YCL BC on Gordo's resignation

November 4, 2010
STATEMENT OF THE YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE - BC PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Young Communist League celebrates today alongside our fellow British Columbians. The resignation of Gordon Campbell, anti-worker, anti-youth Premier, has been a long and hard fought campaign of many. For the exiting Campbell we say, "Good riddance".

Working people in British Columbia may have one less corporate lackey in the Legislature, but the fight continues. The BC Liberal government supported Campbell on each and every draconian labour law to come to the legislature in nearly a decade. Within the government there are those equally committed to advancing the interests of the capitalist class as Campbell was - this cannot be tolerated. Now is the time to increase political activity and block the development of the BC Liberal agenda.

British Columbians shouldn't have to wait for a year to abolish the HST. We say the people have already spoken, abolish the HST now! Youth need increased wages, reduced tuition, and better access to education immediately. The YCL calls for the immediate in-statement of a 16$ minimum wage indexed to inflation. Cost for post-secondary education must be halved including tuition, books, dormitories and rent, and food. Grants must take the place of loans, and all student debt must be cleared. Anti-environment schemes like "run of the river" private power must be canceled.

Simply because Gordon Campbell has left office does not mean that the BC Liberal government will abandon its destructive neo-liberal principles. A new Premier with similar goals and politics is certain to replace him as long as the Liberal Party remains in power. Waiting for the next round of elections to take action will mean the continuation of Campbell's hated policies in the interim. The fight must be in the streets to make the changes necessary, British Columbians must vote with their feet!

Statement by the Communist Party of British Columbia on the resignation of Gordon Campbell

The three terms of the Campbell Liberals have been characterized by implementing the lowest taxes for the wealthy and corporations in North America at the expense of the standard of living, wages and social programs of BC residents. His forced resignation is a compliment to a tenacious and awakened electorate who has had enough.

In his devotion to corporate welfare Gordon Campbell kept the minimum wage at the lowest level in Canada while presiding over an economy where the top ten CEO’s collectively in 2009 earned $70 million dollars. Upon the imbalanced scales of extreme wealth and extreme poverty Gordon Campbell’s weight was always on the side of extreme wealth.

For seven years British Columbia has had the worst child poverty in Canada. After nine years of tuition fee increases BC takes in more from tuition fees than it does from corporate taxation. The massive privatization of Healthcare services, with parallel cutbacks in quality and accessibility, has channeled hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into corporate bank accounts while rolling back healthcare wages 15% and then freezing them at that level.

The Campbell Liberals repeatedly broke election promises that had value to the public and steadfastly adhered to every policy that gave away public resources to private business. They have brought almost every school board in BC into funding crisis that has put 200 schools on the closure list so far. They broke their promise not to privatize BC Rail and in the corrupted bidding process implicated cabinet ministers in a scandal currently hidden behind two scapegoats and a plea bargain that hides the extent and involvement of elected officials in betrayal and corruption.

The Campbell Liberals have gutted the Environmental Assessment Act and created Cabinet powers that overrule municipal by-laws and autonomy to the point that municipalities can only govern if they don’t interfere with corporate interests. They cut the transfer of gambling profits to Charities and the Arts from 33% to 10%. They made massive funding cuts to Women’s Shelters, closed down homeless hostels and cut and slashed their way through almost every social or special needs program in the province.

For Gordon Campbell to whine about a vindictive public and the strain on his family after ruining so many lives is typical of the arrogance and contempt he and his government have exercised. The NDP MLA’s and Party Leader who stroke him on his way out with platitudes about “years of public service” should tell the truth and expose the years of “corporate service” if they don’t want to appear as members of the same club.

Gordon Campbell was not brought down by the parliamentary opposition; he was not brought down by a caucus revolt. He was brought down by massive public rejection of the Liberal Government’s record of lies broken promises and deceit that made it impossible for him to continue. The HST debacle and the transfer of $1.6 billion from the public to the private purse has become the catalyst, the glue of all the diverse forces screaming betrayal. The historic pending referendum is evidence of the public rage.

Gordon Campbell is going, he should be gone and his entire caucus that supported him doggedly should leave with him.

