Canada
Education is a social right!
Students must come to the defense of Ontario’s striking college teachers!
By International Youth and Students for Social Equality (Canada), 7 November 2017
The struggle must be broadened, mobilizing students as well as teachers and other workers across Canada in a political struggle to defend public education and win decent-paying, secure jobs for all.
Lessons of the CAMI autoworkers’ strike in Canada
By Carl Bronski, 28 October 2017
The strike did not fail to achieve its goals due to a lack of readiness among GM workers to fight, but because it was sabotaged by Unifor with its pro-corporate and nationalist agenda.
Trudeau courts Amazon CEO to locate its second headquarters in Canada
By Laurent Lafrance, 27 October 2017
In a “Dear Jeff” letter, Trudeau served up Canadian workers on a silver platter to the mega-billionaire Jeff Bezos whose giant conglomerate ruthlessly exploits its global workforce.
Quebec “clarifies” application of anti-Muslim law
By Keith Jones, 26 October 2017
Bill 62, which denies public services, including health care and education, to women wearing Muslim face-coverings, is an attack on democratic rights, aimed at inciting prejudice and splitting the working class.
Trudeau exploits Edmonton attack to lay groundwork for anti-refugee measures
By Laurent Lafrance, 21 October 2017
Aping the chauvinist hard-right, Trudeau is claiming that the Edmonton attack indicates Canada’s refugee system needs to be made more restrictive.
An educational Walmart
Ontario-wide community college teachers on strike
By Carl Bronski, 18 October 2017
12,000 teachers and librarians have walked out against precarious job security and the undermining of academic freedom.
Unifor imposes new round of concessions
CAMI strike in Canada ends
“We struck for a month and got nothing”
By Carl Bronski and Jerry White, 17 October 2017
Lacking any confidence that Unifor would oppose GM’s job threats, workers reluctantly accepted another concessionary contract.
12,000 professors and instructors strike Ontario colleges
Workers Struggles: The Americas
17 October 2017
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
No to Unifor-GM blackmail!
Before any ratification vote, CAMI workers must see the full contract and have time to study it
Statement of the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, 16 October 2017
CAMI workers have not stood out on the picket lines for a month to accept yet another concessionary contract from an auto giant that made $11 billion in profits last year.
Unifor announces deal to end CAMI strike
Reject Unifor-GM blackmail! No vote until CAMI workers have full contract and time to study it!
Statement of the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, 14 October 2017
Displaying the same contempt for rank-and-file workers it has since the CAMI strike began, Unifor announced it would release no details of the settlement until Monday’s ratification meeting where it expected to pass the deal.
Trump threatens to jettison NAFTA, as trade disputes intensify
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 13 October 2017
The collapse of NAFTA would mark a new stage in the eruption of 1930s-style “beggar they neighbor” trade conflicts.
Build rank-and-file committees! Unite Canadian, US and Mexican workers against job cuts!
GM threatens CAMI plant, demands Unifor end month-long strike
By Carl Bronski and Jerry White, 13 October 2017
Workers must break through the conspiracy of silence enforced by union and management and demand all details of the Unifor-GM secret negotiations.
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12 October 2017
Canadian Fiat Chrysler worker: “Stay strong, workers, and demand answers to your questions”
Talks resume in CAMI strike as Unifor continues to isolate embattled workers
By Shannon Jones, 12 October 2017
Canadian autoworkers expressed their solidarity with the striking CAMI workers and denounced last week’s physical assault on a WSWS reporter by a Unifor operative.
205 CAMI strike/UNIFOR assault on WSWS
11 October 2017
Canadian autoworkers warn CAMI strikers on role of Unifor, condemn attack on WSWS
By Shannon Jones, 10 October 2017
Ford and GM workers in Canada expressed their support for striking CAMI workers and denounced the treacherous role of Unifor.
Canada integrating universities into its militarist foreign policy
By Laurent Lafrance, 10 October 2017
Ottawa’s 70 percent military spending hike includes funds to intensify collaboration between the armed forces and universities.
