Communism in Canada

Politics: Canadian Communism

We want to make this nation one which truly belongs to all its people; we seek to create a society in which all individuals have the opportunity to realize their full potential" (History of NDP). These sentiments, although forming part of the New Democratic Party's socialist mission statement, are considered to be a close reflection of the values and beliefs that are commonly associated with Communism. The NPD, however, take great pains to distance themselves from the label of 'communist', leaving the Communist Party of Canada (CPC) to carry the official flag of Canadian communism. Under the guidance of the CPC the development of Communism in Canada, unlike in Russia and other traditionally communist strongholds, has developed less rapidly; adopted a less extreme agenda, and as a result, continues to exert an appreciable influence upon Canadian politics and society. By adapting to changing social and political conditions, communism in Canada has successfully outlived the roots of its ideology.

The roots of Canadian communism are closely linked to the ideology's growth and development across the world. In the early years of the 20th century three major events occurred in rapid succession, the result of which was the emergence and growth of Canadian communism. Firstly, in 1904, the Socialist Party of North American was formed, merging the theory of Karl Marx with the hopes and ambitions of the Canadian working class. Then, in 1914, the First World War bred an increasing sense of resentment amongst the Canadian people, who witnessed the increasing wealth and power of the 'ruling class' at the same time as tens of thousands of, mostly working class, young men were sent to their deaths. Finally, in 1917, the Russian Revolution acted as the catalyst that, combined with Canada's increasing level of unemployment and growing discontent at government labor policies, led to a dramatic rise in support for communist values and policies (Bumsted, 1994). This upsurge in working class solidarity thrust itself to the fore of political and social consideration with the famous Winnipeg General Strike of 1919.

When the Winnipeg Trades and Labor Council called a general strike, it received almost unanimous support form the city's workers, and lasted from May 15 to June 28, 1919 (Bumsted, 1994). This event remains one of the rare occasions in Canadian history in which the 'working class' has become conscious of themselves as a political, even revolutionary, force (Bercuson, 1974). It also resulted in the demand for a new type of political party; one that represented the ordinary people and their needs. In response, the Communist Party of Canada, and its legal sister party, the Workers' Party of Canada, were formed in Ontario in May 1921 (History of CPC). Simultaneously, a group of political activists known as the Ginger Group joined forces with various labor and socialist groups to form a new socialist party, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), at Regina in 1933 (Plawiuk, 1996). The CCF, which quickly became established in Canadian political life, ensured that socialist and communist views were represented in government until, in 1961, it merged with the Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) to become the New Democratic Party (History of NDP). Although officially defined as a socialist democratic party, the NDP contains many communist values and beliefs, and with the support of the CPC, they have been largely responsible for many successful social reforms in Canada, in particular the Canadian health care system.