November 28, 2013 - No. 139

Political Affairs

Federal By-Election Results

Political Affairs
• Federal By-Election Results

Fight for the Dignity of Labour
• Important Events in Workers' Lives

Halifax War Conference
• Haligonians Denounce NATO War Conference

Coming Events
• Halifax: Syria, Iran and the Pivot of War
• Rally for Aviation Safety at Transport Minister's Office
• Toronto: Panel Discussion on Reviving Public Science in Canada
• Halifax: Fundraiser for Elsipogtog First Nation
• Demonstration Against Harper's Toronto Visit for Zionist Fundraiser

Political Affairs

Federal By-Election Results

On November 25, by-elections took place in four federal ridings; Bourassa in Montreal, Toronto Centre and Provencher and Brandon Souris in Manitoba. Both the Liberals and Conservatives held on to two seats each, in the case of the latter, one by a slight margin. As is often the case in by-elections, the voter turnout was low with a particularly low turnout of 26 per cent in Bourassa and 38 per cent in Toronto Centre, showing that the electors clearly did not see themselves represented by the winning candidates.

While the pundits and the Liberals themselves are trying to suggest that they now have some momentum going into the 2015 elections, the numbers are in no way an endorsement of the Liberals, let alone the Conservatives or NDP. If any conclusion is to be drawn for 2015 it would be to note the urgent necessity for the working class and people to unite against the Harper dictatorship so as to end it while also opposing the neo-liberal anti-social offensive itself. The working people need to address how this is to be achieved. Failure to do so will either result in Harper once again shamelessly using power and money to engineer another fraudulent win or the working class movement further weakened. Failure to address nation-wrecking dressed up with new packaging and high ideals to cover up the ongoing attack on rights is not an option.

The experience with these by-elections can be contrasted with the Kitchener-Waterloo provincial by-election in Ontario in September 2012, when the teachers and education workers and other members of the broad working class movement mobilized themselves in defence of their rights, to make a clear statement against the neo-liberal austerity regime being imposed by the McGuinty Liberals on the entire province and strongly advocated by the PCs. The results denied the Liberals their much hoped-for majority and helped to further expose Liberal corruption and self-serving aims. The K-W experience showed that when the workers and people organize themselves in their own interests, work out their tactics and raise the banner of their rights, they can intervene in an election as an organized united force in a manner which spells a defeat for the rich and their governments and their narrow agendas, and empowers themselves to go further. The federal by-election results only revealed the usual stranglehold over the political process by the cartel party system which includes deception using the media. This system is incapable of involving the people to even vote for parties which are not seen to represent them in any way.

The Results

In the Montreal riding of Bourassa, a total of six candidates participated. Liberal candidate Emmanuel Dubourg won with 8,767 ( 48.1 per cent of votes cast.) NDP candidate Stéphane Moraille came second with 5,716 31.4 votes. The Bloc Québécois received 2,387 votes while the Conservatives received 852 votes. The turnout was 26.2 per cent (18,230 out of 69,527 registered electors voted (not including those who registered on election day). This seat was previously held by Denis Corderre, who is now the Mayor of Montreal.

In Toronto Centre, a total of 11 candidates took part. Liberal candidate Chrystia Freeland won with 17,801 votes (49.1 per cent of the votes cast). NDP candidate Linda McQuaig obtained 12,643 votes (36.4 per cent) and the Conservatives received 3,024 votes (8.7 per cent). The turnout was 38 per cent (34,775 out of 91,612 electors registered prior to election day).

Provencher is primarily a rural riding that occupies the southeast corner of Manitoba and its largest community is the city of Steinbach. Four candidates ran and Conservative Ted Falk won with 13,021 votes ( 58.1 per cent of votes cast), followed by the Liberal candidate Terry Hayward who received 6,706 votes. The total number of votes cast was 22,413 out of 66,624 electors registered prior to election day, a 33.6 per cent turnout. The seat was previously held by former Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews.