Unifor operative assaults WSWS reporter at CAMI strike rally
By Jerry White, 9 October 2017
The physical attack is aimed not only at silencing the WSWS but at gagging and intimidating rank-and-file workers.
As CAMI strike ends third week, Unifor peddles Canadian nationalism at rally
By Jerry White, 7 October 2017
Unifor is using CAMI workers as pawns in their maneuvers with the Canadian and US governments over renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement.
“Love and courage”—Canada’s NDP elects Obama-style pitchman as leader
By Roger Jordan, 7 October 2017
Singh’s elevation to the position of party leader was greeted with enthusiasm by the corporate-controlled media, reflecting the fact that he was the preferred candidate of the most right-wing elements among Canada’s social democrats.
As CAMI strike continues, Unifor sheds crocodile tears for Mexican workers
By Carl Bronski, 5 October 2017
Dias does not explain how his supposed concern for the plight of Mexican workers squares with the union’s demand that GM lay off workers in Mexico before any workers at CAMI.
Unifor, the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter and the politics of the CAMI strike
By Jerry White, 4 October 2017
The struggle to defend jobs and living standards demands politics: not the politics of Unifor—a close ally of the federal and Ontario Liberal governments—but socialist politics.
Trudeau rushes to declare Edmonton attack a “terrorist” act
By Roger Jordan, 2 October 2017
The revelation that the alleged assailant was on a terrorism watch-list raises questions, including why authorities said there was no threat to public safety, shortly before initiating a high-speed chase through downtown Edmonton.
Unifor president at CAMI picket line: A declaration of bankruptcy
By Jerry White and Carl Bronski, 2 October 2017
Far from advancing any strategy to win the two-week strike, Unifor officials promoted economic nationalism and illusions in Trudeau and Trump.
Unifor leaders plot with GM to beat back resistance of CAMI strikers
By Jerry White, 29 September 2017
The top leadership of the Canadian auto union met with GM executives in Detroit even as the strike by 2,800 CAMI workers continued.
As Unifor plots to end CAMI strike, corporate press hails union head
By Keith Jones, 27 September 2017
The union is maneuvering to shut the strike down and subordinating the struggle to Unifor’s alliance with the Trudeau Liberal government and its efforts to renegotiate NAFTA.
Trudeau government bans Chelsea Manning from entering Canada
By Tom Hall, 26 September 2017
Ottawa’s justification for barring Chelsea Manning amounts to a declaration that whistleblowers in the Canadian military can expect the same horrific treatment meted out to Manning.
CAMI autoworkers strike against GM Canada at the crossroads
By Carl Bronski, 26 September 2017
While CAMI workers remained determined, officials from the Unifor union have presented GM Canada with an “olive branch” proposal to shut down the strike.
Nova Scotia Liberals slash public sector workers’ wages
By Janet Browning, 26 September 2017
Nova Scotia’s government, a close ally of the federal Liberal regime, is imposing a substantial, real-wage cut on 75,000 provincial public sector workers.
Canadian union seeks to shut down CAMI strike by offering concessions to GM
By Roger Jordan, 23 September 2017
Unifor has focused on bolstering its partnership with the big-business Liberal government and promoting reactionary Canadian nationalism.
GM Canada strike in danger
Why is Unifor trying to gag CAMI strikers?
By Carl Bronski and Jerry White, 22 September 2017
Officials from the Unifor union said Wednesday that they have offered an “olive branch” to GM to end the strike.
“What these companies are doing is a new form of slavery”
CAMI strikers determined to resist GM Canada job and wage cuts
By Jerry White and Carl Bronski, 21 September 2017
CAMI workers are fighting to defend their jobs and living standards, while Unifor seeks to tie workers to the Liberal government and Trump's anti-Mexican trade war policies.
