Anniversary of Founding of The Internationalists
March 13, 1963

Significance of the Creation of The Internationalists to Our Work Today

Hardial Bains in front of International House at the University of British Columbia in 1962.

Sixty-one years ago today, on March 13, 1963, an event took place at the University of British Columbia which was to have far-reaching historical consequences. Under the leadership of Hardial Bains, founder and leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) until he passed away in 1997, students responded to the need to create an academic atmosphere on the campus and established a discussion group called The Internationalists. They analyzed that the key thing absent from their lives at that time was the kind of consciousness and organization which would open a path for themselves. They created an academic atmosphere on the campus against all the hype which impeded learning that was meaningful for themselves and society. Working on a very broad basis with students in all disciplines, The Internationalists became the most vibrant broad student movement from the outset. The organization left its imprint not only on all its members and fellow-travelers, but on the politics of Canada ever since.

The Internationalists was subsequently reorganized in Montreal in 1968 as a Marxist-Leninist youth and student organization, on the basis of Hardial Bains’ Necessity for Change analysis. The work of The Internationalists led the creation of organizations in defence of democratic rights, student organizations in Quebec CEGEPs and universities across the country, the Canadian Student Movement and Canadian Workers’ Movement and associations and study groups carrying out work of organizing the Canadian people to provide proletarian internationalist support for the peoples waging anti-colonial, national liberation struggles abroad.

Two years after the reorganization of The Internationalists on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and establishing the work from coast to coast, CPC(M-L) was founded.

Today, CPC(M-L) has actively taken up for solution the problem of creating transitional mass democratic forms. The aim is to address in a practical way the problem of involving the working class to take the lead in smashing attempts by the ruling class to marginalize working people and deprive them of any say whatsoever over what is taking place. The intentional destruction of public authorities in favour of privatization of all public domains, such as health care, education, social services and infrastructure, are seriously gutting constitutional arrangements, power-sharing and governance in myriad ways and harming the social and natural environment. Only the working class can lead the people to introduce the measures required to turn the situation around. This has already begun by creating organizations in which the participants speak freely about their concerns, ensuring there is no recrimination on the basis of beliefs and opinions. Based on what an analysis of the conditions and developments and who they serve reveals, they are able to work out strategy and tactics which serve their own aims within the situation.

Like the Internationalists, CPC(ML) pays attention to international developments and taking the stands needed, countering efforts to divert and divide the people with false alternatives. Whether one looks at defending Palestine with frequent reports, analysis and photos from actions worldwide, or fighting for refugee rights, or calling for Canada to be a Zone for Peace, a sound internationalist direction and alternative is provided. So too, working relations with workers and fraternal organizations around the world are developed by taking up common work. In this way, proletarian internationalism has its concrete expression and is a living force for fundamental change.

Governing bodies at a national and international level are increasingly dysfunctional and such that peoples worldwide are protesting the crimes, wars, sanctions and genocide of the present. Governments from the federal to the local levels have been privatized, usurped by narrow private interests with no concern for the public good. They have lost all respect, credibility and legitimacy because they depend on power, privilege and corruption to keep themselves in their positions. Within parts of the workers’ and peoples’ movements similar problems exist. This presents the people with no alternative except the one they provide for themselves.

The aim which CPC(M-L) has taken up is expressed in its Historic Initiative launched by Comrade Bains on January 1, 1995 for the working class to constitute the nation and vest sovereignty in the people. It addresses the problem that at this particular historical turning point, the forms of organization and thinking which existed in the past are sterile. Modern forms of organization and definitions of rights, freedoms, equality and governance are required so that people can make the decisions which affect their lives. Through their own practice, across the country, workers, women, youth and students and Indigenous Peoples can see that by organizing to speak in their own name and participating in setting their own agenda of discussion, speech becomes action. Those who take action to arrive at decisions which favour them, also take action to exercise control over their implementation. This is why we say, accountability begins at home!

On this occasion, the Central Committee of CPC(M-L), on its own behalf and on behalf of all Party members and supporters, especially those whose contribution dates back to the 1960s, as well as on behalf of the current generation of youth, pays deepest respects to the memory of our dearly beloved comrade and leader Hardial Bains, who led the founding of The Internationalists 61 years ago and, on the basis of the same principles and methods of work, led the founding of CPC(M-L) on March 31, 1970. This is an event the Party is marking this year with members, supporters, friends and fellow travelers joining to celebrate our collective work to empower the people.

Meeting March 16, 2013, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of The Internationalists