In Brandon Souris, five candidates ran. Conservative candidate Larry Maguire won the seat with 12,205 votes (44.1 per cent of votes cast), 459 votes more than Liberal candidate Rolf Dinsdale who received 11,814 votes. There was a 44.7 per cent turnout (27,681 out of 61,910 electors registered prior to election day). To save the riding, Prime Minister Harper himself sent a personal letter to voters telling them he "needed" McGuire in his government. Many electors in the riding expressed concern about how Harper got their names. Many also opposed the sleazy "attack ads," aimed at sowing doubt about the personal character of opponents and disempowering the people.

Fight for the Dignity of Labour

Important Events in Workers' Lives

The 49th Annual Assembly of the United Steelworkers (USW) District 5 (Quebec) was held November 20-22 in Laval, Quebec. Then, on November 25, the 30th Congress of the Quebec Federation of Labour (FTQ) opened in Quebec City and the 12th Biennial Convention of the Ontario Federation of Labour opened in Toronto. Both continue until November 29.

USW District 5 represents some 60,000 members working in Quebec's major industrial sectors of resource extraction and manufacturing, mining, forestry, steel, aluminum and others, as well as in areas such as catering, hospitality, security agencies at airports and elsewhere. The FTQ is the largest trade union federation in Quebec with some 600,000 members representing all sectors of the economy, in the private and public sectors, as well as under provincial or federal jurisdiction. So too the OFL in Ontario represents more than one million workers in all sectors of the economy, private and public, provincial and federal.

The three events shared a common theme -- the need to step up the response of trade unions to attacks against workers, unions and society by the monopolies and their political representatives, especially the Harper government.

United Steelworkers' District 5 Annual Meeting

The USW District 5 Annual Meeting, which involved 400 workers, was held under the theme "Unions -- What Have They Done for Us." The meeting unanimously adopted a resolution to actively work to defeat the Harper government in the 2015 general election. Government attacks against unions were reviewed, which USW described as the "spectre of the abolition of the Rand formula for workers under federal jurisdiction, mandatory voting in the union certification process, restricting union mandate to work relations only, weakening the right to refuse dangerous work."

The Annual Meeting also discussed the Harper government's anti-social offensive against the people as a whole. "Unions are not the only 'enemies' to be eliminated by Harper and the right-wing ideologues," said Daniel Roy, USW Quebec Director, in his speech to the assembly. "The Harper government is attacking all those who stand up to him, all those who don't agree with his ideology: researchers, women's groups, environmentalists, First Nations, community groups and even provincial governments opposed these policies."

USW National Director Ken Neumann and USW International President Leo Gerard also addressed the meeting.

The meeting emphasized the need for the USW to work with all unions and all forces engaged in defending the rights of the people in Quebec and across Canada, to defeat the Harper government and stop the attacks on rights. "The workers's voice must be heard throughout Quebec and Canada," said a metalworker from Port-Cartier on the North Shore, to applause from the participants.

In addition to resolutions denouncing the Harper government's anti-union offensive, the assembly adopted resolutions calling for the government to withdraw the regressive changes it made to the Employment Insurance program. They demanded railway safety regulations be reinstated, which the current federal government and its predecessors have destroyed leaving railway safety in the hands of monopolies themselves.

The Assembly observed a minute of silence in memory of the 47 victims of the Lac-Mégantic tragedy. Railway workers from Montreal, Maine & Atlantic who were responsible for transporting the oil that caught fire in the derailment are members of the USW and several spoke eloquently about the victims and denounced the railway company's security breaches.

Hugues Villenueve, President of the Alma Aluminum Workers' Union addresses the USW Annual Meeting.

Several resolutions are also addressed to the Quebec government. For example, the defence of working conditions in the forestry sector, which are being further degraded under the new forestry regime that the Quebec government adopted unanimously in March. The new plan provides a so-called free market of wood in the form of auctioning off a portion of the resource. where workers lose their union certification and work in untenable conditions.

The assembly also demanded the Quebec government end the part of the agreement between the government and Rio Tinto Alcan that stipulates that any hydropower not used by Rio Tinto in a strike or lockout must be purchased Hydro-Québec. Several collective bargaining agreements with Rio Tinto in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean are ending at the same time, so the goal is to ensure that Rio Tinto will not fund a lockout, even pocketing millions, through these hydropower purchases in 2015, as it did in illegally locking out Alma workers in 2012.