CAMI autoworkers locked in fight against GM Canada over jobs and wages
By Jerry White, 20 September 2017
Autoworkers at the General Motors CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario are locked in a critical battle that raises fundamental questions for autoworkers in Canada and around the world.
Top Canadian general stokes fears over North Korea to justify joining US ballistic-missile defence
By Roger Jordan, 20 September 2017
Canada’s top general in the North American Aerospace Defence command has made the sensationalist claim that the US would not defend Canada from a ballistic missile strike.
For an international strategy to win the CAMI workers strike
By the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, 19 September 2017
To prevail in the struggle against GM, CAMI workers must fight to mobilize autoworkers across North America in a counter-offensive against all concessions and job cuts.
GM CAMI workers strike in Canada
By Carl Bronski, 18 September 2017
The walkout is part of a growing wave of struggles by autoworkers around the world, including in the US, Korea, Serbia and Slovakia.
Why is Canada’s pseudo-left rallying behind NDP leadership candidate Niki Ashton?
By Roger Jordan, 16 September 2017
Fightback, the International Socialists and Socialist Action hope that Ashton’s tepid “left” rhetoric can rehabilitate the deeply discredited New Democrats under conditions where working class struggle in Canada and internationally is rapidly intensifying.
British Columbia NDP government abandons $15 minimum wage pledge
By Roger Jordan, 11 September 2017
The NDP’s abandonment of one of its main election promises just weeks after coming to power shows that, no less than its Liberal predecessors, it is a right-wing party beholden to big business.
Toronto Airport Authority imposes injunctions on striking ground crew
By Lee Parsons and Roger Jordan, 9 September 2017
Following a protest by the workers on Sunday that temporarily blocked traffic into Pearson Airport, the Greater Toronto Airport Authority has intensified its strike-breaking efforts.
Quebec Liberals expand chauvinist bill targeting Muslims
By Louis Girard, 8 September 2017
While posturing as opposed to smearing asylum-seekers as “illegals,” Quebec’s Liberal government is seeking to ban women wearing Muslim face-coverings from accessing public services.
Deaths of children in government care skyrocket in Canada
By Riksen Stewart, 6 September 2017
The rising number of deaths in foster care is a product of the refusal of governments at all levels to provide adequate funding for social services.
“Whatever happens to us is going to happen to everybody else”
Toronto airport strikers speak out
By our reporters, 4 September 2017
700 employees of Swissport at Toronto’s Pearson Airport are resisting management’s attempt to slash their real wages and gut their working conditions.
Canada toes Trump administration’s provocative line on North Korea
By Roger Jordan, 2 September 2017
Citing the alleged threat from North Korea, a growing number of Liberal politicians are urging Canada to join Washington’s ballistic missile defence shield.
230 Five years since the Quebec student strike
31 August 2017
GM CAMI workers authorize strike in Canada
By Carl Bronski, 30 August 2017
Workers voted by 99.8 percent to walk out if a new labour agreement is not reached by September 17.
The Canadian NDP and the Libyan war: Niki Ashton is a liar
By Roger Jordan, 29 August 2017
Ashton claims she cannot remember how she voted in 2011 when Canada’s social democrats twice endorsed the NATO bombardment of Libya.
Trudeau vows immigration crackdown as thousands of Haitians flee to Canada
By Laurent Lafrance, 24 August 2017
Trudeau’s hardline stance towards refugees fleeing the Trump administration’s crackdown is bound up with his determination to maintain its partnership with the US.
Trump administration stakes out hardline trade position as NAFTA talks begin
By Roger Jordan, 19 August 2017
Washington is seeking to refashion the agreement as a template to pursue Trump’s economic nationalist “America first” agenda against its chief rivals, China and Germany.
Canadian government endorses Trump’s war-mongering against North Korea
By Roger Jordan, 16 August 2017
Foreign Minister Freeland blamed the war danger entirely on North Korea, while refusing to even comment on Washington’s highly provocative threats against Pyongyang.
