Important Updates to Upcoming Events

1. POSTPONED Discussion Group: The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism

Join us for our monthly discussion group. This month we will discuss Lenin's article The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism. This article, which outlines the basic origins and fundamentals of Marxism, was first published in1913 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the death of Karl Marx.

We will be joined by a special guest speaker, Paul Bjarnason (CPC BC Committee), for a presentation followed by discussion. Pre-reading optional but suggested. The discussion group will be followed by the Left Film Night.

Wednesday, September 2nd, 7:30pm
Centre for Socialist Education, 706 Clark Dr.

To read the article for free online, visit http://www.marx2mao.com/Lenin/CPM13.html
Or, look for a copy at the People's Co-Op Bookstore.

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2. Left Film Night: Milk

LEFT FILM NIGHT presents:

MILK

Sunday, August 30, 7 pm

at the Centre for Socialist Education
706 Clark Drive, Vancouver (corner of Clark & E. Georgia)

If you missed MILK in the theatres earlier this year, here's your chance. Sean Penn deservedly won Best Actor at the 2009 Academy Awards for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to a major political position in the United States. MILK (directed by Gus Van Sant, 128 minutes) presents a fascinating look at two worlds - the flourishing gay and lesbian communities of San Francisco during the 1970s, and the complex and difficult struggle to win progressive reforms through the electoral process at the municipal level. Harvey Milk succeeded in bringing together a broad coalition of gay activists, trade unionists, Latinos and other oppressed minorities, small business owners, tenants, homeowners and other San Franciscans. United, they challenged the city's entrenched elites and undemocratic political structures to bring a powerful voice for the people into City Hall. His tragic assassination sparked a huge upsurge in the struggle for full equality for the LGBT community, a struggle which continues to this day in California and around the world. MILK is both a stunning artistic achievement and a timely political statement.


No admission charge, but donations towards our costs are welcome. Coffee and refreshments available. Left Film Nights are presented by the Centre for Socialist Education, Young Communist League, and the Vancouver East Club of the Communist Party of Canada. Call 604-255-2041 or email for further information.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8947029929&ref=ts

3. Labour Day @ Trout Lake

The BC Federation of Labour and Canadian Labour Congress are holding a Labour Day celebration at Trout Lake (John Hendry) Park on September 7th from 11am-2pm. There will be entertainment and food (hot dogs, corn, and drinks for 50 cents each).

The YCL will be present, talking to young workers and distributing leaflets. If you want to meet up with us, e-mail redstar@ycl-ljc.ca

For more information about the event, visit www.bcfed.ca

Stop the HST!

As the economic crisis continues to endanger jobs and force down wages British Columbians are faced with another attack. On July 23th, 2009 the right-wing B.C. Liberal government announced its intention to implement a Harmonized Sales Tax by July 1st, 2010. Despite explicit promises not to introduce such a tax during the last provincial election in May, the Liberal government persists in forcing working class British Columbians to pay for the failing capitalist economy.

The Harmonized Sales Tax combines two taxes, the Provincial Sales Tax and the federal Goods and Services Tax, into one federally administered sales tax. When this takes place, almost everything which PST does not apply to will see a 7% increase in cost. Among these are some of the most important parts a working class family's budget such as: residential fuels (electricity, natural gas) and heating, food products, non-prescription medication, work-related safety equipment, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and household maintenance such as renovations and painting. Even grieving families will now pay 7% more at a funeral home.

The Harmonized Tax system puts a massive weight on working people in British Columbia. Northern B.C.ers who are seeing forestry jobs lost and already pay far more for many essential products will now see home heating costs increase dramatically. Commuters in urban areas will see bicycles and bicycle repairs jump in price, which continues the B.C. Liberal policy of profits before people and the environment.

Youth will be affected drastically by the new system. Movies and theatre tickets, repairs for home appliances, and other costs often born by young people will increase substantially. Even school supplies will see a 7% increase in cost when students already pay a criminal tuition fee to attend college or university. While the Liberals refuse to raise minimum wage or legislate a living wage system they continue to increase taxes on those who fall below the poverty line.

