On Saturday June 16th, the New Democratic Party of The Yukon held their annual convention. The entire constitution was re-written and brought forward for the delegates to debate and vote on.

Organizationally, the new constitution is a vast improvement on the old constitution. The old constitution was originally drafted in Ontario and had not taken into account the many peculiarities of organizing party work in the territory. Politically, the proposed constitution was a drastic rightward move. Any mention of democratic socialism was removed and replaced with the phrase “social democracy.” The second paragraph in the old “Purpose” section, outlining the principles of democratic socialism, was deleted entirely. This paragraph elaborated on the necessity for economic planning to meet the needs of the people and the environment. The removal was framed as an attempt to “modernize” the constitution, making the party more “open and accessible.” This modernization, though, only diluted the politics of the party, and further blurred the lines between the NDP and the Liberal Party.

Fightback supporter, Joel Bergman proposed an amendment to this new constitution, suggesting the replacement of social democracy with democratic socialism and a return to the socialist commitments of the 2nd paragraph. This sparked a heated debate, in which Boyd Pyper, a drafter of the new constitution claimed that the old paragraph is rife with “Marxist rhetoric,” and that the average Canadian rejects the idea of socialism. These claims, though, have been revealed to be especially ridiculous after one of the latest Globe and Mail polls showed that 60% of Canadians think that socialism is a “viable political alternative.” Imagine what the results would be if there was actually a political party in Canada that openly advocated for Socialism! The NDP must stop apologizing for socialism and be vocal in its advocacy for this alternative. The claims that this “modernization” will make the party more “open and accessible” to help us on the electoral front are especially ridiculous coming from Pyper as they have yet to yield any electoral victories for him. He was the chief of staff for BC NDP leader Carole James’ failed provincial campaign and ran David Turner’s unsuccessful federal election campaign.

It is not as simple as saying we are socialists. It is key that we “patiently explain” what this means to Canadian workers and how socialism is the only way forward. We must connect with people through progressive, transitional demands that every working Yukoner and Canadian can identify with.

Steve Cardiff, the MLA for Mount Lorne, spoke persuasively about how he feels as though NDP MLAs get co-opted by the Liberals in the Legislature. He argued that moving NDP policy closer to that of the Liberals fails to maintain independence. This is especially timely, as two NDP MLAs joined the Liberal caucus during the last government. Any move to the so-called centre further exacerbates the problem of attracting people who better belong in the Liberal party. Another member inadvertently echoed the party leader’s comments from earlier that “we are different.” She emphasized that the NDP is different precisely because we are the party that stands for democratic socialism. She asked how we are to govern substantively differently than the Liberals, if our very constitution fails to assert how we are distinct. Also among the supporters for maintaining the party’s dedication to socialism was former federal NDP leader Audrey McLaughlin.

Thanks to these impassioned defenses, the proposed amendment was passed decisively, thus blocking the attempt to remove the party’s commitment to socialism. Quoted below is the 2nd paragraph that now remains in the constitution of the Yukon NDP:

“We hold the principles of democratic socialism to be embodied in economic and environmental planning and practice. These principles direct the production and distribution of goods and services towards meeting the social and individual needs of the people, and modify any monopolistic control of the sources of production and distribution of goods in the Yukon without diminishing the sustainability of the natural resource base, or risking damage to the integrity of the biosphere.”

While this is not a fully developed socialist platform, it is a great move towards rebuilding the party, not as an ambiguous 3rd party but as a grassroots socialist party, distinct from the two pro-business parties. The NDP does not need to move rightwards to get elected, but to the left, demanding full employment, free education, better healthcare and an end to the war in Afghanistan. This can be accomplished through grassroots organizing around these specific issues that resonate with working and oppressed people across the country, uniting them under the NDP banner for a socialist Canada!

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