902, King's Industrial Disputes Investigation Act - 1907) were all harbingers of radical change that exploded with the pressure cooker of the Great War.

Farmers struck out on their own after the war with farmer parties taking power in Ontario (1919), Alberta (1921) and Manitoba (1922). The working-class insurgency of 1919 shook the ruling class and forged a broad and complex vanguard of radical working-class politics and action that formed a foundation for the great class struggles of the 1930s and 1940s.

The Conservatives, during and immediately following the war, were pressed to concede the vote of women, albeit through opportunistic means to win the 1917 election in favour of conscription, nationalize the CNoR and Grand Trunk in 1919, and lose its popular "producer" base that had won it power in 1911 and undergirded its electoral success during the first 30 years of Confederation.

Ever the opportunists, the Liberals under King abandoned the free trade mantra and spent the next 30 years overseeing the renovation of the Canadian state in the interest of capital while playing a ruthless game of stick, carrot and more stick against the growing insurgency of the "producer" classes which had grown too large and self-conscious to contain within a bourgeois two-party system.

The next seventy years would hold to this pattern until the economic base of the farmer and labour movements had sufficiently crumbled by the 1980s, at which point the Progressive Conservatives (a name courtesy of a 1940s merger of the Conservatives and a section of the farmer-based Progressives) pulled the plug on the National Policy of protective tariffs and home market development in favour of free trade with the United States.

With Mulroney's victory in the 1988 "free trade" election and subsequent refusal of provincial governments to challenge the free trade agreement (Bob Rae promised he would during his successful 1990 election campaign), the old 20th century political arrangements have collapsed. The small farmer class has disappeared to political insignificance. The working-class has been radically transformed since deindustrialization and free trade. The three-party political system that dominated the 1919-1990 period has collapsed and been remade with new coalitions of forces and factions - even if the party names carry forward into a new century.

With one "producer" class still standing - the working class - and the colonial and capitalist failures of Confederation coming home to roost at home and abroad, can a new vision and program for Canada be forged by a new working-class movement?

[terriwriting]

While it’s become relatively common for family members of gullible and mentally fragile senior citizens to block certain channels in order to prevent their loved ones from being radicalized, the families of politicians in their thirties and forties who are equally bad at discerning real news from reactionary propaganda have also had to resort to these protective measures.

“I should’ve known something was up when Pierre gave that speech accusing Trudeau of ‘imposing radical gender ideology’ on schools. It’s just word salad that makes no sense, especially considering Canadian schools are under provincial jurisdiction. I’m sure he heard something like it from one of those bobble heads on Fox News, and then parroted it,” said the anonymous family member.

“But when he started going on about terrorism in the House of Commons despite there being absolutely no evidence of terrorism in this tragic accident, that was the last straw. A man who is so out of touch with reality really can’t be trusted to choose his own cable channels.”

[theleftycanadianradical]

CW: Homophobia, Xenophobia

The self-purported, "Independent Journalist" behind the Toronto 99 news website and one of Pierre Poilievre's biggest Twitter shills, Mark Slapinski reportedly got drunk and went on a homophobic, xenophobic tirade last night. These tweets are archived.

[canadianabroadvery]

[cottoncandy-icecream]

Filled out the official form for contacting the Conservative Party to ask what their actual policies were two weeks ago. Guess who never responded because they have no legs to stand on.

[thearbourist]

Alberta's Coach Blade Brings Women's Rights Resolution to the CPC Convention

This is such an important step in regaining female rights and boundaries in Canada. I hope the CPC actually does something with this and gives female voters a home within the Canadian polity.

[awanderingcanadian]

What’s Going On America?

While I’ve been silent here on Tumblr regarding the latest drama going on south of the border, doesn’t mean I’ve been silent overall. Without getting into the muckiness of it all, I do want to make some salient points. We had American family here recently, and while we often see politics differently, in this time of extreme polarization, we went back to basics, and realized that we actually agree on many things. Where we disagree is what the roadmap should be to tackle those agreed upon items. Here’s what was new to the table this time though: for goodness sake...if something’s working, don’t throw it all away just because the last guy brought it in, (and to date, they’ve all been guys in America...not that Canada’s any better as we accidentally had a female Prime Minister for 4.5 months...but that’s been it). In other words, if the majority of people in America agree that something has to be done about climate change, and the “other” party brings in measures, let’s look at the data and see what’s working, and keep that. Change what’s not working, but keep the rest. It seems like the “term limits” thing almost ensures a turnover every 8 years at best, and there goes the continuity of programs. (https://history.house.gov/Institution/Presidents-Coinciding/Party-Government/) It seems to take 2 years to “undo” the last president, then a year getting the new guy’s stuff in place, then it’s back on the campaign trail, and if you’re re-elected you have 3 more years of stability in programming. However, climate change initiatives, and most other initiatives, need longer stability to have a true effect. Decisions should be ruled by data and results, not by party politics.