* 30 -

Some November Events to Check Out

1. YCL Vancouver Meeting
2. Historical Materialism Discussion Continued
3. October Revolution Banquet
4. World Peace Forum Teach-In

1. YCL Vancouver Meeting

We will have a meeting of the YCL Vancouver Club on November 9th, at 7pm. It will be held at our office in the Centre for Socialist Education, 706 Clark Dr. The meeting is open to all members of the YCL and those interested in finding out more/getting involved.

Draft Agenda
Roll call
Previous minutes
Membership

Old Business
- World Festival of Youth & Students
- Club elections

Standing Items
- Student movement
- Peace & international solidarity
- Young workers movement
- Rebel Youth
- Culture & Agit-Prop

New Business

Adjourn

http://www.facebook.com/events/create.php?gid=170610470581#!/event.php?eid=162400957127833

2. Historical Materialism Discussion Continued

Part three of our study groups on historical materialism will be November 17th at 7pm at the Centre for Socialist Education (706 Clark Dr.). If you couldn't make it for previous parts don't worry you can still catch up! Reading material will be Historical Materialism by Maurice Cornforth chapters 5 and 6.

Read Historical Materialism for free online: http://leninist.biz/en/1971/HM147/index.html

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163933273627200&num_event_invites=0

3. October Revolution Banquet

The annual October Revolution Banquet will be held this year on Saturday, November 13th, at the Peretz Centre (6184 Ash St.) in Vancouver. The event will be a celebration of the struggle against fascism and war.

Features will include guest speaker Roger Keeran, Professor of Labour Studies at Empire State College in New York and co-author of the book "Socialism Betrayed". There will also be an international buffet, audio-video presentation, live music, door prizes, and book displays.

Doors at 6pm, dinner at 7pm. Call 604.254.9836 for information or e-mail cpbc@telus.net

4. World Peace Forum Teach In

This years World Peace Forum teach in will be held at Langara College on November 11, 13, and 14.It will focus on the decade and a half between the end of World War Two and the 1960's. The YCL encourages participation in this event and will be participating in the teach in. The following is from the teach in website:

The ‘Fifties’
Reconstruction vs Revolution
and the First “War on Terror”
November 11, 13, 14
Langara College

The decade and a half between the end of World War II and the 1960’s is full of lessons that resonate strongly in the world we live in today. While it is regarded by some as a period of grey and repressive reaction, where any nails that stood out were hammered down, it was far from that. Revolutions rocked the colonial world and shook the old order from China to Algeria, Egypt to Cuba. Cultural rebellions–rock and roll, folk music and the beat generation; feminism and the beginning of the ecology movement- changed what we read thought and heard. The ‘Quiet Revolution’ transformed Quebec and Canada. From the first cracks in the ‘socialist’ world to the unprecedented boom in the capitalist, the fifties was a time rich in struggles that shape the world we live in. Both the victories and defeats of movements against war and oppression and for a socially just and sustainable world have much to teach us. That is exactly what the World Peace Forum is planning. The third Teach-In will be held on Nov. 11 and 13 and 14 at Langara College. Details will be available in September. Keep your eye on www.peaceforumteachin.org or get on our mailing list by contacting us at info@worldpeaceforumbc.ca

November eBulletin

Check out the November eBulletin here. To subscribe, e-mail us at ycl_bc@ycl-ljc.ca

YCL Vancouver Upcoming Events!

1. World Festival of Youth & Students Fundraiser
2. Communism 101 Educational
3. Historical Materialism Discussion pt. 3
4. Left Film Night: Occupation 101
5. October Revolution Banquet
6. World Peace Forum Teach-In

1. World Festival of Youth & Students Fundraiser

The Vancouver & District Labour Council Young Workers Committee is hosting a fundraiser this Wednesday, October 13th, at 9pm. All money raised will go to help send young workers to the 17th World Festival of Youth & Students this December in South Africa. The YCL supports all efforts to organize and fundraise for the festival and encourages everyone to check out this event.

Tickets are $10 and include VIP entry and a free drink. DJ's will be providing entertainment throughout the night. The event will be held at The Cellar in downtown Vancouver.

Check out the Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=117473434977919
Learn more about the Festival here: http://www.wfdy.org/tag/17-wfys/

2. Communism 101 Educational

On September 17th we will be hosting an introductory educational on communism at our office in the Centre for Socialist Education, 706 Clark Dr. All YCL members are strongly encouraged to attend and all those who are interested in learning more and warmly invited to join us. The educational will begin at 6pm.