Canadian military to construct refugee camp as hundreds of Haitians flee US
By Roger Jordan, 11 August 2017
The cruel and callous response of the Liberal government to the desperate plight of the asylum seekers stands in stark contrast to the welcome they have received from ordinary Montrealers.
Canada opens Montreal’s Olympic Stadium to Haitian refugees fleeing US
By Genevieve Leigh, 7 August 2017
As fears of deportation escalate, thousands of Haitians have fled to Canada seeking asylum, overwhelming the country’s immigration system.
Québec Solidaire prepares merger with right-wing nationalists
By Richard Dufour, 7 August 2017
Québec Solidaire is seeking to merge with Option Nationale, a split-off from the big-business PQ that has long criticized QS for placing “too much emphasis” on social issues.
235 Quebec Solidaire
5 August 2017
Canada: BC’s new NDP premier pledges to work closely with Trudeau
By Roger Jordan, 3 August 2017
Premier Horgan has hailed Trudeau, whose government is hiking military spending and launching a privatization drive.
Railroad workers at CSX face the dictates of Wall Street
By Jeff Lusanne, 1 August 2017
Since CSX has installed a new Wall Street-approved CEO, workers at the railroad have faced a grueling regime of radically changed working rules and conditions.
Canada’s pseudo left groups seek to revive right-wing NDP
By Roger Jordan, 1 August 2017
The pseudo left groups are shamelessly appealing to the union bureaucracy and NDP parliamentarians to bring forth a “Canadian Corbyn.”
Government inaction exacerbates BC wildfire disaster
By Janet Browning and Roger Jordan, 29 July 2017
More than 50,000 people have been forced from their homes as a result of a massive wildfire whose impact could have been significantly mitigated, if not prevented.
Canadian warships join “freedom of navigation” exercises in South China Sea
By Roger Jordan, 27 July 2017
The Canadian navy is joining exercises mounted by the US and its principal Asia-Pacific allies with the aim of threatening and preparing for war with China.
Alberta NDP to work with Trudeau to ram through Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
By Janet Browning, 22 July 2017
Underscoring the Alberta NDP government’s fealty to Big Oil and the financial elite, Premier Rachel Notley has vowed to dramatically increase the transport of untreated bitumen to tidewater.
British Columbia wildfires force 14,000 to evacuate their homes
By Janet Browning and Roger Jordan, 14 July 2017
Officials warned Thursday that strong winds forecast over the weekend could spread the wildfires across a larger area.
Right-wing furor over Canadian government’s “apology” to child Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 13 July 2017
In 2003 and 2004, Canadian officials colluded with their US counterparts in Khadr’s Guantanamo Bay interrogation, despite knowing he was a minor, had no legal representation, and had been tortured.
German trade union, works council and Bombardier management unite to impose plant shutdown in stages
By Gustav Kemper, 13 July 2017
The works council at Bombardier’s long standing rail carriage manufacturing facility in Hennigsdorf was joined by officials of the IG Metall trade union, Social Democratic politicians and company management in supporting mass job cuts.
Canada to wage offensive cyberwar
By Laurent Lafrance, 12 July 2017
The Liberal government has ordered the Canadian military and signals intelligence agency to collaborate in the development of cyberwar capabilities.
Backed by Greens, NDP to form British Columbia’s government
By Roger Jordan, 8 July 2017
The unions and pseudo-left are hailing the coming to power of an NDP government committed to upholding the reactionary fiscal framework of its Liberal predecessors.
Disputes sharpen in Canadian ruling elite over its China policy
By Roger Jordan, 6 July 2017
Canada’s “newspaper of record,” the Globe and Mail, is mounting an increasingly shrill campaign over the Liberal government’s China policy, accusing it of “doing Beijing’s bidding.”
Canada’s Liberal government extends participation in Mideast war to 2019
By Roger Jordan, 3 July 2017
The Trudeau government’s decision to continue the Canadian Armed Forces’ mission in the Mideast well into 2019 came just weeks after it announced a 70 percent hike in military spending.