Then there’s the whole Handmaid’s Tale situation. No one is “pro Abortion”. You don’t hear people encouraging everyone to try abortion like it’s a cereal. It’s a tough decision. Whether it’s one you personally could make or not, is not the point here. The point is simply this: you’re in violation of your own Constitution...you know, the one you always improperly quote over the “right to bear arms?” Yes, that one. While everyone loves to “mis”, or partially quote, the 2nd Amendment, can you quote the First Amendment? Here is is for those of you playing along at home: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.“ See the part that says “...no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiiting the free exercise thereof...”, that, in my opinion, is what’s being violated now. These “Christian” people, (note the quotation marks here as I know many Christian people who disagree with the ones in quotation marks), are imposing their brand of Christianity on everyone else. Do you know why that statement is in the Constitution? It’s because so many people fled their home countries in Europe because of religious persecution, yet here America is, 200+ years later, imposing one brand of religion on everyone else. Margaret Atwood, (Canadian author of The Handmaid’s Tale), wrote a fabulous article in The Atlantic, tackling this very issue: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/supreme-court-roe-handmaids-tale-abortion-margaret-atwood/629833/  It’s worth a read. Personally, I’m enjoying the right to have prayer in schools. I’m waiting for one brave Islamic person to start the call to prayer, and watch all hell break loose! “No, not THAT prayer, just the Christian ones we’ve approved!” I can hear it already.

Now, for those of us in Canada...we shouldn’t be all chilled out that this couldn’t happen here. Yes, the right of access to abortion is protected, but is it accessible?  While there are no laws against abortion,and it’s a publicly funded medical procedure, access remains a challenge in many parts of the country. Then there’s a new crop of politicians to watch out for. Here’s a link that will give you a list of Canadian politicians and they’re personal stance on the issue: https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/politics-and-elections/. While you may agree with parties on many issues, for me this is the one most important to me right now. This list was updated 2 days ago in light of what’s going on across the border. At least women are a part of our Constitution. The U.S. Constitution doesn’t mention women at all. Back then, they couldn’t vote, so why mention them...and if you’re going back to the original constitution, then women should be prepared to lose any “rights” they’ve had.

I feel for those women in states where it’s illegal to even leave for another state to exercise choice and control of your own body. And you can bet that those people who said “no”, will be the the same ones criticizing welfare mothers, and being super judgy about some people’s parenting. You don’t know why some people make the choices they do, but it’s their business. It seems to me that America wants to be all “pro life” until that child is born: then they can send it to school to be shot at.

So...some people tell me they love my blogs where I get all philosophical, and others want the travel tips, so, like U.S. politics, no doubt this post will divide people. A Wandering Canadian has a wandering mind, and this is what’s been on it.

[awkward-teabag]

Love (cannot emphasis how much sarcasm there is in that word) that an official Canadian government response to high cellphone rates is to switch carriers.

Switch it to what? We basically have three companies since one was allowed to eat the forth (with the government saying it wasn't anti-competition and the company eating the other pinky promising they wouldn't jack rates up). Even the smaller companies have to rent infrastructure from the Big Three so there's only so much they can do if that rent costs an arm and a leg.

And that's not touching on how many "small companies" are actually just subsidiaries of the Big Three. You may save $5 but you're still with Telus/Rogers/Bell.

Or that the actual small companies tend to have shit coverage because they don't have the infrastructure available to them and are prevented from getting it. Or their traffic is throttled in favour of the Big Three's customers. Or both.

Or that they're extremely regional thus aren't an option for a huge chunk of Canada's population.

We have no true options and the government has shown time and again that they're fine with monopolies, in multiple industries, and don't care when said monopolies jack up prices to make shareholders and the c-suite more money at the expense of everyone else. At most there will be a verbal slap on the wrist and a giftcard for $25 that people have to register for, for a decade and a half of price gouging.

It's not talked a whole lot about outside the country from what I've seen and heard but Canada is a country of monopolies. A handful of companies own nearly everything, every province has a family or two that owns a hell of a lot (Nova Scotia is basically owned by one family at this point), and our government ignores it. Even the branch that is supposed to be against monopolies is fine with mergers and takeovers in most cases.

Because, you know, the company said it totally wouldn't use consumers' lack of options to increase prices.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's attempt to pass a vote of non-confidence and bring down Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal minority government over the carbon tax failed Thursday. After a day of debate seeing MPs air their grievances over the climate policy, as well as the state of political discourse surrounding it, Trudeau ultimately prevailed, securing majority support in defeating the motion of non-confidence. The procedural manoeuvre was an escalation of the Official Opposition's pollution-pricing pushback, buoyed by the growing cross-Canada resistance to the April 1 carbon price increase to $80 from $65 per tonne of carbon emissions.

Continue Reading.