Several more resolutions were adopted including a demand that roundtables and other forms of organization be set up that bring together workers employed by the same monopoly, be it ArcelorMittal or Rio Tinto; various resolutions on workers' health and safety; a resolution committing the Steelworkers to work more closely with First Nations communities and movements like Idle No More and several others.

Quebec Federation of Labour's 30th Congress

The 30th Congress of the FTQ is being held under the theme "The Power of Many in Action." On opening day, more than 1,200 workers were present, or 1,012 delegates, 46 observers and 143 guests. Whether in the speech by FTQ President Michel Arsenault, who is retiring after the Congress, or delegates' interventions from the floor, the Congress has taken a firm stand against the attacks of the rich and their governments -- especially the Harper government --on workers, unions and society. The Congress rejects in particular the efforts of the rich, their governments and media to blame the crises in society on workers and unions, including the corruption that characterizes the system in service of the rich. Arsenault was warmly applauded when he said that those who relentlessly attack the unions and seek to scapegoat them for the crisis are the very ones who "want everything to be privatized, deregulated, liberalized. We have seen, with the Lac-Mégantic tragedy, what deregulation in the rail sector has done. The horror. [...] We will not allow the neo-liberal right to crush us, we will gather our courage in both hands, stand up and say: enough is enough!"

Some of the resolutions adopted on the first day included a demand for the immediate withdrawal of the Harper government's regressive changes to the Employment Insurance program; opposition to the Quebec government's privatization of home care services, nursing homes and long-term care for seniors; resolutions to protect workers' health and safety; opposition to the use of scabs to smash workers' struggles and more.

Ontario Federation of Labour 12th Biennial Convention

The OFL convention opened on November 25 in Toronto under the theme "Rising Together. Approximately 1,000 delegates were in attendance.

To open the proceedings, a traditional Native song and prayer wished the delegates success in their deliberations. John Cartwright, President of the Toronto & York Regional Labour Council, made some short remarks as well.

OFL President Sid Ryan presented a report to the convention on the work of the OFL since the last Convention. He spoke about the successes and threats and challenges that face the workers in Ontario. He said that in the recent years the right had outsmarted the left and it was time to learn a lesson from that experience.

He said that the last year had been defined as a period of austerity by the Liberal government and the bogus $32 billion deficit which they used to justify their cut-backs. The legislation against the teachers and support staff blew up in the face of the government when the teachers stood up and refused to accept the unjust attacks on their rights. The teachers challenged the underpinning of the austerity measures and with mass mobilization there was some degree of success and the government was forced to repeal the legislation.

He spoke about the attacks by employers on health and safety issues and gave the example of federal legislation which would eliminate the right of workers to refuse unsafe work. He gave a recent example of a workplace accident which had resulted in the death of a worker. Due to persistent work by the OFL, the employer was charged by the police and spent some 15 days in jail.

He talked about the importance for the OFL to be involved in social justice issues, like the killing of a youth by police last year.

He said that labour on its own cannot win and must build a common front with seniors, poverty activists, environmentalists, First Nations and others to be effective.

One of the big issues now, he said, is to raise minimum wage. Another important campaign is the improvement of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). With the attacks on union negotiated defined benefit plans we must fight on behalf of the 70 per cent of Canadians who are not unionized who have no pensions other than the CPP, he said. Instead of eliminating the pensions of the 30 per cent who are unionized, we must demand that the CPP be expanded so it is a decent pension for all Canadians, said Ryan.

He also talked about the many issues facing the First Nations -- lack of adequate housing, no facilities for good drinking water and an education system that is shameful. The government has to be challenged on all these issues, he said.

Then he talked about threats to the labour movement from the federal and provincial levels. PC Leader Tim Hudak is promising to eliminate compulsory union dues and this may appeal to some workers because it will put some more money in their pockets. In some states in the U.S. where this was implemented, some unions lost close to 40 per cent of their members, he said. How will unions survive he asked, if Hudak succeeds.

Our campaign against this threat cannot be a traditional union campaign of strikes and shutdowns of cities, Ryan said. The CLC campaign of talking member to member and discussing the benefits of unions and how we got to this point is very important, he said. We must take up the political fight as well, he added.

