12-10-05, 9:53 am

A spate of recent polls confirms what has been publicly acknowledged for a long time - that a clear majority of Canadians oppose a snap federal election this winter. And yet that is what all of the sitting parties in Parliament - including the Martin Liberals - seem intent on provoking.

The distinct lack of enthusiasm for an election arises not so much because of election 'fatigue' or the many problems associated with holding a general campaign in the dead of winter. And most certainly, it is not because the current Martin Liberal government enjoys widespread support among the people. On the contrary, public trust in the federal Liberals is running at an all-time low, especially in light of the Liberals' crass opportunism and corruption exposed by in the sponsorship scandal.

That said, most Canadians do think that the current minority government has worked rather well, contrary to the rantings of the Conservative opposition and much of the corporate-controlled media. It has been precisely the vulnerability of the minority government which has opened up wider possibilities to press for a softening and even reversal of the vicious neoliberal policies which have predominated for well over a decade. In fact, some rather positive social legislation and budgetary decisions have been enacted over the past 18 months, largely because the Martin cabinet has been forced to manoeuvre in order to survive.
The Liberals have had to grant a number of policy concessions to the NDP to avoid defeat in Parliament - increasing social spending on housing and much-needed transfers to municipalities, postponing generous tax cuts and giveaways to the corporations, etc. Even though these measures were taken for opportunist and insincere reasons (and therefore remain extremely vulnerable) they nonetheless constituted significant (if temporary) gains for working people. There is wide public appreciation of the fact, given the current balance of political forces in the country, that the current minority government situation is much preferable to a new majority government led by either of the big business parties - Liberal or Conservative.

And that is precisely why monopoly capital is anxious to rid itself of this vexing situation as soon as possible.

Of course the strategists in the Prime Minister's Office and at the Tory headquarters are busy doing their own separate calculations and manoeuvring, each hoping to emerge victorious at the polls. But from the point of view of big business, the most important outcome of an early election will be to restore 'stability' to Parliament Hill through a new 'majority' - either Liberal or Conservative - to better serves its class interests.

Jack Layton and the NDP caucus deserve credit for what they have managed to extract from the minority government situation up until now. But in the wake of Martin's rejection of any further concessions, the NDP has had no choice but to withdraw its support lest it be accused of continuing to prop up the discredited Liberals.

This makes an early winter election all but a done deal. The Martin crew is already campaigning on the themes of 'good government', a 'healthy' economy, etc. ad nauseum, while desperately striving to distance themselves from the stench of scandal and corruption. They are even trying to take credit for the minor progressive reforms they were forced to enact to preserve themselves in power.

The Harper Conservatives on the other hand are attempting to restrict debate almost entirely to the corruption issue, hoping like hell that Canadians will forget their own record while in government.

One thing is certain: both will do everything possible to steer clear of the most urgent issues facing the country, and studiously avoid any critical examination their own pro-corporate and anti-working class agendas. As the most reactionary, pro-imperialist party of big business, the Conservatives in particular will lie through their teeth to conceal their real program from the people.

In such circumstances, it is crucial that once again working people exercise their wise judgement by denying either of the two big business parties a working majority in the new parliament. This can best be accomplished by electing a solid bloc of left and progressive MPs, including NDPers, Communists, and others opposed to neoliberal and pro-war policies, and committed to:

* defending and extending public healthcare, education, pensions and the other social rights and services for all Canadians;

* ending all involvement in, or complicity with, U.S.-led imperialist wars and aggression in Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq  and elsewhere around the world;

* nationalizing the oil & gas industry, ending monopoly corporate control over this key resource, a vital prerequisite to reducing reliance on fossil fuel consumption and protecting our environment;

* reversing the erosion of democratic rights, the principal victim of the so-called 'war on terrorism'; and

* defending Canadian sovereignty and opposing the drive for complete integration with (i.e., subordination to) with 'fortress America' under the banner of harmonization.

For its part, the Communist Party of Canada will participate in the election, campaigning to inform as many Canadians as possible of the views of our Party and the 'people's alternative program' which we advance. We will also support efforts to unite all labour, democratic and progressive forces to prevent the election of a Liberal majority, and an even more dangerous Tory majority, and work to elect the largest possible bloc of progressive candidates and parties.

To accomplish this goal, we will field a number of candidates in ridings across the country. Despite our limited resources, we are planning an ambitious, comprehensive campaign, with special emphasis on outreach through electronic and internet-based technologies.

In the coming days and weeks, the CPC will unveil its full platform and political analysis on the coming election, and present its slate of candidates. We invite all left and progressive activists to consider our policies and platform, support our candidates and overall campaign, and vote Communist!

From People's Voice