Tagging; @politicsofcanada

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

“'C. C. F.' Denounced AS 'RED',” Vancouver Sun. February 23, 1933. Page 7. ---- ORGANIZER PAID FROM MOSCOW, SAYS LAVERGNE ---- Woodsworth Denial ---- SASKATOON. Feb. 23. Denial of the statement that he was a "paid agent of Moscow" was made today by George H. Williams, member of the executive of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, replying to the charge made by Armand Lavergne, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, in the House yesterday. 

"I challenge Mr. Lavergne to make the same statement outside of the House of Commons, where he would be subject to a charge of libel," Mr. Williams added.

By Canadian Press OTTAWA, Feb. 23. A direct attempt was made in the House of Commons Wednesday to link the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation with Red Russia. 

George Williams of Saskatchewan, a member of the executive of Canada's newest political party, was branded a "Bolshevist, a paid Moscow agent," by Armand Lavergne, Deputy Speaker and Conservative member for Montmagny, Que. 

While members of the Common wealth party in the far corner of the Chamber cast angry looks at the Deputy Speaker but made few inter ruptions, Mr. Lavergne read from a French magazine to prove his charge against Williams. 

At first Williams was described as the Saskatchewan organizer of the Commonwealth but J. S. Woodsworth corrected this. 

'PAID AGENT OF MOSCOW" A denial that Williams was a Communlst was inserted in the running debate by Woodsworth. ‘I have again and again heard Williams denounce the Communists and Bolyshevists not want Russia set up here." 

"Miss Agnes MacPhail said that the Communists and Bolshevists hate the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation," proceeded Lavergne. "How could they?" he asked, "if I understand alright, the organizer of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation in Canada is George Williams, of Saskatchewan, and I say before this House, without fear of contradiction, that George Williams is a paid agent of Moscow."

He proposed to give his authority for the statement. An article in La Revue Des Deux Mondes declared that the Communists "work also in the immense Prairies of the Canadian West, principally in Saskatchewan. The organizer of the party was George Williams, ex-president of the Farmers' Union." 

Lavergne proceeded to declare that there was an agitation on foot to destroy the institutions of this country by revolution. 

MacINNIS BLAMES CZARS Angus Maclnnls (Lab., Vancouver South) said the present government in Russia had arisen out of conditions that had preceded it and nothing else. 

He painted to the House a picture of Russia under the Czars, and recalld the bloodshed which had attended the suppression of labor troubles many years ago. 

Everywhere was to be found evidences of the intolerance of the Government and its supporters who failed to realize that in the Canadian Co-operative Commonwealth was the best protection against Communistic doctrine, Mr. Maclnnis said.

[terriwriting]

OTTAWA – With Conservative Premiers now freely using S. 33 to overrule any court ruling getting in the way of their agenda the federal government has announced plans to rename The Charter Of Rights & Freedoms to The Charter Of Long-Term Goals & General Guidelines “Now that the landmark Charter we have been celebrating and teaching students about for 30 years is basically a napkin with the words ‘please don’t’ written on it this seemed like the most appropriate course of action,” said Justice Minister Arif Virani. “At least this way people won’t get their hopes up that they still have rights that can’t be taken away at a moment’s notice.” ... “We look forward to rolling out The Charter Of Long-Term Goals and General Guidelines this fall, and we think law school students are going to have a lot of fun debating whether S. 7’s protections of life, liberty and security of the person is a goal or a guideline,” added Virani.

[theleftycanadianradical]

John F. Diefenbaker's employment policy in 1957:

Object mandatory arbitration, enhance EI, provide minimum wages and vacation days etc.

Pierre Poilievre? Cut EI, right to work, against minimum wage and demeans unions. Ford? Use the notwithstanding clause to ban strikes...

Conservatives have moved so far right.

[canadianabroadvery]

Conservatives blocking consensus on foreign interference inquiry

[lizbean99]

PROTECT TRANS KIDS

I live in Alberta, Canada, which you may have heard is the latest province to introduce their version of "parental rights" legislation.

Here are some of the things our premier, Danielle Smith, promised to do on Wednesday;

mandate teachers report to parents (and ask permission if the child is younger than 16) if a child wants to use a different name/different pronouns in class

mandate permission forms anytime a teacher wants to mention gender or sexual orientation

ban children under the age of 16 from accessing hormones or puberty blockers

ban top & bottom surgery for anyone under the age of 18 (bottom, surgery is already illegal for anyone under 18 in Canada)

ban transgender women from competing in womens sports

These laws have been called "draconian" and were not drafted with consideration from medical, pediatric, or LGBT organizations. Danielle Smith is pandering to the social conservative wing of her party and putting queer kids in danger because of it.

"Parental Rights" are a sham that ignores the lived reality of queer kids.

I've spent the past few days feeling angry and heartbroken, and I wanted to spread awareness and share with my American followers because I haven't seen many news outlets outside of Canada covering this.