3. Historical Materialism Discussion pt. 3

Part three of our study groups on historical materialism will be October 26th at 7pm at the Centre for Socialist Education (706 Clark Dr.). If you couldn't make it to part one, fear not, you can still join us for part three and get caught up. Reading material will be Historical Materialism by Maurice Cornforth.

Read Historical Materialism for free online: http://leninist.biz/en/1971/HM147/index.html

4. Left Film Night: Occupation 101

"OCCUPATION 101: Voices of the Silenced Majority"

Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, 7 pm
Centre for Socialist Education, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver
...Donations will be accepted for the Canadian Boat for Gaza

**************
Directed by Abdallah Omeish and Sufyan Omeish, 2006, 90 minutes

Occupation 101 is a powerful documentary on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The film presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts surrounding the issues, and dispels many long-perceived myths and misconceptions. Occupation 101 also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are examined by leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have often been suppressed in North American media outlets. The film covers a wide range of topics - the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880’s, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza - as well as heart-wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy.

COLLECTION FOR THE CANADIAN BOAT FOR GAZA! At the conclusion of the film, donations will be accepted for the Canadian Boat for Gaza project. This cross-Canada campaign aims to raise $300,000 to send a Canadian boat as part of the next international flotilla to break the Israeli siege of Gaza. For more information, visit canadaboatgaza.org.


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

5. October Revolution Banquet

The annual October Revolution Banquet will be held this year on Saturday, November 13th, at the Peretz Centre (6184 Ash St.) in Vancouver. The event will be a celebration of the struggle against fascism and war.

Features will include guest speaker Roger Keeran, Professor of Labour Studies at Empire State College in New York and co-author of the book "Socialism Betrayed". There will also be an international buffet, audio-video presentation, live music, door prizes, and book displays.

Doors at 6pm, dinner at 7pm. Call 604.254.9836 for information or e-mail cpbc@telus.net

6. World Peace Forum Teach In

This years World Peace Forum teach in will be held at Langara College on November 11, 13, and 14.It will focus on the decade and a half between the end of World War Two and the 1960's. The YCL encourages participation in this event and will be participating in the teach in. The following is from the teach in website:

The ‘Fifties’
Reconstruction vs Revolution
and the First “War on Terror”
November 11, 13, 14
Langara College

The decade and a half between the end of World War II and the 1960’s is full of lessons that resonate strongly in the world we live in today. While it is regarded by some as a period of grey and repressive reaction, where any nails that stood out were hammered down, it was far from that. Revolutions rocked the colonial world and shook the old order from China to Algeria, Egypt to Cuba. Cultural rebellions–rock and roll, folk music and the beat generation; feminism and the beginning of the ecology movement- changed what we read thought and heard. The ‘Quiet Revolution’ transformed Quebec and Canada. From the first cracks in the ‘socialist’ world to the unprecedented boom in the capitalist, the fifties was a time rich in struggles that shape the world we live in. Both the victories and defeats of movements against war and oppression and for a socially just and sustainable world have much to teach us. That is exactly what the World Peace Forum is planning. The third Teach-In will be held on Nov. 11 and 13 and 14 at Langara College. Details will be available in September. Keep your eye on www.peaceforumteachin.org or get on our mailing list by contacting us at info@worldpeaceforumbc.ca

YCL Vancouver meeting

Hi everyone,

We will have a meeting of the YCL Vancouver Club on Friday, October 8th, at 7pm. It will be held at our office in the Centre for Socialist Education, 706 Clark Dr. The meeting is open to all members of the YCL and those interested in finding out more/getting involved.

Draft Agenda
Roll call
Previous minutes
Membership

Old Business
- World Festival of Youth & Students
- Central Convention
- Club elections

Standing Items
- Student movement (including high school and campus work)
- Peace & international solidarity
- Young workers movement
- Rebel Youth
- Culture & Agit-Prop

New Business

Adjourn

Also, if you haven't seen it yet, check out our October eBulletin at http://yclbc-lowermainland.blogspot.com/2010/10/ycl-bc-ebulletin-october-2010.html

YCL BC eBulletin - October 2010

Check out the October edition of our eBulletin at http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/445432/c982086e64/1623006065/6c0c9d641e/

If you would like to received the eBulletin by e-mail please e-mail us at ycl_bc@ycl-ljc.ca