He presented his views of the destruction of the social welfare state established after World War II and the need to not be stuck on day-to-day issues but work on the basis of a long-term plan. The left has to co-ordinate and work together, form a Common Front on the basis of an action plan, he said adding that it is necessary to look at basic structures that have to be put in place to reach out to the maximum number of people.

Presently, different unions and political movements don't even trust each other, he said, adding that they don't share membership lists and don't know how to work together.

He ended his speech by saying that workers should not limit themselves in their demands. They should not be satisfied with some crumbs, they should think big. For instance, instead of fighting just to save medicare they should fight to improve it and demand pharmacare as well. They should support the demand of postal workers for Canada Post to provide banking services. They must agitate for free post-secondary education. The labour movement has to stop being defensive and force politicians to side with the workers' demands, Ryan said.

Next to speak was Stan Beardy, Regional Chief, Chiefs of Ontario, Assembly of First Nations. He spoke about the developing relationship between First Nations and the labour movement. He said the First nations were very concerned about the harsh measures imposed by the government on the workers. Together we must fight for the kind of society we want for ourselves and future generations.

Chief Beardy spoke about the dire conditions imposed on First Nations communities with housing shortages, lack of access to clean drinking water and the ongoing education crisis that has been created by cut-backs in funding. He denounced the federal government for failing to consult with First Nations on the requirement of education reform. Instead, it is trying to impose its own pre-determined agenda.

Chief Beardy pointed out that there are many areas where the interests of First Nations and the labour movement overlap and ways should be found to mutually assist each other. He said that the level of incarceration of Native peoples is a national shame and the government has unlimited funds to wage legal battles to deny First Nations treaty rights and asked the OFL and all its members and affiliates to stand in defence of First Nations' rights.

Day One of the Convention also dealt with several important resolutions, including an emergency resolution submitted by UFCW National Council on the closure of the Heinz plant in Leamington. It states:

"Whereas the H.J. Heinz Company has announced the closing of its plant in Leamington, Ontario, resulting in over 650 UFCW Canada Local 459 members losing their good-paying, unionized jobs.

"Whereas the plant closing will affect thousands more jobs in the provincial agricultural sector and have serious economic impact on the local community.

"Therefore, be it resolved that the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) call on the provincial government to take whatever action is necessary to support continued production at the facility, including working with UFCW Canada to ensure that these jobs remain good-paying, unionized jobs, and ensuring that Heinz fulfills all its responsibilities to its employees including meeting its pension and severance obligations.

"Be it further resolved that the OFL call on the federal government to reform existing foreign investment legislation and introduce a new approach to investment that puts the wellbeing of Canadian workers and their communities ahead of corporate greed."

Several UFCW delegates from Leamington spoke about the devastation that the closing of the Heinz plant will cause in the community. The plant has been there for 104 years and a large part of the economy of this small community. In addition to the more than 700 workers at the plant, there are 47 farmers contracted to produce tomatoes exclusively for Heinz. These farms employ close to 300 farm workers in the fields.

President of Local 1005 USW Rolf Gerstenberger.

Many delegates spoke to the resolution. Rolf Gerstenberger, President of Local 1005, USW, compared the tragedy taking place in Leamington to U.S. Steel's decision to shut down steel production in Hamilton. Promising more subsidies to foreign monopolies which are wrecking the economy is not the answer, he said, adding that it is important for the OFL to deliberate seriously on how to stop the wrecking of our country.

Many other delegates denounced the inaction of the government and demanded that action be taken to defend the workers and the economy. One delegate proposed an immediate boycott of all Heinz products.

After a full discussion, the emergency resolution was adopted unanimously.

Several other resolutions were also discussed on the first day of the Convention.

#40: Protection for dependent contractors and non-union workers.
#2: Campaign for immigration rather than migrant worker exploitation.
#156: World Pride 2014
#23 : Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance Support
#16: Employment Training for youth of colour.
#10: Solidarity and Pride Educational Kit
#157: Employment Equity
#143: Protecting Pensions
#142: Support Bangladeshi Garment Workers
Emergency Resolution #2: Private Surgical and Diagnostic Clinics

Halifax War Conference

Haligonians Denounce NATO War Conference

On the occasion of the Fifth Annual Halifax War Conference, which grotesquely styles itself the "Halifax International Security Forum," various sections of the people of Halifax came out to denounce both the program and the presence of NATO and other pro-imperialist governments represented at this forum.

