P&O, owned by DP World, Fires 800 Workers

Julie Walton is a member of Socialist Alternative (England, Wales & Scotland). DP Canada is one of the major port companies refusing to negotiate with the ILWU in BC. They are owned by DP World, a Dubai based company that made profits before taxes, etc of $5 billion in 20022. In March of that year, […]

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The Media and a Tale of Two Maritime Disasters

In the media industry, there’s an old saying: “if it bleeds, it leads.” Sometimes the blood is real and gory, sometimes it’s a metaphor where the story in question involves drama, suspense, conflict or death, and, of course, “human interest.” The story gets top billing — the lead news story. And often it will displace […]

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People Want Change: Olivia Chow Elected Toronto Mayor

Olivia Chow, former NDP MP and city councillor, is Toronto’s new mayor, the first “progressive” or left-of-centre elected since David Miller back in 2003. While issues around affordable housing, the exploding cost of living and the city’s ballooning financial deficit are worse now than they were back then, Chow’s victory marks a clear response to […]

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Workers Close BC Ports

Written by Socialist Alternative members in solidarity on the picket line. At 8 am on Saturday, July 1, BC’s ports went quiet as longshore workers (ILWU) started their strike. They had voted 99.24 percent in favour of action, a powerful statement of intent. 7,400 workers are on strike. The previous contract had expired on March […]

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Two Years Since Lytton Destroyed

It’s been two long years. On June 30, 2021, the lives of people in Lytton, BC were changed forever, when fire swept through their community, devastating the entire village: city hall, the police station, the fire hall, two museums and the entire seven blocks of the commercial district. Almost every house was destroyed. Less than […]

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Socialist Alternative Magazine #25

Workers Strike Back! … and much more from Canada and abroad! Our subscription system is ready! You can now subscribe to Socialist Alternative’s magazine for a modest $2 a month or $24 a year and receive each printed issue delivered to your mailbox. With an additional donation, you can become a sustainer of our magazine […]

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NDP Fails in Alberta

Just over a year ago, the NDP was in front of the United Conservative Party (UCP) in every opinion poll, with an average lead of over 10 percent. Yet on May 29, the UCP won a majority of the votes (52.6 percent), and seats in the poll that matters: Alberta’s election.  In 2020 and 2021 […]

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Fire and Smoke

While Alberta’s deeply divided election rolls on, the province is suffering from fire and smoke. A dry winter and a hot spring have left much of the province tinder dry. The fires, that started in early May, by May 21 have already burnt over 940,000 hectares of land. This is more than any year since […]

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We Can’t Afford Capitalism

In early 2020, COVID engulfed Canadians and the world in turmoil that has not ended. War in the Ukraine, convoy in Ottawa, inflation everywhere, and fear of a banking crisis and another recession. In June 2022, inflation was above 8 percent, the highest rate in over 40 years. It has declined to 5 percent, but […]

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Vancouver Students Say, “No Cuts, No Closures!”

Students and teachers are struggling in BC with underfunded and understaffed schools. The public school system faces teacher shortages and increasing enrolment, but the provincial NDP government didn’t provide enough funding to address these shortfalls. This has led to widespread concerns that this year’s Vancouver School Board (VSB) budget will include cuts to programs and […]

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