To add insult to injury the B.C. Liberal government will receive a 1.6 billion dollar payout from the federal Conservative government to implement this system. As working people try to balance meager budgets the provincial sellout continues. If it was not clear before, British Columbians now know exactly how much they sell for in the capitalist market.

- Interim BC Provincial Committee, August 2009

YCL BC Summer Camp a Big Hit

The Sunshine Coast was a little more Red than usual this BC Day long weekend as the Young Communist League (YCL) held their annual Summer Camp in Sechelt.

Over 20 youth from across the province attended the camp this year where they learned, discussed, and had fun. It was the largest event of its kind held since the YCL began to re-organize in BC over five years ago.

“It can be hard to get young people out to a four day long event,” said YCL BC Organizer Stephen Von Sychowski. “I think the growth can be attributed to the increase in size and activity of the League in BC as well as to the radicalization of youth in the face of war, student debt and the capitalist economic crisis. Capitalism is again producing its own gravediggers.”

At least years Summer Camp, Trail was the newest addition to the list of YCL Clubs being built up across Canada. This year it was Kamloops. Both Clubs sent delegations to this years Summer Camp.

Under the scorching hot sun the attendees studied a variety of topics including the economic crisis and the fightback, the environmental crisis, what socialism is and why it is necessary, current events in Latin America, and more.

But it wasn’t all study, there was also lots of time for fun. After educational sessions were finished it was off to the beach to relax, swim, and enjoy the rest of the day.

“I came here to learn about Marxism,” said one camp attendee, “but I left not just with new knowledge but also with new friends and memories of an awesome weekend.”

The YCL will hold its annual Summer Camp again next year and invites youth and students to contact them for more information at ycl_bc@ycl-ljc.ca

Minimum Wage Fight Must Go On

Minimum Wage Fight Must Go On
by Stephen Von Sychowski

On November 1st, 2001, BC’s minimum wage increased to $8 per hour. I was working that day. It was at my first job, Super Save Gas. We were minimum wage workers with no benefits, no job security, no paid vacation, and all things considered, this was the best news any of us had heard since we entered the workforce.

Almost eight years later, the wages of BC’s lowest paid workers haven’t increased a single cent. In fact, with inflation sitting just under two percent, their real wages in terms of buying power have plummeted significantly leaving over 350,000 working for poverty level wages.

It’s no wonder that the $10 NOW campaign, which calls for an immediate increase to $10 per hour, a subsequent increase to $11, indexing to inflation, and abolition of the “training wage,” has garnered the support of 80% of British Columbians. Already over 70,000 people have signed the petition for $10 NOW and young workers have organized rallies, pickets, petitioning sprees and other actions to voice their demands.

On May 12th, as the polls closed on another provincial election, minimum wage workers watched in horror as their impoverisher, Gordon Campbell and the Liberal Party, returned to power aided by immense corporate funding, dismal voter turnout, and a weak campaign by the opposition New Democrats characterized by tame, toned-down policies hopelessly aimed at trying to please both the workers, and their bosses.

During the election campaign the $10 NOW campaign was effectively put on hold while the majority of its volunteers flocked to electoral work for candidates who pledged to support their demands. Without the backing of a mass movement of young and underpaid workers demanding an increase during the election the debate was quickly portrayed as an abstract debate between two political parties. Meanwhile Gordon Campbell was represented by the media and the Liberal Party as the candidate to be trusted on economic issues like minimum wage because, ironically, of his business experience. The issue was thus largely disarmed during the election period and was not effectively used to rally anti-Liberal forces to fight back or even simply to vote.

Since May 12th, the $10 NOW campaign has been slow to recover its pre-election energy and exuberance. Yet it is necessary now even more than before to fight for BC’s low paid workers. BC, like the rest of Canada, is in the midst of a global capitalist economic crisis. The temporary boom caused by construction and development for the 2010 “Five Ring Circus” is dissipating, and homelessness is increasing dramatically. There’s no doubt that those living on poverty level wages desperately need an increase.

