By George Gidora

As the provincial election enters the home stretch, British Columbians need to understand this campaign in the context of the terrifying global assault on living standards, social programs, and democratic freedoms.

Across the world, billions of people suffer from hunger and disease, while the U.S. and its allies (including Canada) waste trillions of dollars on wars and occupations. The gap between rich and poor has been widened to a chasm by the neoliberal policies of privatization, deregulation, sellouts, attacks on unions and migrant workers, militarism, and environmental destruction. Millions of working people can’t afford to buy the goods and services we produce, sparking an economic crisis which is shaking the capitalist system to its foundations.

Here in Canada, the Harper Tories and the Campbell Liberals say the crisis is “temporary”. Their “solution” is more tax breaks for the wealthy and expensive projects like the Olympics, while workers and the poor get shafted. In this situation, the message of the Communist party for radical socialist change is more relevant than ever.

For over a century, corporate interests have ruthlessly exploited workers, stolen the unceded lands and waters of aboriginal peoples, and plundered B.C.’s environment and natural wealth for a quick profit. As Communists, we have always fought back, organizing unions and movements to defend the interests of workers, aboriginal peoples, immigrants, youth, women, seniors, and the environment. We reject the right wing agenda which has done so much damage in B.C.

We stand for public ownership of resources to create jobs and build environmentally sustainable industries. As unemployment skyrockets, British Columbians need a provincial government that will demand changes to the federal Employment Insurance system by extending higher benefits to all jobless workers. We call for a $15 minimum wage and full Labour Code protection for all workers; massive improvements in public transit and a one-dollar fare for the Vancouver region; reversal of Liberal tax breaks for the rich; adequate funding for education and health; strict rent controls and construction of 5,000 new low income housing units annually; a ban on raw log exports; an end to moves to privatize B.C. Hydro and our rivers; full public oversight of police forces; recognition of aboriginal title to unceded territories; and full social equality and human rights for all who live in our province.

We have a vision of a better world. Instead of propping up capitalism with some tinkering, as the NDP and the Greens propose, we want to put socialism on the agenda. Socialism has proven its strength in poor countries such as Cuba, which has been recognized by the World Wildlife Fund for its unique success in protecting both human needs and the natural environment. Imagine what we could accomplish if Canada had an economy that was based on people, not profits!

The best outcome on May 12 would be the defeat of the Campbell Liberals, and the election of as many genuinely progressive candidates as possible, including Communists. This would help set the stage for a more powerful working class movement in the coming period.

The Communist candidates in this election include myself in Surrey-Newton, retired hospital worker Peter Marcus in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, and student Zach Crispin in Kootenay West. Your vote for a Communist is a vote to dump the Campbell Liberals, and a powerful demand for a better world and fundamental socialist change.

George Gidora is the leader of the Communist Party of British Columbia, and its candidate in Surrey-Newton.