The opposition included students, workers, retired persons, veterans of the anti-war movement and social activists from the indigenous Mi'kmaq, African Nova Scotian and Palestinian solidarity communities. As in previous years, these forces came together in front of the conference venue at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel. An ally of the people's struggle in Elsipogtog opened the demonstration with a welcoming invocation.

A spokesperson from No Harbour for War greeted the participants with a vigorous denunciation of the proceedings in the hotel. He reserved greatest contempt for the Canadian government entities that have collaborated to guarantee the $9.8-million-dollar financing (over the next five years) of this conference that conspires against the lives and liberties of the peoples.

A representative from Al-Awda, the Palestinian Right to Return Coalition, was on hand to denounce the imperialists' complicity in the Zionist Israeli occupier's 65 years of trying to destroy the Palestinian people.

A well-known spoken-word artist delivered a passionate poem that raged against the imperialist machine of aggression and occupation that has spread across the globe.

A message of solidarity and support received from a Halifax Peace Coalition activist was read out, highlighting the fight against NATO in Europe.

A spokesperson from the Halifax Coalition Against Fracking denounced ongoing fracking in the Maritimes as a tool of the imperialist military machine.

The militarization of work and daily life in Halifax growing out of the decades-long warship-building contracts now under way at the Halifax Shipyards was denounced by a spokesperson for the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist).

Coming Events

Syria, Iran and the Pivot of War

Since the end of the bipolar division of the world in the early 1990s, we have witnessed a series of wars of aggression. Join us to discuss the current danger, with particular focus on the re-orientation of U.S. global military & geo-strategic spearheads against China. Washington's roadmap to China includes Syria and Iran as signposts. In this context, we will also discuss the meanings and implications of the agreement just signed between the U.S., Russia, China and the nuclear powers of Europe with Iran. Come join the discussion!

Rally for Aviation Safety at Transport Minister's Office: No More Compromises!

Airline workers are delivering a petition with over 13,000 signatures to Transport Minister Lisa Raitt's office in Milton Ontario on Friday, November 29. The petition opposes the Harper government's changes to Transport Canada regulations. Airline workers point out that "under our current Conservative Government, Transport Canada chooses to prioritize corporate revenue over passenger safety by reducing cabin crew by up to 25% and adopting a 1 flight attendant to 50 seat ratio. This is fundamentally wrong, politically motivated, and very dangerous. Please voice your concerns by signing this important petition and speaking out for airline safety." The petition can be signed here: www.change.org/flysafe

Presently the ratio of flight attendants to passengers is 1:40, but this May, WestJet was granted an exemption to this regulation and the Harper government indicated that it would be making this change universal. One of the petition organizers points out that on October 18, "Sunwing was granted a backroom exemption, with no public consultation whatsoever, allowing them to change the minimum ratio of 1 flight attendant per 40 passengers to 1 flight attendant per 50 seats; one less emergency-trained crew member on board most of their flights.

"Transport Canada has indicated they're willing to push forward and change the rule itself, allowing all airlines to operate with 1:50, leaving emergency exits unmanned, and less first responders on board our planes. And although previous Governments have always concluded this would be less safe, the Conservatives are pushing forward anyways."

Critical Condition: Panel Discussion on Reviving
Public Science in Canada

- Scientists for the Right to Know -

Come to an event celebrating the life of three scientific organizations that died and one that was resuscitated, and help us brainstorm about ways to revive public science in Canada.

Dr. Paul Cappon, the former President of the Canadian Council of Learning (2004-2012) will talk about the Council's birth and untimely death. The Council studied and fostered ways in which Canadians were learning in school, at home, in the workplace and in their community, throughout their life cycle.

Click to enlarge.

Dr. Robert Page, former Chair of the National Round Table on Environment & Economy (1988-2013), will discuss the life and death of the Roundtable and its valuable contributions to our understanding of the links between the environment and the economy -- now more needed than ever! It researched and advocated a low carbon economy and argued that Canada was well positioned to achieve this goal. However, its advice was not appreciated, which led to its demise.