150 years of Canadian Confederation: Myth and reality
By Keith Jones, 1 July 2017
The representation of Canada as a progressive antipode to the rapacious dollar republic to the south has long been an important part of the ideological arsenal of the ruling class.
Canadian Amazon workers face low wages and constant speed-up
By our reporters, 1 July 2017
A WSWS reporting team distributed copies of the International Amazon Workers Voice at a fulfillment centre in Brampton, Ontario, where workers reported earning low wages and being exploited twice over by labour contractors.
Manitoba government leaves Churchill residents in limbo after flood cuts rail link
By Jeff Lusanne, 26 June 2017
A month after a railroad to remote Churchill, Manitoba was damaged by flooding, residents face skyrocketing prices.
Canada: Reports on Fort McMurray wildfire expose government culpability
By Janet Browning and Roger Jordan, 24 June 2017
In spite of warnings about the growing threat of a major wildfire, Alberta's NDP government slashed funding for firefighting and failed to take preventive measures.
Canada’s Liberal government expands spy agencies’ powers in “reform” of Harper’s Bill C-51
By Roger Jordan, 23 June 2017
The Liberals’ proposed National Security Act makes only cosmetic changes to the authoritarian powers given Canada’s security-intelligence agencies under Bill C-51.
Deaths from drug overdoses rise rapidly in Canada
By Riksen Stewart and Roger Jordan, 17 June 2017
The mayor of Vancouver has labelled the drug overdose epidemic a “bloodbath” that is predicted to kill more than 400 people in the city by the end of the year.
Canada’s ruling elite applauds Liberals’ military spending hike
By Roger Jordan, 16 June 2017
The effusive praise exposes the bogus character of the Liberals’ “progressive” credentials, which have been boosted by the trade unions, the NDP and a host of campaign organizations.
Canada to hike military spending by 70 percent over next decade
By Roger Jordan, 10 June 2017
Speaking a day after Canada’s foreign minister said war is central to the country’s future, Defence Minister Sajjan outlined plans for rearmament and increased collaboration with the US.
War must be part of Canada’s future, foreign minister declares
By Roger Jordan, 8 June 2017
Freeland vowed that more “treasure” will be expended on “hard power” to assert Canada’s imperialist interests around the globe.
British Columbia NDP secures Greens’ support to form minority government
By Roger Jordan, 5 June 2017
Apart from a few cosmetic changes, a Green-supported NDP government will continue to impose the austerity program of big business.
Ghanaian woman dies of hypothermia attempting to walk across US-Canada border
By Niles Niemuth, 1 June 2017
The tragic death of Mavis Otuteye comes amid a spike in the number of immigrants living in the US seeking asylum in Canada.
Canada’s Conservatives choose Harper disciple as new leader
By Roger Jordan, 1 June 2017
Andrew Scheer upset frontrunner Maxime Bernier by appealing to social conservatives and touting himself as the strongest supporter of Harper’s hard-right, pro-corporate record.
Quebec government adopts law to break construction workers’ strike
By Roger Jordan, 31 May 2017
Nearly 175,000 Canadian construction workers have been forced back to work today, with the Quebec premier pledging to go even further in stripping workers of their rights.
Quebec introduces “emergency” bill outlawing construction strike
By Keith Jones, 30 May 2017
The Liberal government is giving itself sweeping powers to shape the arbitration process to ensure the construction bosses’ concession demands are imposed.
Quebec construction strike: Defeat strikebreaking laws and concessions! Defend public services!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Canada), 29 May 2017
Construction workers are the immediate target of the Liberals’ antistrike law, but it is the entire working class that is under attack.
Talks stall on third day of Quebec construction strike
By Roger Jordan, 27 May 2017
Quebec’s Liberal government has confirmed that it intends to outlaw a strike by 175,000 construction workers, with the House leader saying a strikebreaking bill will be tabled Monday.