In four years it will be too late for many of these workers. Furthermore, in four years the powerful corporate forces that Gordon Campbell’s Liberal Party represent may succeed in returning him to office yet again if a mass, militant movement against their policies can be built in advance of the election. One of the most important lessons of this provincial election for young and underpaid workers is that elections are not the be all and end all of political struggle. It’s true that we must fight to elect a progressive, anti-Liberal majority in the next election. But we can and must put political and economic pressure on the Campbell Liberals now in order to force progress on the immediate needs of working people for work and wages. Nobody is going to hand it to us, but together we could take it.

Lower Mainland August Events

1. Under the Volcano Festival
2. Annual People's Voice Walk-A-Thon
3. Global Day of Action for Honduras
4. Red Star Club monthly meeting
5. Red Star Club monthly discussion group
6. Left Film Night

1. Under the Volcano Festival

Join the Red Star Club of the YCL at the 19th annual Under the Volcano "Festival of Art and Change" in Cates Park (North Vancouver) on Sunday, August 9th.

We will be sharing a table in the info fair with the CPC starting at noon.

For more information on the festival check out http://volcano.resist.ca/

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you can help staff the table even for only 1 hour please let us know asap.

2. Annual People's Voice Walk-A-Thon

A fundraiser for the People's Voice (www.peoplesvoice.ca) newspaper, Sunday, August 9th at Bear Creek Park in Surrey. The walk starts at 11am and is followed by a potlatch lunch and cultural program.

For more information call Krishna: 604.940.0420 OR Harjit: 604.543.7179

3. Global Day of Action for Honduras

The Coalition Against Intervention in Latin America, of which the YCL is a member organization, will be holding a picket on Tuesday, August 11th, which has been named a Global Day of Action for Honduras.

The picket will start at 5pm at 666 Burrard St. (across from Burrard Station).

The YCL demands an end to the military coup regime in Honduras and the return of the democratically elected President, Manuel Zelaya.

4. Red Star Club monthly meeting

Our next Club meeting will be Saturday, August 15th at 5pm. It will be held at our office in the Centre for Socialist Education, 706 Clark Dr.

DRAFT AGENDA

Roll Call
Adopt Agenda
Minutes of July 12th/25th

OLD BUSINESS/STANDING ITEMS

-Young Workers movement
- Peace movement
- Student movement
- Cultural work
- Summer Camp report back

NEW BUSINESS

- Pro-Choice action
- August 30th Left Film Night

5. Red Star Club monthly discussion group

Our monthly discussion group will be held on August 30th at 5pm. It will be at the Centre for Socialist Education (706 Clark Dr.). It will be followed by the Left Film Night. Topic TBA after the July 30th meeting.

6. Left Film Night

MILK

Sunday, August 30, 7 pm
at the Centre for Socialist Education
706 Clark Drive, Vancouver (corner of Clark & E. Georgia)

If you missed MILK in the theaters earlier this year, here's your change. Sean Penn deservedly won Best Actor at the 2009 Academy Awards for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to a major political position in the United States. MILK (directed by Gus Van Sant, 128 minutes) presents a fascinating look at two worlds - the flourishing gay and lesbian communities of San Francisco during the 1970s, and the complex and difficult struggle to win progressive reforms through the electoral process at the municipal level. Harvey Milk succeeded in bringing together a broad coalition of gay activists, trade unionists, Latinos and other oppressed minorities, small business owners, tenants, homeowners and other San Franciscans. United, they challenged the city's entrenched elites and undemocratic political structures to bring a powerful voice for the people into City Hall. His tragic assassination sparked a huge upsurge in the struggle for full equality for the LGBT community, a struggle which continues to this day in California and around the world. MILK is both a stunning artistic achievement and a timely political statement.


No admission charge, but donations towards our costs are welcome. Coffee and refreshments available. Left Film Nights are presented by the Centre for Socialist Education, Young Communist League, and the Vancouver East Club of the Communist Party of Canada. Call 604-255-2041 or email for further information.

Groups protest Harper in Surrey

http://rebelyouth-magazine.blogspot.com/2009/08/groups-protest-harper-appearance-in.html

August 2009 eBulletin

Check out the August YCL BC eBulletin online!

http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/445432/c16310457a/1623001961/6c0c9d641e/