Dr. Peter Ross, former senior researcher with the Ocean Pollution Research Program will talk about "Ocean pollution science in Canada: Navigating without a compass" -- the outcome of terminating a program within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans that led to many important regulations and controls improving commercial and traditional seafoods by lowering levels of various chemicals in marine wildlife. It improved the health of several fish and marine mammal populations. Sadly, the program itself died in 2013.

Dr. Diane Orihel, founder of Save ELA, will discuss the death of the world-renowned Experimental Lakes Area and its miraculous resuscitation through Ontario -- find out why it is still in critical condition on life support, unable to rise from its bed of suffering. During its healthy life, the ELA influenced public policy in water management in Canada, the USA and Europe.

The talks will be followed by a Q and A period, and we will then brainstorm together what can be done to Revive Public Science in Canada.

This event is organized by Scientists for the Right to Know, the University of Toronto Faculty Association, the Graduate Students' Union of the University of Toronto, the York University Faculty Association and Save ELA.

Admission is free.

Please come and circulate the information as widely as possible among your networks.

Halifax: Fundraiser for Elsipogtog First Nation

Click to see full poster.

Organizers point out that the "Elsipogtog and their allies have been fighting to protect their water from fracking in Kent County for months now. Since they began protesting in May, they've had a high number of people unlawfully arrested for peacefully protesting. Although many women, elders and men were hurt or sustained injuries while being arrested, they continue to defend their territory for their children, grandchildren and for those to come. We now have four warriors, which includes three youth, who were incarcerated on Oct. 17th. [...] We're throwing this event and have all these amazing performers who are donating their time to support our warriors in Elsipogtog/Rexton, to raise enough funds to provide them with warm outdoor winter gear and shelter for the long winter months. We also hope to raise legal funds for our young Mi'kmaq warriors with your help! Please join us for this amazing event or help out by supporting in any way you can!!" The event is endorsed by various unions and community organizations.

Demonstration Against Harper's Toronto Visit for Zionist Fundraiser

Statement of the of the Social Justice Committee
of the United Jewish People's Order-Toronto
- November 15, 2013 -

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is being honoured by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) at a dinner to raise money for a campaign to build a visitor and education centre at a bird sanctuary in the Hula Valley in Israel. He is being honoured for his support of Israel and for his direction of Canada to a position as "a nation of principle...defending the freedom and dignity of all people."

The Harper government has a record of environmental and human rights violations in Canada and elsewhere e.g. the cancelling of Kyoto, the oil sands, and the exploitation of human and natural resources by Canadian gold mining companies. Increases in homelessness, hunger and maltreatment of immigrants and refugees mark Harper's time as Prime Minister. Is his link to a "green" project of the JNF an exception to this record, or more of the same?

By accepting a JNF honour at the Negev Dinner, Prime Minister Harper is lending his support to Israeli and Canadian injustices against the Bedouin in the Negev. Canada and the JNF have a long and troubling history. Canada Park, which was created by the JNF with Canadian donations, replaced three entire Palestinian communities with trees and picnic grounds.

Now the JNF and Canada are linked to a project which claims it will make the Negev green and repopulate the region. In fact it is expelling a 500 year-old community.

The Bedouin community, which includes Israeli citizens, does not advocate violence and has claims to its land dating back to the Ottoman Empire. In the 1950s this community was moved to its current location with a promise of rapid return to its original lands. Not only was this promise broken, but now the people are being forcibly removed again. During the last two years this large Bedouin village has been destroyed six times and six times rebuilt. Now with the Prawer Plan the Israeli army is in place to stop the Bedouin from rebuilding.

Since 2005 the Bedouin's nearest neighbours have been a group of Jews from Toronto. They came in response to JNF and UJA [United Jewish Appeal] appeals to reclaim the allegedly barren desert. They lived in caravans surrounded by lush grass and flowers with playgrounds for their children. Now, the caravans have been replaced by three-story private homes reminiscent of Canadian suburbia. The displacement of the Bedouin population is not an environmental victory. It is an international crime against human rights perpetrated with the support of the Harper government. It is shameful for Israel, the JNF, Canada and Canadian Jews.

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