Quebec premier amplifies threat to outlaw 175,000-strong construction strike
By Keith Jones, 26 May 2017
Among the largest workers’ actions in North America in recent years, the Quebec construction strike has angered and unnerved the Canadian ruling elite.
British Columbia Greens prepare for government role by pledging loyalty to corporate elite
By Roger Jordan, 26 May 2017
The Greens’ right-wing character has been underscored by their naming of a prominent ruling-class strategist and enforcer of austerity to lead talks with the Liberals and NDP.
Quebec construction strike rattles Canada’s ruling elite
By Laurent Lafrance, 25 May 2017
Quebec’s 175,000 unionized construction workers launched an “unlimited general strike” Wednesday morning, shutting down building sites across the province.
Crisis at Canadian subprime mortgage lender
By Roger Jordan, 25 May 2017
Canada’s economy is facing increasing turbulence due to a housing bubble, record consumer debt, anemic growth, and NAFTA’s uncertain future.
Québec Solidaire congress prepares alliance with Parti Québécois
By Richard Dufour, 20 May 2017
Since its formation, Québec Solidaire’s principal role has been to give a progressive gloss to the PQ’s largely discredited project of an independent capitalist Quebec.
130 Quebec Solidaire's Congress
19 May 2017
BC Liberals cling to power after election ends in dead heat
By Roger Jordan, 13 May 2017
The NDP, having suppressed working-class opposition to BC’s right-wing Liberal government, lost support in Tuesday’s election.
Thousands evacuated following floods in Quebec and Ontario
By Laurent Lafrance, 12 May 2017
Meteorologists and experts all agree that the latest floods are the result of unusually persistent rainfall, melting snow, and global warming.
Canadian defence minister vows to build stronger military
By Roger Jordan, 11 May 2017
As the Liberal government prepared to release its new defence policy, Harjit Sajjan accused previous governments of chronically underfunding the military.
British Columbia NDP wages right-wing, nationalist election campaign
By Riksen Stewart and Roger Jordan, 6 May 2017
Eager to win the backing of big business, the NDP is making only the most muted appeal to social discontent in Canada’s most unequal province.
Canada planning for war with North Korea
By Roger Jordan, 29 April 2017
Canada’s defence minister has made clear that Ottawa is ready to join a US-led war that could kill millions.
Trump steps up trade war over NAFTA
By Nick Beams, 28 April 2017
The Trump administration has signalled that it will take an aggressive economic nationalist stance in negotiations on NAFTA after making moves to withdraw altogether.
Science protests held across Canada
By our reporters, 24 April 2017
Demonstrations took place in 18 towns and cities across Canada on Saturday in conjunction with the global March for Science, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and many regional and university towns.
Canadian government seeks to placate Trump following NAFTA comments
By Roger Jordan, 22 April 2017
Trump’s sharp criticism of Canada over its trading practices in a number of economic sectors prompted a conciliatory response from Ottawa.
Canada joins Washington in charging Russia with complicity in “war crimes”
By Roger Jordan, 13 April 2017
The Trudeau government is providing strong backing to the Trump administration’s moves to escalate military conflict in the Middle East and pursue confrontation with Russia.
Canadian PM gives full-throated support to US missile strike on Syria
By Roger Jordan, 10 April 2017
Trudeau’s remarks make clear that Canada is preparing to expand its military intervention both in the Middle East and against Russia in Eastern Europe.
Bob White, trade union bureaucrat who led Canadian split from UAW, dies aged 81
By Carl Bronski, 8 April 2017
White’s 1985 breakaway from the UAW was a nationalist maneuver, aimed at protecting the union bureaucracy and blocking a joint struggle of North American autoworkers against all concessions and job cuts.
Canada’s Conservatives join with far-right in opposing “anti-Islamophobia” motion
By Laurent Lafrance, 7 April 2017
As in the US and Europe, important sections of Canada’s ruling elite are whipping up chauvinism and xenophobia and doing so in alliance with the ultra-right.
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